![A Stress-Free Stay At The Holiday Inn Express, Sydney Airport [Review]](https://i0.wp.com/www.ytravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/holiday-inn-sydney-airport-9.jpg?w=800&resize=800,498&ssl=1 "A Stress-Free Stay At The Holiday Inn Express, Sydney Airport [Review]")
This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.
If you have an early flight, or a night time layover, then you might be in need of accommodation near Sydney Airport that is comfortable and takes the stress of travel away from you.
If that’s the case, then the Holiday Inn Express at Sydney Airport is the perfect budget-friendly option for any kind of traveler.
Caz and our two daughters stayed one night here before a trip from Sydney to the Gold Coast, and they decided to stay here because Holiday Inn has always been a hotel chain that puts emphasis on families.
That being said, this is not a hotel that has children screaming up and down the corridors – if you’re a business traveler, you can enjoy a restful night here whilst also making use of the savvy business center.
Now there are a few hotels near Sydney Airport, so if you’re not sure if the Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport is right for you, then here is our complete and honest review based on our experience.
Disclaimer: We originally partnered with Holiday Inn Sydney Airport on this guide to experience what they have to offer families, but all thoughts, ideas, and opinions in this review are our own. We have also updated this guide with more information since to help our readers make a more informed choice.
About Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport
The Holiday Inn Express at Sydney Airport is located on Sarah St, Mascot, right across from the Domestic Departures at Sydney Airport.
It’s within walking distance of Sydney Domestic Airport but they also have a shuttle to international departures, which is approximately 5km away.
Side note, most of the best hotels near Sydney Airport are in this location, and you’ll find the nearby hotels have similar offerings.
The Holiday Inn is low-key and simple with a budget-friendly price tag, but that doesn’t mean it skimps out on quality. In fact, it underwent a 252 multi-million dollar refurbishment in the guestrooms, so you can expect nothing but high-end furnishings and fittings.
This 4-star hotel boasts city views, a 24-hour front desk, business centre, fitness center with sauna, and an onsite restaurant where you can enjoy a continental ‘Express Start’ breakfast or Grab and Go.
Each room comes with air conditioning, a fridge and kettle/coffee machine, private bathrooms with shower, guest toiletries, and hair dryer, and a flat-screen TV.
There is free WiFi throughout the hotel.
There are other perks too, here is what we liked about the Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport…
What We Liked About The Holiday Inn Sydney Airport
1. It’s family-friendly
The minute we entered the lobby, we encountered the family friendly feel and the Christmas spirit (we were staying in December). The lobby was decorated with a ginger bread house and festive decorations.
Holiday Inn have a kids check-in counter, and we know our young kids enjoyed pretending to check into the hotel!
The family-friendly feel didn’t stop in the lobby though. Upon entering our room, besides getting excited about a long-awaited cuddle with their dad, the kids couldn’t wait to get stuck into their activities pack!
Every kid at staying at the Holiday Inn receives this awesome pack with an activities book filled with puzzles and colouring in – the packs keep them amused for hours, and comes in handy in the room or at dinner.
They provide a welcome distraction from electronic gadgets, which we appreciate as parents too!
2. Convenient location
If you’re looking for convenient accommodation near Sydney airport on a short stay layover, Holiday Inn is located just 1km from Sydney Domestic Airport and 5km from the International Terminal. The Australian Golf Club (a prestigious Australian golf course) is also within a short drive of the hotel.
Whether you’re flying internationally or across Australia, this location near the airport is perfect for those who don’t want to waste time stuck in traffic getting in from the city centre. Less stress and more sleep time!
It’s also nice to be 1km back from the airport so you don’t hear the sounds of roaring planes at night.
If you do want to go into the city, it’s just 350 meters from Mascot Railway Station, allowing you to get into Sydney CBD within 20-30 minutes.
3. Kids eat and stay free
If you travel with kids like us, you know that the extra costs of meals and accommodation can really add up. We are always on the lookout for family deals like “kids eat free” or “kids stay free” and the Holiday Inn has got you covered.
For up to two children, kids aged 12 and under stay free when sharing existing bedding in their parents’ room.
We are a family of four and are happy to go with two queen beds, but depending upon the number in your family, the Holiday Inn Sydney Airport has connecting rooms available and family room configurations.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the cool animal towel creations that are always a hit with the kids, like our swan!
As for meals, kids aged 12 and under eat free at any of the on-site restaurants in Holiday Inns from the kids menu when accompanied by a family member who’s dining from the regular menu.
4. Free parking
If you drive to Sydney Airport like I did, you get free secure underground car parking at Holiday Inn for up to 7 nights.
Talk about convenience. No need to struggle with your kids and luggage and hailing down a taxi, or walking to the impractical designated Uber pick up point. Win – win!
5. The free IHG Rewards Club
Whilst staying at the hotel, we learnt about the IHG rewards club.
Holiday Inn is a member of the InterContinental Hotels Group and by joining their FREE membership you get benefits such as:
- Exclusive rates
- Late check-out of 2pm for Elite status only and subject to availability (standard check-out is 11am)
- Collect points or miles for every stay
- No blackout dates for Reward Nights
To learn more about the IHG One Rewards App and join the rewards program click here.
6. Well-designed rooms
If you’re expecting a drab, cheap room, think again! The Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport offers clean rooms with quality in-room conveniences, modern touches, and plush beds.
We were impressed with the cleanliness, the amount of space we had, and the overall comfort we felt sleeping here.
You can also order room service, and get a free cot for baby travelers at the time of reservation (depending on availability).
7. Delicious breakfast
You get complimentary breakfast included in your price at the Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport, and it’s a very good breakfast for a freebie!
You get a cooked breakfast buffet, which changes each time, so every time you stay you can get a different complimentary Express Start breakfast.
8. Helpful staff
To make sure you have a comfortable stay, the staff are always on hand to make sure you have everything you need.
We had a smooth check-in and check-out experience, and the staff were always friendly and ready to help with our needs. They will even book a taxi for you if you turn down the expensive shuttle service.
9. Free high speed Wi-Fi
Having free Wi-Fi should be the norm in hotels, but because Australia has crazy bad internet, you can never assume internet is included these days.
The Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport offers free and FAST wi-fi throughout, which for us running an online business, is essential.
What We Didn’t Like About Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport
1. Pricey Airport Transfers
On our flight out of Sydney Airport, we had to get ourselves from Sydney International Terminal to the Domestic Terminal for a connecting flight which cost the four of us a cool $26 in a taxi.
Can you believe that? The cost of parking at Sydney Airport and what we have to pay for transportation between domestic and international terminals annoys me to no end!
So I put a lot of value on hotels that offer an airport shuttle service (bonus for complimentary shuttles).
When you stay at Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, you can get airport transfers for $12 AUD to and from the hotel. Now, for a family of four, that works out more than a taxi would. However, for a single traveler or a couple, it’s cheaper than an Uber.
The airport shuttle operates every 30-45 minutes from 5:30am to 10:55pm, seven days a week. And the pick up area at the Domestic Airport is located a short walk halfway between T2 and T3.
2. Nothing to do nearby
There is nothing touristy to see or buy near the Holiday Inn or Sydney Airport.
If you have kids and want to get out of the hotel for a bit, Sky Zone in Alexandria is located minutes from the hotel on O’Riordan Street and is an indoor trampoline park with a toddlers only area.
FAQs About Staying at The Holiday Inn, Sydney Airport
When is the cheapest day of the week to stay at Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport?
The cheapest day of the week is generally Wednesday, but any midweek day is cheaper than a weekend. The most expensive day is Tuesday.
When is the cheapest month to stay at Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport?
May is usually the cheapest month to stay at the Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport as it’s in the low season, and the most expensive month is November.
The Verdict: Would We Recommend The Holiday Inn, Sydney Airport?
If you find yourself seeking Sydney Airport accommodation, whether you’re traveling with kids or are a business traveler, Holiday Inn Express Sydney Airport makes for an ideal airport stopover for hassle free landings and take offs.
Next time we have challenging flight times, we’ll definitely spend another night at the Holiday Inn.
Those little things like kids eating free, activity packs, as well as a practical location, help us to alleviate the stress so we can do more of what we love – travel.
Pin To Save It On Pinterest
