Staying overnight in Mishawaka/South Bend on a road trip and this was a stopping point (and we went to see the South Bend Silverhawks play...bad game for them but a neat little minor-league field).

I selected this hotel due to my preference for Holiday Inns/Expresses and this one was near the freeway for the next day. Check in was easy enough, though I am deciding I am really not liking non-automatic opening doors to hotels. Of all places, where you’ll be bringing in suitcases and other belongings, here an automatic door would be really useful. In our case, especially so since my friend is in a wheelchair. We’ve got a system down now but hardly convenient. In any case, agent was relatively efficient though didn’t go all that far out of the way. We had two rooms and I requested nearby rooms. The rooms were ultimately nearby, though there was a note on the registration card indicating if we wanted the connecting rooms room XXX was available. When I inquired on that setup, the agent seemed unable to figure out how to make that happen as apparently that other room had been pre-assigned to someone else. It wasn’t that important to me, so I didn’t push it, but a small ding on service.

On the plus side...bed was clean and seemed fairly new, and the bed was comfortable enough for one night. No concerns here and typical sheeting/bed covering one would expect from an Express. Location is convenient to freeway and South Bend suburban shopping. Modern AC unit in room that regulated temperature well, and didn’t seem overly loud.

Less positive...property has the new logo, so apparently passed the new inspections, but clearly a dated property. Hallways have worn carpeting and color decor is evidently not up to date. Furniture and wall coverings in rooms not modern and very reminiscent of the old, tired Holiday Inn. I didn’t like the non-granite top bathrooms, the very outdated and utilitarian plastic grating for bathroom lighting that is clearly from another era (as opposed to decorative lighting in modern bathrooms), some chipped paint in bathroom doorframes, and cheap looking bedroom lighting that is mounted to the wall and very basic metal covering over the wires. Televisions also outdated and not flat-screen.

Also of considerable concern...I stopped at the Front Desk to place an item into a safe deposit box. After the agent inquired with some manager he called, I was informed this hotel does not do safe deposit boxes - despite their very own guest directory saying, “Please do not leave money or valuable in your room. The hotel cannot be responsible for the loss of articles unless properly secured in the complimentary safety deposit boxes located at the Front Desk”. The agent says he was informed the hotel has not done this in three years. I didn’t argue the point with the agent and I ultimately was okay, but what hotel doesn’t offer safe deposit boxes? I cannot imagine the chain allows their properties to not offer safe deposit boxes, and I question if it’s even legal under state law.

Cleaning level is questionable in my room. Room did not smell fresh upon entry. I dealt with it, but I can imagine others would not. Also, when using a floormat to dry up some water on the bathroom floor, the towel did not come up clean.

Lastly, I specifically told the agent at check-in I wanted to pay cash and offered to pay upfront. I told him if he had to have a card on file for incidentals I would provide one but I didn’t want the card ran for more than a reasonable amount for incidentals (usually $25). He assured me I could pay cash at checkout and would put notes in the reservation. I asked him if the computer would automatically run the card overnight and he said no, he set it to a $0 amount. Lo and behold I got my receipt under the door and it says “Mastercard”. I expressed my disappointment at the Front Desk to the lady in the morning and she assured me they didn’t run the card. I paid cash and have my receipt but when looking on my bank account see they did exactly what I asked them not to do and they promised they didn’t do - run an authorization. It’s not the end of the world and I have the funds until the authorization drops, but the point is they didn’t carry through on their promise and basically all but lied about it.

Should I return to the area I would not return to this property.

We stayed here for one night. Were offered 3 different rooms and all smelled like smoke, body odor and vomit. Couldn't sleep. Rooms need serious cleaning and updating. Carpet was filthy.

Stayed one night at this hotel while traveling to the East Coast. The rooms were very clean. The hotel was clean. The staff was very good. The breakfast area was extremely busy. However, the women working that morning kept the food refilled, etc. They worked hard to keep everything well-stocked.
Price was quite reasonable also.
Would definitely stay here again.

Traveling for business can be quite uncomfortable! A different city, a different hotel. Rarely does one stand out. On a recent trip to Mishawaka, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. I was impressed from the start. I walked in the lobby and was greeted by a friendly clerk. I was also greeted with a very well decorated and clean lobby. My check in was flawless and the associate at the desk spent several minutes telling me about the area and giving me recommendations on local restaurants. My room was comfortable, clean and well appointed. I was delighted with the comfortable bed! I travel to the area a few times a year and will definitely make the Holiday Inn my "home away from home".