Holiday Inn Express & Suites Morton - Peoria Area by IHG

I travel this way for work, and this is always my go-to hotel. Michelle the manager really sets the standard for hospitality, and I recommend this location to friends and colleagues. The staff are incredibly welcoming, the rooms are spotless, and the breakfast options are hard to beat when I’m on the go.

The rooms are huge and so clean, and the staff are always friendly and helpful. The price is great for all the perks. I loved staying here and can’t wait to come back. Best hotel in the area!

I wouldn’t book here unless you’re traveling for business. I found it very unfriendly to kids, and manager Michelle refused to let me book any rooms for a sleepover for my 12-year-old and a few friends, up to six children. I explained that I’d be there the whole time with another adult, supervising them, that no unlisted outsiders would come in, and that I’d give her the headcount in advance. I offered to sign a document and pay a deposit in case of damage. The plan was simply to let my daughter swim with a few girlfriends, watch a movie, maybe use face masks or do their nails. Michelle had initially bragged that the hotel was kid-friendly and had permanently turned off the hot tub jets because children liked using it. But once I said “birthday party,” she said no, even after I clarified it wouldn’t be a loud party. She said she didn’t want the mess from face masks or hair dye in her rooms, since people did those things and ruined rooms. I pointed out that athletic groups doing makeup and hair for cheer competitions, or wedding parties getting ready, might do their hair, nails, and makeup too. I said nobody would dye their hair, and that incidentals and the signed damages form were there to cover damage. I also told her the girls wouldn’t exceed the room’s permitted occupancy and would be supervised the whole time. I asked if I could have booked if I hadn’t used the words “birthday party.” She replied, “Well you already did so no I’m sorry you cannot book rooms.” I felt she refused me any service. I called IHG corporate, who told me there was no IHG rule against booking a room for a child’s birthday and said they’d never heard of such a policy at any IHG. They profusely apologized for how she treated me and even joked about “Holiday” being in the brand name. Supposedly Michelle had made her own rule because of bad experiences in the past. I told her my child’s father had been a Spire Elite member for years and that we’d stayed at hundreds of IHG hotels across the country without a complaint. I suggested she check our history or call the Riverfront IHG in East Peoria, where we’d booked a couple of times with multiple people swimming and staying over. I asked if she’d also turn away families arriving with more than a couple of children. She said the word “party” meant she wouldn’t allow it, despite my explaining that we weren’t planning a noisy event. I understand that some people take advantage and throw disrespectful parties where other guests can’t sleep. I’ve experienced that at hotels myself. But she should handle situations case by case instead of applying her past experiences to everyone who says “birthday party.” She could have guests sign a clause confirming the number staying in the room and agreeing to no excess noise or outside guests at the pool, post quiet hours, and say children must be supervised by an adult in public areas. Instead, she refused the booking. Corporate said it had never heard of that kind of IHG rule and apologized for the way she treated me. Discrimination at its best!

When I visit family, I stay here, and every time it feels like home. The staff are friendly, helpful, and accommodating. Kathy, Michelle, Tynaia, Amilia, and Sam go above and beyond to make it a great experience. The cinnamon rolls are the best too.