Booked through Hotwire for one night stay after dropping my son off at college in Waltham. I normally book 3 star and up through Hotwire, looked to save some $ and went with 2 1/2 star. Was hoping to get the Holiday Inn Express in Waltham which Hotwire considers 2 1/2 stars but I think rates a 3.
I was a little apprehensive after reading some of the reviews on TripAdvisor. Check in was fine, lovely girl, Danielle at front desk, but when we got to the Non Smoking room I requested, it smelled like smoke. It was a nice breezy day so we opened up the window. Room was clean I have to say that, small couch, coffee table, desk, double bed and kitchen. We went out to an early dinner and came back to see police in the lobby. Spoke to another guest who was in the lobby and she said that there was a group of several people staying in several rooms that were quite loud and drunk and not the first time during her stay. I got the impression that this hotel has people who "live" there very long term. At one point earlier I heard a lot of noise by pool and looked out our window to see several guys pulling off clothes to jump in pool, one I swear jumped in in his underwear.
Went back to room and it smelled just as bad. So even though I felt the room was clean, part of me felt something was dirty there. We discovered that the real culprit of the smell was the garbage disposal. I covered the sink drain and went out to the front desk. Danielle offered to move us to another room but I asked for some disinfectant spray as we were beat and didn't feel like moving but would if the spray and reopening window didn't work. She was very nice and I told her she was and she might consider looking for a position in one of the better hotels in the area, which by the way there are at least a dozen in a one or two mile radius if not more.
They did have coffee, tea and bagels in the morning and from what I read only Mon-Fri.
So considering that I only saved about $12 off the normal room rate it really was a disappointment. Have gotten much better discounts for better hotels going up a few stars.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC