Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sandusky by IHG

The staff were nice, but that didn't make the money feel any less wasted. I had to scrub the tub before using it, and I carry cleaning supplies because other hotels have been an issue before. There were huge hairballs in the supposedly clean sheets, dusty, uncleaned corners, and a mirror that looked like it had been wiped carelessly. The fire alarms also went off in the middle of the night, waking both my kids and disrupting their sleep.

The breakfast was great, though the pancake machines were broken, and there were a few other small travel annoyances: average rooms that could be cleaner, a clock set to the wrong time, and an online appearance nicer than reality. Those things were manageable. The reason I'm writing this at night is the terrible customer service. The two people at the front desk on 8/11, an older white man and a tall mixed woman, had no people skills. I don't think they should be in hospitality. The breakfast woman was the only employee I met who was kind and welcoming, promote her. I won't stay at a Holiday Inn again, especially this one, and wouldn't recommend it. I expect guests to be treated well, like at nearly all the other hotels I've stayed at across the country. It looks nice online, but felt like another money pit near the park. Not surprised by the 2 star rating.

Angela made our mini honeymoon feel special. She upgraded our suite and gave us drink vouchers for the bar next door, the Thirsty Pony, which felt more like an Angry Pony, lol. Breakfast was free and bomb, especially the biscuits and gravy. The breakfast staff were incredible, you can tell they cook with love. Cedar Point is right down the road, and everything you need is close by.

We arrived on 09/04 and were first put in the wrong room, which smelled musty. The replacement had the same smell. We turned down the AC and went out for the evening, but the odor was still there when we got back. We left early for Cedar Point the next morning. Everyone woke with itchy eyes and runny noses, and after a long day we returned to the same moldy smell. I told the front desk the next morning. They offered 15% off one night because I hadn't reported it sooner, but that discount still hasn't been applied. Back in the room, I found my pants soaked around the ankles near the AC, which was dripping condensation onto the carpet. The unit was propped up on several 4X4 chunks of lumber, with its power cord on or in the wet carpet, which seems like a possible fire or electrical hazard. There was mold along the wall carpet, food trash including Nutter Butters and spicy Cheetos behind the nightstand and under the bed, and mold under the sofa chair cushion along with a soda spill. This room shouldn't be rented until those problems are fixed. Manager Karen left one voicemail three days after our stay and put 10,000 IHG reward points in my account, worth only about .60 a piece toward a future stay. I want a refund, not that remedy. Karren was unavailable the other eight times I called. Corporate said they'd sent her multiple faxes because they can't email them, but I got no response from corporate, only IHG points.