Holiday Inn Express Zhengzhou Zhongzhou by IHG

Rooms and decor

We closed our Zhengzhou trip at Holiday Inn Express Zhengzhou Zhongzhou because we wanted a dependable international brand for the last night before heading home — and this one gives you things hotels at the same level usually skip, namely a heated indoor pool and free breakfast on every stay, from about $34 a night. It's an IHG hotel run by InterContinental Hotels Group, open since 2000 and given a full renovation in 2020 that brought the rooms and common areas well up to date. There are around 269 rooms in the warm, compact Express style, using the brand's signature blue-and-orange palette. Beds are soft, Wi-Fi is free, and you get a big TV, a fridge, a kettle and a clean bathroom with a rain shower — everything works straight away, with no nasty surprises.

Food and amenities

The thing that makes it the best-value pick here is the free breakfast on every stay, and it spreads across three styles: Western (bacon, fried eggs, bread, cereal), Chinese (congee, small dim sum, baozi, vegetables) and Asian (hot noodles). There's a heated indoor pool with a kids zone, a free 24-hour gym, free private parking, free Wi-Fi quick enough to stream on, and EV charging. The airport shuttle is the one paid extra. Guests rate it around 9.3 from over 2,800 reviews, with value at 9.4, location at 9.3 and cleanliness at 9.4 — every category lands in balance.

Location and getting there

It sits on Jinshui Road in Jinshui District, near the Zijingshan business area and across from Henan Provincial People's Hospital. Metro Line 1 is under a 10-minute walk away (Zijingshan and Yanzhuang stations), which makes it easy to ride to Erqi Square, the old town or Zhengzhou East Station. It's about 7km from Zhengzhou Station and 35km from Xinzheng airport. That layout suits riding the metro around the city on a weekday and starting a Shaolin Temple trip from the main station.

Things to know before booking

The rooms are warm but compact in the Express style — fine for a night or two, just not especially large. The hotel is about 7km from Zhengzhou Station, a fair way out, so plan on the metro or a short drive. And the airport shuttle carries an extra charge rather than being included, so book it ahead if you need it. One more point worth knowing: the original article listed this as a 3-star, while Trip.com now rates it 4-star after the 2020 renovation.

Our take

Holiday Inn Express Zhengzhou Zhongzhou is best for travelers who want a trusted IHG brand on a friendly budget, families who want an indoor pool and a full breakfast, and budget-minded travelers who'd rather not gamble on a hotel they don't know. For a starting price around $34 you get the pool, breakfast, gym, parking and reliable international-chain standards — a Zhengzhou closer built around value and peace of mind. We recommend it honestly as the last pick on the list, and the most complete fallback plan.