Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Ottawa by IHG

Upon checking into our room, the beds appeared clean but there was dirt in the corners of the room. Checking the bathroom, the toilet bowl needed cleaning and the seat was loose. There was only one towel holder near the shower, making it impossible to hang a towel near the sink to dry our hands. We brought a small nightlight and my Water Pik but were unable to use either in the bathroom because they would not fit into the only wall outlet. I had never seen one like it. I was shocked at how high the soap dispenser and lotion were on the wall. You had to put one hand under it and use the other hand to pump it. I have no idea how a child would have ever used it. There was one hook on the wall behind the door that had a hair dryer on it but no place to hang a robe or clothes. The lighting wasn't great. There wasn't enough light to put on makeup and I had to open the door and turn on the entry light. The shower was OK and shampoo, conditioner and body wash were provided but not enough body wash for our stay and they didn't refill it. These were locked to the wall and I was glad I had brought some of my own.

We did not use the coffee maker or microwave. The coffee maker appeared to need cleaning. We did use the mini fridge for our ice packs but since there was no freezer we were unable to freeze them or make ice for our water bottles. The closet was OK but it would have been nice to have a light nearby. There was none on that side of the room. There was a lamp at the other end of the room and a light near the beds.

The room was OK. It was quiet most nights. We turned on the TV and noticed it had the wrong time, no guide and no information when you clicked on a channel. The only thing for the TV was a paper list of channels showing the network. To find what was on, you had to go through and stop at each channel to know what it was.We tried to set the time but were unable to and when we found something to watch the TV would go out. The first night I was able to get Wifi for a few hours but had none the rest of our stay and it was mostly the same with the TV. On the third day of our stay, there was a man knocking on doors and loudly saying "Management" I had the door locked and the door guard in place to block entry. There was no "Do Not Disturb" sign available. I went to the door and asked what he needed. There was no answer. A few minutes later he came back and tried to get into the room with a key. I again said "What do you need?" They again did not answer but left. Awhile later after telling my concerns to the housekeeping staff a male employee approached me as I came out of the laundry area alone and said it was him and he was checking rooms. I asked why he had not answered me and he said he didn't hear me-either time!! The whole situation felt very uncomfortable since no one else was around.

This hotel is less than 10 years old but seems run down in the elevators, hallways and other areas. Before booking, I looked at the pictures online. Everything clean, food looked delicious. When going to breakfast, there is a coffee dispenser machine where you do your own coffee. On the website, it showed scrambled eggs, fresh donuts, bacon. The first morning we arrived at breakfast 45 minutes before it shut down. There were no eggs, bacon or fresh donuts. The turkey sausage was cold as was the gravy and they had an empty pan where the French toast sticks should have been. I mentioned to the breakfast employee that the heat seemed to be off. The man did turn it on but by then we were done. So cold sausage and a cinnamon roll which was good. There were no fresh donuts or bacon during our stay. Another day, I did see a person with scrambled eggs but there were none left when we made our plates. There were slightly warm veggie omelets and cheese omelets. There was also fruit, yogurt, bread, cereals and a make your own pancake machine. We did not use the pool but did go on the patio which was dirty and had cigarette butts all over.

I doubt I would stay here again and will probably stay at another hotel in the area. There were a lot of "little issues" and with the price we paid I expected a lot better. I had also booked under a promotion and had to contact customer service multiple times and prove I had registered for the promotion before booking. It took awhile to get the points I earned.

Absolutely horrid the fire alarm went off twice in one night… absolutely do not recommend

I had an excellent stay at this hotel. Staff members were very helpful. The hotel and my room were very clean and modern. Breakfast, included with the room, was plentiful, healthy and well presented. All around an excellent value hotel choice I will use again when I'm in the area.

During all my previous visits to Starved Rock, I stayed in the park itself, either in the lodge or in one of the cabins. I wanted to introduce some of my family members to the park, but all the accommodations there were full. So I reserved rooms here in Ottawa. I chose well! I will return.

Great place, very clean and employees were helpful and nice. The room was extremely clean and spacious, well lit and good space in bathroom. Would definitely recommend if in area.

Checking in with Virginia was delightful! The room was very comfortable and exceptionally clean. The beds are extremely comfortable. The shower has good water pressure. Shorty makes breakfast a delight. The hotel is easy to get to and very close to Starved Rock State Park. A good price for the exceptional service.

The staff was great. Anytime I asked for towels it was accommodated. The downside is the carpet in the room was never vacuumed and the floors were sticky.

Clean, good location.

Room was beautiful but the walls and floors are thin. We heard people in the halls and above us walking. It isn’t a quiet hotel but nice in all other ways. Didn’t get a good nights rest.

GOOD HELP AT DESK

This was A very nice hotel. We felt the cleanliness of the hotel was excellent. We thought the proximity to Starved Rock was good. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

We had a great experience staying in this very clean and comfortable hotel.

This property was conveniently located to the State Parks we like to visit. The hotel was exceptionally friendly. It was very clean. The breakfast had so many options and was quite good, and there was spacious seating for the breakfast buffet which we appreciated. The coffee was really good. Beds were soft. Pillows were perfect. It was an excellent experience and we will be back for Memorial Day weekend.

Very quiet. Good breakfast. Friendly staff. Nice pool.

Room was ok except for a towel left behind the door in the bathroom and a shower head that kept swiveling out. Good breakfast, good staff

Staff was very friendly and welcoming

Our family doesn't live in the US, but we have family in this area. We have traveled all over together as a couple and as a family, and we absolutely love this hotel.

This is our 3rd time visiting over the last few years and it is the only hotel we will stay at in LaSalle County. Cleanliness standards are great, the pool is well maintained, the suite room was perfect for us and our young one, and the staff is exceptionally professional and helpful. Our child, a fanatic of vehicles, particularly loved the room view facing the car dealership next store. The little things made this trip very special.

We especially have appreciated the lead cook/chef that is out and about during breakfast. Not only is the food fantastic, but this staff member is very conversational and friendly, which makes a pleasant start to the day.

I hope that guests continue to show kindness and appreciation to the staff at this hotel, because as a couple that has traveled to multiple countries together, the Holiday Inn in Ottawa, IL is honestly one that we consistently bring up and always look forward to visiting when it's time to see family in the area. Thank you so much, Holiday Inn!

Comfortable beds is just the beginning. Its quiet, clean, staff is friendly amd helpful, continental breakfast was good and the location was perfect for just a quick trip to downtown for shopping. Also, the resturant across the street gives a small discount if your staying here. Cant wait to ho back!

The hospitality was great. Staff was helpful and kept facility extremely clean.

The breakfast was great - lots of options / hot & delicious !