Holiday Inn Maidenhead Windsor by IHG

I’ve given this hotel plenty of glowing reviews before, but this stay was a real disappointment. The restaurant was shut at 7pm, so I was left with a bar packed with Lego land families and screaming kids. That may be fine for families, but business guests should have a decent place to eat too. The two bar staff were trying to handle both food and drinks, and the cost cutting was obvious. A week of Lego land promotion during half term seemed to matter more than the regular business customers. My colleagues agree. If they run a promotion like that, the restaurant should still be open so business guests can eat somewhere pleasant. This hotel was badly run, and I won’t return or send any employees from my company back.

The staff were kind and breakfast was good, but the room could have been cleaner, and parts of the hotel look worn. On the third floor, the carpet was lifted at a corner by the three thirties and nearly made me fall. I caught my balance, but that carpet needs attention right away. The health club was a letdown too. The pool felt and smelled unclean, and was too cold for my little one to stay in. There didn’t seem to be an obvious express checkout, if one was available.

We could hear people shouting and slamming doors, though I can’t really blame the hotel for that. The rooms themselves were spot on, clean, comfortable, and looked new. The price was good and breakfast reasonable. The coffee machines kept breaking, and the queues were huge, probably because there were so many people there. Going early might make for a better experience.

Barbara at reception welcomed us courteously, and the staff were friendly and professional throughout. We had a lovely stopover in a clean, well appointed standard room, with a very comfortable bed and only a quiet air conditioning hum. Breakfast offered continental and English options. There was plenty of parking, and my wife and I would be happy to visit again.