Holiday Inn Express Tampa N I-75 - University Area — Hotel in Temple Terrace

Quickly Rising Through the Ranks!!

I was very leery after reading the reviews and experiences from several guests that stayed here before me. I am severely sensitive to mold so I was more concerned with that becoming an issue during my stay than anything else. Walking into the hotel, the conditions were perfect as any 5-star hotel. We were met at the front desk by Tray, (not sure but I believe he may be a manager), where we immediately voiced our concerns about the negative reviews and we wanted reassurance that our experience would be positive.  Tray’s response was surprisingly refreshing and he was honest. He did not deny the claims we voiced, instead, he let us know that management had been working very hard, making improvements across the board to ensure better experiences for guests. Tray confidently assured us that we would be pleased with our room and our stay at this hotel and we really were.

We were overwhelmingly pleased with our room. The high mattresses appeared to be brand new and they were super comfortable. The room and bathroom were very clean. Outside of some cosmetic issues (damaged carpet, wall nicks), you can definitely see that major improvements have been, and continue to be made.

The hotel staff is amazing and very accommodating.  I had the pleasure of meeting April, who was very pleasant and professional. Without hesitation, she stopped what she was doing to acknowledge my needs and provided bath towels. April appears to wear many hats around this hotel and on all occasions whether housekeeping, the breakfast area, or general maintenance she was pleasant and professional.

Shaivaun is another amazing, guest friendly and accommodating staff member at the front desk. I have seen her morning, noon, and on occasion very late night. She might work around the clock if that is possible. I just know I always see her. She is very focused on her work, but never too busy to ask how she can accommodate me or other guests and her efforts are very sincere.

You’re Only as Good as Your Managers

My stay was extended for an additional week and I encountered an issue that required a manager to resolve. Shaivaun introduced me to her manager, Brenda who quickly rose to the occasion and came to my rescue. Brenda quickly found a resolution to my problem. Brenda reiterated the improvements and upgrades to the hotel was currently underway and included staff and management.

I ordered room service after four days and Chris was assigned to provide the service. He kept me abreast of the time he would arrive to perform the service until he showed up. I left when he arrived and when I returned, I was amazed. Chris had gone above and beyond the call of duty. In addition, to thoroughly clean the room and bathroom with extra niceties, he cleaned the carpet.  To top it off, his manager came later to ask if we were satisfied with the service we received. Of course, I gave Chris rave reviews. I reiterated how pleased I was so far with the performance of most of the staff, beginning with Tray whose initial testimony of the work that is being done is so far ringing true in my accommodations, the staff, the facility, and the services.

I stay at many hotels and I have rarely received that level of cleaning service and I have never had a follow-up visit. This place is truly rising through ranks, and quickly.

I get my thirty minutes of exercise in a day. Initially, there were issues with key entry, but that never stopped the staff from being there on every occasion to get me in. The fitness center is super clean and fully equipped with sanitization wipes, hand sanitizer, towels, filtered water, surround sound, and a TV. The equipment is old but was definitely top of the line in its day, so I was able to accomplish a good workout on each occasion.

I highly recommend this hotel, to anyone visiting the Tampa University area.--

Angela M. Hitchens, MEd

Melvina J....

Upon arrival around 3 p.m. on April 7, we presented our confirmation for two king executive suites for three nights. When we made the reservation, we had requested top floor, quiet area away from elevators. The desk clerk without apology said they were "sold out" and could not give us the top floor. (I explained that we always request a top floor because we had a bad experience at another Holiday Inn Express with kids jumping on and off beds after midnight. The clerk said that the people above us were adults, and he could control them if we had a problem.) We took the keys for the second floor rooms and found the first room to be straight ahead across from the elevator doors--our second request was ignored. The elevator dings whenever someone arrives at the floor. Then, worst of all, we find that both rooms were two queens, not the king executive rooms that we had reserved and made a deposit on. Of special frustration was the fact that the desk clerk did not even mention that the type of room was different when he handed us the keys. Unhappy with our room assignments, we returned to the desk and were assisted by another clerk who was able to find at least one king exec. suite on the top floor. The other room had to remain a double, and it was near the elevator about 7 doors down the hall from our king room--not too convenient when traveling with my 85-year-old mother who required care during the visit. Had we been alone, we definitely would have gone down the street looking for another hotel.

On a positive note, we would like to compliment Jasmine, who took care of our needs at breakfast. She was always very welcoming and eager to help if needed. I mentioned her that I would certainly give a good report on our comment card. (By the way, I am glad that you sent me this review e-mail because there was not a comment card to be found in the hotel.)

The computer in the business room was extremely slow. There were two chairs in the room--one was black leather or vinyl with the stuffing exposed on the arms and milk spills on it. The other had a device to raise or lower the chair, but it didn't work. We moved a chair from the restaurant to use. This was the worst business center we have experienced anywhere.

As a side note, I should have been wary that there were several recent negative reviews on this site when we were...

I book this hotel for two nights for the birthday weekend of my daughters. When we arrived we have to wait a little bit for check in cause no one was at the front desk, they charge a $35 fee p/night for deposit even when the website said $25.. no big deal. They gave us the key at first sight the room look clean but after we start to accommodate we noticed trash left behind, the bathroom tile is loose!! I was worried about the sharp edges cause we can be hurt at night. The first night was awesome Even after one of the two beds make metallic noise when you tried to move..we had a silent dark room!! The next day we enjoyed the breakfast buffet the variety is good and the lady on charge to keep everything stocked was beyond helpful and polite. We left the around 9 and saw the cleaning cart outside my room. After we have a blast on Bush Garden parks we can only think in rest in a nice clean room!!! When we opened the door the room was on same way we left it, even that morning we saw the cleaning cart the room was never clean!!! My boyfriend walk down with the front desk and the lady was like: mmm all the rooms was cleaned let me check, she review the computer and said Oh it said your cleaning wasn’t clean... No way!! I can tell!! ... Even they ask if the No Disturb Sign was on .. NO!! I was expecting a clean nice room to relax and rest!! we tried to give them the opportunity to fix it even after we explain her we’re been out all day we asked if they can clean it now, I mean we can wait in the lobby but the girl on the front desk said it won’t happen cause the cleaning persona are gone for the day the only thing can offer is giving some clean towels!! I was on shock payed over $100 for two nights a least was expecting clean room, bed sheets, towels etc!! No the skip our room!! And they asked about the description of the lady was on the morning!! Really am focused on my two little ones.

We decided to relax on the pool and jacuzzi, the pool bottom was sandy but we enjoyed. The last night and breakfast before our checkout was good, they made little changes to the buffet menu. The check out was easy and quick and we extended our concerns about our never clean room as a feedback. The overall experience is good but I am really disappointed about the cleaning standards and they couldn’t...