Holiday Inn Express, Stirling

...stayed at the Express by Holiday Inn Stirling, a few times, booking directly by visiting Hiexpress.co.uk

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HOW TO GET THERE
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The hotel is situated on the outskirts of Springkerse business park, Stirling.
It is easily accessed from the M80, leaving at J10, or from J9 off the M9. Follow the A91 to St Andrews and after six roundabouts you arrive at the hotel.
If travelling ...
...staying in an Express by Holiday Inn hotel is that continental breakfast is included in the room price.
This is self-service and can be eaten downstairs or taken back to your room on a tray if you wish.
You can choose from a range of cereals, toast, croissants, pastries,muffins, fresh fruit, jams and marmalades and yoghurts. Fruit juice and tea/coffee is also provided. I know some people prefer a full English, but personally I don't, ... more

I love visiting Scotland for short breaks, and Stirling with the surrounding Trossachs, Loch Lomond etc is my favourite area. I always think Stirling has a certain 'air' about it, and I always feel at home when I visit. The people are very friendly and there is some beautiful scenery.

I have stayed at the Express by Holiday Inn Stirling, a few times, booking directly by visiting Hiexpress.co.uk

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOW TO GET THERE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The hotel is situated on the outskirts of Springkerse business park, Stirling.
It is easily accessed from the M80, leaving at J10, or from J9 off the M9. Follow the A91 to St Andrews and after six roundabouts you arrive at the hotel.
If travelling by train, Stirling train station is approx 1.5miles from the hotel.

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THE HOTEL
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Everytime I visit this hotel, it always appears to be very quiet and peaceful outside, despite being on the edge of a business park. There is a lovely view of rolling hills and also the Wallace Monument.

Ample car-parking is provided for the 80 guest rooms which are spread over 3 floors.
There is a bar in the hotel, serving drinks and coffees, and you can relax here and watch the large screen TV. This has recently been refurbished. The bar prices are more expensive than normal bar prices, so you may wish to visit the adjacent pub/restaurant if you want a cheaper drink.

The rooms are very clean, modern and spacious with air conditioning, and both double and twin rooms are available. I have always booked a double room and the bed is very large! Always made up with crisp white bed linen with plenty of pillows. If you do require more, you only need to ask and they will be provided.
The bed I have always found to be very comfortable, neither too soft nor too hard.
Also in the bedroom is a work-space area with Wi-Fi, TV with some satellite channels, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer, and sofa bed.
The en-suite bathrooms are fully tiled, and do not contain a bath, but an excellent power shower, which is ideal for waking you up on a morning! they have always been spotlessly clean.
Shower gel and handwash are provided. One bath towel and a hand towel per person are provided. There is a note to say that if you have forgotten any essential toiletry items then just ask at Reception, they are happy to provide you with a replacement free of charge.

Should you be staying more than one night, then towels, tea/coffee etc are replenished daily.

The staff at the hotel have always been very welcoming and friendly with a helpful attitude. I have had no problems with check-in or service during my stay.
Nor have I had any problems with noise or disturbance during my stays here, and it always seems quiet both inside and out.

One of the advantages to staying in an Express by Holiday Inn hotel is that continental breakfast is included in the room price.
This is self-service and can be eaten downstairs or taken back to your room on a tray if you wish.
You can choose from a range of cereals, toast, croissants, pastries,muffins, fresh fruit, jams and marmalades and yoghurts. Fruit juice and tea/coffee is also provided. I know some people prefer a full English, but personally I don't, so this is fine for me, and as it's included in the price, you can't go wrong!
Im my opinion it is far better than a Travelodge, where you pay extra to have basically a cornflake twin-pot with UHT milk, and a muffin!

Adjacent to the hotel is a pub/restaurant with children's play area, called The Web Spinner, and is part of the Hungry Horse chain.
I have ate here a couple of times, and the meals have been fine. The interior seemed a little dark, but I understand it has very recently been refurbished so it may have changed.
The staff were quite friendly and I have had no problems with the service.
I have spent some nice times sitting outside with a drink facing the hills and Wallace Monument.

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PRICES AND THE REWARD SCHEME
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I would recommend booking online to guarantee the best room rate. Visit HIEXPRESS.CO.UK for further info.
There is a promotion which the hotel chain often have available where by you can book a room from just £39 per night. Full details are available on the website. I think the normal room rate is around £89 per night, but you can usually secure a room for much less than this, with £60 being around the average price. The most I have paid for a room here is £49.

It is worth joining the Priority Club Rewards scheme which covers all hotels in this chain : Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza etc.
Membership is free and all details are to be found on the website.

Basically you earn points each stay which can be saved and used as payment for a free night. There is also the option to buy points if you do not wish to wait until you have accumulated enough for a free night.

This is a really good reward scheme which brings many benefits, apart from extended check in and out times, you will also receive priority check in, complimentary newspapers and regular offers sent to you via email, to earn extra points.
I have earned quite a few free nights over the last five years, and the good thing is your points never expire so you can save them for as long as you wish. There are also no black-out dates on redeeming your points, so you can have a free night on any day you wish.

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IN THE AREA
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The Express by Holiday Inn is an ideal base for exploring Stirling and The Trossachs. Both The Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle are not far away, as is the Bannockburn Heritage Centre.
Other attractions such as the Falkirk Wheel is only approx 11 miles away.

Stirling city centre is 2 miles from the hotel.

There is a local Vue cinema a mile away with restaurants, and a leisure centre is very near to the hotel.

Overall I can recommend this hotel if visiting Stirling, and it is a better choice and better value than the Travelodge in Stirling, which I have also stayed at on a couple of coccasions.
Given that you can earn points, obtain a good room rate and breakfast included in the price, it will always be my first choice when visiting Stirling.

Express by Holiday Inn, Stirling
Springkerse Business Park
Stirling
FK7 7XH

Tel. 0871 4234876

*Review also appears on dooyoo under same username 

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