redeemed holiday inn priority club points for free stay

pros: reasonably close to downtown; nice view of mountain and waterfront for rear rooms; front rooms look out to street; free parking garage; good water pressure in shower; reasonable free breakfast; gave me free upgrade to executive suite

cons: old, somewhat rundown hotel; worn carpets, furniture, etc.; mold in caulking of bathroom tiles [these people never heard of bleach ??]; area doesn't seem very safe in night; underground parking garage is small & difficult to manouver

We stayed two nights and BOTH mornings we took COLD (really) showers. When we called the front desk to find out what the problem was, the answer was "We have a full hotel and all the guests are fighting over the hot water. I suggest you wait about an hour." The response did not indicate that this was unusual or surprising. True, the place was packed with a tour group, but there is no excuse for a hotel to have NO hot water in the morning. Yes, the neighborhood is not too good - a 24 hr. XXX shop is directly across the street. And, yes, there wasn't near enough hotel staff to keep the tables anywhere near clean at the reasonable good morning breakfast. And, yes, when I asked for the manager to complain/ask for a room refund for the lack of hot water, the response was "You'll have to wait till he comes in about noon, I can't do anything." After providing my email, still no response three weeks later. THIS PLACE SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH A REAL HOLIDAY INN.

stayed 2 nights in early july, nice clean, comfortable room. arrived by car, neighborhood questionable, underground parking accessed with key which was very nice because of area and garage being creepy. nice security, need key to access elevator from garage. complimentary breakfast good, not extensive but good. shuttle service was the best, just reserve a time, they picked us up from anywhere we wanted and the shuttle driver was very helpful, pleasant and on time. would definitely stay again.

This was our first trip to canada and probably our last!!!!!!!!!. I had gone through Hello Bc to book my accomodations. I Explained that this was out first trip to Canada and that we wanted a central location for hotel accomodations. We were horrified when we drove done the street and later found out that this holiday inn was on skid row. It was disgusting. Everytime you left you had to drive right through skid row. We were on motorcycles so we had a birds eye view of all the undesirable activites that went on 24 hours a day. We saw a fight a dead body laying on the street drug exchanges going on as well as lots of noise and activity after midnight. The staff was friendly and helpful. The rooms were dated. The fourth floor was the only place to do laundry or to get ice!!!!!!!! The elevator system is insane you have to swipe your card to get up or down. There was no swimmimg pool and the underground parking was a hassle. The one bright spot was the wonderful Italian bakery across the stree. Great people working there. I grew real suspisious of the area when I noticed everyone had bars on their doors and windows. The highlight was when we got lost one day and came down Commercial St and bypassed most of skid row. To bad we didnt get lost the first day. Overall our experience with the hotel wasnt bad but the location is HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!