Harpers Ferry and the site of John Brown’s Raid is a trip that should be on every American’s Bucket List. But unless you live within driving distance you’re going to need a Harpers Ferry hotel when visiting West Virginia. There are several chains nearby to choose from and prices range from about $75-200 per night. There’s even more than one Holiday Inn Express.
The Holiday Inn Express in nearby Brunswick, MD often falls near upper third of the local area price range. (Check current prices on Expedia) But is it worth the price? Let’s take a closer look.
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The Harpers Ferry Hotel Location
There aren’t any hotels in the lower town of Harpers Ferry. A few of the buildings there do serve as a bed and breakfast. Unless you’re arriving by train there is no real advantage to staying in the lower town. The few businesses there close early and the town goes eerily dark and quiet at night.
There are two Holiday Inn Express locations near the historical sites. This one is a bit closer to Harpers Ferry than the Holiday Inn Express in Charles Town. It’s just off the highway in Brunswick, MD. The setting is a new and upscale commuter suburb to Washington DC. The hotel property borders an upscale development of townhouses and a new grocery-anchored shopping center. A Sheetz, McDonalds and a liquor store are just steps away from the hotel. The location is good but the town of Brunswick proper is unimpressive and has little to offer visitors.
Holiday Inn Express Property
It almost feels redundant to review a Holiday Inn Express because they’re probably the most consistent hotel chain in the world. They cost a bit more than many competitive hotels near highways and airports. But you’re paying for peace of mind. You don’t have to wonder whether the hotel is good or well kept. It will be almost exactly like every other Holiday Inn Express you’ve ever stayed in.
The Holiday Inn Express has an advantage over other Harpers Ferry hotels because I got the impression it’s brand new. You won’t find dings and nicks in the furniture. There’s no oil stains in the parking lot or high-traffic wear on the carpets. Those sort of things simply haven’t had the time to develop. It is the Platonic Ideal of what a Holiday Inn Express should be.
This Harpers Ferry hotel features the standard Holiday Inn Express breakfast included in the rate. There’s an indoor pool for families and a business center/meeting room for business travelers. There’s a roomy and well-stocked fitness center and a garden area with outdoor seating. This hotel also has coin laundry, which is a great feature for travelers on longer trips that more hotels should offer.
Holiday Inn Express Guest Rooms
I was upgraded to a king suite room thanks to the platinum status that comes with my IHG Premier credit card. It’s similar to a standard room but includes a full couch and a lot of extra room in the seating area. It may not be clear from the photos but the room features two rolling ottomans and a swivel behind the wall-mounted TV. The television is a Samsung with a beautiful picture. It gets local stations from both Baltimore and DC but many standard cable channels you expect to see are missing. A printed channel guide and a local pizza delivery menu would be a good addition to the desks here.
There’s nothing else negative I can say about the rooms here. The windows are large and there’s a bit of mountain view in all directions. The bedding and pillows are comfortable and everything gives off the feel of being brand new.
Harpers Ferry Hotels: Overall Impression
This Holiday Inn Express is great and I’d stay here again. Many Harpers Ferry hotels are brands in the Wyndham family and there is no chance they will be this nice. I’ve stayed at the Charles Town Days Inn previously and I can tell you it’s worth paying extra to stay here. The Casino Hotel in Charles Town is always priced around $300, which is way too high for a basic room in small town Appalachia. The local Hilton offerings are a little pricy as well.
If you’re trying to decide between this hotel and the Holiday Inn Express in Charles Town I think there is a bit of an advantage to being in Charles Town, with more food and retail options nearby. But most visitors here only want to stay 1-2 nights so it’s not a big deal to do a small amount of additional driving. The Holiday Inn Express Charles Town often prices 10-20% higher so check online before you book and pick the one that suits your budget.
