In order to be able to visit Graceland and many other attractions in Memphis on my trip to CMA Fest 2019, I spent two nights in the city. I decided to go for a hotel in Graceland area and chose the Holiday Inn Express Memphis Airport Elvis Presley Boulevard, which is quite nicely connected and also brand new (it opened less than a year before I stayed there in June 2019).

 

HI Express Memphis Presley Blvd – Location

The hotel is that new that it is even not located in Open Street Maps. It is quietly situated, right behind a Family Dollar store, which you could take as point of navigation.

Some hotels offer dining option and there is a limited selection of additional dinner services around. You can walk to Graceland, but the way is not too attractive (some 15 minutes). The hotel is also in proximity to the airport.

 

HI Express Memphis Presley Blvd – The Room

I had two nights, Monday to Wednesday in the hotel, which was a non-refundable room price of 225 USD incl. tax. In contrast to my expecations, I had to pay the room in the hotel (in contrast to that the room was paid at time of booking).

The room was new and had quite some space. What I also liked was the vast selection of power plugs including USB ports. The only downside of the room was that the walls, inside and outside, were quite thin. I don’t care too much about hearing planes departing and landing, but it may happen that you experience fly-over noise.

The bathroom including bathtub was absolutely nice as well. The basic amenities were provided, others were available (complimentary) at the reception. I liked the illuminated mirror frame as well.

 

HI Express Memphis Presley Blvd – Breakfast

The breakfast service provided a really nice start of the day. Special items were the warmed cinnabons. In addition, the Holiday Inn Express has the “typical” pancake machine. There was also a nice selection of yoghurt, milk and cold chocolate.

As you can see in the picture below, fruit was missing. That was unfortunately not a picture proof of a single moment, but of the breakfast both days. The small paper podest was empty all time – I feel that it is nowadays not exceptable to have not kind of fruit in the breakfast selection.

HI Express Memphis Presley Blvd – Services

The hotel offers shuttle services to Graceland and the Airport. Despite what the reception told me the day before, the first Graceland shuttle was at 9:30, which was too late for my 9:00 timed ticket – I really had to hurry. Apart from that, I was very pleased with the amazing staff.

WiFi was excellent and allowed to work very well. The hotel also provides a guitar-shaped pool (the guitar neck is just some 1 feet deep, so it is really limited for swimming) and a nice gym. The Business Center facilities are in the lobby.

HI Express Memphis Presley Blvd – My View

The stay at the Holiday Inn Express was definitely a good one. You feel that the hotel is brand new. Even if the class of these IHG hotels is not luxury style, the rooms absolutely fullfil your needs and even exceed them here and there. The stay had a major potential for a top pick, but the abundance of fruit at breakfast, the issues with the Graceland shuttle service and the too thin walls prevent it. Nevertheless, if you want to go to Graceland, the Holiday Inn Express is definitely a nice an realiable spot.

 

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