Where to Stay in Illinois: 4 Best Holiday Inn Express Hotels

Illinois is not a single travel environment - it functions as several distinct regions stacked together. Chicago and its suburbs operate on a dense, transit-heavy rhythm, while cities like Carbondale, Alton, and Mount Vernon require a car for almost everything. Driving is the dominant mode of travel across most of the state outside of the Chicago metro, so hotel parking availability directly affects your daily logistics. The state draws university visitors, Mississippi River heritage travelers, and road-trippers heading south toward the Shawnee National Forest, meaning crowd patterns vary sharply by location and season.

Pros:
Free parking is standard at Holiday Inn Express properties statewide, eliminating a significant daily cost that Chicago hotels routinely charge
Illinois covers a huge geographic footprint, meaning you can base yourself strategically to cover multiple attractions without backtracking
The state's mix of urban suburbs, college towns, and river cities means there's a well-matched hotel location for nearly every trip type

Cons:
Outside the Chicago area, public transport is limited or nonexistent, making a rental car non-negotiable for most itineraries
Weather in Illinois can shift dramatically between seasons, with winters in the north significantly harsher than in the southern counties
Smaller cities like Mount Vernon and Alton have limited evening dining and entertainment options within walking distance of most hotels

Holiday Inn Express is one of the most consistently reliable mid-scale hotel brands operating across Illinois, and its Illinois footprint covers locations that boutique or independent hotels rarely reach. In cities like Carbondale and Mount Vernon, Holiday Inn Express is often the strongest branded option available, which matters for travelers who need predictable Wi-Fi, consistent bedding quality, and functional workspaces. The included hot breakfast buffet alone offsets around $15 per person per day compared to eating out, which adds up quickly on multi-night stays.

Pros:
Complimentary hot breakfast included at all four Illinois properties reviewed here, covering American and continental options
Indoor pools at three of the four properties make these hotels genuinely functional for families, not just business travelers
Free private parking at every listed property removes a cost that downtown Illinois hotels frequently charge

Cons:
Room sizes are standardized and functional but not spacious - extended-stay travelers may find the square footage limiting after several nights
Properties are typically located near highways or commercial corridors rather than historic or scenic neighborhoods
On-site dining beyond breakfast is not available; guests depend entirely on nearby restaurants for lunch and dinner

Positioning matters enormously in Illinois because the state spans nearly 600 kilometers north to south. Travelers visiting Southern Illinois University or Shawnee National Forest should anchor in Carbondale, which sits within 20 km of Giant City State Park. The Algonquin property is best for Chicago-area access, placing guests within 46 km of O'Hare International Airport while avoiding downtown Chicago hotel pricing. Alton works as a base for Mississippi River bluffs exploration and puts you within 43 km of the St. Louis Gateway Arch - useful if you're combining Illinois and Missouri sightseeing. Mount Vernon sits at the crossroads of I-57 and I-64, making it a practical overnight stop for road-trippers crossing southern Illinois rather than a destination base. Peak season in the Chicago suburbs runs from May through September, when weekend rates at Algonquin climb noticeably; booking at least 3 weeks in advance is advisable for summer weekends. Southern Illinois properties like Carbondale see their busiest periods around Southern Illinois University events and fall foliage season in October.

Timing your Illinois trip depends heavily on which part of the state you're visiting. Summer weekends from June through August are the busiest and most expensive period across the Chicago suburbs, including Algonquin, where family travel and event-driven demand push rates up noticeably. Southern Illinois properties in Carbondale and Mount Vernon see their most atmospheric window in October, when fall foliage peaks across Shawnee National Forest and Giant City State Park, drawing significant weekend traffic. For the Alton property, spring and early fall offer the most pleasant conditions for outdoor Mississippi River activities, while summer heat along the river can be intense. Booking at least 4 weeks ahead is advisable for any Chicago-area stay during summer or major university event weekends. Last-minute availability tends to be better at Mount Vernon and Alton, which see less concentrated peak demand. A two-night minimum stay makes sense at most of these locations given the drive times involved in reaching key attractions from each base.