Holiday Inn Express Walsall M6J10 by IHG

This hotel offers a convenient location right off the M6 motorway, making it a popular choice for road trippers seeking a comfortable stopover and business travelers needing easy access to the Midlands area. Its free parking and inclusion of breakfast are consistently highlighted as significant benefits, contributing to its overall excellent value for money. Guests frequently praise the hotel's consistent cleanliness and the exceptional friendliness of its staff, which makes for a welcoming atmosphere. For those traveling with families, the hotel provides spacious rooms and amenities like a pancake machine at breakfast, ensuring a pleasant stay. To ensure a restful night, guests sensitive to noise might consider requesting a room away from the motorway side.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides ample and often free parking, including both outdoor and underground options, though some guests note the need to register their vehicle's number plate at reception. The bar area is generally well-regarded, offering a pleasant space to relax with a selection of drinks, including draft beer and cider, though some found the food options limited. Rooms are equipped with practical amenities such as tea making facilities, an iron and ironing board, and a choice of pillows for enhanced comfort. While most guests appreciate the air conditioning, some experienced issues with its effectiveness or noise levels. The availability of complimentary toiletries in the bathroom is a thoughtful touch, and the presence of an ice cream machine has been a hit with younger guests.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel's high standards of cleanliness, describing rooms and public areas as spotless and well-maintained. The comfortable beds and soft towels are frequently mentioned, contributing to a restful experience. Rooms are generally considered spacious and well-equipped, often including a kettle for hot drinks. While most rooms are quiet, some guests noted occasional traffic noise from the nearby motorway, especially if their room faced it, though many found it not disruptive enough to affect sleep. Some minor issues reported include non-functioning shower cream pumps, sticky carpets, or a musty smell in some rooms, but these appear to be isolated incidents.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast consistently receives high praise, being included in the stay and offering a good variety of options. Guests enjoy the self-service buffet, which typically includes both continental items like cereals, pastries, and fruit, and cooked breakfast choices such as sausages, bacon, eggs, and beans. A unique and popular feature is the pancake making machine, particularly enjoyed by families. While breakfast is a highlight, feedback on the evening restaurant and bar food is mixed; many find it adequate and good value, but some describe the choice as limited, with food quality occasionally inconsistent, noting issues like overcooked bacon or tough sausages.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location directly off Junction 10 of the M6 motorway is its primary draw, offering easy access for travelers. This makes it an ideal pit stop for long journeys and convenient for visiting the wider Midlands area, including Birmingham. While the immediate surroundings offer limited dining options beyond the hotel, a KFC is nearby, and other restaurants are a short walk or taxi ride away. The hotel provides free parking, which is a significant advantage. For guests with accessibility needs, the hotel offers accessible rooms that are spacious, though some found the ramp access to reception from the drop-off point less convenient.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receive glowing reviews for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Guests frequently highlight the warm welcome at check-in, the efficiency of the process, and the staff's willingness to go above and beyond to assist with requests, such as resolving dining issues or providing forgotten toiletries. Housekeeping staff are also commended for their thoroughness and pleasant demeanor. While most experiences are positive, a few guests reported isolated incidents of slow service at reception or the bar, or issues with staff understanding English, but these appear to be exceptions to the generally high standard of service.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that while the hotel is generally quiet despite its proximity to the motorway, some rooms may experience noise from fire doors slamming shut due to their design. The hotel offers meeting rooms, which are well-regarded for business purposes. For those traveling with children, the hotel's pancake machine at breakfast is a notable and unique amenity that enhances the dining experience. Some guests have noted that the hotel's TV channels can be limited or have reception issues. It's also worth noting that while the hotel provides complimentary toiletries, some guests found the shower cream dispensers to be faulty.