Let’s be real: you’re not here for a Gatsby-esque weekend. You’re here to crash. The lobby hits you with that “new-build modern” smell—a glorious mix of freshly hoovered carpet and industrial-grade optimism. The check-in is so fast you’ll barely have time to regret the third cup of service station coffee.
The staff are genuinely lovely, which is surprising because they’ve probably dealt with 47 people that day who all asked the same question about parking. They hand you a key card and boom—you’re in. No velvet ropes, no moody lighting. Just pure, unadulterated efficiency.
The Room: A Masterclass in “Just Enough”
Opening the door, you’ll notice the room is compact. I don’t mean small like a shoebox; I mean “intelligent use of space” like a Swiss Army knife. You can literally reach the bed, the TV remote, and the kettle without leaving a single spot on the carpet. Efficiency.
The bed is a triumph of modern engineering. It’s firm enough to support your existential dread, yet soft enough to convince you that a 7 AM alarm is a personal insult. The pillows? They’re the perfect density: not too fluffy (which gives you neck crick), not too flat (which is basically sleeping on a pancake). It’s the Goldilocks of pillows.
Now, the TV. It’s about 40 inches of pure distraction. You will spend 12 minutes flicking through channels before settling on a documentary about cheese. This is the way.
Breakfast: The Sun Rises on the Free Cereal Bar
Ah, the pièce de résistance. The inclusive breakfast. I know, I know—free hotel breakfasts can be terrifying culinary experiments. But here? It’s a genuine delight. You get a hot buffet with scrambled eggs that look suspiciously like yellow clouds, sausages that snap perfectly, and baked beans that could sustain a small army.
Holiday Inn Express Leicester City, an IHG Hotel, Leicester – Updated
The star of the show is the pancake machine. Yes, you read that right. A machine that spits out a hot, fluffy pancake at the push of a button. It’s like a magical vending machine that loves you. Warning: You will feel a surge of power. Use it wisely. Do not push the button seventeen times. The hotel staff will judge you.
The Location: You Are Technically in the City
This hotel is located on St. Nicholas Circle, which sounds like a mystical roundabout from a fantasy novel. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the city center. That’s the perfect distance—close enough to stumble back after a night out, far enough that you don’t hear the 2 AM karaoke from Wetherspoons.
Leicester itself is a hidden gem. It has a massive cathedral, the fantastic National Space Centre (yes, they have a real rocket), and the best curry houses outside of Birmingham. The hotel is your launchpad. You drop your bags, you go explore, you come back to a warm room. It’s a beautiful cycle.
Surprising Facts to Stun Your Friends
Here’s where it gets weird. Did you know this specific Holiday Inn Express is built on a site that was once a Roman settlement? That’s right. While you’re sleeping on that firm mattress, you are commuting with ancient ghosts. Imagine a Roman centurion seeing you yank a pancake from a machine. He would weep with confusion.
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LEICESTER CITY, AN IHG HOTEL (AU$122) - 2026 Prices
Also, the hotel uses a special water filtration system for their showers. The water is so soft it feels like you’re being washed by a cloud of angels. You will leave with skin smoother than a baby dolphin. It’s a weird flex for a chain hotel, but they own it.
