Evanston, Wyoming -- Holiday Inn Express

Status Perks

I received a goody bag with bottled water, an apple, and a granola bar. My status and current points balance was written on my key packet, and the agent thanked me for being a Platinum member at check-in. She said I had been upgraded to a suite; however, I had actually reserved a suite.

Room 

I received a room on the top floor, which I had requested on my reservation. The large suite contained a good sized fridge and microwave, comfortable couch, and chair and foot stool, as well as a desk and chair. The alarm on the clock did not work (I double checked the time and settings), so I was glad I had also set my phone alarm as a back up. The coffee maker also did not work. When I called the front desk at 4:00 am, the agent immediately brought a new coffee maker to my room, which worked great. The Internet connection speed was great--wireless and cable. The large window opened, which I prefer to A/C. I could hear traffic from the expressway with the window open; however, I prefer that noise to the noise of guests and doors opening and closing in the hall. The exterior walls are quite soundproof because I could not hear the traffic with the window shut.

Food & Beverage
Cookies were available at the front desk in the afternoon. Breakfast was the standard HIX fare, and cold items were available before the breakfast start time of 6 am.

Business center

I was able to use the business center to print documents without any trouble. I never had to wait, and did not have any trouble with the printer. I was glad to see a stapler in the room, although it didn't work to staple more than a few pages.

Fitness center

I was happy with the fitness center other than the fact that it did not open until 6 am. There were five cardio machines, weights, and a weight machine. The temperature was comfortable, cold water and sani wipes were available, and the TV worked well.

Overall
Staff was very helpful, and I was comfortable at this hotel. I would stay here again when visiting this area. I received a 10% discount at the Italian restaurant in front of the hotel for being a HIX customer.

Jackson, Wyoming - Homewood Suites

Status perks

I received a letter with my points balance and status at check-in. There was a bottle of water and package of cookies in my room.

Guestroom

I stayed in a king suite, which is the room type I reserved. My room was on the top floor at the end of the hall, which matches the requests in my profile. The room was the smallest extended stay suite I have ever stayed in, and the best online rate I could find was over $300. I think the room size and rate were typical for this resort town in July.  Even though the suite did not have as much room as most Homewood Suites I have stayed in, it was laid out well and met my needs. I think anyone staying at this hotel who does not have prior experience with extended stay properties would be very pleased with the size of the suite.

There was a fireplace in the living room area, and the kitchen contained a full size fridge, a range top, and a small dishwasher. The bathroom was a nice size with a large walk in tile shower. There was no tub. The sink area was outside the bathroom.

I did not arrive at the hotel until late in the evening, and needed to leave early the next morning, so I was not at the property very long. I contacted the manager before my stay, and was able to negotiate a rate for less than $300 that my employer was much happier with.

Food & Beverage

I stayed on a Sunday night, so there was not an evening reception. In the morning I left before hot breakfast was served; however, the front desk employees offered cold items.

Business Center

There was a small business center behind the front desk, which I did not use.

Fitness Center

Although the fitness center did not open until 7 am, employees were happy to let me in at 5 am. The room was small, and the tread mill was kind of noisy, which made it difficult to hear the morning news. The smallest weights available were 10 lb, and I usually like to use 5 lb weights. The room temperature was comfortable. Guests also have access to a more complete fitness center next door, which I did not use.

Overall

I try to stay at hotel chains where I have status and earn points, and of the hotel rewards programs I frequent most often (HHonors, IHG, and Marriott), I was surprised that the HS was the only hotel choice in this area.

Misc. and overall

I was extremely happy with the staff and bed comfort. The two bathrobes and safe in the bedroom closet were a pleasant surprise. One thing I never understand when I stay in an extended stay property, is the dishes in the dishwasher that need to be put away. At the end of my stays, I always load and start the dishwasher with any dishes I used before I check out. I would think housekeeping would then put them away for the next guest. The dishwasher in my room was full of clean dishes--plates, cups, glasses, silverware, etc. I don't think it should be up to me to put these items away. Especially when I only used one glass, one cup, and the coffee pot during my stay.