Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong By Ihg

This modern hotel stands out for its contemporary design and immaculate cleanliness, offering a fresh and stylish environment that many guests find impressive. Its signature feature is the combination of spacious rooms and a central location, making it an ideal choice for various travelers. Business travelers appreciate the convenient setting and well-appointed accommodations, while families benefit from the generous room sizes and family-friendly amenities. Couples and leisure travelers find the hotel perfect for exploring the city, with easy access to attractions. Guests consistently highlight the comfortable beds, excellent buffet breakfast, and the friendly and helpful staff. To enhance your stay, consider booking onsite parking in advance, as it is a popular amenity, and be aware of the air conditioning system, which operates with a specific policy.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of modern facilities designed for guest comfort and convenience. The indoor pool is a popular feature, described as clean and suitable for families, though some guests wished it were warmer or included a spa and sauna. A functional gym is available, equipped with quality machines, although a few visitors found it to be on the smaller side. Guests appreciate the in-room technology, including smart TVs with Chromecast capabilities, allowing for personalized entertainment, though some experienced technical issues. The presence of an in-room coffee machine is noted, with some desiring more sachets. The hotel also provides EV charging for electric vehicles and features an interactive guest information totem in the lobby, offering local insights. However, some guests reported slow or limited lifts, leading to occasional waiting times.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the hotel's exceptional cleanliness, noting that rooms are spotless, modern, and well-maintained. The spacious rooms are a significant highlight, offering ample space and a stylish, contemporary decor. Most guests found the beds very comfortable, often equipped with both soft and firm pillows to suit individual preferences, though a few found the beds either too soft or too hard. While generally quiet and well-soundproofed, some corner rooms experienced street noise, and a few guests reported hearing neighbors or plumbing sounds. The bathrooms are described as modern, spacious, and well-designed, featuring excellent rain showers with high water pressure and good ventilation. A recurring concern, however, is the air conditioning system, which many guests reported turning off automatically, leading to stuffy or hot rooms, and some found it to be loud. Many rooms offer pleasant bay views or city vistas.

Dining & Food Quality
The buffet breakfast at the hotel receives widespread acclaim, with most guests describing it as "excellent," "amazing," and "delicious," offering a wide variety of options, including good quality coffee. A notable benefit for families is that children can eat free. While the majority enjoyed the breakfast, some found it to be average or wished for more choices. The hotel's restaurant and bar areas are generally well-regarded, with guests enjoying the food and atmosphere. Room service feedback is mixed; some found it quick and tasty, while others reported it to be expensive with small portions, or experienced issues with orders not being monitored. Specific dishes like omelettes and certain desserts received positive mentions, and the coffee from the machine was generally appreciated.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a major draw, consistently highlighted as excellent, convenient, and well-positioned. Guests appreciate being within walking distance of numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes, making dining and exploration easy. Key attractions such as the Arts Centre, the waterfront, and the train station are also easily accessible on foot. While most found the location ideal, a few guests felt it was slightly on the edge of the central business district, necessitating driving for some destinations. Parking is a significant topic; while onsite parking is available, it is often described as expensive, with a daily charge, and can be fully booked or cramped. Some guests opted for street parking due to these challenges, and there were mentions of issues with the car park exit sensor.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receive overwhelmingly positive feedback, praised for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentive service. Many guests noted that the team goes above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The check-in process is generally described as quick and efficient, though a few guests experienced initial minor hassles. Staff are commended for their responsiveness in resolving issues, such as upgrading rooms due to a fan malfunction or addressing other room-related concerns. Room upgrades are also frequently mentioned as a benefit for loyalty program members. While most feedback on housekeeping is positive regarding cleanliness, some guests reported issues with rooms not being cleaned despite requests, or even missing items, which led to disappointment. Late checkout options are also appreciated by guests.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of certain hotel policies and features that impact their stay. A deposit is taken upon check-in, which some guests noted can take an extended period to be returned after departure. The hotel also applies a credit card surcharge, which some visitors found to be an unexpected and unwelcome addition. A significant benefit for families is the kids eat free policy for breakfast, making dining more economical. For loyalty program members, IHG Rewards benefits are frequently mentioned, including room upgrades and other perks. The hotel's decor is often described as having a unique, funky 70s style, contributing to a relaxed and chill atmosphere. Additionally, the air conditioning policy of the unit turning off when guests leave the room is a recurring point of discussion, impacting room comfort.