Not too long ago, I did a last-minute “mattress run” for IHG bonus points.
Shopping for the lowest-priced IHG hotel in Los Angeles to conduct the mattress run led me to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Los Angeles Airport Hawthorne.
Here’s the review.
Review: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Los Angeles Airport Hawthorne
Location And Parking
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Los Angeles Airport Hawthorne is located 3.4 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or about a 10-minute drive. The hotel is located near the cross streets of Imperial Highway and Hawthorne Blvd., oddly “hidden” behind a sistering-property, the Candlewood Suites.
Parking is free at this Holiday Inn Express although “choice parking” may be limited by the shared parking lot with the Candlewood Suites; I was asked to park around the corner in the covered and gated parking garage.
FHOP-Tip: In part due to its proximity to a “big-city airport”, this Holiday Inn Express is located in a “higher-crime” part of Los Angeles (south of the Interstate 105 Freeway). It should go without saying, but don’t leave valuables in your car, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t make yourself a target by doing something like carrying large amounts of cash.
This Holiday Inn Express does not have a shuttle to the airport.
IHG Rewards Club Redemption And Booking Options
- Average Price Per Night During Stay: $171 USD
- Room Type: “2 Queen Beds Standard”
- IHG Rewards Club Points Required: (Option not available during stay)
- CPP for Redemption: N/A
- Point Redemption Value: N/A
FHOP-Tip: This hotel is relatively popular and thus seems to have limited availability for IHG Rewards Club reservations on many nights.
Front Desk & Check-In
Check-in was fast and friendly at the front desk; I was recognized for my IHG status but I was not offered an upgrade.
Image: ihg.com
Image: ihg.com
Suite Entrance
After entering the suite, I was pleased to find a large room that appeared relatively clean although it did show signs of heavy use (which, in all fairness, is to be expected at any airport hotel).
The Bedroom Area
Toward the back of the suite was the bedroom area; next to which was the living area that came complete with a couch, a small kitchenette with a wet bar, and a dining table.
The room was a bit darker than I would have preferred, but it was still fine especially for just one night.
Image: ihg.com
The Living Area
Coffee & Tea Selection
Closet
The Bathroom
The Swimming Pool Area
This Holiday Inn Express had a nice and secluded pool area.
The Fitness Center
The Bottom-Line Review: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Los Angeles Airport Hawthorne
Mission accomplished; the “mattress run” yielded me 70,000 bonus points (but that’s another story)!
If you are a weary traveler, dead-set on staying at a low-cost IHG property relatively close to the airport, this hotel is probably just what you are looking for.
However, if you are open to other brands, I’d probably recommend something newer and closer to LAX (like the Hyatt Regency or the H Hotel, both of which have similar price points and are closer to the airport).
The bottom-line was the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Los Angeles Airport Hawthorne was a perfectly standard Holiday Inn Express (with free breakfast) located in a not so perfect part of town (with no shuttle service to LAX).
Final Rating: 6 out of 10
