Terrible Experience, Severe Odor, and Extremely Dishonest Management
Our stay at the Holiday Inn Express Ukiah (August 17–18, 2026) was completely ruined by unlivable conditions and shocking management dishonesty.
Upon arrival, our room had an unbearable, foul odor. The evening staff acknowledged this and sprayed the ventilation system to mask it. Instead of being provided an equivalent room, we were downgraded to a smaller one with only a minimal discount. Furthermore, despite there being 5 of us, we were crammed into a 4-bed layout. Even though I am 6 months pregnant and urgently needed proper rest, I was forced to share a single bed with two others.
The next morning, we were shocked to see the hotel manager. He was actually the person who had been standing right next to us the previous night, witnessing the entire ordeal. When the staff went into the back office to speak with him, he hid his identity even though he was looking right at us. The next day, he first pretended not to remember us at all. When we pointed out that he was clearly there and it was impossible for him to forget, he claimed he was at the hotel but "not on duty." Then, he suddenly claimed he did remember us and falsely accused us of threatening an employee with the police. This is an absolute lie. When we demanded to check the security cameras to prove our innocence, he refused.
Avoid this hotel if you expect basic cleanliness, honesty, and respect from management.
What a great stay! Very pleased with the value this hotel offers. I don’t have any IHG status, just a regular member, but at check-in I was thanked for being a part of the rewards program and provided with a welcome gift of cookies and chocolates. Most of the staff were friendly and the public areas of the hotel were kept clean during my overnight stay.
The rooms are spacious and mine was clean. Especially loved the water pressure in the shower, frankly the most powerful I’ve seen during my travels! The only downside here was that I had loud neighbours and could hear them during the night, which indicates there’s some room for improvement in soundproofing. However, I’m confident that had I raised this with reception, they would’ve done their best to re-accommodate me into another room if one were available. For one night it was bearable!
Breakfast is included like all HI Express properties (as far as I’m aware), and it was good. A simple selection of hot dishes including bacon, potatoes, sausages, omelettes, biscuits and gravy were available, alongside cereals/yogurts, toast, a pancake maker, and of course cinnamon rolls! Coffee and tea is available also. Everything I tried was great.
Location-wise, this is a three minute drive off the highway, which isn’t the closest hotel but still a very convenient option. Walmart and other shops and food vendors just down the road.
Overall, highly recommend staying here if you’re passing through!
AA
Abhay Avachat
Jul 23, 2026
We stayed here because it's conveniently situated between the Bay Area and Avenue of Giants. It's very nice hotel. Simple, clean and modern. Breakfast was good and the staff was very friendly. There is a pool and a small gym.
KN
Kirk Newmiller
Jul 23, 2026
-Great customer service.
-Good variety of breakfast options except for fruit... Old apples and oranges and no bananas.
-bike path behind the hotel is nice but has occasional homeless walking person around.
-Very slow internet. They advertise 50+ Mbps but actual tested internet is 3 to 10 Mbps.
-No option for streaming services on in room TVs. Only option is dish Network.
-Very small microwave and mini fridge with no freezer option.
- Thin floors... Easy to hear people stopping/walking above you.
Overall it's a nice place for a day or two. Otherwise the lack of internet speed, TV options, and meal prep capabilities become undesirable.
Solid, Modern Stay with Great Amenities (But Watch the Room Layout)
We stayed here over the July 4th weekend, and it easily earns a solid 3-star rating. Relative to other Holiday Inn Express properties, this one feels significantly newer and more modern, though it has a few layout quirks.
The Wins:
Excellent Breakfast Capacity: The breakfast area is surprisingly large. Even at 9:00 AM the day after the 4th of July, it handled the massive holiday crowd without feeling chaotic.
Smart Room Elements: The air conditioner is positioned so that it doesn't blow directly onto the beds, which is a huge plus for sleeping comfort. There is also plenty of table space in the room for luggage or managing your gear.
Great Tech & Amenities: The room features a genuinely big TV, which is a welcome change since other locations often have surprisingly small ones. The lobby also keeps fresh lemon water out for guests, and the pool is outdoors.
Standout Fitness Center: This is literally the largest fitness center I have ever seen for a Holiday Inn Express.
Better Elevator Flow: The property features two elevators, whereas most other HIEs I have been to only have one. This helps quite a bit with morning foot traffic.
The Drawbacks:
Room Size: While serviceable, the room is slightly on the smaller side. The footprint is shorter in length compared to some other HIE layouts I've been to, but comparable to other "efficient" double queen setups at other hotels.
Late-Night Hot Water: Around 11:00 PM, the shower water barely got warm enough. It seems the system struggles a bit under peak high-occupancy demand late at night.
Accessibility for Kids: The mounted hand soap by the bathroom sink is placed too high. This seems to be a consistent issue across the brand, but it makes it tough for kids to wash their hands independently.
EV Charging Inconsistency: There are plenty of EV chargers on-site, which is great in theory, but infrastructure reliability is mixed. Only the Tesla destination charger actually worked for me.
Overall, it’s a clean, updated, and highly functional property that handles peak holiday crowds well. It's a reliable choice, just keep the minor room and utility quirks in mind if you are traveling with family or arriving late.