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2-star hotel

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Waterloo - St. Jacobs Area by IHG

Contemporary hotel near St. Jacobs Farmers Market featuring an indoor pool, free breakfast, WiFi, and LGBTQ+ friendly amenities in Waterloo, ON.

14 Benjamin Rd, Waterloo, ON N2V 2J9, Canada View on map
8.2/10
Very Good Based on 809 recent guest reviews
What recent guests emphasize

Comfortable family-friendly stay with excellent breakfast and attentive service

Guests appreciate the welcoming atmosphere, convenient location near local attractions, and thoughtful amenities that cater well to families and leisure travelers.

Guests often praise

  • The freshly prepared, varied, and delicious free breakfast buffet with friendly and attentive staff.
  • The clean, comfortable rooms equipped with modern amenities, including newer TVs and functional layouts.
  • The warm indoor pool area featuring a splash pad and water features, especially popular with children and families.
  • The friendly, helpful, and professional staff who enhance the guest experience through personalized service.
  • The convenient walking distance to St. Jacobs Farmers' Market and nearby local attractions.

Worth knowing

  • The pool’s water temperature received mixed comments, described as warm by some but not hot enough by others; there is no hot tub or sauna on site.
  • The hotel offers a gym facility, though guest feedback on its use and quality is limited.
  • The property caters well to families and guests with diverse dietary needs, with ample seating and varied breakfast options.
  • Parking and accessibility details are not prominently mentioned in reviews and should be confirmed directly.

Best for

  • Families traveling with children seeking a fun and safe indoor pool environment.
  • Visitors planning to explore St. Jacobs Farmers' Market and nearby shops.
  • Guests looking for comfortable, modern accommodations with reliable complimentary breakfast.
  • LGBTQ+ friendly travelers seeking a welcoming and inclusive lodging option.
  • Travelers valuing attentive service and a relaxed atmosphere during their stay.
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About this property

Welcome to Holiday Inn Express & Suites Waterloo - St. Jacobs Area by IHG

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Waterloo - St. Jacobs Area by IHG offers contemporary accommodations featuring practical amenities such as an indoor pool with a splash pad, an exercise room, and complimentary breakfast and WiFi. Guests highlight the warmth and family-friendly nature of the pool area, alongside clean and functional rooms, creating a comfortable environment suitable for families and travelers seeking convenience.

Located just a short 3-minute walk from the bustling St. Jacobs Farmers' Market and within easy reach of the Village of St. Jacobs, the hotel provides a convenient base for exploring local attractions. Nearby points of interest include the Waterloo Central Railway and Laurel Creek Conservation Area, offering options for both cultural experiences and outdoor activities.

The property welcomes LGBTQ+ travelers and functions as a hotel, conference center, and wedding venue, catering to a variety of guest needs. Praise is often given to the attentive and professional staff, particularly for their service during breakfast, which receives consistent recognition for quality and variety, making mornings a positive start to the day.

With a solid rating of 4.1 based on over 760 reviews, the hotel is viewed as a practical and well-maintained option in the Waterloo area. While some guests note areas such as pool temperature could be enhanced, overall feedback emphasizes value, helpful service, and a family-friendly atmosphere near key local attractions.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

TM
t m Apr 16, 2026
10

We had a great stay here with our toddler. The room actually had a newer TV with bigger screen, coffee and breakfast was served complimentary, clean rooms, everything so functional in the room, warmest swimming pool I've ever swam in which was perfect for our toddler, not to mention the splash pool area and water jet in the swimming pool and water buckets on top dumping water on us every 30 seconds. It has a gym I never used but am sure was very nice and the staff were super friendly going the length of fixing the water bucket for our toddler. Amazing stay and value! I don't know why all the hotels and Niagara Falls pale in comparison to hotels around Kitchener Waterloo and London area.

AB
Andrea B Apr 03, 2026
10

We had a wonderful stay at this hotel, and the experience truly exceeded our expectations. The breakfast was amazing—fresh, delicious, and with a great variety to start the day right. A special mention to the staff, especially Simran and Bhavya, who were incredibly helpful, professional, and attentive throughout our stay. Their warm hospitality and willingness to assist made us feel genuinely welcomed. Overall, a fantastic experience, and I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for comfort and excellent service.

L
liam Apr 01, 2026
10

The buffet was absolutely excellent with a great variety of fresh and delicious options. Everything was well-presented and perfectly maintained throughout. A special appreciation to SIMRAN for her outstanding service; she was attentive, professional, and made sure we were well taken care of. Her warm attitude truly enhanced the dining experience.

GB
Gen Baker Mar 25, 2026
10

We stayed here the other week as a family staycation! We had a 10/10 experience from start to finish! Our boys are 13 and 6 and they had more than enough to keep both of our boys happy, entertained and wanting to come back! We were thrilled with the surprise of having a splash pad inside the pool area! Our 6 year old spent most of his time there and the older boy even got in on the fun. Having the buckets and whirlpool bottom in the shallow end of the pool helped keep everyone all together for a fun time! Our older boy is an athlete playing high level competitive hockey so having a breakfast with tons of healthy options and a massive guy really helped keep him on track with his goals this season. Our younger boy has autism and feeding him has always been a challenge but they had so many options that everyone in our home was able to find something to enjoy with tons of seating area to enjoy your meal restaurant style! It’s walking distance to the st Jacob’s market, and a brewery which made us wish we stayed longer.

PM
Peter McMahon Feb 28, 2026
10

We had a great stay! Staff was friendly! Place and rooms were clean. Pool was nice, could use a hot tub or sauna because the water wasn't the warmest! Free breakfast was really good! Walking distance to the market, playhouse and a clue great restaurants!

AL
Alexis Legros Feb 25, 2026
10

We stay at the Holiday Inn Express Waterloo – St. Jacobs every year as part of our Christmas tradition, and it never disappoints. It’s the perfect place to stay when visiting the Waterloo Central Railway Christmas Train it’s just a short walk away, and you’re close to everything you need. The St. Jacobs Market area is right nearby too, which makes the whole weekend feel extra festive. The hotel itself is always clean, comfortable, and great for families. The kids love the indoor pool and splash pad, and mornings are always a hit thanks to the hot breakfast buffet especially the pancake machine! There’s also 24/7 coffee, a fitness room, and plenty of cozy spots to relax after a long day of holiday fun. It’s an ideal spot for a holiday getaway, and being just down the road from St. Jacobs Village means you can easily explore the shops and all the charm the town has to offer. We’ll definitely be back again next year!

TH
Tracey Harris Jan 28, 2026
10

We had a great stay! The young fellow at front desk was very friendly, helpful & welcoming. We believe his name is Guandar. The room was quiet & clean. The breakfast was one of the best ones we have had, delicious! We will stay again. Thank you!

AT
Amuthan Tharmalingam Jan 26, 2026
10

We had a fantastic stay here! The highlight was definitely the breakfast service every morning. The food was delicious and fresh, but the service made it truly special. A huge shout-out to Bhavya, who was incredible. She was so attentive, making sure every guest was taken care of and ensuring the buffet was constantly replenished. It’s rare to see someone work with that much care and efficiency. Highly recomended

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Holiday Inn Express & Suites Waterloo - St. Jacobs Area by IHG

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

A 3-minute walk from the St. Jacob's Farmers Market, this modern lodging is also 3.3 km from the quaint shops of the Village of St. Jacobs.

  • Farmers Market Rd. / St Jacobs Market 4 min Walk
  • St. Jacobs: Farmer’s Market 4 min Walk
  • 40 Benjamin Rd. 5 min Walk
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport 1 hr 3 Car · 1 hr 58 Transit
  • Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport 1 hr 38 Car · 2 hr 37 Transit
  • Region of Waterloo International Airport 24 min Car · 1 hr 38 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Ontario. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

St. Jacobs Farmers' Market 22,589 reviews

St. Jacobs Farmers' Market

878 Weber St N, Woolwich, ON N2J 4A9, Canada

4.6 · Farmers' Market
Laurel Creek Conservation Area 1,457 reviews

Laurel Creek Conservation Area

625 Westmount Rd N, Waterloo, ON N2J 2Z4, Canada

4.4 · Park
Waterloo Central Railway 163 reviews

Waterloo Central Railway

330 Farmers Market Rd, Waterloo, ON N2V 1K8, Canada

3.9 · Train Depot
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