Holiday Inn Express & Suites Altoona By Ihg

This hotel consistently stands out as a top choice for its impeccable cleanliness and modern design, making it a reliable and comfortable stay for many. Its signature feature is the highly praised complimentary breakfast, which offers a wide and delicious selection. The hotel is particularly well-suited for business travelers seeking efficiency and comfort, families looking for a welcoming environment with amenities like a pool, and sports teams or those attending local events who appreciate its convenient location and consistent quality. Guests frequently highlight the exceptional friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. To ensure a smooth experience, it is advisable to confirm specific in-room amenities like coffee makers upon arrival, as these may vary, and be prepared for potential noise from adjacent rooms due to the building's construction.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities and amenities designed to enhance guest comfort and convenience. Most guests enjoy the swimming pool, finding it a fun and clean option, especially for children, though some note it can be cold or small, and a few observed maintenance issues like dead bees or rafters needing repair. The fitness center is generally considered well-equipped, although one guest mentioned it being uncomfortably warm. Free Wi-Fi is consistently available with decent speeds throughout the property. While ice machines are present, some guests reported them being out of order on certain floors. A popular feature is the 24/7 freshly ground coffee available in the lobby, which many appreciate, as in-room coffee makers are not standard and must be requested. Rooms are equipped with a microwave and refrigerator, and guests find ample outlets for charging devices. A lobby shop provides convenient access to snacks and drinks.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the hotel's cleanliness, describing rooms and common areas as spotless, neat, and well-maintained, often noting the property feels new and modern. The room condition is generally excellent, with comfortable furnishings and well-designed layouts that include useful features like built-in benches. Most guests find the beds and pillows very comfortable, ensuring a restful sleep, though a few found pillows too thick or beds worn. A significant recurring concern, however, is the noise levels within the hotel; many guests report thin walls and floors, leading to audible conversations, footsteps from above, and even flushing toilets from adjacent rooms. The bathroom facilities are typically clean, spacious, and offer good water pressure and hot water, along with large, convenient toiletries, though some experienced slow shower drainage or awkward soap dispenser placement. Additionally, some guests reported issues with the HVAC system, finding it difficult to control room temperature or noting that it automatically shuts off, leading to cold rooms.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's complimentary breakfast consistently receives high praise from guests, often described as a standout feature. Many commend the breakfast variety, noting a plentiful selection of hot and cold options that cater to diverse tastes. Popular items include delicious cinnamon buns, various omelets or scrambled eggs, and sausages, though the pancake machine was occasionally reported as broken or empty. The food quality is generally considered excellent, with items being fresh and flavorful. Guests particularly appreciate the 24/7 availability of freshly ground coffee in the lobby, which is frequently highlighted for its superior taste. The breakfast staff are also consistently lauded for their helpfulness, attentiveness, and efficiency in keeping the dining area tidy and well-stocked, ensuring a pleasant start to the day for all guests.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient and central location, making it an excellent choice for various travelers. Guests appreciate its easy access from major highways, including I-99, and its position on a hill, which contributes to a quiet environment with minimal traffic. The property is well-situated near a variety of restaurants and shopping options, many within a short drive, and some even within walking distance, such as a movie theater and a mall. Its proximity to local attractions like the convention center, a ball field, and being a reasonable drive from a major university campus, adds to its appeal for those attending events or visiting family. Ample parking is consistently available, described as large, spacious, and well-lit, providing a sense of security and ease for guests with vehicles.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff generally receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for their friendliness, helpfulness, and accommodating nature. Many guests highlight the pleasant demeanor of the team, from the front desk to the breakfast attendants, noting their willingness to assist with requests and provide local recommendations. The check-in and check-out process is frequently described as quick, efficient, and smooth. However, there are significant and recurring concerns regarding housekeeping service; many guests express frustration that daily room cleaning is not standard, leading to issues like overflowing communal trash cans and unreplenished supplies. While some staff members are praised for going above and beyond, a notable number of guests reported negative experiences with certain front desk staff being rude, uncommunicative, or absent. Furthermore, some guests encountered unhelpful or dismissive management when attempting to resolve issues such as service animal policies, noise complaints, or credit card authorization problems.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several important aspects that frequently impact stays. A significant and disruptive issue reported by multiple guests is the fire alarm repeatedly going off during the night, causing considerable sleep disturbance and frustration, often with inadequate staff response. The hotel also has specific policies regarding in-room amenities and services; for instance, coffee makers are not provided in rooms as a standard, requiring guests to request them or use the lobby machine. Similarly, daily housekeeping is not standard, and guests must make special requests for service, which is often limited. Some guests also noted issues with the HVAC system's automatic shut-off, leading to cold rooms. Despite these points, many guests consistently find the hotel to offer excellent value for its quality and amenities. However, some stays were negatively impacted by noisy guest behavior, including loud groups in common areas or outside the hotel, which contributed to overall noise concerns.