Holiday Inn Express London-I-70

We spent two weeks here for my husband's work, and the hotel was clean. Gwen, who handles breakfast, was super nice and helpful and made the stay feel welcoming. Ahbi at the front desk was helpful and nice too. My only gripe is with some guests who come in wearing really muddy boots. Please take them off before coming inside. Everyone has to walk through that mess, and the poor maids have to clean it up.

The room smelled like sewage had seeped through the walls and turned moldy. That should've been my cue to leave. After breakfast I had severe diarrhea and vomited, though I can't be sure the food caused it. I went to the ER because I was so sick. I tried to clean up so the staff wouldn't get sick, then told the lobby host I needed more towels. He immediately said I'd be charged for damaging the property because of a washcloth. I brought it over to show him. He said “oh ya. No big deal,” but kept arguing about charging me for it. He was unpleasant and went out of his way to be a jerk, then acted like it wasn't a big deal when I confronted him. There's a photo of the washcloth and what I found hiding in the bathroom. They won't clean the shower, but wanted to charge me for cleaning my own room. Freezing in the car would've been better than staying here.

The room was more or less fine, and the front desk staff were kind and very accommodating. My only issue was the shower glass door: after closing, it opens back up on its own, so water ends up all over the floor unless you hold it shut. The tile work was pretty poorly done too, with several holes that let water seep behind the tiles.

The location was the worst part. It sits hidden behind a very large truck stop, with its entrance facing a one-story motel with red lights out front. It also backs right onto a standalone pot dispensary, and I saw two armed security guards outside at night. This doesn't feel like a family place. The property itself is downright ratty, tired would be too kind. I've stayed at a lot of HIE properties and this is easily the worst. The breakfast area doubles as check-in, the walls are patched all over, and things are taped to the walls everywhere. My shower door was rusty and the shower floor had large black spots. Muddy boot tracks were down the first-floor hallway every day during my three-day stay. Shame on the franchisor and franchisee!