Holiday Inn Express & Suites East Peoria - Riverfront, an IHG Hotel — Hotel in East Peoria

Just wanted to let the public know that on Dec 31, 2022....we went to the Holiday Inn Express in E Peoria IL by the Bass Pro Shop. We had 10 rooms reserved for our group. These rooms were $180 each. We checked in mid afternoon, the desk clerk was fantastic. She helped us setup tables in the lobby and explained that they were available first come first serve. Again, friendly, helpful and just very nice to work with. Then, her replacements came in. They were the worst two people we have ever dealt with from a customer service perspective. Before 8pm, they kept coming to our group and telling us that we needed to know that at 10 pm it was quiet time. This was New Year's Eve....and since we had 6 crock pots, we repeatedly offered them both any food they would like to have. Thinking, if we were nice to them that they might lighten up on the removal from the lobby. Not a teenage party, this was a family party where we were watching football and playing games. Nothing spilled or damaged. So here is where it gets unpleasant. Sam, the desk clerk, who told us he was a straight A student (not sure where that was even relevant) but he walked up to one in our group, a mother of a 3 yr old toddler, and literally threw some black garbage bags at her and told her that she should use them to clean up after we leave the lobby. There were 4 garbage cans literally in the room that we thought we would use, but Sam was insistent on us cleaning up and using the garbage bags that he threw at her. So then, my wife and I decided we would try to talk to both of them. Ashley K was the rudest front desk person I have ever met and I literally stay in hotels half of every week for my work. She insisted that I read again what I signed when we checked in. There were NO parties allowed. I then offered to pay for another conference room to move our group into. She literally looked at me and said "we don't do that". I personally had paid for 5 of these rooms myself, and I told her that my wife had called several times to discuss this as we had a group and wanted to ring in the new year. So I suppose my mistake was that I thought a party that they were refusing was a booze fest where people were wandering in and out of the rooms and spilling food and booze all over and I completely understand why they wouldn't allow that...but we had 9 people in there 50's to 70's and maybe a dozen young adults from 21-36 and then 3 toddlers. We were not spilling, doing a single bit of damage, and were trying to be nice to literally the rudest person (Ashley K) that we had ever dealt with. I literally asked her "are you angry with me?" I also said to both of them that I had spent over $900 on my rooms and communicated with the hotel prior to checking in that we would want to be in the lobby. Ashley K called her manager and the police. The police were very respectful and told us to go to our room. Remember, the desk clerk before when we checked in helped us setup. So, then some of the group called a cab to go to the Paradice, and these two told them they couldn't wait for a cab in the lobby and had to wait outside. These people in this group paid over $540 with tax to be there and now they had to go outside, and when they refused....Ashley K and Sam called the police on them again. Just unbelievable. We obviously followed the instructions that the officers gave us...but this was caused by two very rude front desk clerks that just didn't want to be working on New Year's Eve. We were forced back to our rooms before 10pm after clearly communicating that we wanted to ring in the New Year and renting 10 rooms. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER TREATMENT folks!! Not a single person in our group will be back. Really loved how they ruined our night that we were just trying to safely ring in the New Year. These two gems that they employ should take just one second away from their smug attitudes and realize we were their customers and these two treated us like criminals. Just wanted to share my bad experience so maybe someone else can avoid...

First time stay at this hotel. Was there for a conference that was at another hotel down the street and it was full. I figured i would give this one a try and was happily suprised. This hotel is tucked back by itself and its just across the parking lot from bass pro! Loved this as i came the night before and had a few hours to burn by myself so off to bass pro i went. There is also a new putt putt place across the parking lot very short walk. Location was perfect. ||Walked into the hotel and was greeted by very friendly staff who got me checked in very quickly. The gentleman checking me in was very friendly as we small talked and laughed a bit. The hitel was very clean and looked like it was brand new. Got to my room and again everything very clean, bed was very comfy, and had 3 king size pillows on the bed. Bathroom very modern had everything in it you would expect even had dove shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles provided that were already in the shower. ||Had a nice sitting place in the lobby with a tv in it. The pool was nice little chilly but perfect for a quick swim. Everytime i would go outside and come back in the staff would laugh and tell me welcome back. I asked for a blanket and within 30 seconds i had another in my hand. Hard to get fast friendly service like this but i am finding a few around and am glad holiday inn express never disappoints.||Breakfast the next morning was great! They had a huge spread bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, cereal, pastries, fruit pretty much anything you could think of it was alot more than i have seen at other hotels. The one con was all i wanted was orange juice in the morning and they were out of it lol thats all i drink and with my luck they were out but thats very very small and im sure they had more the next day. There were several other juices available, milk, coffee so they had plenty to choose from.||If your looking for a place to stay i would definately consider this hotel especially if your there early the location is great. The riverwalk is right there also and very well taken care of. Short drive for food or you could take a walk depending on the weather....

Stayed overnight at this hotel. Although I am a frequent traveler, the pandemic has put a hold on my traveling since last year. This was the first time I have stayed in a hotel since 02/2020 and I was a little apprehensive about doing so. Upon arrival at the hotel I was warmly greeted by the receptionist who was very professional and informative. The lobby area was very clean. Upon entering my room, I was quite impressed with the cleanliness. I did not have any reservations about staying in the room at all. The bathroom was pristine!!! The room even smelled clean. I was really

relieved and felt very comfortable. The bed was great and provided a restful nights sleep. There were some problems with the television which could attributed to the snow storm that was brewing up outside. With some troubleshooting help from the receptionist, the problem with the television was remedied. Due to the pandemic the serve yourself breakfast bar is not available, however, there are still some choices for a

continental breakfast that will be bagged for you to go. There were selections of muffins, yogurt, granola bars, fresh fruit and coffee. You could have one or all if you wanted. My only complaint is against those guests who want to test the limits and not wear masks as mandated. Signs are posted on the entrance door and on the elevators that masks are mandatory in the hotel. You will always have people who seem to find it difficult to follow rules and this is not different. I don't blame the hotel for these violators and I realize that the receptionist cannot "police" these violators because it can turn into a safety issue for them as well. What did I do in this situation? I made sure I had on my mask and kept myself safe. In conclusion, I felt safe enough at this hotel that I will be visiting another IHG...