Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hermosa Beach by IHG — Hotel in Hermosa Beach

THE GOOD: I am an IHG Gold member and was greeted as such when I arrived late in the evening. The staff was friendly and helpful the entire stay of 4 nights, 17-21 Nov 2014. The room (rm239) was spacious with two queen beds, desk, chair and ottoman, fridge and microwave. The bed was extremely comfortable with various pillow types to choose from. Especially nice was the high-pressure hot shower -- the best shower I've had at a hotel in a while. Breakfast was the standard fare, which is good for me. Some hot and some cold choices and the standard HI Express special cinnamon rolls. The exercise room has equipment that appears to be in good repair and not too old. I only can vouch for the treadmill as it was perfect for my workout. Towels are provided as well as a TV (with multiple remotes, but not as many channels as the rooms from what I found#. No problems with the internet connections the entire stay.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD: Upon entering the room I did notice stains on the carpet, which is not a great first impression. Not planning to roll around on the floor, I decided not to take my chances with another room. I also noted the light switches with lights to help you locate them at night. Sounds like a plus, but the light covers were cracked and broken on a couple, with sharp edges, one of which felt it could cut the fingers easily if not careful. I also could not get the lights on the night stand to turn on. It took a little while to determine the plug was not in all the way -- enough to look fully inserted, but not quite. This should've been checked when cleaned after the last guest. In addition, the alarm clock did not work the two mornings I set it and I am glad I used the other wake up options (front service desk and phone wake-up worked great). The iron board cover was also stained pretty bad. It was usable, but I was concerned initially about ironing dress shirts on it. Finally, the bathroom looked somewhat dated with moisture damaged molding on the door and around the tub, cheaper tiles and old-style plastic shelves holding...nothing. Not sure why the shelves were still there. The bathroom door also was spring loaded which kept it closed. This is a bad thing when there is no vent to get rid of moisture, smells and heat from the area. There was a slight mildew smell so I used the trash can to wedge the door open to air it out. This worked, but is a hassle as it also blocks the exit. The bathroom really needs updating.

BOTTOMLINE: I had a good stay with no big problems and do recommend it. I didn't feel the noted issues enough to warrant a lower rating than given, but the room needs an overhaul in the next few years. For my visit to LA next week I am staying at the Staybridge in Torrance -- I've stayed there several times, am guaranteed a clean and updated room and enjoy the evening meals, beer and wine during weekdays. It just provides a touch more for the price and I'm not a beach going regular. However, I do recommend this hotel for it's locale -- near the beach and marina, and easy to get to from the airport. There is also some shopping and good food close by. Good, but room for...

Had a very decent stay. Location was near the beach where the wedding we attended only about half a mile away. The location of the holiday inn isn’t that great, but everything further down the roads are nice. You are also not too far from the pier. Now upon arrival, the entrance to the parking lot is somewhat limited and can be annoying to enter when there is a lot of traffic going on. Also the parking lot isn’t a huge roomy lot either. The hotel itself is very nice inside, everything appears clean and tidy from the lobby and all the other amenities and rooms they offer which include fitness, a covered pool, business area etc. free breakfast is decent, a lot of people take part in it. Not a huge variety but it’s what you expect for free. And the food tasted decent, wasn’t the greatest or worst.

The room we stayed on the third floor was nice. Clean, tidy, air conditioning was able to freeze the room on a hot day very easily, bathroom was clean, towels smelled fresh and were spotless white. Shower was roomy and had my preferred strength of pressure. All your needs are covered within the room from a keurig to a desk with computer chair. The bed was very comfortable I believe was a pillow top mattress, they provide both firm and soft pillows and gave me a very good nights sleep.

All in all a good experience would recommend to anyone and would stay again. Just make the entrance to the...

I have used the HI at Hermosa many times in the past, but I have not been for approx. 4 years. How surprised I was when entering the lobby and finding that the ground floor had been re-designed, to much improvement. Gone were the large gaudy chandeliers which did not suit the type of hotel the HI is, in place a more corporate effect look, which is very pleasing on the eye.

Check in was very efficient, I was recognised as a Platinum member and upgraded to a suite, Though I think the welcome bag which I took could have some more thought to it than a bottle of water and a bag of nuts. In the Lynbrook HI Express they offer you the option to take any one drink and snack from the pantry.

The room itself did not appear to have changed that much since my last visit, the bed headboard definitely had been changed, but overall the rooms are pleasant and clean.

Any interaction with the hotel staff was positive, and they provided me with the info that I was looking for.

One suggestion, and it is only a suggestion, there is nowhere to sit outside the hotel that is in the sun, the two seating areas at the front and side are in the shadows of the hotel overhang. How about taking 2 car park spots away and creating a patio area where guests could take the opportunity of the sun. While sitting outside the side door I estimated that the best spot for this would be the last 2 car park spots on the corner...