Holiday Inn Express Bath

The location was great and the rooms were clean and tidy. My view was of headstones, but otherwise it was great. Tracey was lovely, kind, and accommodating, naturally warm and funny. The person who checked us out on Sunday morning, Edwardo, I believe was his name, wasn’t necessarily unfriendly, but I felt uncomfortable around him. He definitely didn’t pass the vibe check. Maybe a customer service course would help.

We found the stay average and a little below what we expected during our family trip. The room wasn’t as clean as we’d hoped, which was disappointing. Breakfast had a reasonable selection and was acceptable, though nothing memorable. Staff were adequate but not especially welcoming or friendly, and we didn’t feel particularly looked after. It’s fine for a short stay, but cleanliness and customer service could be better at Holiday Inn Express Bath by IHG.

Watch out with the parking. We stayed one night at the end of November and were given a parking code by the receptionist, who told us to use it before going up to our room. They didn’t say we had to do it before leaving, only to do it then and there. We paid £7.50 for 24 hours because that was the only option we were given. The machine showed no other information or options for choosing hours or changing the times, it was automatic. It was 11:30pm, and there was no one else at reception. The receptionist stood watching us use the machine without correcting us or saying we needed to do it when we left in the morning. Now I’ve got a £100 fine saying I overstayed, and they won’t let me appeal it.

The hotel itself was good, but breakfast raised a hygiene concern for me. I found a long hair in the scrambled eggs on the first morning and assumed it was a one-off, so didn’t say anything then. When it happened again the next morning, it was very off-putting. I told a waiter, who said he’d pass it to the manager, but no one followed up with me. I also suggested hair nets or tighter kitchen controls to stop it happening again.