Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunbury-Columbus Area by IHG — Hotel in Berkshire Township

My family was returning from a vacation and we were passing through Columbus and we were trying to find a hotel that would be fun for the kids as well as us. We are typically very tight on money so we were looking at some cheaper options but The trip had been going well so we decided to go big and go for something a little nicer, at least that was our hopes. So we decided on this hotel because it's amenities and pictures looked very good online. The price was a more then we would normally pay for just am overnight stay but We hoped for a good nights rest, we were very wrong. We got in at about 7pm and saw the indoor pool with what appeared to be a pool party that was just arriving (not a problem more kids for our kids to play with). We got into our room and we immediately noticed the smell of damp stale air as we walked in. Then we brought in the bags and everything and finally laid down on the beds, which the bedding all felt as if it had only gone through half a dryer cycle so it felt damp. One of the beds as I sat on it had a huge dip in the middle of it. It looked as if a rather large individual had done a cannon ball onto the bed, I even lifted up the mattress and saw the dent went through to the box spring. We decided to head for the pool at about 720 and by the time we got to the pool it was empty the party had already left which seemed strange. Then we stepped into the pool and found out why everyone had left, it was absolutely freezing we were only able to tolerate it for about 5 mins before my 1 year old son started shivering. We went back to the room and decided to take a warm shower to get the blood flowing again. We turned the hot water on full blast and waited, and waited, and waited. It took 10 mins for the water to get to a temperature I can only describe as luke warm at best. The water temperature only lasted for 2 of us to shower, approximately 6 mins total, before it got cold like the pool. Needless to say that was a horrible evening for us but it got even better when we went to sleep I noticed a very strong stale odor as I slept with my 4 year old in the crater that was my bed and I noticed it was the carpet in the entire room that smelt stale. So the next morning we woke up and enjoyed a very delightful breakfast that was something that was a positive experience from this stay. When we went back to the room for last minute bathroom breaks I noticed while I was sitting on the toilet that it was not even secured to the ground. The toilet twisted as I reached for toliet paper and I'm not an over weight guy either I only weigh 150lbs so this was unacceptable. I was glad to see that place in my rearview mirror as we left.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS HOTEL TO ANYONE.

At least not until they get their stuff squared away. I understand renovations can be difficult but it should not cause customers that do choose to stay there to sacrifice the basic amenities that are expected at a hotel especially...

Horrible, dirty hotel. They are renovating but the carpets and walls in the elevator were filthy(Something that would be a 10 minute clean up). Two out of 3 ice machines do not work(We were on the 3rd floor but was told we could go to the 2nd floor to use their ice machine if we wanted ice!), in the cabinet where I hung my clothes there was a Mike's Hard Lemonade can from a previous guest, small blood stains on my husbands comforter and sheet. We tried calling the front desk several times to complain and no one ever answered-let it ring for 5 minutes on call. My husband who is handicapped, which I explained to the lady on the phone(I called the hotel directly. My BIL sent me a copy of their business card as we were there for my sister's funeral and he lives about 2 miles up the road) can't walk long distances and was told we would be put on the 1st floor. We checked in and were put on the 3rd floor-and I explained to that clerk same story. In the room there are no curtains, only 2 roller shades. My daughter tried to open the blinds because the lighting was TERRIBLE in the room, and the outter blind lifted but the second one would not. We tugged and tugged.. wouldn't budge. Paint was peeling all over the bathroom ceiling. Tons of hair around the plug in the tub/shower.. that was NOT OURS. The room was so small that two people could not move about freely while my husband walked with his walker. Rectangular room with very narrow paths. I talked to a man at the front desk(same one as the ice machine issue. After waiting for a bit for him to come to the desk) he said all of the rooms were like that. The suites we king bed only with a pullout couch, which wouldn't work for us. There were 3 ladies waiting behind me to talk to him, they wanted another room as their sink didn't drain, dirty, etc.(I didn't stay to listen but walked away laughing as we weren't the only ones dissatisfied).Sad when even the workers agreed the hotel is sub par! Two different worker's said it is really bad. Positive side? They had higher toilets and the bed was comfortable.(If you don't mind old dried blood of someonelse on your bedding!) Although the mattress' are smaller than standard queens! Won't be returning there. The guy at the desk(middle age with black painted fingernails and piercings) scolded me and told me that it said right on the website they were remodeling if I would have payed attention. So I briskly explained I was NEVER ON THE WEBSITE. After that my daughter looked up reviews. Seems they've been remodeling now for quite a long time(5years according to some reviews). The reviews would have given us all we need to know to...

The hotel is conveniently located off 71 and 36. It is close to the Tanger Outlet Mall, and Ohio Wesleyan is about a 10 minute drive. There are a few restaurants nearby as well.The staff was friendly when we checked into the hotel. Check in was fast. Our room was on the 3rd floor, which had a musty odor. Our room was spacious, but it is outdated. However, the hotel is currently going through a renovation.

I was very disappointed in the cleanliness of the room. There was a bench chair in the room that had a dead stink bug on it, yuck! When my son went to get his shower there was hair in the bathtub - GROSS!

I needed to get an extra blanket for my son, and I attempted to call down to the front desk to get one. The phones in our room did not work at all. I had to go down to the front desk to get the blanket. When I went down there I did tell them about the issues in our room. She said she'd let someone know.

The pool at the hotel is also small. There was a group of about 12 little boys in the pool when we went down to swim. They pretty much took over the entire pool, and it was really loud. My son lasted less than 5 minutes before he wanted to get out due to the noise. Also the pool water is very cold.

That same group of kids ended up playing Hide and Seek throughout the entire hotel. I complained to the front desk. Her reply was she was hoping the parents would intervene so she didn't have to. I'm guessing she handled the issue though, because it did quiet down after that.

If I would have been staying for more than 1 night, I would have left the hotel. However, all the hotels in this area were booked, and we needed to be at Ohio Wesleyan University early the next day. We just made the best of it, but I will not stay at this hotel again. As much as I paid for this room, I expected a cleaner room with...