Holiday Inn Express Veracruz Boca del Rio

The road outside is very busy, and you hear the traffic from the hotel. Inside, there's no real soundproofing either: elevator beeps, people walking or talking in the hall, you can hear it all. Sleep was hard to come by, though at least there's a flat-screen TV. The room was clean and the building seems only 5-10 years old, but it feels like they tried to fit in as many rooms as cheaply as possible. There's no mini fridge or microwave. You can get ice down the hall, and if you need to refrigerate food, you have to go to the other hotel and ask the receptionist to use their shared fridge. Feels like going back to a time before I was born.

A few things were decent: the bed was comfortable, parking was free and easy to access, the AC worked well, and the sheets looked clean. Beyond that, my stays here have all been unpleasant. I've been to many IHG properties, and this one is near the bottom of my list. The manager on my first visit was awful and refused to help, so I had to seek assistance at the Holiday Inn. Management and staff generally haven't been welcoming, and the rooms I've had were subpar or even dirty. Breakfast leaves a lot to be desired. I was put near construction, with distracting noise all afternoon. That's no good for a business traveler. I'd avoid it if possible.

The pool and service were things I really liked, especially the beach access and chairs. There was always someone around to help, and customer service was great. Still, I wish guests got the same treatment whatever room they'd booked. I reserved a double and a standard room, and even though they were essentially the same, they were treated very differently. One was clearly better quality in its beds, lighting, view, bathroom, and even the way staff treated us. That was disappointing, since I was excited to stay at a Holiday Inn on vacation.

The standout for us was the private beach, which was clean and well maintained, and we really enjoyed staying here. The premises were tidy and cared for, and the staff were excellent and very helpful. Everyone at the front desk spoke English. Breakfast for vegetarians included bread and yogurt. A very nice place.