Holiday Inn Express Anderson-I-85 (Exit 27-Hwy 81) by IHG — Hotel in Sandy Springs

I chose this property as it was convenient. Hotel seems to be in a nice quiet area. Staff is about average, no one smiles but was greeted as regular customer. I was not planning on doing a lot once I checked in as I was very tired and turned in early. Much to my surprise about 6:07 PM, the smoke alarm began chirping about once a minute or so. I waited thinking it might go away but after about 15 minutes realized there was an issue with the smoke alarm so I walked over to the front desk at 6:20 PM.

The staff person there indicated no maintenance person was available, and she came in to check then called her manager who was off site. Much to my shock, the front desk called me and said that her manager told her to tell me that I could get a ladder and they would provide a battery and I could climb up the ladder and change it. I went from sleepy to positively furious in a split second and refused. First I told her that this was not my job, I am not maintenance but a guest. Second, what should happen if I did climb up the ladder and fell, I think IHG would have a huge problem at that point. And if I were to damage something, then another point of contention would ensure. Management recommendation for the guest to do the maintenance is just appalling.

I called IHG reward customer service at 6:23 PM for assistance and indicated that they needed to recall the maintenance person to fix this. This experience was just astonishing to me and frankly suggest a complete lack of regards toward a guest and a bit arrogant and irresponsible to even think they could ask a guest to do maintenance work. I would only wonder what would they expect if the water heater broke or the AC. If this were something minor like a light bulb that went out, would not bother with it, but try sleeping as I was and then have the Smoke Alarm begin chirping. Wakes you up very quickly. I had to call guest relations a second time about 40 minutes later and put on hold for about 15 minutes.

The matter was finally settled about 1 1/2 hours later. Suddenly rooms were available that were not, for whatever reason these other rooms were in reserve. They tried to offer me a suit with King but had to decline as I am traveling with an elderly parent. Finally, another twin bed room on the second floor was offered to me and accepted. Sadly, the manager who was at home would not even call me. I had to work through this issue with IHG customer service and the front desk person. The former very apologetic and stunned the latter obviously not empowered and had to do everything through the manager at home.

I did mention to IHG Customer Service that this situation where the manager asks the guests to do maintenance probably has happened before as it was too easy for the manager to make that suggestion followed by the manager just not contacting me directly as should have been done. What is this manager thinking! All I wanted was to go to sleep and not deal with this absurd situation which I find unbelievable. I will not recommend this hotel property to anyone.

Now, I would like to understand why IHG has management in place with expectations that guests do maintenance. This property is an embarrassment to the IHG brand which I have been loyal too but now am wondering if I should select another brand. I will be at the Atlanta Airport IHG for about 10 days. I hope management there does not expect me to do maintenance or change the linen etc. and treat me simply as a guest. Finally, when I entered the hotel room, noticed that ALL incoming guests for the night were on a white board visible for all to see when they come into the hotel. First name and last initial. Gee, I thought. With heightened security, this made me feel very uncomfortable. I can see this inside the office for personnel to use, but not in the lobby and suggest a lack of understanding of security for guest in light of...

Ok so first thing is first the room was decent not great. It smelled like cigarette smoke room 209 which is really disgusting to me you can say no smoking and people will still do it and us people that don’t smoke have to suffer smelling this it’s gross. So I stopped here overnight on way back to Atlanta from Charlotte because I didn’t feel good and my 4 month old was very antsy in the car. I had rented a uhaul covered trailer back in Charlotte to bring some things back home from the holidays. It was raining so I couldn’t put in the bed of my truck. So I have this thing parked up in handicap like I was advised by front desk associate. He stated it was Sunday late so it would be ok to park there. I got up to mess with the heat in the room it was too hot. Look out the window at my truck and trailer and notice a white van parked there next to it: I see a guy looking in my windows and looking at how to get in trailer. I had no lock on it I didn’t plan on stopping and spending the night anywhere. I ran outside in my underware and the guys got all nervous one ran around the van. They turned the interior light on there were 3 of them. I stood there in my damn underwear and watched them. Then I walked inside and told desk agent. He walked outside to confirm my suspicion. They were gonna break into my covered uhaul trailer and steal what was inside. So all this being said I paid $130 to stay here to sleep for a few hrs and i can’t even sleep keep worrying about them coming back. I emptied out the contents of the trailer in my room. All I wanted to do people was get a decent nights rest and I couldn’t even do it. Also the air condition heating unit was messed up couldn’t leave it on continuous fan so it was constantly warm in here. Really awful night I’d love to hear from management! This is dreadful for $130 for the night. I am also hearing banging every 20 to 30 mins like some is going in closet messing with a hanger dropping it in floor. It’s 2:13 in the morning.now a bid dog is barking 2:26 am! Cmon...

First off let me give a huge thank you and shout out to the night man Joey. He got my info when I called to reserve the room an hour out and he was so quick and kind during our call. He took such good care of us when we arrived too!! Making sure we knew the Itinerary for breakfast and when our receipt would be dropped off under our door. And of course helping is find the elevator. I was thoroughly impressed with the photos online, reviews and price that included all kinds of amenities but was still having PTSD from our room at a motel 8 on the way down. Thankfully I was not cat fished this time. Its all real! The pool, the fitness room, conference room, 6am breakfast spread, which was pretty good. Lots of options hot and cold. Nice dining room too if you don't want to go eat in your room like we did. Now the room. We got the 2nd to last room available, it was even a King Suite with a jetted tub! The room had been redone and its beautiful with very soothing colors and so much good lighting you can set your relaxing mood perfectly or light the place up like the sun. The room was sooooo clean, nicely decorated and useful. All the listed appliances and electronics, and extras were present. Nice sized working TV. Cold mini fridge with separated freezer top. The bathroom was lovely. Plenty of towels and the toiletries were from Dove. Now the tub is def not for adults to soak in and fit all the way in it without putting your knees up or legs up. Kind of weak jets but so much hot water and it was actually clean. No gross floaties once started and ran. That being said, I would book this room again and use the tub once more. Finally THE BED!! Oh it was soo freaking comfortable and the pillows were like the perfect clouds. Light comforter and a sheet which was perfect. Non squeaks either. Just want to thank the whole staff for making the whole experience enjoyable. We already plan on returning and have become rewards members. Great perks...