Comfortable and generally well located
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 3/23/09
A review:
The COVERED PARKING below the hotel was a welcomed gift given the cold winter days in Vermont - although not enough parking for all - overflow available outside.
The hotel was overall comfortable, however we were disappointed to learn "their" POOL was at a 'sister hotel' (neighboring hotel - i.e. walk outside to another hotel neighboring).
As far as HOTEL NOISE, well - any modern mid-tier hotel will have its share - whether Hampton, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Choice, or Wyndham. Chalk it up to modern construction and inconsiderate neighbors. Neighbors not the hotel were the problem. Recommended fix - do what I do - find a streaming ambient sound player and leave it playing all night along with the bathroom fan. A traveler's tip.
BREAKFAST, well what can I say - a Holiday Inn Express has a decent breakfast - even better these days with the hot items. Hooray for some protein already!
Lack of decent RESTAURANTS within walking / short driving - hardly a hotel flaw. A non-issue most of the stay with Hanover, and Lebanon not all that far off.
GUEST SERVICE, well, acceptable but not overly commendable. Lets face it, most franchise properties have mediocre staff at best - this hotel well surpassed that level. They seemed sincere and polite. Staff friendliness is not something that can be taught - it is through strong management and HR that good front desk 'salespeople / clerks' are located and retained.
A final word, let's TIP the staff - I make it a point to offer a little something not just to the room attendants (some of whom are paid - demographic area depending - as little as $3 a room) but also to the front desk staff if they perform exceptionally well and are accommodating. The sign of a good employee is first refusal of the gratuity then upon repeat offering they accept begrudgingly, without fanfare, and graciously.
A frequent IHG traveler, I plan to visit again.