Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Myers Airport by IHG

The billing problem left me dealing with my employer over charges that shouldn’t have happened. I booked through work and checked in on time, but at checkout I learned they had handed me a key without entering my stay in the system. They then charged my company card a no-show fee and issued an invoice saying I never arrived. When I asked them to correct it, Alicia Woods at the front desk was unprofessional and only said there was nothing she could do. I had to insist on contact details for someone who might help, so I reached out to Divina. I got no reply. Later I found they had put the difference from their mistake through as another charge on my company card, without authorization and with no invoice I could use to expense it. This created a major hassle with my employer. I also wouldn’t have been accounted for in a hotel emergency. That’s unacceptable. I have two more years of business in the area, and I’ll stay somewhere else.

Breakfast was included, which made the mornings easy, and the Greener Stay deal was a nice extra: 500 bonus points for each night of a multi-night stay. The hotel was clean and modern, with a safe in the room. Check-in took no time, and the bed was so comfortable I slept easily. After a long trip, this was a reliable, restful stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Worthy of the holocrons, this one is.

We’d absolutely come back to Fort Myers and stay here again. The breakfast alone made this feel like great value. There was lots to choose from, and the options changed each day, so we didn’t get tired of it. I especially liked the warm, flaky cinnamon rolls and egg white bites. Some mornings there was bacon, and the meat choices rotated among bacon, pork links, and turkey patties. There were also omelets with cheese, potatoes, biscuits and gravy, bagels, fruit, muffins, oatmeal with toppings, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, milk, toast, English muffins, salsa, hot sauce, jelly, and a juice machine with apple, orange, and cranberry. The pancake machine was fun to watch. And the coffee was the best we’ve had at a hotel. It ground the beans fresh for each cup, and I looked forward to it every day. We know our coffee, and I’d even say it beat Starbucks. Decaf and hot water were available too, and the machines stayed open 24/7. Our delayed flight meant we’d been traveling almost 24 hours by the time we arrived. The staff held our room and made check-in quick and easy, which we really appreciated when we were exhausted. Everyone was friendly and took good care of us. Parking was included, the elevators were roomy, and there was a water refill fountain. We never heard the many planes we saw, and no guest room windows faced the pool. The gym was decent. Those blackout curtains on a track were so effective that we accidentally slept in when we forgot to set an alarm. The nearby plaza was about five minutes away and had Target, Five Below, Ulta, Olive Garden, Dollar Tree, and other shops. For Red Sox fans, Jet Blue park is just down the street, and the Twins' park is nearby too. The pool wasn’t heated, so it was pretty chilly for us. The pullout couch was also rough for sleeping. We stayed several nights and didn’t like it, though adding two duvets helped a little.

The room was modern, the bed and pillows were comfortable, and the bathroom was spacious. Dove products were supplied, and I liked the breakfast, especially the biscuits. There were omelets, gravy, pork sausage, yogurt, cereal, wrapped muffins, milk, fruit, and apple, cranberry, and orange juice. Coffee was freshly brewed, with French vanilla, hazelnut, and other creamers. But I’d asked for a quiet room before arrival and again in person, and ended up right beside the elevator. I’d tried to check in at 1, but was told check-in was only at 3. I explained I couldn’t return until 4 and repeated the request. The front desk woman said it might be possible, but would take work and she might get busy and not do it. So much for that request. At least, on the third floor, I didn’t hear the parking lot. The breakfast employee was too loud and in my space. Before I’d even had coffee, she rushed over shouting that I could leave the lids up to serve myself, though I’d already finished serving breakfast. Then she got in my face again to ask what the little bits on my kids' Crocs were called. I smiled, thanked her, and moved away, but it was too much for me. Read the room and give guests some space. The place itself was okay, but the staff could do better.