Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites San Jose-Morgan Hill by IHG

I’ve been staying here for several months while working in the area and looking for a house. Paula runs a strong team, and the cleaning and maintenance have been consistently well handled. After getting to know the staff, I trust them and am happy to keep booking here when I’m in town. Morgan Hill is a quiet, family-oriented town, and the hotel is peaceful as a result. Parking is easy in this suburb. San Jose is about a 30-minute drive without traffic, longer during the morning rush. Downtown Morgan Hill is a short drive away, or a longer walk. For a walk farther out, Pacheco State Park is about 45 minutes away, though wildlife lives there. Henry Coe is closer, and the redwoods near Mt. Madonna are beautiful too. It’s been a delightful place to stay.

Everything else about the property was fine, but I’m extremely upset with housekeeping. On my first visit, Bianca came into my room at 9am while I was getting dressed, even though I had a DND sign up. I’d been told by the front desk that checkout was noon, and the website says the same. I called to ask for a late checkout and was luckily granted one, but I still don’t understand why she entered. A couple of weeks later, I was back for my sister’s birthday and was again told checkout was at 12. At 11:30, a different housekeeper wouldn’t let me stay in the room until then. After being walked in on naked the first time, this made me even more frustrated.

Xavier was the reason I kept trying new rooms until after midnight. He was patient while I checked them for hygiene, and I ended up in Room 117, which was comfortable and spacious, though dated and noisy in the morning because it faces the breakfast bar. He made sure I felt safe, lent me a phone charger since there was no USB charging without a portable wall outlet charger, and kept my room number from being overheard. He also handed over my key with the room number tucked inside, out of sight. I can’t praise his hospitality and common sense enough. I was passing through on a business trip and needed a reasonably priced place for a couple of nights, so I stopped here on the way to Monterey Bay after Gemini recommended it for cleanliness and budget. I look for hotels without a history of bed bugs. Heidi kindly welcomed me around 10pm and helped find a single bed so I wouldn’t take a double from a family. She was also helpful in the morning, getting me milk for my coffee instead of sweetened creamer or half-and-half, and giving directions to the public library so I could print important documents. The first rooms I tried didn’t work out. One shower looked like it had blood in it, though housekeeping later said the marks were rust in the tub and shower. I asked for bleach, but was told the hotel doesn’t use it for disinfecting. They did have other cleaning products. I believe bleach is fully effective against most blood-borne pathogens, which is why I asked. The hotel could use an update for modern travelers, but the service was exceptional. It felt safe because the reception area and rooms face a visible, open atrium. The location is convenient for shopping, food, and library services. Wi-Fi worked fine, and there may be wired Ethernet, though I didn’t use it and would check before relying on that. I saw and heard dozens of children around breakfast, starting early, so families may find it kid-friendly. If noise bothers you, keep that in mind. I’d stay again in a pinch. Thanks to Xavier, Heidi, and the other staff who helped me.

The room was clean and cozy, and I liked the big lobby. I didn’t get to try the amenities or breakfast, though the breakfast is usually really good at these hotels. I’d come back.