Holiday Inn Express Fairhope, Fairhope

We were only here for one night, but would definately come back to stay here vs. a more expensive hotel. Benjamin, the front office staff was so helpful in everyway from breakfast serving to helping us locate local tourist events. We would definately come back and would highly recommend this hotel.

I stayed here Friday night, 12 August 2011. Firstly, allow me to state that I am a retired professional hotelier/restaurateur. I have a doctortorial level education, and a former adjunct professor of same at a major university. I started in the business at age 12 cleaning rooms in a very small roadside motel, but progressed to "big city" convention properties. Clients were VIPs, entertainers and politicians. My personal attention was requested by those such as Liberace, Tony Bennett, Carol Channing, Barbara Streisand, Sen. Ted Kennedy, and many governors, movie stars, U.S.Presidential advisors, etc. Got the picture? Now, back to this property. This is a property in a smaller market far from the "Big City Glamour" and "Ritzy Vacation Destination" spots. Fairhope is a lovely little town with a "small town, southern Alabama mindset". With the economy as it is, the market is highly competitive for business; yet, operational costs vs. customer service is very straining. I stayed in the new/second building, in the largest room in the entire Motor Inn. I felt the rates could have been a few percentage points lower as compared to like properties in other cities; however, this is a vacation area. As a professional, I notice things the average person does not, but keep in mind the times in which we live. Overall, considering the "non-hospitality-degreed labor base" from which the owners have to pull, and the fact that the costs of all items, operation, utilities, insurance, food and labor, and cost of fuel to get things there have expedientially risen in the past few years, I will overlook the "less than perfect" comments of some who have posted here. (Perhaps they need to stay in that nice high-rise hotel in downtown Mobile across the bay!) Can one purchase a new Rolls Royce at a Cadillac price? I HAVE stayed in properties that cost hundreds a night for a room (even thousands), Not all expensive cars give you a safe, comfortable ride. At H.I.Express Fairhope, they didn't know me, who I was, that I was a consultant and teacher of the trade; however, you know what? Even though this property is NOT a Rolls Royce, I got a safe, comfortable ride! I am aware that sometimes "Murphy's Law" occurs, and one's stay is less than a person would expect, but "Life happens, alert management, get it remedied, then - get over it". I've been there, too. The people at the desk as well the housekeeping staff were - to a person - friendly, and they went beyond the basic requirements to make one's stay pleasant and accommodating. The night before I had stayed in another H.I.Express north of Mobile, the employees there were great, but the first person I saw as I pulled my car under the canopy was a security guard with a loaded automatic pistol on his belt. There was no guard in Fairhope. Where do you think I felt safer? As for rating this property, I will return. I know for a fact that Paris Hilton never cleaned a toilet or checked-in a guest (and half the time couldn't find the correct end of the pen to tell the guest which end to use), so you "Paris Hilton" types just stay in that overpriced high-rise. I'll guarantee you will still find something to bruise your tender little egos. "THANK YOU" to the staff of Holiday Inn Express, Fairhope. Second Shift desk: Sylvia and Ben at check-in, Night Auditor: Debra, next morning first shift: Shantae and (Housekeeping) Melanie...You made my stay a very pleasant one. Like Coca-Cola, you ARE the real thing.

I am a native Fairhopian and I take issued with the review that the Holiday Inn express is in an unsafe area. I was not aware that we had such an area. LET ME MAKE IT VERY CLEAR - THERE IS NOT AN UNSAFE OR LESS DESIRABLE AREA IN FAIRHOPE. May I suggest that you visit New York I hear That the murder rate is up! IT must be safe. And just for GP I do not work or nor I am on the Hotels payroll. I am someone who is very proud to be from here along with the other 12,000 plus residents.

This hotel has the most friendly staff! We felt like family after staying 3 nights. The lobby is comfortable and the sunroom is a great place to sit and read a book. The breakfast was wonderful! Cheese omlet, bacon, muffins, bagels, cereal, grits, oatmeal, etc. Everything you could want. The rooms were very clean and the bedding made you feel like you were sleeping on a cloud. We will be returning to the Holiday Inn Express in Farihope.

This hotel was the grossly overpriced Holiday Inn Express I have ever stayed in while on vacation.The breakfast bar was lousy and the location was terrible.Did not feel safe at all. Dont stay here ever. I am calling guest service.Fairhope should be ashamed to have this hotel to charge so much.

We stayed at this motel in Fairhope and went walking in the morning.The area that the hotel is built is very unsafe.The rooms carpet needed replacing and the bathroom was so small. We paid a lot of money for such a lousy room and location.

The A/C Unit was caked with Mildew, The rooms were dirty, The bed had hard springs and its over priced. Complete waste of money - The only good things about this Motel is the location and the Cinnamon rolls in the Morning. I suggest going to Foley about 10 minutes away. Many more Hotels to choose from or Daphne. This was substandard room - The staff was very cold too. Not friendly at all.

Service was a complete failure. Toliets overflowed 3 times, pool to shallow - 4' deepest point, pool dirty, A/C unit moldy, Beds have the hard springs in them, You back will ache in the morning. This Hotel was the only option in Fairhope. It was over priced and the General Manager was rude, discourtesous and outright jerk. This was the worst experience ever. We stay all over the world and I am a reasonable person. I have lots of paitence, but this Hotel is substandard and the General Manager acted like he was GOD. Avoid this Hotel if you can