Holiday Inn Express - Mehta (Hot Springs)…read more
I think they're using the phrase, "Recently renovated," very loosely.
The overall stay wasn't too bad but they certainly need to do additional renovations.
EXTERIOR:
When you pull up, you can tell the outside of the building has been renovated with fresh coat of bright paint colors. Good size parking lot. It's in a good location with food and shopping options. You're about ten minutes away from downtown Hot Springs.
LOBBY:
Yes, lobby is visibly renovated with newer furniture and other improvements. Which is normal to attract the customers and make them believe you are walking into a fully renovated hotel. You have Check-In counter to the right of the entrance and comfy seats to lounge around on the left side. I will give them credit for the design of the lobby. Room however, was modestly renovated and it showed.
ROOM:
First thing I noticed when I walked into my first room is the old door from very early 2000's, possibly late 90's. I did have to switch rooms because my first room, upon entry, I was hearing clicking/pounding sounds coming from the bathroom vent. I thought because they are still renovating that they have people upstairs hammering something. I asked for a different room and mentioned the bathroom noise and the guy at the receptionist desk said, "That's odd, we don't have any construction going on anymore. But, I'd be happy to move you."
After entry to my second room, same clicking/hammering noise coming from the bathroom vent. That same noise kept on going through both nights to a point where I had to keep bathroom door shut. So, part of the renovation should have been bathroom vents. The beds were good and comfortable with good pillow support. The desk with spacious leather chair for working was nice too. Dated fridge and microwave in the room. If you're looking for coffee maker, you have to go to the lobby. The coffee, although, "Grinds fresh beans," isn't really fresh and it's diluted with too much water.
BATHROOM:
Bathroom looked renovated to the naked eye, but it showed that the manger on duty/owners were being cheap here. There was mold on the floor by the bathtub. The "LED" Vanity mirror isn't LED. Instead, they made it look like optical illusion. It's incandescent light bulbs that do get hot if you keep them on too long. My bathroom Vanity mirror was missing covering so I was able to see how filthy dirty it was in there. All this shows how the manager on duty and the owners just cut corners to make customers believe that they recently renovated.
BREAKFAST:
It's your typical, unhealthy American breakfast. I know the hotel staff have expressed a great deal of pride over it, but I wouldn't agree too much with them. Yes it's better than some hotels I've stayed. However, their egg omelette was ok and blend. Sausage links were ok too. They do offer breads and muffins, that if you read the back label, are full of bad chemicals. They do offer some fruit and cereal. The breakfast room is not really spaced well to accommodate all the guests. The first morning I was there, it felt crowded and it was only 7:15AM. Some Holiday Inns offer a complimentary white To-Go bag, This place didn't.
OVERALL:
I would stay here again, but you certainly have other options. Their checking is a lot later than most and they follow their 4PM Check-In pretty religiously. If you get the right employee, they may check you in early, but don't expect to show up at 3PM and ask for early Check-In.