It is now a Quality Inn, under the same ownership.

From the looks of photos their website, that cool plane buzzing the pool in the Holidome is gone, too: http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-jacksonville-florida-FLB72

Perhaps a moment of silence is in order for another “local” Holiday Inn that is no more!

JM

This is a great older style Holiday Inn, with exterior corridors on the outside of the property and a Holidome in the center.

The coolest thing about this hotel isn’t the great Southern-style food in the restaurant, the nice people who work there, or the fact that they have an enjoyable little bar/lounge, but the decor of the property.

It’s vintage airplane.

In fact, a light plane (a single engine Aerocoop) hangs in the Holidome, along with a large scale model of a World War I biplane. The Aerocoop hangs at such an angle that it looks like it is buzzing the pool area. Awesome!

The walls of the lobby and corridors are decorated with black and white airplane pictures and the meeting rooms have names like: The Piper Cub Room.

I have attended several meetings there over the years– the first in 1988 or so. Stayed there many times, too.

Stayed there just a few days ago, most recently (another meeting of the same group, after all these years!).

I have stayed in many hotels over the years (and more than a few dull Holiday Inns!), but this one is laid-back-retro-cool in my books.

I’m a fan.

JM