GOOD:
Nice location; very clean; helpful staff; easy access covered parking (right under the hotel) which couldn't be more convenient; nice breakfast spread for light, but filling, morning meal.
BAD:
Loud and annoying rock-type music in the lobby at all times which discourages any excess time spent there; Some poor quality workmanship, especially in the bathroom, which looks like it had been done by a handyman, and not a professional; Beach nowhere near hotel, despite picture on web page showing a beautiful beach ostensibly right out the back door. Forget trying to bring a stroller to the "nearby" beach - its access is down the street to the next block, then another block to the cliff's edge, then down the steep and high cliff via many flights of stairs; The hotel also has very little noiseproofing. Fortunately, the other guests were pretty well-behaved, so it wasn't a problem at the time of our visit; Balcony overlooks parking lots on both sides, so not used.
UGLY:
I won't say anything ugly about the hotel. It was actually a mixed bag. But do you want to pay mid-100's rates for a mixed bag? I'd look for an alternative next time, but it wouldn't be terrible if I had to stay there again.

Right from the point of contact for the Reservations to the check-in, stay in the rooms and the subsequent check out, this hotel left pleasant memories due to the excellent service, courteous and friendly staff, convenience and efficiency.

The Holiday Inn Express is conveniently located on Highway 101 and all main attractions are at walking distance (as the front desk will also tell you)... Rooms are spacious and have lots of amenities. The housekeeping does a good job with immaculate cleaning and keeping things tidy. They are a friendly bunch as well! The new breakfast bar has some hot items as well now, (moving away from a conventional quick breakfast style) to include eggs and hash browns. The pool and jaccuzi are a welcome break. The hotel also has a fitness room to go with and notably, a large and pretty meeting room as well.
The front desk staff was warm and friendly and are always very helpful with even the smallest of things.
Overall, its great value for money and made my stay at Solana Beach very memorable.
Two points about Solana Beach/Del Mar..... Gorgeous beaches and awesome food! Ask the front desk for recommendations......

Contrary to a previous report about the Holiday Express, we found it inviting and suited to our needs. A continental breakfast is provided each morning with sweet rolls, cold cereal, fruit , coffee and hard boiled eggs.

The Holiday Express now has wonderful bedding and both firm and soft pillows. We had one of the best sleeps at a hotel in a long time. The bedding was equal to what we had recently had in an upscale hotel.

The hotel had recently been renovated with new carpet and painting. The front desk, housekeeping and maintenance personnel were friendly and greeted guests with smiles. The refrigerator in our room was too cold and a call to the desk provided quick repair.

The hotel is about two blocks from the ocean. There is no ocean vew from the rooms. The nearby bluffs are where million dollar homes have the views. From the hotel one can walk a couple blocks through the neighborhood to beach access. There are 124 steps down to the ocean and platforms where one can stop and view the ocean and surfers. For the non-climbers, one can walk south to the beach along Highway 101.

Holiday Inn Express Solana Beach/Del Mar

I stayed here for 7 nights in June 2006 while on business in Solana Beach. A coworker and I stayed in separate rooms, each with two double beds.

The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the check-in was quick and efficient. My coworker and I lost our room keycards on separate occasions, but they were quickly re-issued. Housekeeping did a good job of cleaning my room daily. My coworker, however, found a used diaper in the corner of his room - which had been there for at least two days! After informing the front desk - much to their shock - it was removed immediately.

The bed in my room was very comfortable. The bedding looked new, and they gave you pillows labelled "firm" and "soft". The big Kohler showerhead was very nice and gave a good soaking. Even the shower curtain rod was curved outward to give you a little more space while standing. The iron and ironing board was very handy for pressing my folded, scrunched clothes after they'd been unpacked from my overstuffed luggage. I never had to wear wrinkled clothes at all. The air conditioning worked well when I needed it. The fridge was very convenient to store cold drinks and leftover food items. Unfortunately the freezer part wasn't cold enough to prevent some ice cream from melting. There was also a coffee maker and microwave oven, although I didn't use either. My room had a sliding glass door that opened out onto a balcony, but I didn't use it because it overlooked the lot of the Dynamite Shine Auto Detailing and National car rental businesses.

The continental breakfast wasn't gourmet, but it was decent with lots of choices. Cold cereal and milk, juice, fruit, pastries, and hard-boiled eggs were the typical fare. The breakfast/great room was very spacious and was kept clean by the staff. The fitness room is quite small, and for an experienced gym member like myself, was inadequate for my needs. It was quite hot and didn't have a fan. To its credit, there was a water cooler, towels and a hamper for used towels.

The facility is showing a little wear and tear. The room decor looks dated. I saw some questionable tiling, missing grout and deteriorating wallcovering in the bathroom. The bathroom ceiling was also water-stained and discoloured. The furniture in the room was a little banged up too. Everything still worked properly and nothing was unsafe.

The lack of soundproofing is noticeable if you're sensitive to noise. My neighbours' TV was on late and I heard it loud and clear - luckily they turned it off by the time I went to bed. Occasionally I heard footsteps from the room above me. I could hear traffic in the hallway as well, although it was quiet by 11 pm. Next door, the National trucks' backup alarms start up at about 7 am. Finally, there is a passenger railway line on the opposite side of the highway. Although it's below grade, you can still hear the trains occasionally. I let the A/C run on the "fan only" setting all night, which provided enough white noise to cover up any sounds that would have annoyed me. Anyone who is bothered by noise should ask for a room on the top floor near the back of the hotel.

The location of the hotel on Highway 101 is convenient. Access to Interstate 5 is fairly easy, and San Diego is about 20-30 minutes away by car depending on traffic. There are several stores and restaurants within walking distance. There is access to the beach via a public pathway and stairs a short distance from the back of the hotel. The area is safe and walking at night is no problem.

With a few exceptions, the Holiday Inn Express is a good choice when staying in Solana Beach. I would stay here again.