So, you’re heading to Upstate New York. Maybe it’s a quick stop on the way to the Thousand Islands, or maybe you’re visiting family over at Fort Drum. Either way, you’ve probably noticed that the hotel scene in Watertown is, well, surprisingly crowded for a city of its size. There are clusters of hotels near the Salmon Run Mall and others tucked closer to the Black River. But the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Watertown-Thousand Island Park usually ends up being the default for people who actually know the area. Why? It’s not because it’s the fanciest building in the world. Honestly, it’s just because it hits that sweet spot of consistency and location that some of the older motels in the area frankly miss.
When you’re driving up I-81, the last thing you want is a surprise. You want a room that doesn't smell like stale cigarettes and a breakfast that isn't just a bruised apple and a granola bar.
The Fort Drum Factor and Why Location Actually Matters Here
If you aren't from Northern New York, you might not realize how much the military presence at Fort Drum dictates the local economy. The Holiday Inn Express on Commerce Park Drive is positioned specifically to serve that crowd. It’s a short ten-minute hop to the main gate. This means the hotel is often packed with contractors, relocating soldiers, and families. This high turnover is actually a good thing for you. Why? Because high-volume hotels have to keep their standards up or they lose those massive government contracts.
The hotel sits right off State Route 3. It's close enough to the Salmon Run Mall that you can go grab a pair of boots if you realized you packed wrong for the lake, but far enough away that you aren't dealing with the holiday shopping traffic that clogs up the Arsenal Street corridor.
I’ve seen people book hotels further into the city thinking they’ll get "local charm." Usually, they just get older plumbing and thinner walls. This property was built with the modern traveler in mind—think thick glass and decent insulation. That matters when the wind starts howling off Lake Ontario in January.
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Let’s Talk About the Breakfast and the "Pancake Machine"
Everyone talks about the cinnamon rolls. They’re basically a cult classic at this point. They are gooey, sugary, and exactly what you want when it’s 20 degrees outside. But the real MVP is the automatic pancake maker. You press a button, and a conveyor belt spits out two hot pancakes. It’s sort of mesmerizing to watch, honestly.
- They offer a rotating mix of hot items: usually scrambled eggs or those little omelet discs.
- Sausage links or bacon (if you get there before the 8:00 AM rush).
- Chobani yogurts, which is a nice touch considering the brand has a massive presence in New York State.
- Fresh coffee that is actually drinkable, not that brown water you find at most budget stays.
It’s a buffet. Is it a five-star brunch? No. Is it better than paying twenty bucks at a diner when you're in a hurry? Absolutely. Most people don't realize that the breakfast area here is actually quite large compared to the Fairfield or the Hampton nearby. You aren't usually elbowing people out of the way just to get some orange juice.
The Rooms: What You Actually Get
The rooms are exactly what you expect from a 2020s-era Holiday Inn Express. No surprises. That’s the point. You get the "Soft" and "Firm" labeled pillows. It’s a small thing, but if you have a bad neck, it’s a lifesaver. The desks are large enough to actually work on, which is a big deal since Watertown is a hub for business travelers in the renewable energy and agriculture sectors.
One thing to note: ask for a room on the top floor. The floors are concrete-planked, but you’ll still hear the occasional heavy-footed neighbor above you if you’re on the first or second floor. It’s just how these buildings are constructed. The suites are worth the extra few dollars if you have kids. Having that little partition makes a world of difference when you’re trying to watch the news while the kids are asleep.
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The Indoor Pool and the "Tug Hill" Winter Reality
If you’re visiting in the winter, you are probably dealing with snow. A lot of it. Watertown sits right in the Lake Effect snow belt. The Tug Hill plateau nearby gets some of the highest snowfall totals in the United States.
The indoor pool here isn't an Olympic-sized lap pool, but it’s heated and it’s clean. When there is six feet of snow outside and you're stuck in the hotel, having that pool and the small fitness center is a massive morale booster. The fitness center has the basics—treadmills, an elliptical, and some free weights. It's enough to keep your routine going.
Common Misconceptions About Staying in Watertown
A lot of people think staying in Watertown means you're "at" the Thousand Islands. You aren't. Alexandria Bay and Clayton are about 25 to 30 minutes north. If you want to wake up and see the St. Lawrence River, this isn't your spot. But, and this is a big "but," the hotels in the Thousand Islands are often twice as expensive and half as modern.
Staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Watertown is the "pro move" for budget-conscious travelers. You stay here for $130-$160 a night, eat the free breakfast, and then drive 25 minutes to the river for the day. You save enough on the room to afford a nice dinner at Channelside or the Thousand Islands Club.
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Technical Details You Might Care About
- Internet: It's fast. Usually 50Mbps+. Good enough for Zoom calls or streaming Netflix.
- Parking: Huge lot. If you’re towing a boat or a snowmobile trailer, you won’t have an issue finding a spot. This is a major advantage over the downtown hotels.
- Pet Policy: They generally allow pets, but always call ahead to confirm the fee. It fluctuates based on the season.
- Accessibility: Fully ADA compliant with elevators and wide hallways.
The staff here is mostly local. They know the area. If you want to know which road is closed due to a "whiteout" or where to find the best pizza (try Maggie’s on the River, by the way), just ask the front desk. They deal with the weather every day; they’re experts.
The Reality of Peak Season
In the summer, this place fills up fast. Between the fishing tournaments on Lake Ontario and the tourists heading to Canada, Watertown becomes a bottleneck. If you try to walk in on a Friday night in July without a reservation, you’re probably going to end up sleeping in your car or driving an hour south to Syracuse. Book ahead.
Also, keep an eye on the graduation dates for Fort Drum’s training cycles. When a battalion comes home or a class graduates, every hotel room within 30 miles disappears.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
- Check the Fort Drum Calendar: Before you book, do a quick search for any major events at the base. If there’s a change of command or a large-scale homecoming, prices will spike.
- Join IHG One Rewards: Even if you don't travel much, it's free. Members often get a slightly later checkout (1:00 PM instead of 11:00 AM), which is great if you want to sleep in after a long drive.
- Choose the Right Side of the Building: If you want a quieter night, ask for a room facing away from the main road. The traffic on Route 3 can be a bit loud during morning rush hour.
- Use the "Mobile Check-In": The IHG app lets you skip a lot of the paperwork. If you arrive at 10:00 PM and just want to crash, this is a lifesaver.
- Explore Local Food: While the hotel has breakfast, go to the Crystal Restaurant downtown for dinner at least once. It’s like stepping back into the 1930s and it’s a Watertown staple.
The Holiday Inn Express Watertown isn't trying to be a luxury resort. It’s a reliable, clean, and modern basecamp for exploring the North Country. It works because it doesn't overpromise. You get a good bed, a hot shower, a fast pancake, and easy access to the highway. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.