Holiday Inn Express Friedrichshafen

This hotel offers a consistently positive experience, highlighted by its excellent staff and a comprehensive breakfast. Its signature feature, the Echt Bodensee Card, provides guests with free public transportation, effectively mitigating its location slightly outside the city center and making it highly accessible. This makes the hotel an ideal choice for business travelers attending events at the nearby trade fair, road trippers seeking convenient access and parking, and tourists looking to explore the region without relying solely on a car. Families also find it welcoming, with thoughtful touches for children and a pet-friendly policy. To maximize your stay, guests are advised to take full advantage of the complimentary public transport card and be aware of the parking arrangements.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides a range of practical facilities designed for guest convenience. All rooms are equipped with effective air conditioning, ensuring comfort regardless of the weather. While parking is available on-site, it is a paid service and can occasionally become crowded, though ample space is generally provided, including some EV charging options. Guests can stay connected with free Wi-Fi, although some have noted occasional signal issues. For refreshments, a complimentary ice machine is available, alongside vending machines for snacks and drinks. Rooms also feature an electric tea kettle. For those traveling with bicycles, a secure bicycle storage area with charging points is a notable amenity. The hotel also features a bar that serves light meals like pizza and Flammkuchen in the evenings. However, some guests noted the absence of a mini-fridge and sufficient wardrobe or storage space in the rooms.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the hotel's clean rooms and modern aesthetic. While many describe the rooms as spacious, some find them to be on the smaller side, particularly for multiple occupants. Feedback on comfortable beds is mixed; some guests find them very comfortable, while others report them as too soft, narrow, or worn. The modern bathrooms with large showers and provided toiletries are frequently highlighted as positives, though a few guests have observed minor mold or mildew in the shower grout. Noise levels receive varied comments, with some guests enjoying a quiet stay, while others mention occasional disturbances from hallways, street traffic, or the nearby airport. Some guests expressed a preference for parquet floors over the existing carpeting and noted that the washbasin height can be inconvenient.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast consistently receives high praise, described as excellent, varied, fresh, and extensive, often exceeding guest expectations. The breakfast staff are particularly commended for their friendliness and attentiveness, ensuring items are replenished promptly. Guests enjoy the convenience of a pancake machine and the availability of scrambled eggs, though some wish for more diverse hot options like boiled eggs, bacon, or sausages. The coffee is generally well-regarded, though a few guests found the juice to be watery. While the hotel does not feature a full dinner restaurant, the bar offers a selection of light meals such as pizza and Flammkuchen, which are well-received. Some guests suggested clearer labeling for cold cuts to indicate their type.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is primarily advantageous for its proximity to the airport and the trade fair/Messe grounds, making it a practical choice for business travelers. Situated in an industrial area, the immediate surroundings may lack scenic appeal, but this is significantly offset by a bus stop directly in front of the hotel. The provision of the Echt Bodensee Card allows guests free access to public transport, making travel to the city center effortless despite being far from downtown (approximately a 30-minute walk to the promenade). The hotel is also conveniently located near various shops for daily needs. Parking is available on-site, though it is a paid service and can sometimes be limited during peak times.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with guests frequently highlighting their friendly, helpful, and attentive demeanor across all departments, from the front desk to the breakfast area. The professional approach of the team contributes to a smooth experience, including quick check-in and check-out processes. The hotel is noted for its family-friendly service, with staff often going out of their way to accommodate children, and its accommodating pet-friendly service. While the overall service is highly praised, some guests have expressed mixed feelings regarding the housekeeping frequency, which is typically every third night due to the hotel's sustainability policy. Despite an isolated negative experience with one particular receptionist, the vast majority of reviews underscore the staff's commitment to excellent guest care.

Additional Information
A significant benefit for guests is the inclusion of the Echt Bodensee Card, which provides free access to local public transportation, making exploration of the region convenient and cost-effective. The hotel maintains a pet-friendly policy, welcoming guests traveling with their animals. Guests should be aware of the hotel's sustainability policy, which means room cleaning services are typically provided only after every third night of stay. For IHG rewards program members, there are benefits such as discounted parking. A city tax is also applied, which contributes to the public transport benefits. While the hotel does not have laundry facilities on premises, it offers EV charging for electric vehicles.