Holiday Inn Express Durango Downtown-Animas River by IHG

The room had a nice balcony view over the river, and the modern decor was thoughtful and functional. The desk had plenty of space, an international socket, and room for several USB chargers. There was also a quirky safe set into the wardrobe floor. Breakfast was a good American-style buffet with cereal, hot food, waffles or muffins, yogurt, fruit, and brewed coffee. The choices were a bit better than at some other hotels. The room itself was nice but smaller than average, and the floors were thin enough that I could hear people walking above. This has happened again at an IHG hotel booked through a third party like booking.com: I seem to get one of the poorest rooms. This was the smallest on the floor plan, opposite the lift, and not on the top floor as requested.

A few weeks after my stay, I noticed a $20 charge still on my card. At check-in, they asked for a credit card, which is normal, and said they'd hold $25, then refund it if I had no incidentals or room charges. I didn't. When I called, they said the charge was for parking in the garage. Nobody had told me there would be a parking fee. The garage was under construction and dusty, with workers in hazmat suits and ventilators. I parked there for just one night, and it didn't seem like a good idea to breathe that stuff. The woman who answered the hotel's phone wasn't very nice about it. I left a message for the manager, who never returned my call.

Being right downtown makes it easy for my friends and me to walk everywhere in Durango, so we hardly mind that there's no hot tub. Breakfast is filling, the rooms and common areas are always clean and smell good, and if you can get a spot in the underground parking, I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay as much as we have for two years running. Location, location, location!

The breakfast was great, and I liked having laundry services. It's close enough to walk to shops and restaurants, too. I had an awesome stay, with fresh, clean pillows and bedding, a clean room, and great showers. I've enjoyed staying here.