Hotel Review: Holiday Inn in Richmond, Virginia's West End

Located in the West End of Richmond, Virginia on Broad Street at the I-64 and I-95 interchange is the Holiday Inn Richmond. It just underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and it shows. They have 282 Guest Rooms and Suites on 9 floors. This is a very pretty Holiday Inn. Even as you pull in you notice the beautiful and well-manicured lawns. This bodes well for the rooms...

Check-in was top-notch friendly and very fast. I had no reservation as this was a last minute secret shop, and the desk gal handled things very nicely. While she did take my Visa #, she did not try to authorize it after I told her I would be paying cash.

I had a smoking room with two queen sized beds. This was exceptionally clean and comfy. The room is fairly large so there is plenty of space to move around in. I had stayed here once back 6 years ago and I must say, this renovation made all the difference in the world! Everything is so new-looking now. I had an alarm clock (that worked!), coffee maker, hair dryer, desk, data port (didn't use), Iron/ironing board, and a separate closet with luggage stand. The phone was a 2-line speaker phone which I should think would come in quite handy for business travelers.

The bathroom had a full bath with shower and separate dressing area. Amenities included soap and a bottle of shampoo/conditioner. No extras like shower caps or hand lotion, so bring your own. The towels were big and fluffy, just like I like them! I had no problem with water pressure and there was plenty of hot water. Did I say the place was spotless? We're talking spit-polished!

Room Service is handled by their Sapphire Grill and Lounge, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Typical rooms services charges apply, including 15% tip. Room service delivery was about 45 minutes, but it arrived hot and the steak was quite good. They even remembered salt and pepper! Don't laugh, you wouldn't believe how many times they forget this at other places. It's the little things like that which will bring me back.

The restaurant is fairly fancy, but they let me in with jeans and didn't raise an eyebrow, heh. It's done in dark woods and black leathers and looks absolutely new. The wait staff is efficient and friendly. The prices are about like TGI Fridays, if not just a tad higher.

If that isn't to your budget or you want something different on an extended stay, there are alternatives fairly close such as Denny's across the street, Olive Garden, Steak & Ale, Fridays, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King. You are also not all that far from shopping.

They have an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, and fitness center...none of which I happened to use, but the pool I did peak at and it was clean and in very good shape. The fitness center offers two exercise bicycles, three treadmills, one stair-stepper and free weights.

This is located about 10 miles from Downtown (straight down Broad) and about 15 miles from the Richmond Airport (take 64 east). The Science Museum is down the road on Broad Street and they have a lot of new renovations too.

They do have on-site laundry, dry cleaning, fax, and copying services. Quite a few of the staff speak both English and Spanish. Parking is self-serve but free. The ice and vending machines actually worked!

Pets are not allowed.

Check-out was smooth as silk, with not one extra charge! That is amazing in and of itself.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this hotel, especially to business travelers and families. It's clean and it's not a bad location at all.

6531 W. Broad St.
RICHMOND, VA 23230

Tel: 1-804-2859951
Fax: 1-804-6739632