Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ex I-71/Oh State Fair/Expo Ctr

The location is nice if you’re attending an event at the Ohio Expo Center (Ohio State Fairgrounds). You can get right to the front gate of the Expo center by using the service-​type road located by Lowe’s across the freeway. There is a Wendy’s right next door.
Our room was clean, check-​in was fast, and our roll out bed was already when we checked into the room at 10:15 on a Friday evening. Nice breakfast assortment in the morning. Check out was speedy as well. Have already booked a return visit in a month when we’re back down for the Expo center.

It’s your standard Holiday Inn Express. It’s clean, comfortable and close to OSU and High St. Some references to the neighborhood — it’s light commercial and working class off a major highway.
Positives:
— Samantha at the front desk. Very helpful and terrific restaurant recommendations. See my review of The Crest about 10 minutes away
— the positive, encouraging messages on the bananas. Sounds ridiculous but a wonderful way to start your morning’
Negative:
— The wifi is useless. Actually stops your regular data connection. When I asked about it at the front desk (2 guys there. NOT Samantha) advised «Turn your phone off and on» (No joke) and «I can give you the number of our help desk». I almost lost it. Call the help desk.
Anyway. I would recommend this location.

Well I travel a lot for work and on September 2006 I swore I would never stay at another Holiday Express again due to having just horrible treatment at the properties. But my office booked me in. I will say the area is really not Safe and the road construction out front makes it hard to access, but the room is good. I did get jerked around on the reservation and of course they were over booked but the Front Desk lady Samantha was a champ and worked on getting me in for the night and I will be able to get out of the «HOOD» tomorrow but the room was nice. I got some real good food recommendation from the front desk and the pizza was great. If you are going to see a OSU game this is the best close option. But the area is really rough. Bee safe and Happy Staying.

This place was affordable. However, the whole floor smelled like cigarettes. The room was also the same. I didn’t bother to even ask for a different room because it seemed that all the rooms would be the same given the smell in the hallway. Otherwise there was nothing special. It was your typical holiday inn.
I would however say that the customer service at the front desk was great. He went above and beyond to accommodate all requests. I would stay again if nothing else for the reasonable price and the customer service.

I would NOT recommend staying at this hotel. They do the old fashioned «bait & switch» and duke customers by charging them for «damages» they never make! Booked my room on Priceline so it was out of my control but sadly, the WORST experience EVER! Breakfast was pitiful and the manager was snarky and rude. Out of all the hotels we stayed on our road trip this by far was the least enjoyable and the area is NOT SAFE! Buyer beware…

My parents and I were just in town for the Rolling Stones concert at Ohio Stadium. Although the hotel didn’t offer a shuttle, the staff was friendly and the beds/​pillows were SUPER comfortable. What I was most impressed with, though, was something so small that some people might overlook, but not me … On top of the variety of quality items offered at breakfast, someone on staff took the time to write encouraging messages on the bananas (see photo). Mine said «Be Silly. Be Honest. Be Kind.» Another said «Your actions today impact your tomorrow.» I thought this was so fantastic because you never know who’s going to need that extra boost of encouragement in the morning :) Also, the apples were pre-​washed and wrapped, complete with a cute little sticker/​note saying that they were ready to eat. Thank you Holiday Inn for taking the time to go the extra mile, put in the extra effort, and focus on the little things. Because really, that’s what it’s all about.

Great location for Rock on The Range. Amenities are ok and has a good breakfast. The manager and staff were rude to my guests along with others. A lady was eating breakfast and got kicked out because she wasn’t staying there that night. The manager embarrassed her and when she asked him not to embarrass her the manager was like well you didn’t have to come in here. The price isn’t that great either. I had to book at last minute due to my other hotel being booked for the wrong weekend but this is definitely not my first choice and from now on will be the last resort. If I wasn’t stuck in this hotel I would book another immediately.

Needs updating. Not in the best area. Great service and convenient location to the convention center in downtown Columbus.

Visiting from out of town and this place was a great stay. I don’t know what some ya’ll are complaing about the «area”(?) Nothing wrong with the area, everyone was friendly nearby stores I went to so please don’t let those reviews deter you from coming here. Checked in, was in room 118, could hear people in rooms next to me talking, went back to front desk and told him… he was already looking up a new room for me, had 408, was nice and quiet around, so maybe ask for 4^th floor. Breakfast was amazing. All tables taken and woman working there immediately saw I wouldn’t have table, got me a tray to take food back to room. Stayed 3 nights, asked for noon checkout, they obliged. Small workout room, nice pool, clean room. I don’t see how you could give this place anything less than 5 stars as they did exactly what you look for from a hotel and more.

This is a decent hotel for your basic needs. I wouldn’t pick this hotel for a vacation, but works for visiting for business or what not. Rooms are spacious and comfortable — great to have a sink, microwave, refrigerator, and free wifi in your room. Beds were very comfortable and I wasn’t bothered by the traffic noise. The pool is nothing special. Great to have free cookies at 5pm and the breakfast in the morning was nice. I would suggest that the hotel invest in using real plates and silver ware, instead of foam plates and plastic utensils — this would be easier to cut our food with and more sustainable. I do want to give KUDOS to the staff at this hotel. They made my experience so much better with their willingness to give suggestions on things to do and answer any questions I had. Quick drive to High Street for night life/​dinner.

One of the worst Holiday Inn Expresses I’ve ever stayed at. Trish the front desk clerk was just nasty and rude. The rooms are dirty and the hotel literally smells like mold. I would NEVER stay at this hotel again. Two of the most recent reviews talked of bed bugs.

I was initially worried from the negative reviews regarding the location, but once we arrived it wasn’t that bad. Sure, there appears to be some sketchy areas near by, but it’s also near the highway and the parking lot is pretty well lit. I didn’t see it being a big issue.
As for the location, like the reviews said, there isn’t much nearby, but you’re only a few mile drive from a lot of restaurants and bars on High Street and closer to the university.
I thought the staff was pretty friendly, including the full on security guard that had to issue us a «noise complaint» at 1230AM for light talking in my room. That was a bit much.
Other than that the rooms were clean and air conditioner worked great. The breakfast buffet is the best in the biz for a hotel in this price range. Hot and cold food. Fruit. Pancake maker. What else do you need?
At a $ 100 a room, this was really a great value for the money.
Overall if you’re looking for a hotel near a lot of things to do, this isn’t the one. If you just want a good night sleep and a decent breakfast, this is your spot.

This comes from IHG Platinum member; yes the neighborhood might be a bit scetchy of course coming from NY one is used to that BUT the hotel was so CLEAN. Rooms are large and modern. Free breakfast was ok too caught them at 6.30AM while they were setting up so that was only negative. Business center works well with nice modern printer that lets you scan easily. Also owner was there in the morning in case there were issues to be addressed; which for my stay I had NONE. Stayed there now 2 weeks in a row, easy to get on Rd to airport. Certainly will stay here again.

This hotel is in a horrible neighborhood. I don’t care what brand hotel it is or how many stars it is a sketchy area knocks you down a few stars when I’m scared to park my car. Thanks Hotwire! Rooms were large and spacious and seemed clean. There were people running the hallways barefoot at about 10pm headed to the indoor pool which was clearly sensible. I swallowed my money and ran out the door the next morning and let them keep then$ for the other two nights.
In summary:
If you’re packing heat, a meth head, a hooker, or looking for one come here.

Good service, cost was affordable and the rooms were spacious and clean. Overall very happy with my stay here. The only con is its location, as its not within walking distance of many restaurants.

Pros
–Location (close driving distance to many things — OSU, downtown, Columbus Crew, etc.)
–Breakfast
–Free internet access
Cons
–Location (walking proximity to anything)
–Exercise Room — weak at best.
–Paper thin walls
–Internet kept dropping
I think everyone knows what to expect from a Holiday Inn Express… it’s not 5 star, nor 1 star either. It’s a decent place to stay, that I think is pretty affordable (not sure of actual cost as I have a company-​negotiated rate).
The location is nice because you’re right off the 71 and can get anywhere pretty quickly. On the other hand, there isn’t much around the hotel… besides a Wendy’s next door.
Overall, it’s a-​ok = 3 stars (you could do better and you could also do worse).