Pennsylvania stretches from the Philadelphia suburbs to the Allegheny Mountains, and Holiday Inn Express properties are distributed across this geography in a way that makes them genuinely useful for both leisure and business travelers. Whether you're heading to Hersheypark, skiing near Scranton, or connecting through Pittsburgh, these 13 properties offer a predictable standard - free hot breakfast, indoor pools at most locations, and free parking - without the price premium of full-service hotels. This guide breaks down every property by location and value to help you book the right one fast.
What It's Like Staying in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a state of sharply different travel rhythms: the dense Philadelphia corridor in the southeast moves fast, while the rural stretches of the Laurel Highlands or the Pocono Mountains operate at a slower, more seasonal pace. Free parking is standard at nearly every property listed here, which matters in a state where driving remains the dominant mode of travel between regions. Crowd patterns vary significantly - Lancaster County peaks on weekends year-round with Amish country tourism, while Pittsburgh and its suburbs fill up around Steelers and Pirates game schedules.
Pros:
- Driving infrastructure is excellent - most Holiday Inn Express locations sit directly off major interstate exits (I-76, I-78, I-80, I-376), making multi-city road trips practical
- Free hot breakfast is included at virtually every property, a real cost saver for families or early-departing travelers
- The state's geographic variety - city access, ski resorts, theme parks, historic sites - means these hotels serve genuinely different trip types
Cons:
- Public transit between regions is limited; without a car, options like St. Marys or Drums are difficult to access
- Seasonal demand in the Poconos and Lancaster can push availability low on holiday weekends with very little warning
- Some locations, such as Harmarville and Grandview/St. Marys, are suburban or rural, with limited walkable dining or entertainment nearby
Why Choose Holiday Inn Express in Pennsylvania
Holiday Inn Express properties in Pennsylvania occupy a reliable mid-market position, typically sitting below full-service competitors while offering more included amenities than budget chains. Free breakfast, indoor pools, and fitness centers appear at the majority of these 13 locations, making the effective nightly value stronger than the rack rate suggests. Rooms are standardized - expect around 28-32 square meters, functional layouts with desks, flat-screen TVs, and fridges - without the variance you'd encounter at independent properties.
Pros:
- IHG One Rewards points accumulate across all stays, useful for frequent Pennsylvania business travelers who rotate between locations
- Most properties offer free private parking, which is a meaningful advantage in areas like King of Prussia or Langhorne where parking costs at competitors can add up
- Consistent room standards mean no unpleasant surprises - what you see on the booking page is reliably what you get
Cons:
- No full-service restaurant at most locations - guests relying on on-site dining for dinner will need to drive to nearby options
- Pool access is seasonal at outdoor-only locations (Exton, Langhorne), limiting that amenity during fall and winter visits
- Room design is functional but standardized - travelers seeking character or boutique aesthetics will not find it here
Practical Booking & Area Strategy in Pennsylvania
Your best position in Pennsylvania depends heavily on your trip purpose. For Philadelphia-area access, King of Prussia and Langhorne offer strong highway connectivity - King of Prussia sits minutes from Valley Forge National Park and the King of Prussia Mall, the largest retail complex on the East Coast, while Langhorne is the closest Holiday Inn Express to Sesame Place. For Pittsburgh access, the Harmarville location places you around 14 km from Pittsburgh Zoo and within reach of downtown, but Pittsburgh International Airport is about 49 km away, so factor drive time if you're flying in. The Hershey location is the most strategically placed for theme park visitors, sitting under 5 km from both Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World, with Harrisburg International Airport just 11 km away - an unusually convenient combination. In the Pocono Mountain region, the Drums-Hazelton property positions you within 43 km of Pocono Raceway and within reach of Jack Frost Mountain Resort, making it a practical ski-season base. Book at least 6 weeks ahead for summer stays in Lancaster, Hershey, and the Pocono area, where occupancy regularly climbs above 90% on weekends from June through August.
Best Value Stays
These properties deliver strong amenity packages - including indoor pools, free breakfast, and free parking - at price points that make them among the most cost-efficient overnight options in their respective Pennsylvania markets.
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1. Holiday Inn Express Exton - Great Valley By Ihg
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Best price guarantee
fromUS$ 106
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2. Holiday Inn Express And Suites Dickson City By Ihg
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 202
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3. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lancaster-Lititz By Ihg
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 121
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4. Holiday Inn Express & Suites St Marys By Ihg
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Best price guarantee
fromUS$ 114
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5. Holiday Inn Express - Indiana By Ihg
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Best price guarantee
fromUS$ 75
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6. Holiday Inn Express Somerset By Ihg
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 112
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7. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Drums-Hazelton By Ihg
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 94
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8. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Reading By Ihg
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 172
Best Premium Picks
These five properties stand out for their positioning near major Pennsylvania attractions, enhanced facility sets (spas, multiple pool configurations, proximity to airports), or strategic suburban placement that justifies a closer look for travelers prioritizing location efficiency over rate.
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1. Holiday Inn Express Hotel Pittsburgh-North/Harmarville By Ihg
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fromUS$ 119
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2. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Philadelphia - King Of Prussia By Ihg
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Best price guarantee
fromUS$ 104
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3. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Washington - Meadow Lands By Ihg
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fromUS$ 100
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4. Holiday Inn Express Hershey-Harrisburg Area By Ihg
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 159
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5. Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Ne - Langhorne By Ihg
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 151
Smart Travel & Timing Advice for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's travel calendar has clear peaks that directly affect pricing and availability across all 13 of these properties. Summer (June through August) is the busiest period statewide - Hersheypark, Sesame Place, and Lancaster County all hit capacity on weekends, and rates at nearby properties can spike around 40% above shoulder-season levels. The Pocono region (Drums-Hazelton, Dickson City) runs a secondary peak in January and February for ski season, when Jack Frost Mountain and Montage Mountain Resort drive weekend demand. Fall foliage - typically peaking in mid-October across central and northern Pennsylvania - creates a shorter but significant surge at Somerset, St. Marys, and Indiana properties.
For Pittsburgh-area hotels (Harmarville, Washington-Meadow Lands), Steelers home game weekends are the most unpredictable demand spikes - book at least 8 weeks ahead for October and November Sundays. The King of Prussia and Exton properties track Philadelphia business travel patterns, making weekday rates higher than weekends - the reverse of most leisure-focused Pennsylvania markets. Shoulder seasons (April-May and late September-October) offer the best combination of availability and value across the state, with milder weather still suitable for outdoor attractions.
