We have stayed at this property several times during our biannual trip across the country. We like Holiday Inns and this one takes pets ($20 fee). Previous posts have detailed how it is no longer a Holiday Inn and why. We were concerned that our stay would be disturbed by construction, but fortunately that was not the case. We had a renovated room, new carpet and bedding, paint. It is obviously an older hotel, but the room was fine. Our standard is a good bed, quiet room and good HVAC. All were fine. They still have the wonderful Holiday Inn shower heads and curved shower bar - plenty of hot water.
The bar is a construction zone, but staff was pleasant and service good. We ate at the bar. There is a complementary breakfast buffet - full hot service not just continental.
Overall, a good value.

I recently went traveling Route 66 with some friends, and we have heard Elk City is a good place to check out, so we thought we would stay a couple of days. We found out that it's no longer a "Holiday Inn" (there was black tarp over the hotel sign), because according to a local newspaper, the hotel lost its franchise (it's now the "Elks Inn"). However, we were assured at the desk that the hotel is being renovated and they expect Holiday Inn to renew its franchise there. It's an older hotel, probably 30 or so years old and would be quite a gem if they got it updated properly. By the looks of it, the rooms had been worked on in the last couple of years, and we all thought they were clean and comfortable and very quiet. The hotel also had an indoor miniature golf course inside a large, sunny atrium which was a pleasant place to relax. I heard no complaints about the food at the hotel restaurant, and the pool area was fine, just a little small. We had no problems with the staff. The only complaints we had were that it was a little expensive, but it's right next to Interstate 40, so easy on and off. I think once they get the hotel updated, the price will be well worth it.

This was the third and last time I have stayed at the property. Upon arrival we find the Holiday Inn signs covered with huge banners saying something along the lines of: Hotel Open During Remodel. This immediately did not sit well as I, as I am sure many of you considering this hotel, am a Priority Club member and like to stay at Holiday Inn to collect points and participate in promotions. The new name is apparently "Elk's Inn." They claim that once the remodel is over the owners will be re-applying for Holiday Inn status. However, based on the condition of the property, I am highly suspect of that actually happening.

When we walked into what was the lobby, which now served as a construction site with dust and debris everywhere, we saw a tiny room where a temporary lobby had been set up. I proceeded to check in and was told by management that Holiday Inn removed their brand from the hotel due to the poor condition of the hotel and the fact that it had been being "remodeled for more than 3 years." It was very clear that the front office employees had reached their breaking point, especially considering that when I checked out, the manager told me that the Owners of the hotel have issued a ban on ANY kind of monetary credit for ANY reason during ANY stay. This alone should be reason to STAY AWAY from this property.

To continue my check-in experience, I was assured that while the lobby and former "Holi-dome" area would be under remodel, I would be placed in a "completely remodeled" room. This so called remodel consisted of water stains all over the popcorn ceiling, chipping/peeling bath tub, BLACK stains in bathtub, and gaps in the sheetrock joints so large that they had to use caulk. **IF** this indeed had been remodeled it was done in the fastest, cheapest way, with the least possible attention paid to making the work quality of any kind. Remember, rates at this hotel range between $95-$115/night!

Since the room did not appear to be remodeled, we asked if we could change to another room, where at a minimum, it had a clean bathroom. We finally found a clean bathroom in the 5th room we visited. While the a/c worked, it made very strange clanking and banging noises making a good night's sleep very difficult, we decided to live with it thinking nothing better was possible. Other companions traveling with us were not so lucky as their a/c broke during the middle of the night forcing them to change rooms at 3am!

All of our traveling companions had small refrigerators in their rooms, so I called the front desk to ask if we were supposed to have a frig as well and was told that if we wanted one she would make sure we received one. After an hour wait, I walked down to the lobby and was told that maintenance was going to be bringing it to my room. Never happened. When checking out I brought this up and was told that a frig had been placed in my room, it had not but someone had told the manager this was done when it was not.

At around midnight, I was looking for a snack, only to find the sole vending machine unplugged in the middle of the domed atrium area. When I inquired at the front desk if there was any other vending machine, I was argued with by the employee who stated that the vending machine was plugged in and working. I politely asked her to show me, and after rolling her eyes, we walked down the hall to see the vending machine unplugged. She curtly stated that she guessed the machine had been moved and since it was after 11pm (it was about 11:45pm) maintenance was gone and there was nothing she could do.

The sum of this review is that this hotel has gone to the dumps and in no way is it worth your time to stay at this hotel considering it's current state and staff. Only if you found out that ownership had changed and the hotel underwent serious renovations (as opposed to what is happening now...if you think the lobby looks nice enough after the "remodel" simply ask to see a room before staying and take note of the bathroom and ceilings) regaining some sort of quality hotel brand on the property should you consider staying there. The Days Inn across the street is only a few years old and is much cheaper, plus there are plenty of other lodging alternatives within the area (30 miles each direction) off I-35 to find you a legitimate night's stay where the hotel appreciates your decision to spend your money with them.

I hope this review helps even just one person avoid having such a dissapointing stay as myself and my family just had. Good travels!

-Internet service was so poor it locked up multiple times on simple sites like yahoo. Completely unable to connect to office remotely via hotel internet. Staff suggested lobby computers which were equally slow / bad
-2nd floor room quiet, except for noisy heater cycling on and off all night
-Moldy bathroom ceiling
-Popcorn plaster peeling from bathroom ceiling (hope it wasn't asbestos)
-Bathtub gelcoat worn off (brown fiberglass showing through)
-Hot water in shower surged very hot a couple of times
-Barracks-like hallways (room furnishings were a pleasant surprise)
-Exercise room reeked of smoke - so bad I ended up running in the cold and dark
-Exercise equipment didn't function properly & had torn upholstery
-Minimal space to work with business colleagues (the only tables with any light were in the restaurant - atrium area was pretty dark) - when "board room" emptied out, we used that.
-Overpriced for the quality of the place
-The only positive things I can think of were friendly staff & comfortable beds