5 Holiday Inn Express Hotels in Washington State Worth Booking

Washington State is not a single destination - it's a network of distinct regions connected by long highway stretches, from the rain-soaked Cascades to the sun-baked Columbia Basin. Driving is the dominant mode of transport, with cities like Pasco, Walla Walla, and Moses Lake sitting far from major metro hubs, making a car essential for nearly every itinerary. Crowds concentrate heavily in Seattle and the national parks, while eastern Washington remains significantly less congested, offering easier access, lower prices, and a slower travel rhythm that suits road trippers and wine country visitors well.

Pros:

• * Exceptional geographic diversity - volcanic peaks, wine regions, and coastal rainforests within one state
• * Eastern Washington cities offer uncrowded attractions and straightforward hotel availability year-round
• * Free parking is standard at most non-Seattle hotels, reducing daily travel costs significantly

Cons:

• * Distances between attractions are long - around 3 hours by car between Seattle and the Tri-Cities
• * Public transit is limited or nonexistent outside Seattle and Vancouver
• * Eastern Washington summers exceed 100°F, making outdoor activities uncomfortable during peak heat months

Holiday Inn Express properties in Washington State serve a traveler profile that values consistency over character - business visitors, family road trippers, and wine country explorers who want a clean room, free buffet breakfast, and a functional pool without overpaying for boutique aesthetics. Rates across these five properties typically run well below comparable full-service hotels in the same cities, making them strong value in markets where independent hotel quality can vary widely. Room layouts are predictable and functional, with microwaves, fridges, and flat-screen TVs standard across locations, which matters on multi-night itineraries where guests need to self-cater occasionally.

Pros:

• * Buffet or continental breakfast included, eliminating a daily meal cost in cities with limited walkable dining
• * Indoor pools available at around 4 of the 5 properties, useful given Washington's unpredictable weather
• * IHG loyalty points accumulate across stays, rewarding frequent travelers on multi-stop Washington itineraries

Cons:

• * No on-site restaurant beyond breakfast service - dinner requires driving in most locations
• * Design and atmosphere are standardized, with little reflection of local Washington character
• * Properties in smaller cities like Prosser and Moses Lake have limited nearby walkable amenities

Positioning matters significantly in Washington State given the distances involved. Pasco and the Tri-Cities corridor - where Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland converge - serve as the most strategic central base for accessing both Yakima Valley wine country and the Columbia River recreation areas, with Tri-Cities Airport just 4 km from the Pasco Holiday Inn Express. Vancouver, Washington sits directly across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, making it a cost-effective alternative for travelers exploring the Portland metro while avoiding Oregon hotel pricing. Walla Walla is the destination of choice for wine tourism, with over 100 wineries within a short drive and a compact, walkable downtown historic district. Moses Lake serves primarily as an overnight stop for travelers crossing central Washington on Highway 90. Book at least 6 weeks ahead for summer visits to Walla Walla and the wine regions, where harvest season in September drives occupancy sharply upward across all lodging categories.

Washington State's travel seasons split sharply by region. Western Washington and Vancouver see heaviest visitation from June through September, with hotel rates in the Portland-Vancouver corridor rising noticeably during summer weekends and major Portland events. Eastern Washington - including Pasco, Prosser, Walla Walla, and Moses Lake - peaks during harvest season in September and October, when Yakima Valley and Walla Walla wineries draw visitors from across the Pacific Northwest and rates climb accordingly. Booking 6 weeks ahead for September stays in Walla Walla or Prosser is strongly recommended, as harvest events fill properties quickly. January through March offers the lowest rates and fewest crowds across all five locations, though mountain passes may require chains and some winery tasting rooms operate on reduced hours. For Pasco and Moses Lake, which serve primarily as transit and business hubs, last-minute booking is viable outside summer and rarely results in sold-out nights. Plan for a minimum of 2 nights in Walla Walla to cover downtown exploring and winery visits without feeling rushed, and at least 1 night in Prosser if routing through wine country toward the Tri-Cities.