Holiday Inn Express Rotterdam – Central Station
by the TopOfHotel team
Holiday Inn Express is the 3-star right at Rotterdam Centraal — the easiest hotel in this article for getting anywhere.
Holiday Inn Express is the 3-star right at Rotterdam Centraal — the easiest hotel in this article for getting anywhere.
In-Depth Review
The Holiday Inn Express Rotterdam – Central Station stands in a modern glass building just 200m from Rotterdam Centraal — that's the clearest selling point here. It's aimed at travellers catching an early train or wanting a base for hopping across cities and countries in Europe. The 8.5/10 score from real reviews reflects guests who felt they got what they paid for.
Rooms and decor
These are standard Holiday Inn Express rooms — clean, modern, not fancy but properly functional. The detail reviewers single out most is the soundproofing, which holds back train and street noise better than you'd expect this close in. Bathrooms are clean, there's a small work desk, and the free Wi-Fi runs at a usable speed.
Food and amenities
Check-in and check-out are fast, which makes this a strong pick for business travellers short on time. Breakfast is served as an express spread rather than a big buffet, but it covers the essentials. The front-desk team picks up praise for how quickly they move.
Location and getting there
Almost nothing in Rotterdam can match this location — Rotterdam Centraal is a 3-minute walk, with the metro to every district in the city, the Thalys to Amsterdam or Brussels, and a connection onto the Eurostar for London, all from one station. It's the best fit for a transit traveller or anyone checking in late and leaving at dawn.
Things to know before booking
Rates start higher than you'd expect for a 3-star, and you get fewer amenities than other hotels in a similar price bracket. Breakfast is an express spread, not a full buffet, so set your expectations there. What you're really paying for is the location, not the extras.
Our take
If your trip runs on trains, this is the hotel — a clean, no-drama 3-star right at Rotterdam Centraal with soundproof rooms and a fast front desk. You pay a little over the odds for a 3-star and the frills are thin, but for catching an early Thalys or stringing together a cross-Europe route, the 3-minute walk earns its keep.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Sits right by Rotterdam Centraal — a 3-minute walk lets you hop straight onto the Thalys to Paris or Brussels.
- Rooms are built soundproof and hold back the noise well, even this close to the station.
- Earn IHG One Rewards points if you're a member.
- Check-in is fast, and early 4–5am departures are easy to manage from here.
- From the same station you can reach every district by metro or change onto the Eurostar for London — a genuine cross-Europe base.
- Rates start higher than you'd expect for a 3-star hotel.
- It carries fewer amenities than other hotels in a similar price bracket.
- Breakfast is an express spread rather than a full buffet, so it covers the basics but not much more.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Rotterdam
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Insider Tips
- Catching an early train? This is the spot — Rotterdam Centraal is a 3-minute walk, so a 4–5am departure barely needs planning.
- Use it as a cross-Europe hub: from Centraal you can take the Thalys to Amsterdam or Brussels and change onto the Eurostar for London, all from one station.
- If you're light on time, the fast check-in and express breakfast are built for exactly that — grab the essentials and go.