Holiday Inn - Peabody, MA Review

Overall 2.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

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houndsgood
Dunnellon, FL

Convenient, but disorganized and could use some updates

noticing the details, willing to pay for quality, into trying new things, a Florida resident, dog-lover, a pet owner, laid-back, married

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Cons

needs a facelift, technology unreliable

AUG

2007

We selected this hotel because of its convenience to both Boston and seaside suburbs, and were pleased with that aspect of it.

The staff was generally pleasant, but our visit was riddled with inconveniences. We appreciate good service, but are also very laid back and tolerant. The first room we were given, we asked for a change because the armchair was soaking wet due to a window or ceiling leak and there was black mold around the window and behind the vinyl wallpaper. The wallpaper was very loose, folded, and tucked behind the curtain/window frame. The desk manager apologized profusely and gave us another room. It was not his fault - but how could the housekeeping crew not alert someone to the danger? The second room we were comfortable with.

However, the internet connection in our room did not work. It was not just our room - we had to call tech support offsite and they asked the hotel to reset its whole system. I imagine there must have been other people in the hotel who could not use the internet either but were either frustrated or didn't say anything. We were not there on a business trip, but needed to check in with our work via the internet each night and we lost a day or two while we were there.

When we went to order a movie, the front desk, again, had to reset the entire system for the whole hotel just like they had to do for the internet. This is NOT a small mom and pop place with 5 rooms, btw.

When we had breakfast one morning, we decided to eat at the hotel. The waiter came over and offered us the option of paying cash or billing it to our room. When we tried doing that, the waiter couldn't do it because their system wasn't working again and showed we had no card on file. No tragedy but it held us up.

The pool was indoors, which suits us fine, but the heavy chlorine smell was enough to almost knock us out and we refrained from jumping in.

Although some of the staff aimed to please, this hotel really needs a face lift and an upgrade. Not just the technology not working but everywhere you look in the lobby and some of the rooms - there are coffee tables that are heavily scratched and worn cry to be refinished, heavy stains on the wing chairs, etc that just make you feel you are sitting in a filthy chair. (and the chair in the second room we had had a really large stain on the ottoman as well) A little wear and tear is to be expected, but when you stay at a national chain and everything is just plain broken or looks like it took a beating you wonder where the money you are paying goes.

Carraba's restaurant is adjacent, which is a plus. However, Route 1 (Newbury street) is restaurant row so you have choices.

If you can get a good deal on a room and just want a place to crash maybe you would be happy - but if you expect to conduct business or spend time using hotel amentities, look elsewhere.