I reserved a balcony room overlooking historic Laurel. Only one room had a balcony and it overlooked a restaurant. NO rooms overlooked downtown, too far away. No sports court, the fitness room has two old pieces of equipment and was probably just short of a 100 degrees. Refrigerator did not work and had a cinnamon roll left from the previous guest. The room was always damp and the entrance to the hotel leaked. I try to stay at Holiday Inns for points but will stay at the Hampton next time Laurel.

I booked this hotel on the recommendation of a business acquaintance. The first impression was a poorly maintained entrance. When we got to our room, the bathroom floor was dirty and slimy feeling. Luckily we had slippers. If it hadn't been so late we would have left.

I travel to Laurel a few times a year to visit family. This weekend (4th of July) was our family reunion and so the family elected to stay at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites. When I made my reservations, I was shocked to find rooms in this small town at $129 per night. The suites are not suites at all. Two beds, a sofa, and a mini kitchen. Upon arrival we found out this small hotel had booked three...yes three family reunions. When I woke up after my first night, I noticed ants!!!! I called the front desk and was informed that I had to wait until the manager arrived. I questioned this explaining that we had ants all over the place. The lady at the front desk said she was sorry but the manager was the only one who could handle the ant problem. When I asked when the manager would be in, she stated that she didn't know. Vienna sausages were in the water fountain, and our conference room was very small. This hotel has only been opened for a little over a year and I must admit I expected more. We usually stay at the Hampton Inn across the street, which is much cheaper, but my family thought this hotel would be nicer since it was much newer. They were wrong! Did I mention that the walls were paper thin. We could hear our neighbors having conversations all night long. The next time we travel to Laurel, MS we will be staying at the Hampton Inn, where the staff is nicer, more efficient, and the rooms are cleaner!

REALLY CRUMMY EXPERIENCE...
Left an expensive orthopedic pillow on check out. Housekeeping was going into the room as we left. Called the front desk about an hour out of town to see about getting the pillow returned (at my own expense) and was given the run-around. Now five days later, no one responds. I call every day, and it's the same story. "We'll check with housekeeping."

I called corporate customer relations and asked if they could help. They basically said that if the hotel wouldn't help they couldn't do anything much.

That's the last time for me with Holiday Inn Express. I don't care where else I have to stay...period.