Holiday Inn Express Stephens City by IHG

Holiday Inn express is our preferred brand of “box hotel” the road. In general, they are a good value and most are well managed. On a recent trip from Michigan to Virginia in mid-July, we spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express in Winchester Stephens City just outside the DC Beltway. It was very disappointing. The first impression was mixed. The reception person was quite friendly and efficient in checking us in. But reception area was extremely hot on this hot and humid evening because the air conditioner had failed. Fortunately, the room had its own system We were assigned an “upgraded” room for disabled guests on the first floor. This is not a problem in itself, but this room was in horrible condition. The lighting in the room was so dim we had to bring out our phone flashlights to unpack our suitcases. The window shade was broken. When we attempted to close the shade in this ground floor room, the entire shade came off its roller. The television didn’t work and the bed had a big dent in the middle of the mattress. At about 2:30AM, somebody attempted to get into our room. Fortunately the chain was latched and they pulled the door shut again. But it disrupted our night. A call to reception went unanswered. The next morning we were presented with a hot breakfast that seemed like it had been recycled for several days. The scrambled eggs were dry and had burned bits in them. The precooked omelettes were so dry that they had a texture of leather. The bacon was out, the biscuit gravy was out and the coffee was so bitter so as to be undrinkable. Box hotel breakfasts can range in quality. We have been to many Holiday Inn Express hotels and other box hotels where the breakfasts are top notch. This is one reason we choose HIE. But this breakfast here was inedible. There are plenty of hotels in this area just outside the beltway. Avoid this one. S&P Hotels (Hermal Shah) who owns this hotel and several others in the area should be ashamed of themselves.

Its so convenient. Right off of 81. The staff is excellent as is the facility.

Convenient to 81

A bit run down for the price

The toilet was not working properly.

Pool wasnt working and no A/C in the lobby while eating breakfast.

Always great!

The check in clerk wasn’t aware of my payment with Expedia

The breakfast was good

It was very warm in the lobby where you ate your breakfast. We took ours back to our room. Also the attendant wasn’t able to give us a receipt but told us she would email it but we never received it.

Good stay