My stay started off trying to figure out how to get in. The hotel is effectively on a total lockdown, so getting in to check-in is unnecessarily difficult. Once I got inside, check-in wasn't difficult, but there was an intrusive inquiry as to the purpose of my visit--as though I was a suspected terrorist trying to get into the country. They were having trouble with their wi-fi system, so an access code was provided to use instead of last name and room number. It wor
ked, so that was good.
The hotel is situated adjacent to the city rail transit system, so every 15 minutes or so, train horns were blowing until about 11pm. After that, it was bells ... all through the night. This made sleep difficult without ear plugs.
In the morning, breakfast was provided in an on-sight/connected restaurant that the hotel took over after the pandemic. When I went to leave for my appointment, I found the exit door locked--despite having print on it saying, "This door to remain unlocked at all times when building is occupied." When I returned from my appointment, the doors were again locked.
When broached with the manager, I got an excuse about homeless people, as though it is more acceptable to put hotel guests at risk, in the event of an emergency, than to spend the money for a push-bar system that allows unimpeded exit without unauthorized entry. On this, both the hotel reception agent and manager were more defensive than respectful. Sad and disappointing for Holiday Inn.