Holiday Inn Express Hotel Portsmouth-Gunwharf Quays

I have mixed feelings about this hotel. On the plus side, it is in a great location at Gunwarf Quays. In convenient walking distance to a multitude of tourist attractions, stores and restaurants. The desk staff is extremely helpful, friendly and polite. On the negative side, the hotel is not well maintained. The lifts don’t work and apparently haven’t for a long time. So unless you like climbing stairs, stay on a lower floor. The rooms are small and show wear and tear and sparse furnishings. I get the impression that the owner doesn’t want to put much money into maintenance. Too bad, this could me a top notch Holiday Inn Express with a little more care.

My wife and I stayed here for almost a week for my classmate’s wedding in Portsmouth. The entire hotel is very nice, well maintained, and clean. The staff are all very friendly and helpful.
We had the complimentary breakfast most mornings, scrambled eggs, baked beans, sausage, fresh fruit. So much better than the typical American Holiday Inn fare.
The location is great, right on top of the Outlet mall. There are several great restaurants in the mall and great pubs nearby, to include the Dolphin, where Lord Nelson drank the night before he set sail for Trafalgar. Speaking of Lord Nelson, the historic docks at Portsmouth are within easy walking distance, and could easily fill an entire day of exploration.
The train station is also adjacent to the outlet mall, and can get you to London in about 2 hours.
If you are going to be staying in the Portsmouth/​Southsea area, I highly recommend this excellent hotel.