This hotel is only a year old and is in excellent condition. The staff is friendly, the facility is clean and very well maintained. The breakfast was a normal Express breakfast, but the service staff was better than any I’ve encountered. Just 5 miles from the beach, a great, quiet, place to stay.

Nobody at front desk when I arrived approx. 7 p.m. on a Monday night, but someone did come out to greet me after about 3 minutes. The front desk person was not overly friendly, but not rude either. My husband and I got a room with 2 queens sized bed. It was a nice, simple, standard hotel room, clean room. My husband really liked the beds (5/5 for him). Me not as much (3/5). It was just a little too squishy for me. Pillows were heavy, soft and squishy too . I don’t presume because I do not prefer that type of bed or pillow, another person would not. I am simply explaining what to expect if you stay at this Holiday Inn. Room size good for 2 people, but with 2 queen size beds, if there were 4 people in the room, it would have been crowded. The shower/tub base was slippery. I meant to express the concern to the front desk and forgot. The base of the tub/shower did not have a rough texture or grip pads of any kind. It was kind of scary getting in and out of the shower. The hotel appeared clean everywhere… in the room, the complimentary breakfast area, the hallways, the pool area, outside grounds and parking lot. I understand this is a newer hotel. I hope if I return in a few years, it is still clean. I often saw staff present and working. The pool area is nice. You can walk into the pool on the lower end, but there are 2 ladders on the deeper end (5 ft). There are two sitting areas inside the pool. That made it really nice to relax in the pool without some type of floating apparatus. It also made it easy to ease into the pool. There was not a hot tub. I guess that is not a thing in “hot’ Florida. There is a bathroom in the pool area, but it is not labeled, so we were in the pool for several hours on the first day and had to go inside the hotel to use a restroom. On the second day, we saw someone enter a door of an outside building in the pool area and deduced it had to be a restroom. It was. Not smart on our part for not checking if this was a bathroom, but still confused as to why the door was not labeled. The breakfast was a little above your standard complimentary breakfast. The cinnamon rolls offered everyday were delish (they were Cinnabon muffin size rolls). Something different was offered everyday. One day there were cheese omelets, the next, omelets with green & red pepper, another day, biscuits and gravy. They always had cold cereal (pint size milk cartons instead of milk dispensed from a large container – I like that), bananas & apples, yogurt, breads & muffins, sausage, but a few days bacon (it was pretty good too), oatmeal, juice and coffee (the coffee was above average). Oh! There was a pancake machine instead of a waffle machine. This breakfast area was very clean. The breakfast staff was very friendly and did a fantastic job of keeping food supplied and keeping the area clean (including emptying trash cans). We were at the hotel for 7 days so I feel like I can say with confidence, it was consistent. No hair dryer in room. I did not need a hair dryer, but that was surprising. I can’t remember the last time I stayed in a hotel and there was not a hair dryer in the room. They might have had one available at the front desk, but since I did not need one, so I did not ask. Plenty of outlets in room! There was a microwave, small refrigerator and a safe in the room. There is a coin operated laundry available . It was anywhere from $2-$2.5 to wash (depending on cycle) and $2 to dry. No change machine though, and I it was difficult to get change at the front desk. They seemed hesitant to give change when I asked for $3 in change. Considering they have a $350 incidental charge (what’s that about? $350?!), I would think they are covered for any counterfeit or for whatever the reason is for the hesitation. In general, it was difficult to get change anywhere in Florida. I tried at 2 Walmarts. They would not give change. I tried at 2 other random stores. They would not give change. I tried 2 car washes. The machines did not work at either. Finally, I got change $10 in change at a bank (again, the teller did so with hesitation because I did not have an account). Wow! Maybe I just look suspicious. So crazy. The hotel parking lot was well lit and the hotel was in a good location - 20 mins/10 miles from airport, right off Miracle Strip (that seems to be the main drag). For $220 a night, not what I consider a bargain, we were still satisfied customers.

My family and I were on our first trip to the Emerald Coast and this hotel fit our needs perfectly! The first things you notice when you walk in are the clean, fresh smell and the abundance of natural light in the lobby. Smiling employees who really care about their guests. Clean, safe, beautifully decorated facilities and guest rooms. Large “zero-entry” type pool that my kids loved. Hot, delicious free breakfast. Special shout-out to breakfast attendant Olivia who worked very hard to keep the dining area clean and well stocked. None of the food items ever ran out for us. She bussed tables like a restaurant server and greeted us with a smile each morning. The beds were honestly the most comfortable hotel beds I’ve ever slept on, and I’ve stayed with a lot of different hotel chains. Clean, fresh linens and lots of fluffy pillows. Facility was very quiet as well. Would absolutely stay here again next time we’re in the area!

Christina, Olivia and Dee were AMAZING!! The shades were stuck in our room. We didn't want to relocate to a new room so Dee came in and did all she could to prevent the light from beaming in the morning. The room was very spacious and superbly clean. Olivia was such a delight at breakfast; always checking to make sure we were ok, taking items when we were done and just being communicable in the most pleasant way. There was another young lady at breakfast as well that was just as pleasing. Christina at check in and check out has such a bubbly personality and seems as if she cared what was going on with you. This is a new hotel with a lot of upgrades. I feel as if the front desk needs to explain how to use the upgrades. I believe this is why the shades malfunctioned because the previous occupants didn't know how to operate properly. We have electronic shades and we trouble shot as we would have done with our own but nothing worked. This hotel is equipped with touch lamps and a lot of goodies. AGAIN, these things need to be explained to the less technical savvy patrons. I’m sure this will prevent future repair and maintenance issues. If ever I am in Ft Walton again, I will definitely stay here again.

We loved this hotel! Beautiful inside and out. The pool was big and very clean. The area outside with the fire was beautiful. The lobby was huge. The workout center was great! Would definitely stay again!

Hotel was clean, breakfast was great and prepared by Olivia, who is definitely a morning person. The only complaint is that the hotel says they have a washer and a dryer, but they do not keep quarters around. You might as well not even have them if you are not going to carry quarters or even tokens. There are multiple apps that will allow a customer to pay for a washer and dryer like PayRange as well. Many folks (like me) pack light and need a washer and dryer and having to find someone to give me quarters down the street at the gas station is not the answer.

Fairly new Hotel. Looks very clean. Got there early due to time change. Megan at the desk got us a room right away. No view due to being above the front canopy, but not a problem. It is a suite. Greeted as platinum member. $50 is charged to your card at check in but if the room isn’t damaged it will be put back on card. This is not normal at all other Holiday Express that I have stayed in so it makes me wonder if they have trouble at this location. The room was very nice and clean. Bed was comfortable. Breakfast was good - bacon 🥓 was excellent. Parking was good. Pool needed some cleaning. Overall it is very nice but traffic is busy.

Beautiful hotel and great location! Everyone was very friendly! Very nice pool! Great breakfast! Would definitely stop here again! Close to a lot of restaurants! Everyone was very friendly and helpful!

This hotel is fairly new---great condition, very good breakfast and atmosphere. Our room was very clean and the bed/pillows super comfortable. The lobby area is large and has a lot of casual seating which made for a great meeting/hanging out area visiting with family and friends.