Onin.London Escapes To The Holiday Inn Brentwood For A Stylish Essex Stay

Travelling with 10 month old twins using only public transport could have been stressful, but getting to Holiday Inn Brentwood was surprisingly easy. My mum, the twins and I travelled from London by train and then a short bus journey to the hotel conveniently located just off the M25 from Brentwood station.

Upon arrival we were greeted warmly by staff and in awe of the recent upgrades, which has given the hotel a fresh, contemporary feel throughout. Now I love a Holiday Inn normally but I really enjoyed the stylish Open Lobby. It created a relaxed social hub where you could watch guests work, dine or simply unwind and take in the hotel’s modern artwork. The welcoming interiors really do give it a boutique feel that’s unexpected and not common for a motorway hotel.

Once we were in our Deluxe King Suite room, it was great to see that it was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate two travel cots and having plenty of room to move around. With two crawling twins who want to get into absolutely everything… this made a real difference. The generous beds were incredibly comfortable and the in room amenities such as complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi added to the convenience of our stay. The fridge being a major highlight as I could store the babies food and milk in there without having to worry about requesting hotel staff to keep it safe.

One of the biggest highlights and selling points of the hotel’s leisure facilities. We were given complimentary access to the Spirit Health Club meant if we wanted to we could enjoy the heated indoor swimming pool. There’s also a gym, sauna and steam room, all which are ideal for guests wanting to relax or keep active. Unfortunately we forgot our swim and gym wear so didn’t get a chance to try the  out. We did go down and have a quick look and it looked awesome.

Dining was another standout with two restaurants to choose from. Marco Pierre White New York Italian offers a varied menu featuring Italian favourites including pasta, pizza and seafood alongside American classics such as burgers, steaks and ribs. This was shut on the day but we were able to order from the hotel’s menu. For starters I had the Burrata Salad and mum went with the calamari. I chose the Chicken Schnitzel while mum had the lamb for our mains. There wasn’t much left on our plates after our meal. Staff also brought out a kids meal of pasta for my babies which they enjoyed.

The relaxed atmosphere really did make dining with young children much easier than expected and the Holiday Inn promise that children under 12 eat free when dining with a paying adult… so this really is a fantastic benefit for families.

We washed down dinner with a couple cocktails and mocktails before taking the twins upstairs for a bath and got them ready for bed. After a very relaxing night, we were up early for breakfast which was just as enjoyable for dinner.

Expect a full English, pancakes, cereals, fruits and much more. Really nothing beats a hotel breakfast and we enjoyed loading up before leaving to go explore Brentwood.

The hotel’s location makes it particularly convenient for visitors attending events at The Brentwood Centre, as well as those exploring the nearby ski and snowboard centre, local shops and family attractions. There are  loads of charity shops plus a huge shopping mall with everyone’s favourites so we were able to pick up some bargains before heading back to London.

We were told that corporate guests are well catered for too as there are eight flexible meeting and event spaces accommodating up to 120 delegates. The rooms have modern audiovisual facilities, on-site catering, ample parking and a pleasant garden patio so this makes it an excellent venue for meetings, conferences and celebrations.

General Manager Kevin Coombes describes Holiday Inn Brentwood as “a bit of a hidden gem motorway hotel,” and after our stay… it’s hard to disagree.

Despite travelling with twins and relying entirely on public transport from London, we found the hotel welcoming, family friendly and incredibly convenient. Twins always have people coming up to us to ask questions and people are genuinely kind but the staff seemed extra kind to us and the help they offered to us was greatly appreciated.

Holiday Inn Brentwood has managed to successfully combine contemporary style with practical comforts. It really does make it an excellent choice for families, business travellers and anyone looking to enjoy Essex while remaining within easy reach of the capital. If we’re ever in the area again, we will be staying again. It was truly a home away from home.

For the best available rates ensure you book direct via LGH Hotels Management.