Holiday Inn Express Pittsburgh North by IHG

The rooms were clean, and there was a cute little play closet for kids on the first floor. We didn't get to try the pool, but it looked clean. The staff were very friendly, and the continental breakfast was above average, with hot and cold choices. There was some train noise, which might depend on which side of the building you're on or whether you're a light sleeper. The website lists cribs, but none were available during our stay, so call ahead if you need one. We'd stay again.

That was the best breakfast I've had in years, seriously. Norma, if I've got her name right, clearly cares a lot about making it welcoming, fragrant, and generous. The coffee was the best too, ground and brewed in the fancy machine. The motel was beautifully decorated. Kudos to the staff and general manager. I wish all motels were this nice!

The truck depot beside the hotel means trucks rumble and beep through the night, which made the stay average for me. My suite was the nicer part of the experience, and it was fairly clean overall. Breakfast was just okay. Some lamps were starting to rust, and the shower could use another overhead light.

Our daughter loved the little play nook by the ice machine. We were in town for a hockey tournament, and the staff were really kind and flexible with our group, even letting us use the breakfast room for a pizza party after a game. We can be a handful sometimes, so we appreciated it.