Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sterling

After a long day of driving, it was such a relief to get outside and walk by a beautiful lake. People were fishing and lots of birds were singing. The staff were incredibly friendly, professional, and easy to talk to. Breakfast was great, and there's a workout room and pool too.

The king room had a comfortable bed, a nice bathroom, and a large mini fridge. I liked the corner shelf with an outlet by the mirror, which was handy when the bathroom was in use. Breakfast was delicious, and the common areas had big windows and plenty of seating. There are also nearby trails and a pond, which is a lovely perk. The service was frustrating. I asked a front desk agent in person for a late checkout, then left about five minutes later. When we returned, our key cards didn't work because staff had checked us out early despite confirming the request. None of the four front desk employees we dealt with recognized us as IHG One Rewards or Corporate members. The desk was often unattended, with staff in the back room, and the “ring the bell” sign was up almost all the time. Guests had to ring and wait for someone to come out. That’s poor service for paying customers. It also wasn't a good look to see front desk agents vaping in the lobby or just outside the front doors. A few basic things were missing or disappointing: only black tea and no hot chocolate, no recycling, and no almond milk at breakfast, just dairy options, which is tough for people who have dairy issues. The hotel has nice features and potential, but the service and missing amenities fell short of what I expect from an IHG property.

The hot tub was properly hot, and breakfast had a great variety with friendly service. The hotel was pristine, the beds were comfortable, and the front desk staff were really helpful and friendly. We'll definitely stay here again.

I didn't expect the hotel to be this good. It was really quiet, the bed was comfortable, and I noticed right away that the room doors close quietly instead of slamming shut.