Holiday Inn Express Hotel Chula Vista (Otay Valley)

The location worked well for us, about a 15-minute drive to San Diego, with a gas station and convenience store right next door. Reception was friendly, breakfast was good, and the rooms were clean. The fitness center, elevators, and ice machines were useful, though the pool is tiny and unheated, so don’t come for a good pool. The building and rooms are a bit old and run down. Our first room had no hot water in the shower, but they moved us to another room quickly and without fuss. Housekeeping only comes every three days, with supplies available at reception if requested. The hotel is beside the freeway, so rooms in the building to the left of reception can be noisy.

The staff were friendly, but this feels like a management problem. The rooms were only barely clean, and the restrooms were dirty, with dusty floors and a tub that leaked and flooded. There were dirty fingerprints wherever people touch things. The toilet barely flushed, and maintenance left paint on the door hardware without painting the door properly. Housekeeping and maintenance need proper training, because the place didn’t feel hygienic.

After the drive from Vegas, we were worn out, so the friendly, efficient staff were a good start. But the sheets in our room were so thin that the bloodstain on the mattress showed through. I went to ask for another room, and found a bloodstain on the pillowcase there too. We won’t be coming back.

Angel was so helpful at the front desk. We arrived around 2:30, before the 4 pm check-in, hoping our room might be ready, and it was. Angel shared lots of useful information and waived the usual $50 room fee. The hotel is very close to the venue, North Island Credit Union, and has a large breakfast area. Our room was spacious, with a comfortable bed. I’d stay again and will keep recommending Angel.