This was a great stay for the conference I attended recently. Just a few blocks away from Tower City, where the conference was being held. I arrived early--8:00 AM and was given a room, even though checkin wasn't until well after 3. I was given room 0301, which had a bit of an odd layout and a horrible view consisting of nothing other than the other half of the building. My colleague had room 1403. Same rate, but a corner room with a nice view of areas south and east of the hotel, including Jacobs Field. This room had a nice easy chair, which wasn't in my room and my colleague's room was also not carpeted. Rather, it had hard floors throughout, which I actually preferred.

The linens were very nice and comforting. The mattress felt fairly new and the shower, as always at a Holiday Inn Express, felt incredibly relaxing. I thoroughly enjoyed the expanded breakfast menu and also thought highly of the required room key to operate the elevator to any level, except the lobby. There is quite a bit to do in the area after hours. Bowling alley a block down, movie theatre at Tower City, and Jacobs Field/Gund Arena easily within .5 mile. The area felt safe--and I even found myself having to walk back from the RTA bus stop to the hotel at 4:00 AM on a Saturday. While walking from the hotel to Tower City, we only encountered the standard city panhandler. With the rates, though, this place cannot be beat. Finally, we required a bit of later checkout, and the desk staff had no problem with the request. Very highly recommended.