Holiday Inn Walnut Creek Hotel - Page 1

I recently attended training that was to have lasted 2 weeks at this hotel. Once I arrived I noticed that the complete hotel was under construction. My first thought was how could any large company represent itself by booking a room here for training. Even worse, what did the sales team say to convince a company to book a training room there? Scary! First off there was no room to park at this location as all the contractors and construction workers took up all the spaces. I'll get back to this later. The training room itself was at the far end of the hotel which normally would not present a problem. However, there was only one restroom located in the room itself. Luckily for the class nobody needed the restroom for an extended amount of time. The room had one AC unit located at the front which inadequately cooled the room. There's nothing like sitting in a small room trying to learn new material in a good sweat. I must say that room also shook for some unknown reason every half hour or so. It literally would have registered a good 2.0 on the Richter Scale. I have attended a good half dozen professional training sessions and this one was the worst setting ever! I'll get back to the parking situation, or lack there of. The final straw so to speak was when I had to be in class at 8 in the morning after an hour and a half commute and could not find parking. I drove around a good three times or more looking for a spot thinking that one might open up. No such luck. The only spot within walking distance from the hotel was in front of an adjacent building. Of course there was a tow sign in front so my only choice was to park three spots down from the sign. Needless to say my car was towed 3 hours later. If the contractors and construction workers would have parked in other designated spots this would have never happened. I was livid and demanded that the GM of the hotel remedy the situation. I knew however that the GM would be worthless in this situation. I've dealt with too many people like this in the past. He lived up to my expectations and more by doing absolutely nothing. I know I was negligent in parking there but had no other choice. There was nobody in the office of the adjacent business to ask permission to park there. The GM would not even meet me half way on helping with the situation. The bottom line here being that if I could rate this hotel and it's staff and GM a negative number I would. So therefore this hotel gets a 1 star.

The Holiday Inn hotels are predictable. They will be clean, the hallways will smell overpoweringly of chlorine and the reading light in the rooms will be inadequate. But it is a decent bed at a decent price.

The staff of the hotel is exceptional. The hotel is convenient to my work. It is a good value for the price and we have the reward program.

This hotel made me feel welcome: They know my name when I arrive. They had a glass of wine waiting for me. I usually get the same room.

The hotel was modern and the decor was very up to date. The room was clean and well decorated and the bed was very good. It was an excellent value.

The hotel staff was very helpful and professional. The restaurant and bar were very nice, and the food was good. They had bar service at the pool.

This hotel made me feel practical: It was nice to have the restaurant available so that we did not have to leave the hotel to eat. It was nice that children ate free.