Holiday Inn Express & Suites la Jolla – Windansea Beach by IHG — Hotel in San Diego

Stayed here over the Christmas 2022 Holidays.

This is an older Holiday Inn Express & needs updated in lots of areas. It's possible that at some point in it's life, this was not always a Holiday Inn Express property but regardless, there are some immediate dificiencies that need to be corrected.

1. The most important; as it violates federal law & the Americans (With) Disabilities Act (ADA) is... When the pool closes at 9:00 P.M. each night, five (5) gates that give access to the pool from the poolside rooms & the hotel's common area are padlocked shut with looped wire rope bands & good padlocks until the next morning - sometimes not until the pool reopens at 9:00 A.M. & sometimes a little earlier for multiple reasons (i.e. to allow Housekeeping access with the room cleaning carts, shorter route for guests to get to the Breakfast Area BUT the pool is still not "officially" open as Pool Hours are from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. When these five (5) gates are locked there is no wheelchair accessibility to the poolside rooms. Granted, none of these rooms may be "official" handicap rooms but being confined to a wheelchair does not necessarily mean you need a wheelchair accessible room. When these gates are locked, the only way to access these rooms are by means of three (3) very high steps. So even if you don't use a wheelchair, it is next to impossible to negotiate these high steps if you have full size luggage. Having luggage is not the concern. Having luggage does not impact the ADA Federal Law. If there were an emergency, a person using a wheelchair would not be able to evacuate this area. Period. This needs to be corrected immediately.

2. Full disclosure: I did not physically or personally check any other room other than my own but ONE ROOM is one room too many. The issue is this: There is an inordinate amount of mildew on the walls of the shower. This is a simple Housekeeping task by broadcast spraying a cleaner & wiping the walls & floor of the shower enclosure. We did it ourselves & it came clean with a single swipe. Mildew untreated will turn to mold. Mold untreated is a health code violation & can be more stubborn to remove/treat.

3. The in/on wall HVAC Units are very antiquated & extremely noisy in any mode of operation. They are so bad that when they run, the windows & hurricane shutters next to the unit rattle, the walls vibrate & they cycle incessantly.

4. This Holiday Inn Express property is approximately 1/2 mile from the beach. There may be some rooms with an Oceanfront or Oceanview but if the ocean is approximately 1/2 mile away, what kind of a view is that? For the price in the "off-season," regardless that it was over Christmas, I considered the daily rate very high & I have stayed exclusively at IHG Properties for over 30 years & stayed at hundreds of various IHG properties; even high-end beachfront properties.

We would consider returning for another stay but not until the aforementioned dificiencies are corrected. It's about SAFETY more than anything else &...

O fair La Jolla, gem of the Pacific coast, where nature's bounteous hand hath wrought a paradise of azure skies and emerald waves, I pen thee a sonnet of praise most divine. And within thy bosom, nestled like a jewel within a diadem, there lies a hostelry of resplendent grace and unmatched comfort, known to all as the Hilton Express at La Jolla Boulevard.||Hark! Attend to my tale, ye seekers of wonder, for this abode is no mere lodging, but a sanctum of tranquility and opulence, where weary travelers find solace and joy. Methinks the very gods conspired to endow this haven with qualities most rare, where even Apollo, in his chariot of fire, wouldst find repose.||Upon approaching this noble edifice, one is greeted by its façade, a marvel of modernity and classic charm. Like the proud palaces of old, it stands tall and grand, a beacon of hospitality. The air itself seems to shimmer with a welcoming glow, as if enchanted by some unseen sprite. Here, the weary soul finds respite from the clamor of the world, enveloped in an embrace both tender and warm.||As thou crossest the threshold, a veritable cornucopia of delights doth unfold. The lobby, a grand atrium of light and space, doth evoke the great halls of yore, where knights and nobles gathered in merriment. Here, the gentle murmur of the fountain, like the whispering brooks of Arcadia, doth soothe the spirit. Art thou wearied from thy journey? Fret not, for the staff, with smiles as radiant as Eos herself, stand ready to serve, attending to thy every need with grace and alacrity.||O, the chambers! Let me extol the virtues of these sanctuaries, for they are fit for royalty. Each room, a veritable bower of comfort, is adorned with linens as soft as the breath of Zephyr, and beds that cradle thee as tenderly as a mother her child. Windows, vast and crystalline, frame vistas of such beauty that the muses themselves wouldst be inspired to song. The azure expanse of the ocean, the verdant hills, all are thine to behold, a feast for the eyes and balm for the soul.||Dost thou hunger? Fear not, for the Hilton Express is a cornucopia of culinary delights. The dining hall, a modern-day mead hall, serves fare that wouldst please the most discerning palate. Each dish, crafted with care and skill, doth sing a symphony of flavors, a testament to the artistry of the chefs. Whether thou seekest a humble repast or a grand feast, here thou shalt find sustenance most divine.||So, to thee, O Hilton Express at La Jolla Boulevard, I raise a paean of praise. Thou art a beacon of hospitality, a sanctuary of joy, a testament to the art of gracious living. Long may thy halls echo with the laughter of guests, and long may thy name be spoken with reverence and delight. For in this place, the spirit of La Jolla itself doth dwell, a spirit of beauty, grace, and...

I was traveling on business during my stay at this hotel. I chose the hotel due to it's proximity to my meetings, it had a spacious room so I could separate my work environment from my sleep environment, and a small kitchenette so I could prep my own meals as my stay was during the COVID lockdown. The hotel is nicely positioned near the beach and close to a wonderful small grocery where I got everything I need for breakfasts and dinners. The beach was about a 1/4 mile walk through a charming neighborhood. Lots of parking and a well-lot parking lot.

My check in experience was excellent. Smooth and efficient with a very friendly woman who was clearly had customer service in mind.

My room was spacious, this did not disappoint. The internet was a little sluggish, but I got used to it and did just fine. The kitchen had generous counter space with a Keurig coffee maker, microwave (very slow to heat things but I was patient with it), a ample refrigerator and a sink with faucet. I sitting area had a sleeper sofa, coffee table, desk, chair and TV. The sofa was a bit soiled so I opened the sleeper bed to retrieve a sheet and grab an extra blanket. Lots of kid's chocolate treats came out of the sofa bed - they were everywhere. It clearly hadn't been cleaned, so I closed that up and just grabbed a towel from the bathroom to sit on when using the sofa.

The bathroom was generous and all good there but watch the shower, there's no door and the water sprayed out on the floor and soaked the bath mat through and through. Quite slippery.

The bedroom was very generous in size. The bed was comfortable but could have use and extra layer. It was chilly so I tuned up the heater. The heater worked great and warmed the area quickly; wasn't noisy during the night. There was a TV in the room. Chest of drawers and two nightstands.

I was at the hotel for two nights and had some noise from the surrounding rooms. Just folks coming and going and bumping around. Nothing abnormal.

Overall it was a good stay, I just feel it needs some attention to some cleanliness details, the shower splash issue should be addressed as this could be a slip and fall situation, and perhaps some upgrades in the bed linens. I feel as though I would stay here again, on my own, for business. But, would be cautious about recommending because I take my recommendations to heart, and with the sofa bed experience I'm not 100% confident in the attention to the...