I checked into this hotel about 11:00 p.m. without a reservation. It was nice, clean, secure (the ceiling in the room appeared unusually high, which I thought was strange--made it feel a little like staying in a garage or warehouse). Didn't have too much noise from the hallway. Breakfast was pretty good, also a coffee maker in the room. Kind of pricey, even with AARP discount.

The hotel was ok, satisfactory in many ways, clean and safe etc. but the breakfast was definitely a disappointment. It was a comfortable place to stay for one night while we were on the road but not outstanding.

We had to fight with the room door to get it to open, not entirely unusual with the electronic keys they use these days. But once in the room, the carpet was filthy and there were used coffee grounds in the coffeemaker. In the morning, I was able to get my shower, but then the mechanism for the shower broke and my husband had to take a bath. When we expressed our concerns about the hotel to the front desk, she appeared to have heard it all before and offered no apology and no discount.
Although the Holiday Inn Express marketing/advertising has been updated and cheerful, their properties do not live up to the hype.

We were down from New York for a rowing regatta in nearby Oak Ridge. We found the hotel convenient to all. The continental breakfast was fresh and ready at 6:30, which was important for the rowers being that we were on a schedule. The hotel staff was accommodating and friendly in every way. Also, the nearby stores in walking distance was a plus.