Holiday Inn Canton (Belden Village) by IHG

This was my first stay, and there were good and bad parts. I had no hot water, only lukewarm at best, whether I tried around 9-10 p.m. or between 4-6 a.m. I asked to change rooms, but they were booked all week. At the bar, the bartender didn't put in my order for 45 minutes. I spoke up after seeing other customers get food first, and she blamed the new cook. The next morning the manager and cook gave me a certificate for a free meal. Otherwise, no complaints and a great stay.

The staff were wonderful, warm and welcoming, and the location worked for what I needed. The gym was decent sized, with three treadmills, an elliptical and some free weights. That's why this gets three stars. The room itself was old, poorly maintained, uninviting and uncomfortable. Wallpaper was peeling in every room, and there was basically no decor. The bathroom was worst: bad lighting, mold in the shower, peeling ceiling, a very slow sink drain, a disgusting shower head, and a leak that left water everywhere after a two-minute shower. I needed several towels to mop it up. I had a king bed suite, but there wasn't a single full-length mirror. The heat was freezing one day and really hot the next on the same setting. The living room had a wall thermostat, but the bedroom's old heater controls made it so hot that I had to keep them on cold to feel comfortable. The bed and pillows weren't comfortable either. I honestly wouldn't stay again unless the hotel is remodeled and updated.

The front desk hasn't been welcoming on my visits, and the property consistently seems short-staffed. Check-out is strictly at 11:00 a.m.; late check-out requests are rarely granted, even when the hotel looks like it has low occupancy. I travel often for business, as do many on my team, and flexibility and professionalism matter. Based on our experiences, we won't book here again. We'll choose brands like Hilton and Marriott International, which we've consistently found more accommodating and customer-focused. Unfortunately, our experiences with Holiday Inn properties haven't been positive.

My room felt like home, spacious and inviting, and impeccably clean. Check-in was quick, and the front desk staff were incredibly friendly and informative. Since I'm not from the area, they suggested a few things to check out. My whole experience, from the General Manager to the desk team and housekeeping, was out of this world. The General Manager was one of the best parts of the stay, making me feel at home and ensuring we had everything we could need. An absolute pleasure all around. I'd give it 20 stars if I could, and would say this hotel is a must-stay while in the area.