Holiday Inn Express Lexington East - Winchester

It felt like a brand-new hotel, and the room was clean. Staff were friendly, too. The location is tucked behind a shopping center, which is a little odd, but once we worked out where to go it felt safe. I'd recommend it.

The stay was fine, just average. What really stood out was the overpowering carpet cleaner smell in our room when we arrived. It never went away during our two nights, and among the seven hotels on our two-week fall trip through Kentucky and West Virginia, this was by far the strongest smell. Only one other room on the trip smelled strongly at all. Getting there was odd as well. The route takes you behind a shopping center by the loading docks and trash bins, which felt especially strange arriving at night. We had stayed at three Holiday Inn Express locations on this trip. This one was okay, but nothing else stood out as exceptional.

The staff and management were very friendly and accommodating. There are restaurants nearby, and the hotel is just off the freeway, which is convenient. Still, avoid a highway-facing room because it's very loud. Some rooms on the top floor had mold on the bathroom ceiling and dirty carpets, so the place could use a deep cleaning.

I was in town because my uncle is in the hospital. The front desk ladies working each day were so sweet and helpful. My room was nice and clean, and I thought the free breakfast was great.