Holiday Inn Express New York City-Wall Street, an IHG Hotel — Hotel in New York

My recent stay at the Holiday Inn Express on 126 Water Street in the Financial District was unfortunately marred by a deeply troubling experience. What should have been a welcoming environment turned into an embarrassing and uncomfortable scene, revealing a distressing level of prejudice from the hotel management.

As I waited in the small, crowded lobby, I noticed the slow pace at which the manager worked. The area was packed, with a line of guests waiting to check-in, and free coffee was available for those in need of a pick-me-up. Among the waiting guests was a tattoo artist, visually distinct from the others, patiently standing by to make arrangements for a room.

To my shock, the manager, who seemed to be oscillating between working and sleeping, suddenly interrupted her lethargic routine to single out the tattoo artist. Despite six other guests accessing the complimentary coffee, she instructed him to dispose of his cup, asserting that it was for guests only. The artist, visibly upset, respectfully explained that he was trying to check in. The manager, however, seemed to derive a twisted satisfaction from the belittling interaction, making it painfully clear that her actions were rooted in prejudice against his ethnicity and appearance.

The artist's dignity was compromised, and the scene was painfully uncomfortable to witness. The manager's behavior not only embarrassed the artist but also highlighted her ignorance and lack of basic decency. Hospitality should be synonymous with respect and inclusivity, yet this manager's actions were a stark contradiction.

After the incident, the manager, unaware that I was within earshot, made light of the situation, joking about it as if she had simply done her job. This was particularly galling, given that several other guests, including foreigners, had accessed the coffee without issue. The blatant discrimination was appalling.

This experience left me with a profound sense of discomfort and sadness. It was a stark reminder that some individuals, due to their prejudiced outlook, are ill-suited for roles in customer service. A manager in the hospitality industry must embody respect and common decency, qualities that were clearly lacking in this case. Perhaps a role in a non-customer facing position, such as agricultural labor, would be more fitting for someone who fails to understand the importance of treating all guests with dignity.

Overall, the ordeal I witnessed at the Holiday Inn Express was a regrettable example of how prejudice and discrimination can tarnish what should be a positive and welcoming experience. It is my sincere hope that the management takes serious steps to address these issues, ensuring that all guests are treated with the respect...

I am travelling around the world and this is the worst experience I have ever had and it is only day one!!!Arrived to check in and after paying over $4000, I was told I was not on their system!!! After more than half an hour, they finally found my booking after getting me upset and stressed, I finally went up to the room and there was only one bed for my adult son and I,, I was already worked up and upset and went back down to reception to tell them I clearly asked for 2 beds as per the paperwork I had provided. They basically said too bad, IS SHE JOKING,, SHE EXPECTS ME TO SLEEP IN THE SAME BED AS MY SON???? HE IS AN ADULT. I said it is unacceptable and demanded the manager and got told she was the supervisor and the manager was out with his son!!!!! Back and forward she tried to put the blame on me and said it was the so called third parties I booked with fault and there were no other rooms available!!! I had to teach her how to read and it clearly says TWIN BEDS and that BEDS with a ‘s’ at the end is plural and means more than one. Back and forth I didn’t back down and surprise surprise, suddenly there was another room available, how convenient. after putting me through hell once again!!!!|As if I have not gone through enough, the room is horrible, the bed is broken, the ceiling is patched and not painted properly, there are hooks on the wall with nothing hanging on it (no pictures) The fridge is very noisy. The lamp in between the beds has disgusting yellow stains on it and the power points don’t work and have to have my phone and other belongings on the dirty floor on another power point to charge them. The walls also has disgusting yellow stains and is dirty. Closest is like a broom closet, narrow and does not even have the standard hotel safe to keep your valuables. Mirrors are dirty. The toilet door is old and frayed at the bottom and almost touches the toilet seat so you basically have to stand in a very narrow space in between the toilet seat and the sink or sit on the toilet seat and turn sideways in order to close the door, and the toilet makes a constant seeping / flushing noise. Which is extremely annoying when you are trying to sleep at night. It is old dirty and rusty in the toilet. WHAT A JOKE THIS PLACE IS!!!! DEFINITELY A RIP OFF FOR CRAP SERVICE AND CRAP ROOMS 😡😡😡 IF I COULD GIVE 0 STARS I WOULD. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY ON THIS DISGUSTING PLACE!!!!! |I SHOULD HAVE READ THE 1 STAR REVIEWS BEFORE MY AGENT BOOKED THIS PUTRID HOTEL AS I AM CLEARLY NOT THE ONLY ONE HORRIFIED...

I am travelling around the world and this is the worst experience I have ever had and it is only day one!!!Arrived to check in and after paying over $4000, I was told I was not on their system!!! After more than half an hour, they finally found my booking after getting me upset and stressed, I finally went up to the room and there was only one bed for my adult son and I,, I was already worked up and upset and went back down to reception to tell them I clearly asked for 2 beds as per the paperwork I had provided. They basically said too bad, IS SHE JOKING,, SHE EXPECTS ME TO SLEEP IN THE SAME BED AS MY SON???? HE IS AN ADULT. I said it is unacceptable and demanded the manager and got told she was the supervisor and the manager was out with his son!!!!! Back and forward she tried to put the blame on me and said it was the so called third parties I booked with fault and there were no other rooms available!!! I had to teach her how to read and it clearly says TWIN BEDS and that BEDS with a ‘s’ at the end is plural and means more than one. Back and forth I didn’t back down and surprise surprise, suddenly there was another room available, how convenient. after putting me through hell once again!!!!|As if I have not gone through enough, the room is horrible, the bed is broken, the ceiling is patched and not painted properly, there are hooks on the wall with nothing hanging on it (no pictures) The fridge is very noisy. The lamp in between the beds has disgusting yellow stains on it and the power points don’t work and have to have my phone and other belongings on the dirty floor on another power point to charge them. The walls also has disgusting yellow stains and is dirty. Closest is like a broom closet, narrow and does not even have the standard hotel safe to keep your valuables. Mirrors are dirty. The toilet door is old and frayed at the bottom and almost touches the toilet seat so you basically have to stand in a very narrow space in between the toilet seat and the sink or sit on the toilet seat and turn sideways in order to close the door, and the toilet makes a constant seeping / flushing noise. Which is extremely annoying when you are trying to sleep at night. It is old dirty and rusty in the toilet. WHAT A JOKE THIS PLACE IS!!!! DEFINITELY A RIP OFF FOR CRAP SERVICE AND CRAP ROOMS 😡😡😡 IF I COULD GIVE 0 STARS I WOULD. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY ON THIS DISGUSTING PLACE!!!!! |I SHOULD HAVE READ THE 1 STAR REVIEWS BEFORE MY AGENT BOOKED THIS PUTRID HOTEL AS I AM CLEARLY NOT THE ONLY ONE HORRIFIED...