Name: Holiday Inn Knoxville N - Merchant Drive by IHG
Address: 5634 Merchants Center Boulevard, Inskip, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America, Knoxville, Knox County, US
Price range: US$90–US$456 per night
Rating: 8.58

What guests think

At Holiday Inn Knoxville N - Merchant Drive by IHG, guests consistently praise the friendly staff, clean spaces, and comfortable beds, while recurring drawbacks include interstate noise on some rooms, a run-down surrounding area, and housekeeping inconsistencies.

Many liked the paid breakfast and the on-site bar/restaurant, though a few found breakfast average or disliked the extra charge. Rooms are generally comfortable, but some bathrooms feel small, certain shower designs cause water on the floor, and blackout curtains do not fully block outside light in a few rooms. Expect a clean, convenient stop off I-75 with friendly service and a few tradeoffs.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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Facilities

On-site bar and restaurant receive frequent praise, and the property is pet friendly. Some guests noted tight parking at busy times and occasional ice-machine outages; a couple of reviews mentioned the pool (one praised it, another disliked later opening hours).

Related guest reviews

10

Patricia

24 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We chose this hotel because it was right off the freeway. The fact they had plenty of options for dinner at their restaurant and it was really good, was a pleasant surprise. Room were clean, breakfast was better than most

10

Amy

18 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff was super friendly, the rooms were huge and very clean, and the convenience of the restaurant and bar on site was exactly what I needed after a long day of driving.

10

David

16 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very nice staff, clean room, well laid out, restaurant is limited, but the food is good and very well priced.

10

James

11 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Our room was pretty clean. Shower dripped so a little old looking. Bedding was comfortable. The pool was excellent. After 5 pm you could order drinks from the bar with a phone by the pool. The staff was incredible! Everyone included from the front desk staff, to the bar staff, and even the maintenance staff (which we just had a passerby conversation with). The food was incredible! The breakfast cost $5 a day and was well worth it!! We also ate dinner in the hotel lobby, and it was delicious! The location is the only con to this hotel. Not really close to downtown or within walking distance to any restaurants or attractions. Neighborhood seemed a little rundown. Due to the service and all the other positives, I would definitely stay here again!

10

Lauren

23 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

So spotlessly clean and new, quiet, pet-friendly, very comfortable bed, spacious bathroom, great free parking, easy check-in experience with lovely front desk manager Sara, check-out time not till noon — all at excellent value

10

Patti

19 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Very clean updated rooms. Stayed twice within a month. Restaurant is small but food was good. Service in the bar and restaurant was excellent. Only negative was coffee maker was broke in room. One room did not have a functioning wall outlet at the desk. Complementary water was never refilled in the lobby.

10

Patti

8 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean room and property. Beds were comfortable. The beds sit very high. I had to give my mom (5’ 2”) a boost up so she could get in bed! lol. The dining room/bar served good food and the breakfast was good.

4

Angie

3 Jan 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I didnt like that people were loitering outside in the parking lot. I didn't feel safe going out to my car at night. Also we were on the 5th floor and the ice machine didn't work. So we went to the 4th floor and it didn't work so we went down to the front desk and she informed us we had to go to the 3rd floor to get ice because that was the only one that worked. We asked to us a bottle opener and the front desk said they didn't have one but there was a bar in the lobby. We also were a little upset that there was no free breakfast. For the price we paid in a bad neighborhood there should have at least been free breakfast.

8

Rita

3 Apr 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

A little thing no ice machine on first floor have to go to bar for ice. Person was more than happy to help just kind of strange set up. Electric went out do to winds front desk had little information to pass along to guest

10

Nancy

1 Feb 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Very clean, pet friendly, has a bar and restaurant! Comfortable beds. Also right off I75 for easy access. Will stay here again next year

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Cleanliness

Reviews frequently describe the hotel as very clean, with many spotless rooms and common areas. There are recurring reports of lapses—mold or grime in showers, missed housekeeping, and sporadic room preparation issues.

Related guest reviews

10

Richard

2 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly, professional & efficient staff. Spotless everywhere. Aone of the best breakfasts we've ever had! Beds were eo comdortable. We alept like babies! We loved our stay!

10

Alyson

27 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was clean and staff was amazing. Would recommend

10

Wade

29 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was clean and fresh.

4

Holly

9 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The fifth floor smelled like cat urine when we exited the elevator. When we got to our room, the door was ajar. I kept my boys outside and went in. Thankfully, no one was in the room. The door jam appeared to have been tampered with at some point. I needed to use the bathroom and noticed a very soiled towel hanging on the back of the door. I called the front desk. She was polite but not very responsive. She told me she couldn’t change my room because they were booked and, eventually, asked if I wanted her to come get the towel. Please!! She came up to get the towel and said she’d leave a message for the day shift manager. Didn’t bother to clean the back of the door or to check the rest of the room. Later, as we’re getting ready for bed, my oldest son found a dirty, plastic fork on the floor between the head of his bed and the nightstand. It was too late to change hotels as all others close by were booked. This experience definitely wasn’t up to the usual high standards we’ve experienced at IHG hotels over the years. So disappointed and definitely not worth $165 a night. Not surprisingly, I never heard from the manager.

10

Lauren

23 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

So spotlessly clean and new, quiet, pet-friendly, very comfortable bed, spacious bathroom, great free parking, easy check-in experience with lovely front desk manager Sara, check-out time not till noon — all at excellent value

2

Anthony

1 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

There was a considerable amount of mold within the shower, which is unacceptable. The shower door did not stay closed and continued to slide open while the water was running.

6

Antoinette

20 May 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

We had requested our 2 rooms be cleaned on a daily basis for our 4 day reservation. One room was cleaned once and the other not at all. We spoke to the front desk upon arrival and daily regarding the lack of cleaning. We were told our rooms would be cleaned but they were not. We had to go to the front desk for towels and toiletries due to the lack of cleaning service. We were very disappointed with the service from the front desk and cleaning service.

10

Marcia

10 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Spent one night driving through Knoxville. The hotel was very clean. Room was quiet and comfortable. Check in was quick and easy. Would definitely stay here again.

6

Brandy

27 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The front desk staff was very nice. The front desk area was clean. The restaurant area looked very clean our room which was 134. On the other hand it was clean the door had paint marks all over it where they patched it or covered up scratches the bathroom was disgusting little mold on the ceiling the tub was old, the tub puddles as you showered.

8

Carla

31 Dec 2022

·

Stayed 19,356 nights

Booked for 1 night. Check in was short and quick. The room was clean except for the bathroom. Mold in the shower. Yikes!! Overall a nice stay. The staff were friendly.

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Rooms

Rooms are comfortable with notably cozy (but high) beds and some spacious layouts. Downsides include highway-facing noise, small bathrooms with shower designs that let water onto floors, and blackout curtains that do not fully block exterior light in some rooms.

Related guest reviews

8

Martin

31 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff was great and courteous. Room was clean and very acceptable. Only issue is one side of the hotel sits on top of Highway 75. Make sure you're on the other side.

10

Mary Jo

16 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Extremely clean and beds super comfy. Reasonably priced will absolutely stay here again

10

KellyAnne

13 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Most comfortable beds

8

Andy

15 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Wonderful stay. A few positives were the cleanliness, modern look and wonderful breakfast. A few negatives were the black out curtains didn’t cover the entire window and the parking lot lights were bright and the interstate noise was loud.

10

Erika

2 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We had a quick stay but everything was nice and clean. Shower water pressure was low.

10

Troy

25 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

This place was amazing. Nice and new. Very clean. Everything worked in the room. My only small complaint would be the beds. They are very high. Short or older people will have to crwal up on them.

8

John

9 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Everything was fine except for the shower. You could tell there used to be a door there, but they put a curtain up, but it didn’t go to the floor so when I got out of the shower, there was water all over the floor. I’ve been taking showers for quite a while and know how to close the curtain and all that stuff… what can I say?

10

Steve

18 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Quite a bit of space and very clean. The beds were comfortable but very high. We literally had to jump up to get on them and I, at least, had to be careful betting off. There was one chair in the room some distance from the TV. It would be nice to have a desk chair on casters so that a person could watch the news in the morning without having to jump back in bed. There is plenty of room for another chair.

8

Tamara

18 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Window didnt have curtains to block out blaring outside light. Horrible to sleep, constant light in room. Really bright. Hotel needs to put black out curtains on this side of bldg. Awful to sleep!!!!

10

Kimberly

10 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

We initially were given 307. I entered room at 4pm to find it occupied. We were then given room 420 which was nice except curtains don’t close and back parking lights shined in our room.

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Service

Staff are widely described as friendly, helpful, and accommodating. However, several guests reported issues such as unprofessional interactions, room-type or overbooking mix-ups, keys given to the wrong room, and inconsistent communication about housekeeping.

Related guest reviews

2

Jeff

19 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I booked a KING room and was given a Double room with smaller beds. We were told we could take the Double room or leave. NOT WHAT WE PAID FOR !!!!!!!!!!!! We paid extra for a King Room per their ad price. However, The staff did NOT even care they sold something they did NOT even have..... Terrible Customer Service !!

10

Carla J

4 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff was very friendly. Breakfast was delicious with a variety of healthy options. Clean and quiet atmosphere with needs met without hesitation.

10

Richard

2 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly, professional & efficient staff. Spotless everywhere. Aone of the best breakfasts we've ever had! Beds were eo comdortable. We alept like babies! We loved our stay!

10

Don

15 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Spent the four days in Knoxville for business and ended up getting sick. The bed was comfortable and the staff was very friendly and helpful. 10 minutes to downtown and lots of good restaurants and stores around so it made things convenient. I'd stay there again.

2

Tony

28 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff at the front desk was unprofessional and rude.

10

Jacquelyn

19 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

From the moment I entered the foyer I was pleased. The staff was absolutely amazing with suggestions and assistance. Every request I made was met above expectation and with a pleasant personable response or provision. I was very pleased and comfortable. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience.

6

Kathy

19 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Apparently the property was overbooked. So even though I had a reservation for 2 queen beds, I got a room with a king and a pull out couch. This was a incovenience because 2 people had to sleep on a pull out couch. I felt like the staff were not super helpful about this and it was stressful.

10

Dana

22 Jan 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff was exceptionally nice! From front desk to restaurant to housekeeping!

4

madison

10 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Hotel gave couple keys to my room and they entered while I was changing. Management has not called me back.

2

Nathaniel

18 May 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Didn’t get to stay because I’m a local , I booked third party so couldn’t get a refund

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Location

Convenient off I-75 and within easy reach of UT, downtown, and nearby dining and stores. Multiple guests found the surrounding area run down with loitering near neighboring properties, and highway-facing rooms can pick up traffic noise.

Related guest reviews

8

Martin

31 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff was great and courteous. Room was clean and very acceptable. Only issue is one side of the hotel sits on top of Highway 75. Make sure you're on the other side.

10

Don

15 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Spent the four days in Knoxville for business and ended up getting sick. The bed was comfortable and the staff was very friendly and helpful. 10 minutes to downtown and lots of good restaurants and stores around so it made things convenient. I'd stay there again.

10

Allison c st

3 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Hotel was clean and well-kept, The area around seemed a little run down

10

Mary

28 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean, felt safe there, in walking distance of good restaurants and close proximity to the venue we were visiting.

10

Michele

4 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Easy access to highway , Starbucks and restaurants . Clean ..

10

Joseph

14 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This was a quick trip - property is great but there's not a lot around the area for entertainment or dining.

10

Shelby

15 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Excellent hotel with very clean rooms! The food and drinks were decent and not over-priced. The only thing to be mindful of is there is a Motel 6 right next door that seemed a little sketchy, so the location may not be the best.

8

Terri

30 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

No free breakfast! My bad for overlooking. Also last Holiday Inn gave free water, too. Beware. If you are on the I-75 side, it’s noisy.

10

Kristan

5 Oct 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Everything was perfect! Hotel was clean, area is a bit sketchy. And breakfast isn’t included, other than that great.

10

Lisset

3 Mar 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location, only 9 min away from UT. The staff was friendly and attentive. We really enjoyed our stay.

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Dining

Many guests enjoyed the on-site bar and found breakfast tasty with good variety. Some disliked that breakfast is not included or found it average, and a few noted limited bar/restaurant hours.

Related guest reviews

10

Carla J

4 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff was very friendly. Breakfast was delicious with a variety of healthy options. Clean and quiet atmosphere with needs met without hesitation.

10

Richard

2 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly, professional & efficient staff. Spotless everywhere. Aone of the best breakfasts we've ever had! Beds were eo comdortable. We alept like babies! We loved our stay!

10

Cathy

21 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff were very friendly. Check-in, check -out, and food staff. We got one free voucher for the buffet breakfast which had a decent variety. Definitely would stay here again

10

David

16 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very nice staff, clean room, well laid out, restaurant is limited, but the food is good and very well priced.

10

James

11 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Our room was pretty clean. Shower dripped so a little old looking. Bedding was comfortable. The pool was excellent. After 5 pm you could order drinks from the bar with a phone by the pool. The staff was incredible! Everyone included from the front desk staff, to the bar staff, and even the maintenance staff (which we just had a passerby conversation with). The food was incredible! The breakfast cost $5 a day and was well worth it!! We also ate dinner in the hotel lobby, and it was delicious! The location is the only con to this hotel. Not really close to downtown or within walking distance to any restaurants or attractions. Neighborhood seemed a little rundown. Due to the service and all the other positives, I would definitely stay here again!

6

joseph

30 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

It is an average hotel with comparitively above average pricing. The lobby of the building appears to have some updating but the rest of the hotel reads dated. The pool does not open until ten where many offer 8AM or even 6AM opening. The staff were all friendly and competent. So generally average to here but let's talk about breakfast. You have to pay an additional fee for breakfast - which we paid. Less expensive hotels offer similar and better breakfest incuded. The food was mediocre with what appeared to be real bacon the high point. Mediocre is the norm I believe in buffet hotel breakfast but the zinger here is they offer you a "check" with an opportunity to tip after you serve breakfast to yourself.

10

Patti

19 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Very clean updated rooms. Stayed twice within a month. Restaurant is small but food was good. Service in the bar and restaurant was excellent. Only negative was coffee maker was broke in room. One room did not have a functioning wall outlet at the desk. Complementary water was never refilled in the lobby.

10

Lynn

30 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The breakfast was delicious! So many options!

8

Helen

24 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location and loved the bar!!

8

Joan

12 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

The staff, with one exception, were very helpful, particularly Sylvia who was wonderful. The female bartender on Saturday night who closed the bar down at 9:30 was very rude and dismissive.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$103
February	US$104
March	US$114
April	US$119
May	US$153
June	US$117
July	US$98
August	US$122
September	US$146
October	US$135
November	US$131
December	US$105

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15 $140	16 $110	17 $110	18 $268	19 $272
20 $98	21 $90	22 $102	23 $132	24 $187	25	26
27 $108	28 $108	29 $113	30 $108

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $117	2 $456	3
4 $109	5 $104	6 $109	7 $109	8 $136	9 $158	10 $154
11 $108	12 $109	13 $113	14 $113	15 $105	16	17
18 $107	19 $99	20 $104	21 $98	22 $107	23 $142	24 $142
25 $102	26 $103	27 $104	28 $104	29 $114	30 $136	31 $121

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Accessible Shower)

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible (Accessible Tub)

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Accessible Tub)

Premium Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Communication)

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Standard Room

Guest reviews

Fabulous

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Security deposit

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Holiday Inn Knoxville N - Merchant Drive by IHG

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Prices for upcoming dates