Holiday Inn Express & Suites Parkersburg-Mineral Wells by IHG

My room was spotless and in great shape, the internet stayed stable, and I could relax and get proper rest each night before going back to work. Holiday Inn Express usually delivers, though it’s often above what I want to pay on a work travel per diem. I wish they’d put a little more into breakfast. The mini omelets were a hit, but a regular potato choice would’ve been nice. Sometimes they had potato wedges, which felt unusual for breakfast. I’d take Canadian bacon or bacon over sausage. The pancake machine also seemed to work only if you asked, which was odd.

The breakfast attendant in the morning was the kindest person there, and that’s why I can give this place 2.5 stars instead of the minimum. Three stars would be too high. I’d recommend another hotel, since there’s one in the same parking lot. We first stayed here over a year ago because my daughter’s wedding venue was less than ten minutes away. We liked the staff, the nearby Cracker Barrel and pizza place in the same lot, and the location. Afterward I called about blocking rooms. Someone said to call the next day when Ashley, the manager, would be in. Ashley told me she’d arranged 20 rooms at a discount, with the bride and groom’s room free if all 20 were booked. About a month before the wedding, my daughter and her fiancee stayed there to get their marriage licenses. She asked how many rooms from the block had been booked and was told all “10” were taken, even though we’d blocked 20 and I knew at least 14 were already booked. I called a few days later and was told all 30 rooms were booked. When I asked about the free room for the bride and groom, the person said she didn’t know who had promised that and it was wrong. I said Ashley, the manager, had. A few days later we called for Ashley and were told she was at a hotel convention, but had said to give us an even lower rate. Two days before we arrived, we called again and were told Ashley no longer worked there, though they’d honor the extra discount. There were more problems during the wedding stay. The wedding party stayed three nights and most others stayed two. My room and my other daughter’s room were changed to full price. Two other rooms I paid for were used for two nights, but they tried to bill me for three, though they corrected that fairly quickly. The hot tub was out of order, everyone’s key cards kept clearing and we had to go to the desk for new ones, and water from the bride’s shower flooded her grandmother’s room below. On checkout day my wife and I overheard two employees talking about something unrelated to us. One said, “that’s an Ashley issue, she can deal with that when she comes in.” I thought Ashley didn’t work there anymore. A week after we got home, I called about being charged more than expected. The person fixed it and refunded the extra, but it was Ashley who answered. When I started explaining the whole situation, she stopped me and said that was a different Ashley and she didn’t have authority to make those decisions. The first and second Ashley sounded exactly alike on the phone. Everyone I’d spoken to had called her the manager, and I assumed the manager could make those decisions.

The place and our room were amazingly clean, with that fresh Downy and cleaning supplies smell as soon as you walk in. Everyone was really friendly, and the free breakfast was delicious. I’d absolutely stay again when I’m back in town, and recommend it to anyone.

Jo and Helen are two older housekeepers who work incredibly hard. They keep the rooms very clean and check in to make sure you have what you need. They deserve a raise for the extra care they put in. Every place needs more workers like these two. Bless their hearts. Great job, ladies.