Holiday Inn Express Mill Valley San Francisco Area by IHG — Hotel in Marin City

My Husband and I stayed at this Holiday Express because it was near our neighborhood and when a severe storm moved into the area, we decided to get a hotel for a couple days to get out of the weather and off our boat. We had other choices but opted for The Holiday Express on Shoreline Highway. We were greeted instantly upon entering the front door by friendly, welcoming smiling faces and a plate of freshly baked cookies. Our needs were met completely and eagerly by each member of the staff from reception, front desk agent(s), Front Desk manager (Rolando) General Manager, Luis, Maintenance and Housekeeping. I was given flowers by Guest Service Agent Joanne, as we connected instantly and she felt I'd enjoy the Callalilies she had brought from an event. The room was convenient, clean and had a comfortable back patio in which 2 of us sat comfortably. The room temperature was adjustable to our satisfaction.

I was informed of the amenities which included complimentary bicycle use, a fireplace in the receiving area, Computer room with internet and printer, Work out room, pool and Jacuzzi. The breakfast spread was different each morning, with ample choices of juices, cereals, hot sausage/bacon,eggs/omlettes biscuits, toast, bagels, English Muffins, pancakes, pastries, jams, peanut butter, honey, cream cheese and more.. There were fresh assortments of coffee (leaded and decaf), teas, cocoa and creamers which were available at any moment. Hot water was also supplied for anytime use for teas and hot chocolate. 2 extra soft pillows were delivered with no hesitation upon request. Our rooms were clean and comfortable and we not once felt an obligation to be disturbed by housekeeping until we were ready. *Fresh towels and bathroom toiletries were restocked at our pace with no imposition. We were so impressed the first two nights, we extended our stay an additional night.

At one point, due to the stormy conditions, the internet went out, and the front desk and maintenance man wasted no time to get it back up and running.

We enjoyed the later checkout time and didn't feel rushed to vacate our room.

Each time we passed a member of the staff, we were greeted with smiles and a kind interaction. From the moment we arrived, to checkout , we were treated as family with the utmost courtesy.

We will share our experience with family and friends and look forward to future stays with The Holiday Express on Shoreline Highway.

Thank you to Every member of the staff for creating a pleasant memorable stay in a home away from home.

Regards,...

I choose to stay at H.I.Exp. when I travel because I've found I feel completely comfortable and there are VERY few surprises. In my experience, they are always spotless and "new-feeling" and my room is always soothing, uncluttered, with calm colors and the most most comfortable beds, sheets, pillows, etc. I just stayed for the first time at MILL VALLEY, CA for a week . The appearance is a little different, which I wasn't used to, (looked more like an independent West Coast place) but it was just lovely and had all the coffee, tea and the snack I hoped for as I checked in. Every single person I spoke to there was striving to be helpful and friendly. The pool was my favorite! I realized I was in California when I saw the many different shades of blue colors and the irregular shaped and beautiful heated pool, hot tub, cabanas, hammocks. I was on a very packed work trip but managed one afternoon out there in the sun, in the pool and eventually, as it began to get dark I stayed another 1/2 hour in hot tub. It is one of the most relaxing things I've ever done - it's just perfect. The Business Center was great - small, but I never saw anyone else in there. It had everything I could possibly use, all in brand new shape and easy to use. It had room for 2-3 guests. The BEST part was the staff! Every single person from Louis, the General Manager, who even joined came by to greet and check on guests during their afternoon wine/snack time on the patio, to every person I met, all were willing and able to help me in times of crisis, like needing food delivered at midnight one night. The only thing I could even call a down-side is the renovation going on in a connecting building. My room was the closest one to it and they never bothered me a bit, so I can't complain but I know some people just don't like that. The location was amazing for me -- I could've gone to Golden Gate Bridge Park in less than 5 min. My outings took me several different places north of San Fran- with HWY 101 practically out the front door, I easily cruised everywhere I needed to be each day. Mill Valley seems to be a small little town, but lovely, with local restaurants, cute shops, and even a Safeway Grocery were all within a mile --- very convenient location!! If I get to make this trip again, I would stay here without hesitation. The location gives you options of easy access to Napa, Santa Rosa or...

I have stayed at this property a few times previously, but this will be my last stay. The location is good in a lot of ways (even with the frequent flooding of the parking area and some parts of the hotel). But the staff just do not seem to care about guests anymore and the property is lacking needed upgrades. The person who checked me in did not give me welcome points nor offer anything to recognize my level (the highest) in the IHG quest rewards scheme. He just went through the motions of checking me in, not caring about me as a quest. He told me they did not have balconies, even though I had a booked a room with a balcony and had stayed there in the past in rooms with a balcony. I mentioned wanting to keep my booking on the IHG Chase credit card because of the extra rewards and he said, "Well, I don't know anything about that." Perhaps the hotel management should make sure their staff know about such things, which are important to loyal IHG customers? Because it is such an old property there are certain "features" that I do not want to deal with anymore, so I will no longer stay there. The old doors to the rooms are not sealed properly like in newer properties, so you hear every noise in the hallway, like it is in your room. The HVAC unit does not have a feature to keep the fan on, like in new properties, so there is no way to have the fan on to provide a bit of moving air, and more importantly, white noise to help block some of the noise in the hallway outside your room. I asked something of the staff person running the breakfast room and she basically just ignored me. I thought perhaps it was because she did not understand English (which is fine), but then when housekeepers showed up for their shift, she was able to communicate to them in English. I guess she just did not want to be bothered to reply to my question. For the price I pay to stay there, I can get a nicer IHG accommodations across the Bay in San Francisco. The location on the water is nice, even when having to wade though water to get to your vehicle in the parking lot, but the outdated features that prevent a good rest, and the uncaring staff, means I will not likely ever stay there again. It's too bad that a place with such potential just gets worse and worse to the point of being a place I do not want to stay at again, and do not...