Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pittsburgh West - Greentree by IHG

A $100 hold for incidentals is required on a credit or debit card, and they don't accept cash. I think that's silly. Another Holiday Inn Express let me use cash for a deposit, though this location made an exception for me this time. The shower pressure was great, but the sink's flow was disappointing. I tried opening the faucet valve connections further and it didn't help much. Otherwise, it's a good budget stop for a Pittsburgh road trip, especially if you want amenities like a pool. Parking is free, the pool is a decent size and I had it to myself, and the gym has a range of machines. The quiet spot is near a park with a ball field. My King room had a good-sized TV and a sofa bed. Despite the other guests and the nearby highway, the sound insulation worked well and I barely heard anything.

This is my regular choice in Pittsburgh. The rooms are consistently cleaned well, the beds are comfortable for me, and the front desk is usually friendly, even when I arrive late. Getting downtown typically takes 10-15 minutes, traffic included. I can't say enough about how clean they keep the place. I really like the food. Breakfast is a dependable full hot meal, with extras like a coffee machine and cinnamon rolls. At busy times, around 7:00-8:30 in my experience, service can be slow, food overcooked, or the buffet empty. That's part of hotel breakfast to me, and I don't mind waiting ten minutes when it's included. The gym has suited me the one or two times I've used it, and I've never had trouble with the equipment. The pool is a nice perk, usually warm enough for a casual swim. There's no hot tub.

The second night was miserable. From 10:30 until nearly 4 a.m., people fought and screamed, slammed doors, yelled and ran through the halls, and pounded on doors. I got about nine hours of sleep the whole weekend. I considered calling the desk, but only an elderly woman was working, and she had, as she put it, a bad back and sore knee. I didn't think it was worth bothering her. I paid over $355 for the two nights, so it was especially disappointing. I was in Pittsburgh for work on a new job, and the location was great, just five minutes from where I needed to be. The hotel itself was another matter. The only elevator on the floor that supposedly worked had a huge pile of spaghetti vomit in it. I told the woman at the front desk, who said it would take a while to clean because she was the only employee working. I took the stairs, which reeked of cigarettes. Getting into my room meant throwing my body against the door to force it open. The mini fridge was warm, musty, and off. I searched for how to turn it on, then found old food behind the armoire. I had to pull the whole fridge out of its built-in cabinet to find the power dial. Echoing doors, a fan that wouldn't stay on, and an extra-firm mattress made the first night no rest either.

We were so pleased with our stay. I use a walker and my companion uses a wheelchair, so having room to move matters to us. Our room was spacious, very clean, and welcoming. The lobby had lots of space and seating for anyone wanting to relax. Service was friendly and the hot breakfast buffet was delicious. I've saved this hotel as one of my favorites and we'll definitely come back. Thanks, Holiday Inn Express! 👍