Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Houston-Downtown Conv Ctr by IHG

Room Conditions & Amenities not worth price paid, though convenient location for George R Brown Convention Center During my recent attendance at the Gas Tech Conference and Exposition, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Houston Convention Center. The experience was adequate at best. Arrival and Check-In Arrival and check-in were convenient and timely for me, although the manager was not available all week, and issues with a colleague’s reservation could not be corrected, resulting in additional charges that should have been avoidable. The main lobby has been renovated and looks nice, with sufficient air conditioning for the Houston environment. However, the hallways for the rooms on floors 2-4 and the elevators were really humid, stuffy, and quite hot, with sustained temperatures in the 80s-90s Fahrenheit. The Room The room was sufficient, though much was desired. The bed was comfortable, and the furnishings were adequate and recently updated, though modest. The air conditioning was sufficient to keep the room at a reasonable temperature, but the humidity never seemed to be reduced, making it seem overly stuffy and adding to the mostly unpleasant atmosphere. Despite what appeared to be a renovation or refreshing, the room showed its age, and there were many details that did not have proper attention paid during the renovation. For example, paint on the bathroom door kept it from being able to close, the lock mechanism on the door to the room did not work and honestly wouldn’t prevent anyone who really wanted to force their way into the room from entering, and grout for the new tile was spotty with holes and gaps visible. Paint on the walls was rushed with many visible brush strokes, fixtures being painted as well, which looked amateurish and unprofessional. There were unfinished items in the main part of the room, with outlet covers missing and dirty/stained curtains and lampshades making the environment less inviting. The shower pressure was not constant and disruptions during showers were common as the water pressure decreased to nothing and then started up again. The sinks also experienced some air pockets and pressure issues, making getting water difficult at times. I also observed and took care of many tiny red ants that constantly appeared to be looking for food, and I was on the fourth floor! Amenities and Facilities The fitness center falls into the category of: “At Least There is a Gym” as there were two treadmills, an elliptical machine, and a recumbent bike. There were a few free weights with 10s, 15s, 20s, 25s, and 30s available. There is no bench, but there were pads, an Ab Ball, and a half Bosu Ball that could be used, so I was able to modify most of my workouts with what was available. The room gets warm without air movement, especially if there are people using the treadmills, which generate heat. Breakfast was quite good for being a continental-style buffet, with prompt service, refills, and very clean conditions. The internet was adequate for business work and proved reliable. While this hotel was close to the George R. Brown Convention Center, that was its most defining characteristic. Overall Experience My stay at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Houston Convention Center during the Gas Tech Conference and Exposition was a mixed experience. While the proximity to the George R. Brown Convention Center was convenient, the overall quality of the hotel left much to be desired. The combination of inadequate air conditioning in certain areas, subpar room conditions, and unresolved reservation issues overshadowed the positive aspects of the service and amenities. I would not recommend the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Houston Convention Center for future stays, as it does not meet the expected standards for the price paid.