WanderDoes the IHG hotel live up to its name? Our author, who recently stayed at the newly revamped hotel in Victoria, finds out.
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Geelong, Australia – If you are seeking a base to start the iconic Great Ocean Road coastal drive, Holiday Inn Geelong, may be the perfect launchpad for exploring all that Australia has to offer. This IHG hotel offers more than just accommodation – it’s the perfect sanctuary for holidaymakers from solo travellers, couples, families and also business people.
Strategic location: Your launchpad to adventure
Conveniently located enroute to Australia’s 243km Great Ocean road in Victoria, Australia, the IHG hotel is ideally situated for those looking to make a headstart to the famous scenic coastal route to see the Twelve Apostles, or to indulge in all that Geelong has to offer.
First impressions: Professionalism meets warmth
Travel comes with its perks and of course its fair share of downsides in equal measure. After wasting precious hours waiting for a delayed flight and the hassle of rushing to collect our rental car before its closure, searching in vain for an eatery past 2am, we finally reached our hotel with frayed nerves and were extremely tired.
Arriving at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong close to 3am, our mood was instantaneously boosted by a very professional and warm receptionist exuding top-notch hospitality. Thank goodness for 24/7 reception service! It appears that our holiday is off to a good start afterall.
Modern aesthetics and functional design
The first thing that struck me upon stepping into the hotel was its contemporary design. Near the reception were cosy waiting areas complete with charging points for travellers. Similarly, the hotel room, dining area and the swimming pool bore the same sentiments – clean, modern, well-lit and functional.
The room: A sanctuary of comfort
Stepping into the premium room, I instantly felt at ease and could not wait to jump into the shower and the King bed. It’s past 3am afterall. The four pillows, two soft, two firm on the bed won our hearts. Quality sleep calls for comfortable pillows that suit each individual’s particular needs. The soft and firm pillows were perfect for us and we did not even need to call upon the pillow menu.
What impressed me was how the well-designed room created space and made the room very functional. At around 35 square metres, the room came with a long table in front of a huge TV for business travellers or digital nomads, plus a round table with a stool and armchair for you to kickback and relax with a cuppa. The cupboard beside the door came with a rack for hanging jackets with adequate space for big luggages and bags. There was also ample space for our 29 inch open-face luggages.
The usual thermal kettle, cups and glasses for wine, were in place. The fridge also came with four milk capsules for our coffee and tea that came complimentary with the room.
Nothing irks me more than a poorly-lit room in which you have difficulty digging though your luggage unable to find the exact item you need. I’m very happy to report that the room was extremely well-lit with three lamps should you wish to do some reading or work while your partner rests.
Two things that impressed me about IHG’s attention to detail. One was the number of sockets available. I counted a total of 12 in our room! Even though the one at my bedside did not seem to be working, I had plenty others to choose from to charge my devices. The safety feature at the door, a simple hinge to prevent outsiders from barging in, offered an immediate sense of reassurance.
Bathroom brilliance
For me, the bathroom can make or break a hotel room. The Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong lived up to its expectations, in spades. We were extremely pleased with the amenities and toiletries. Its shower foam, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and hand wash were made of organic vegetable ingredients which smelled as good as their efficacy.
There was also enough space for my vanity kit packed with makeup and skincare. Best of all there was no need to fumble with the plastic containers and squeeze the final dollop of cream from small plastic containers, thanks to the bulk bathroom toiletries.
However, I had a little surprise in the middle of the night. A portion of the wall separating the room and the bathroom was made of translucent material – something I discovered in the middle of the night when my partner woke up and turned on the bathroom light. The silhouette and movements on the toilet bowl were somewhat visible to the person lying by the side of the bed nearer to the toilet.
The Wes Andersen-esque swimming pool and gym
Since not all hotels offer a swimming pool, especially those located in the CBD area, we had to check out Holiday Inn’s 20 metres long, 1.1 metres deep indoor heated pool. Upon entering, its Wes Andersen aesthetics called out to me. Its pale blue and pastel green tones together with its tasteful towel hooks prove to be an Instagrammer’s delight.
A pity bathrobe and bedroom slippers were not provided in the hotel room. We had to wrap ourselves with the room’s towel under our itsy bitsy swimwear while my partner had to wear his track shoes and socks to the pool since he left his slippers in the car. Kudos to the hotel for providing more than enough towels, in varying sizes, for a one night’s stay.
However, because the pool was located on the same floor as the dining area, we had to share the lift with fully clothed diners. Imagine taking the same lift as hungry diners, shivering and dripping wet in our towels which could only cover either our tops or bottoms. What a sight.
Before our swim, we took a quick peek at the gym which is conveniently located beside the pool allowing for a quick dip after a cardio workout. The modest gym is equipped with the necessary equipment such as free weights, a stationary bicycle, an elliptical and a treadmill for a decent workout.
Parking
We all know how the CBD area is prime land and that land is scarce. Parking at the hotel will set you back AUD35 per night. However, we were lucky to score the final empty parking lot just outside the hotel, which was free over the weekends. There are also other nearby car parks at lower cost. However, the convenience of on-site parking far outweighs the cost considerations.
What could have been better
While I was impressed with the aesthetics of the hotel in general and the functionality of a well-designed room, I was surprised to find that the room did not offer a bathrobe or bedroom slippers, even though they had a pool.
One of my greatest concerns, more than anything else, when pouring through the numerous reviews of a hotel, is to look out for mentions of cleanliness. I was even more surprised to find hair, quite a number of strands, on one of the stools in the room. I was taken aback at this housekeeping oversight. Fortunately, there were two other chairs for the two of us. Thankfully, the rest of the room and hotel were spick and span.
Would we stay at IHG again?
During our 13 nights in Australia which consisted of a total of seven accommodations in Melbourne and Tasmania, Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong easily topped as our favourite stay. Despite the few transgressions, IHG hotels remain one of our go-tos when searching for hotels.
No matter the type of holidaymaker you are, Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong’s 180 rooms, ranging from suites to premium and standard rooms across 10 storeys will have you all ready for your Aussie holiday.
Holiday Inn Geelong is located at 40 Ryrie Street Geelong, Victoria 3220 Australia. Check-in time is 3pm and check out is at 11am. Here are some parking and transportation details.
Traveller tips
For those planning a Great Ocean Road trip, consider:
- Book in advance
Summer from late December till January, as well as the long Easter weekend, see the highest number of travellers. So, book in advance during peak seasons. This includes hotel, tours and car rentals.
Should you prefer to leave the driving to others, tour packages are available for The Great Ocean Road via Klook:
Great Ocean Road Tours from Melbourne
Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour from Melbourne
Great Ocean Road All Inclusive Day Tour with Lunch
12 Apostles Sunset Magic: Great Ocean Road Highlights Tour
Tandem Skydive Over Great Ocean Road
- IHG Loyalty Programme
The IHG encompasses over 6,000 hotels and resorts around the world, including Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong. Be sure to register (it’s free!) and enjoy IHG’s loyalty programme benefits. Perks include discounted rates on top of free late check outs and more.
- Explore nearby attractions and activities
Melbourne offers an excellent base to kickstart your Aussie adventures. Be sure to make day trips to Sovereign Hill to immerse in the Gold Rush days, indulge in wine and cheese in their fine wineries such as the award-winning Yarra Valley, see the cute little penguins at Phillip Island, go on a Safari at Werribee, tuck in to breakfast in a hot air balloon, tick off that skydive bucket list, unwind in a hot spring, or learn to surf – there’s always something to discover about Australia and yourself.
Fun activities in the region not to be missed:
Geelong Hot Air Balloon Flight including breakfast
Surfing Lessons at the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne
Melbourne Tandem Skydive
3 Day Great Ocean Road Tour from Melbourne to Adelaide
Around the Bay Food and Wine Tastings Tour from Melbourne
Phillip Island Tours from Melbourne
Yarra Valley Half-day Tour with Chandon, Chocolates and Kangaroos!
Puffing Billy and Phillip Island Wildlife Day Tour from Melbourne
Sovereign Hill Ticket
Werribee Zoo Deluxe Safari Adventure Experience
Ultimate Peninsula Hot Springs Day Tour with Peninsula Beach Boxes
- Seasonal travel advice
Australia is said to be temperamental and known to change seasons a few times in a day. So master the art of layering and never be caught in the rain or sun! Take it from someone who got sunburnt even during the cool Spring in Australia. Of course, never travel without a windproof umbrella, waterproof jacket and waterproof shoes.
Being prepared paves the way to an enjoyable and stress free holiday.
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