The Holiday Inn Express Crystal River is a clean, well-maintained chain hotel with bright light fixtures illuminating the common areas. The modern lobby has a small seating area with a flat-screen TV and blue patterned armchairs. Free newspapers and coffee are available throughout the day. A wooden wall separates the main part of the lobby from the contemporary breakfast area, which has high ceilings, red walls with mustard-colored accent sections, and red granite buffet counters. 

The Holiday Inn Express Crystal River is directly off Highway 44 and less than a five-minute drive to Highway 19. The Crystal River Watersports Marina is an eight-minute drive from the hotel while Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Crystal River Archaeological State Park are 12 minutes away. Weeki Wachee Springs, Fort Cooper State Park, and Citrus Country Speedway are all around a half-hour drive away. Tampa International Airport is an hour and 15 minutes drive while getting to the Orlando International Airport takes closer to 90 minutes. 

Rooms are bright and simple, with tan patterned carpets, green or red accent walls, and yellow dust ruffles on queen or king beds. Rooms have gray armchairs or couches and dark-wood furniture, and all come with mini-fridges, microwaves, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. Suites come with jetted tubs, sofa beds in seating areas, and wet bars with granite countertops. Bathrooms are simple and have speckled granite on the countertops and in the shower/tub combos. Bath and Body Works toiletries are provided.

The Holiday Inn features a seasonal outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees. There are a few tables with chairs along with a handful of lounge chairs, but the area could use a bit more seating. The hotel also offers a free hot breakfast with biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage, and pancakes. Snacks and toiletries are available for sale at a small on-site sundries area. Other features include a 24-hour business center with two computers and a printer/copier as well as a small fitness center with a couple of treadmills and an exercise bike. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's ample free parking on-site.