Outside it's a zoo; during the day, New York City's Financial District is swarming with local workers walking with purpose and idling tourists. However, one step through the automatic sliding glass doors of the Holiday Inn Express Wall Street and the vibe is instantly more relaxed. The lobby has contemporary style and a bit more character than one might expect from a typical mid-range chain hotel -- it's definitely not your grandfather's Holiday Inn. New in 2009 and with a slightly sleek look, this hotel focuses on the "smart" traveler who wants more than just a clean room and nice price. The lobby has delicately patterned tub chairs, a smooth, black coffee table, welded metal artwork on the walls, and dual colored tile floors. As a Bronze Level Green Leader, there are also recycling receptacles by the front desk. A faux-leather bench is available for lounging, and free copies of USA Today are on offer. 

The business center, also on the same level as the lobby, has a similar decor, but adds splashes of lime into the mix. This dark wood, black, and lime color scheme is also next door inside the Complimentary Breakfast Room, which may feel a lot like a remodeled greenhouse -- because it is. A sloped and frosted glass ceiling and light gray and silver walls work in harmony to provide the room with tons of light in the mornings. Hidden away in the basement, the gym is fairly average and quite small.

The least impressive spaces in the hotel are the (non-air-conditioned) hallways which have dated motel-style carpeting and can feel a bit stuffy, and the very industrial cement staircases. There is only one elevator for over 20 floors, so wait times for higher rooms can be problematic. Guest room decor isn't as sharp as decor in the public spaces on the first floor, but rather has typical mid-range chain style -- fluffy pillows, darker furniture, pops of color -- and clean bathrooms. Overall, this isn't a hotel you spend the day at, but it's a solid, comfortable base for work or pleasure trips.

Located in the Financial District of lower Manhattan, the Holiday Inn Express Wall Street's surroundings are rather chaotic and congested -- and it's easy to get lost if you don't know where you are going. However, with it's on-site business center, a FedEx Office across the street, and proximity to several business points of interest such as the NYSE, Federal Reserve, and City Hall, it's an ideal place for the business traveler. It's walking distance to South Ferry, the World Trade Center, South Seaport shops, and Chinatown (all are under 20 minutes on foot), and several nearby subway lines also makes it convenient for tourists. However, beware, while this may be a thriving (and sometimes overwhelming) area during the day -- full of pedestrians, eateries, and shops -- once business closes for the day, there's not much in terms of nightlife.

The 112 rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Wall Street are fairly small. Rooms with king-size beds (rather than two double beds) are smallest, although if you really want space, the hotel's few ADA- and TDD-equipped rooms (officially called King Hear Accessible Roll-in Shower Rooms) are nearly double the size of a King Bed Leisure Room -- and so are the bathrooms. The clean rooms are typical of Holiday Inn Express properties, featuring fluffy pillows labeled either firm or soft, and comfortable beds from which guests can watch free HBO on flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms are contemporary (but small) with shower/tub combos (except in ADA/TDD rooms) and Bath and Body Works toiletries. If you want a room with a microwave and/or mini-fridge, request either the King Junior Suite or the Two Double Beds Room. All rooms have free Wi-Fi as well as hard-wired Internet access for faster speeds. While it's definitely quieter to have only a handful of rooms per floor, having only one elevator means longer waits (yet better views) for rooms on higher floors. You should also request a room not facing a main street if ambient light and occasional noise are likely to bother you.

By far the best feature, and one of the hotel's biggest draws, is the Smart Choice Express Start breakfast. It's offered brand-wide,  and gives guests a plethora of breakfast buffet choices. Expected items include some type of eggs, a selection of breakfast meats, fruit, juices, yogurts, and cereal, as well as pancakes from a make-your-own mini pancakes machine, gluten-free and other dietary restricted items, biscuits and pork gravy, non-pork meats, omelets, and more. No worries if you stuff yourself full of omelets and bacon in the morning, as the hotel has a small, but efficient gym in the basement. There are a few cardio machines, free weights, and water cooler. Upstairs, just outside the breakfast room, there's a two-computer business center with print-only capabilities. If guests need to fax, scan, or copy, the hotel suggests they run across the road to the well-equipped FedEx Office store. Nestled between the two computers is a touch-screen information kiosk where tourists can find out about Broadway shows, restaurants, and other local attractions. A small lounge area with couches is also nearby, commonly used as meeting spot for guests. While Wi-Fi is available for free, parking is rather expensive, off-site, and doesn't come with any in/out privileges. Vending machines are available on floors 2, 8 and 17.