Holiday Inn Express and Suites Carthage

During the declared emergency from a severe ice storm, many families in Panola county sought shelter at this hotel, spending what little they had to stay warm and safe. Instead of supporting the community they serve, the establishment charged what I consider unwarranted cleaning fees to profit from a natural disaster. When customers complained, the hotel made them leave and return to the conditions they’d come to escape, rather than communicate or work things out. They don’t seem concerned for paying guests’ well-being or willing to do their job. When asked whether cleaning staff could confirm that the fee was necessary, the general manager said “they have no way of knowing the difference.” Neither the cleaning staff nor the manager was willing to investigate what happened.

I was checked in for a couple of days. I always spray down a hotel room with Lysol, and while spraying the pillows I noticed a blood stain. When I pulled back the sheets, there were blood spots on them too. I told the front desk, and they had someone come change the sheets. I asked whether they had another room, but the clerk said no.

It’s fine for a stay of a few days, but if you’re here for work, keep in mind that laundry costs extra. I’m not a fan of having to pay separately for the washer and dryer.

The shower was disgusting, so we didn’t use it. I was really disappointed and wouldn’t recommend this place. At check-in the room was dirty, with food crumbs and trash throughout, even though the beds were made and clean. When I brought it up, the front desk was less than helpful. They didn’t offer another room or really apologize. We were traveling with our dogs, so we ended up buying a cheap vacuum to make the room safe for them.