Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ormond Beach - North Daytona by IHG

I booked a room for the Daytona 500, then found out I couldn’t cancel and that the room was non-refundable. It wasn’t made obvious when I booked. I later learned the young adult coming on the trip couldn’t stay separately from the other adults. Given the circumstances, I asked for a one-time exception, but they refused and wouldn’t offer even a partial discount. Other hotels in the area, like Shores, allow cancellations up to 72 hours ahead. The customer service isn’t what I remember from Holiday Inn in the 70s, when it felt more family oriented and helpful.

Once inside, I found a clean, well-maintained room with a comfortable bed and a functional layout for relaxing or working. It was quiet despite being close to the main road. The service was personal and attentive. The lobby had a bulletin board with my name and a welcome message on it, which made me feel recognized. Finding the place on a first visit was less straightforward. The hotel sits behind an older school motel, and the entrance is hidden. After sunset, driving down the dark driveway to the modern building tucked away in back took a bit of faith. The arrival was jarring, but the hotel itself offered solid rooms and great service, making it a reliable choice in the Ormond Beach area.

As IHG members, we’ve stayed at 12 hotels in the past 3 years, and this one was awful. It should cost $99 at most. The lobby was unbearably hot when we arrived, and the fourth-floor hallway was hot and smelled bad. Our room smelled like feet. The air conditioning helped a little, but the whole floor was still too hot. When I told the woman at the front desk, she nastily replied that it’s Florida and hot here. I told her I’d lived in Florida for 40 years before moving away 2 years ago, and that we come back twice a year and have never stayed somewhere this hot. She moved us to the second floor, saying it was cooler, but it was just as hot and smelled like dog. I had an asthma attack as soon as I went in. The bed squeaked badly and was lumpy and uncomfortable. There was no TV or coffee maker in either room, and the TVs don’t have internet, so don’t bother asking. The bathroom had an old tub and shower combo without slip guards, and the handrail was on the outside of the shower curtain. They also kept a $100 hold for 5 days after we left. The location felt horrible and sketchy, tucked behind an old, run-down Econo Lodge.

That hot shower and the soft pillows made a difference. The beds were comfortable, the coffee machine was a treat, and the place was so clean. Outside, the waterfall and pool looked gorgeous, with palm trees and a view from my room that made me feel like I was in a Florida forest. The customer service was some of the best I’ve experienced. Everyone was so kind, always greeting me with a good morning or hello and asking how I was. As a truck driver, it means a lot when I’m traveling and just want someone to talk to and a good conversation.