Holiday Inn Express & Suites Athens by IHG

Reviews

• GM

  Grizel Morales

  Sep 25, 2026
  1.0
  Unfortunately, this was one of the worst hotel stays I’ve experienced. When I checked in, I was told the only available room was on the third floor. The elevators were out of service for my entire week-long stay. I was initially told they would be repaired by Thursday, but that never happened. This meant having to climb four flights of stairs every time I needed to access my room. This was especially concerning because there were elderly guests staying on the second and third floors who also had to use the stairs throughout their stay. When I entered my room, I immediately noticed ants all over the bathroom sink and a roach on the bathroom floor. I contacted the front desk, and I was told there was a temporary solution until maintenance could come the following morning. Maintenance came and sprayed the bathroom, particularly around an outlet where they said the ants were coming from. After leaving for dinner, I returned to my room to find that it had developed an extremely strong mint/Vicks-like odor. I could not determine where the smell was coming from, and I suspected it may have been related to the pest-control spray. The smell was so strong that it made me nauseated throughout the night. I tried airing out the room and running the bathroom fan, but the odor never went away. The following morning, I found ants in the room again and reported the issue, along with the strong odor. I left a note explaining how severe the smell was and that it was making me nauseated. I was provided deodorizer and Febreze, but when I returned from my work meeting, the odor was still extremely strong—and there were ants again. At that point, I asked if I could be moved to another room because I did not feel comfortable sleeping in a room with an odor that was making me sick. I was told that there were no other rooms available for the remainder of the week. Because this was a work trip paid for by my employer, leaving the hotel was not really an option. Ultimately, I had to stay in a coworker’s room that had an extra queen bed for the night so I could get away from the odor and give the room time for the pest-control treatment to settle. Between the elevator being out of service for the entire week, having to climb four flights of stairs, repeated ant problems, a roach in the bathroom, and an extremely strong odor that made me nauseated, this was an unacceptable experience. I understand that maintenance issues can happen, but the combination of problems and the lack of an alternative room made this stay especially frustrating. Unfortunately, based on my experience, I would not recommend staying here.
• RG

  Russell Garvin

  Sep 22, 2026
  5.0
  I gave this 5 stars only so the review would appear at the top. Zero stars would be a much more accurate rating. DO NOT STAY HERE — YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED, AS I WAS. What I experienced at this property was an unacceptable combination of rate issues, poor management, poor housekeeping, maintenance problems, and overall cleanliness. I believe I experienced a bait-and-switch on the room rate. I was told one thing, then charged a rate that I would never have agreed to pay for this property. I contacted IHG, but I was essentially sent back and forth between Corporate and the property, with neither taking responsibility. This is a franchised property, not an IHG-owned hotel. IHG was of very little help in resolving the issues I experienced. Here are just some of the problems during my stay: • Elevator was out of service for three days. • No housekeeping for stayover guests. No trash removal and no fresh towels. Exactly what am I paying a hotel rate for? • The property is dirty. I have photographs documenting these conditions. • The South Exit door and pool exit door appear not to have been properly cleaned in a very long time. A cigarette was sitting in the same location throughout my stay. • The spa step is excessively high and presents an obvious trip/fall hazard, particularly around a pool area. • Plaster is falling from the pool room ceiling/walls into the pool. • The pool restroom was in poor condition. • The pool room air conditioning was disconnected, leaving the room at 90+ degrees. • There were multiple maintenance and housekeeping issues that should have been addressed long before a guest ever arrived. I have included photographs because I believe guests should be able to see the conditions for themselves rather than simply taking my word for it. I have also contacted the registered property owner, Tristar, as well as the management company listed for the property, Hermann Bauer Hospitality Solutions Inc. (HSI Hotels), regarding these concerns. This is not simply a complaint about an inconvenience or one bad experience. The number of issues I encountered during one stay points to serious problems with property maintenance, housekeeping, and management. At the rate I was charged, I expected a clean, properly maintained hotel with basic services provided to its guests. That is not what I received. My recommendation: STAY AWAY from this property until it is sold to a better management group and the lazy employees replaced
• TC

  Tim Clouse

  Sep 22, 2026
  3.0
  Great hotel other than the elevator not working. Breakfast is good, rooms are clean and staff are super friendly.
• JM

  JUAN CARLOS MARTINEZ

  Sep 19, 2026
  5.0
  Excellent!! Clean , update and comfortable!!!!!
• JL

  Jamesia Leonard

  Aug 31, 2026
  1.0
  Complaint Regarding Racial Discrimination and Unprofessional Treatment I exited the elevator and proceeded to sit at a breakfast table. Shortly afterward, a front desk employee approached me and asked for my room number. I provided my room number without hesitation. She walked away and returned a few moments later, stating, “Now I need your name.” I asked her why she needed my name after I had already provided my room number, particularly since my guest information should be associated with my reservation. She insisted that I provide my name. When I questioned why this additional information was necessary, she stated that she did not believe I was a guest at the hotel and that I could have simply given her any room number. She continued by stating, “I know all of my guests and I’ve never seen you here,” and said that this led her to believe that I was not a guest. At that point, I told her that we could walk to the front desk together and verify my reservation. I explained that I had my purse and overnight bag with me and that I was confused as to why she was questioning whether I belonged at the hotel. I had already checked in, provided identification and a credit card, and paid for my stay like every other guest. What concerns me most is that I was the only Black guest in the breakfast area at the time, and I observed that the other White and Hispanic guests were not approached and questioned in the same manner. I was specifically singled out and made to feel as though I did not belong at the hotel despite being a paying guest. I understand that hotel employees may have procedures for verifying guests, and I have no issue with reasonable security measures when they are applied consistently to everyone. However, the manner in which I was approached, repeatedly questioned, and told that the employee did not believe I was a guest was disrespectful, embarrassing, and deeply concerning given I expect to be treated with the same dignity, respect, and courtesy as every other paying guest, regardless of my race. I hope the hotel takes this complaint seriously and addresses the situation appropriately.

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