Holiday Inn Express St. Albans - M25, Jct.22 by IHG

The beds were comfy and the rooms stayed cool, which was a relief after full days out in the heatwave. We stayed again this year for the convenience of Slam Dunk Festival, having visited last year too. It was insanely expensive for what it is, but the stay itself was good. The woman at reception when we checked in after the festival mocked how much we were paying for one night, saying, “well the boss will be happy to take your money”. She seemed genuinely annoyed that festival attendees were staying there, giving me side eyes while my friend paid and smirking like she thought something was funny. It ruined what had otherwise been a great day.

I was impressed by the price and would book again if this is the Holiday Inn experience. I usually stay in Premier Inns for business, just needing a bed for the night. The buffet breakfast was decent too, as you’d expect from a chain. What a surprise to find such a gem off the M25. The reception staff were lovely when I arrived on the evening of the 10th Dec and when I left on the 11th. The room was spotlessly clean and had a well designed, contemporary style.

My family booked several rooms to meet up and do activities over the weekend. After a full day out, we sat downstairs in the ground floor restaurant area at about 9pm on Saturday 28th March for a catch-up. Staff told us twice to keep it down, though we weren’t singing, dancing or laughing excessively. When I asked what noise we were supposed to lower, we were just talking in the food hall, where staff make noise setting out breakfast at 0700. I’d already told a staff member that a slightly drunk patron had made inappropriate comments to my sister and nephew, but nothing was done. Later, as he left, he shouted “Engerland” three times in our direction and then screamed “F off”. Another guest, who had been sitting near him, said he’d been making racial comments all night. Staff were by reception and should have heard, but said they hadn’t. He was only targeting women and children, and staff let this vile bully stay instead of removing him. He was dealt with after the shouting, but I’d warned staff beforehand and they did nothing. There were other minor issues too, and I’ll make a formal complaint in writing. In 2026 this behaviour and terrible service are unacceptable. The staff were rude, passive aggressive and completely unhelpful. You ruined our weekend. I’ll never use the Holiday Inn again.

What should have been a lovely family weekend away became a frightening experience, and the mums had to reassure the young children afterwards. We booked several rooms to meet up and do activities. After a full day out, we were talking downstairs in the ground floor restaurant at around 9pm on Saturday 28th March. Reception staff twice told us to be quiet because people were sleeping upstairs, though we weren’t making much noise. My brother-in-law asked exactly what we were meant to keep down, since we weren’t singing, dancing or laughing excessively. We were in the food hall, where staff will be setting out breakfast at 07.00am, making more noise while people are likely still asleep. The receptionist had been nice when we arrived, but later she seemed angry from her body language and wasn’t polite or helpful. My brother-in-law also told her that a slightly drunk patron had made inappropriate comments to my sister and nephew. She went to the kitchen area and no action was taken. As he left later, the same patron shouted “England” three times towards us, then aggressively screamed “F off”. Young children witnessed this aggressive and racist behaviour and were scared. Another guest sitting near him said he’d made racial comments all night. They were near reception, so staff would have heard, but they said they heard nothing. It’s a shame no one acted earlier to prevent this. Staff let this vile bully stay, despite him targeting women and children. On the 28 th of March 2026, a family weekend turned into a terrible visit to the Holiday Inn. This behaviour and service are unacceptable in 2026. The staff were rude, passive aggressive and very unhelpful. They ruined our weekend, and I’ll never use the Holiday Inn again.