Holiday Inn Express Bothell — Hotel in Bothell

Business requires me to stay at IHG hotels, I earned my Spire Elite status the hard way. I've stayed at too many Holiday Inn's to count, so when travelling for leisure it's hard not to use the points for free stays.

The building design with the available parking is not what you would expect out of a suburban hotel. Out front there is a row of parking against the building which is broken up by the building entrance, plus another row opposite the drive lane. In front of that is another hotel with a couple rows of parking. Returning from dinner each night we would find all the spots filled in the Holiday Inn front lot, and were forced to drive to the back of the hotel. Upon finding a space with decent light, we realized the hotel does not have a door in the back. On one side there is a door, but the parking spaces near that door are marked "No Hotel Parking". On the other side there is no door, you must walk around the building to the front! Also, out back there are only two rows of parking, a row of stalls against the building and a row against the trees. Two out of the 4 nights we stayed tractor trailers were parked filling many of the spaces, making the available spaces even more limited. We mentioned the parking situation to the person at the desk and were told we could park in the other hotel's lot. When we told her their lot was full too, we got a shrug.

Speaking of staff, I booked a room for 4 nights with two beds, and the reservation showed two people. The morning of the stay I get an email that I was upgraded to a suite with a king bed. I called, told them I needed the two beds, and thought I would be good to go. We arrive, and the person at the desk is manager. We chat about being upgraded to a room with one bed and I explain we need two, and ensure we are getting room with two beds. The room turns out to be right next to the elevator, my profile identifies my desire to be away from the elevator, too many nights being awakened by the "ding" every time the elevator door opens. Back down to the desk, explain the issue, and my room was switched out to room with one bed. Back down to the desk, the manager is gone, the desk unmanned with a note to call for help. I called, and explained the issue with one bed, and was told she upgraded me to a king bed. I explained we still needed two beds, and the third room was fine.

We arrived back to the room one evening to find househeeping did about half the normal service, and at the very least we needed towels. Same manager was at the desk when we walked by, and I was surprised to see she was the one who delivered the towels. Apparently she was the only one working?

Can't recommend this hotel, if there was a door to the back parking lot and management didn't allow tractor trailers to take the good, brightly lit spaces, that would go a long way. Plus the owners need to...

Our family of 6 (3 adults, 3 children) planned a trip to Seattle. We didn't want to stay in the city, and settled on Bothell. Booking online, we decided that the Holiday Inn Express Bothell was the best fit for our family (amenities, location and price).

This hotel wasn't just a good fit for us. It exceeded our expectations. The front desk staff allowed us to check in a bit early, were able to accommodate our request for connecting rooms, and even gave us a better price than we were originally quoted over the phone (we ended up switching to rooms that accommodated us all much better than what we had booked).

The rooms were amazing...very comfortable, clean, and newly renovated. The beds (mattresses, sheets, comforters, pillows) were perfect. The bathrooms had great quality Dove shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and body lotion. The rooms were also equipped with a mini fridge, microwave, and Keurig. The only thing I wish our room would have had was a seating area, but even without it, I easily give the room 5 stars.

The pool/spa area was wonderful. Water temperature in the pool was perfect. It was refreshing but not too cold. Everything in the pool/spa area seemed very well maintained and clean.

The dining area was awesome. There were many places to sit and drink coffee or eat. Everything seemed very clean. The breakfast buffet was outstanding. They provided a wide variety of quality breakfast food (with plates, to-go bags, and to-go boxes). Hot coffee and tea was also offered in the dining area around the clock.

Staff was exceptionally friendly. And not just with the adults in our party, but with the kids too (my toddler is very chatty and they tried their best to carry on conversations with her, which I thought was very sweet).

The hotel is located by several restaurants, a grocery store, and other businesses. You shouldn't have to go far if you need something (unless you're ready for adventure!). I never once worried about our safety in this area, which was a huge positive in my book.

I would highly recommend staying at the Holiday Inn Express Bothell, and will definitely stay here again on my next visit...

I attempted to provide my feedback to the hotel management directly but have not received a response. I travel often with IHG brands and have Diamond Elite status. I was not recognized for my status and had to ask for water (literally) as a check-in amenity. I was put in room 131, right by the trash bin on a Sunday night when there is early morning Monday trash pick up. With heavy footsteps above my room late into the night and the early morning trash truck noise, I did not sleep. The fitness gym and free breakfast, although available, met minimum expectations - I've seen better at other Holiday Inn /Express locations. The main reason why I am choosing to write this review is the attitude and awkwardness of the front desk manager on the morning of when I attempted to bring up the noise and the deliberate room assignment. I am a light sleeper and I believe that my room preferences in my profile and communicated on check-in were completely ignored (high floor, away from elevator/noise). I was provided the explanation that the hotel was heavily booked, when based on my evaluation of the parking and activities in the hallways, that was not the case. Also, staying on the lower ground floor with a dog was simply not the policy (when I was wrongly told this at check-in). I was given the opportunity to immediately move rooms, to a room in the other wing and to the third floor (supporting the fact that the hotel was not sold out), but with such a negative experience, I canceled my second night. Finally, checkout was not very pleasant. My key card stopped working before the noon checkout time (so I had to request the card to be re-activated in awkward silence) and when I checked out, there was just acceptance of the key card without any words. The front desk manager immediately left the area as if to avoid me. There was no closing out of the room, a confirmation of charges. I was not even emailed a bill, but I was charged on my credit card on file, for fees/taxes, on a point full redemption-night. I am supposing this is for my dog, but there is no explanation or receipt, so I...