Holiday Inn Express & Suites Watsonville by IHG
About Holiday Inn Express & Suites Watsonville by IHG
Located in Watsonville, 16 miles from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Watsonville by IHG provides accommodations with a fitness center, free private parking and a shared lounge. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service. Guests can chill out in the indoor pool. A buffet breakfast is available at the hotel. Presidio of Monterey Museum is 28 miles from Holiday Inn Express & Suites Watsonville by IHG, while Pasatiempo Golf Club is 16 miles away. Monterey Regional Airport is 27 miles from the property.
Amenities
- 24-hour front desk
- Meeting space
- Fitness center
- On-site dining
- Bar / lounge
- Café / coffee shop
- Business center
- Express check-in / check-out
- Concierge
- Dry cleaning
- Self-service laundry
- Multilingual staff
- Full kitchen / kitchenette
- In-room refrigerator
- In-room microwave
- Pool
- Spa / sauna
- Family friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
- Airport shuttle
- Smoke-free property
- Air conditioning
- Elevator
- In-room safe
Reviews
The hotel generally receives positive reviews for its cleanliness, comfortable beds, and friendly staff. Guests appreciate the variety in the complimentary breakfast and the convenient location near shops and restaurants. However, some guests have encountered issues with the hotel's amenities, such as the ice machine, hot water, and pool. Additionally, a few guests have expressed dissatisfaction with the customer service, particularly in handling their complaints.
- Clean and comfortable rooms
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Issues with hotel amenities (ice machine, hot water, pool)
- Inconsistent customer service
- 4/5
Very good
- 5/5
Exceptional
- 5/5
Nose
- 5/5
Friendly welcoming staff. Room was clean. Breakfast was great. The area felt safe. We will be coming back!
- 4/5
I didn't like the faucet in the bathroom sink. It had one of those spray filters and kept spraying water on your clothes when you used it. Remote for TV didn't show info about the show when you selected it.
- 0.5/5
Location / janitorial and lunch staff were great Front office staff were horrible. Worst experience possible. They made me call bookings . Com and your staff made me cancel. I had to buy in the spot for about $200 more.
- 3/5
First non-smoking room actually reeked of smoke. Thankfully, the front desk person switched me to a different room that was available and clean. Breakfast items ran out. Value received was not commensurate with my $200/night rate.
- 5/5
Everything was great! The room very cleaned and staff were very helpful. I arrived to Watsonville early around noon and I called to check if I could check in at a sooner time than 4pm. They told me to call back around 1:10pm and I did. They did accommodate us to come in sooner and I appreciate it so much! They were very nice and professional. Overall our stay was a great experience! No bad reviews everything great.
- 3.5/5
The room was very clean and in a good location. The system was down so we weren’t able to check in. I acknowledge that there was only one person working front desk and she did a great job with managing letting the whole line into their rooms in a timely manner. Just unfortunate because we would need to ask to be let into our rooms anytime we left the building.
- 3.5/5
The room was very clean and in a good location. The system was down so we weren’t able to check in. I acknowledge that there was only one person working front desk and she did a great job with managing letting the whole line into their rooms in a timely manner. Just unfortunate because we would need to ask to be let into our rooms anytime we left the building.
- 2/5
Cold shower
- 2/5
The hotel itself was good, the location was decent. Prior to checking in, apparently there was some sort of power outage so we didn't have a room key at all during our stay and their staff had to let us into our room each time. When I inquired about a possible discount about the inconvenience, I was told no.
- 5/5
Exceptional
- 2.5/5
I liked the location, the breakfast and the cleaniness When we arrived we realized the receptionist was having to open the doors of the rooms for all the people, which made the experience a unpleasant. I say this because every time we went out the room we had to wait for her to come back from upstairs while she opened the rooms to everyone else.. just not okay for almost $600 weeks paid.
- 2.5/5
I liked the location, the breakfast and the cleaniness When we arrived we realized the receptionist was having to open the doors of the rooms for all the people, which made the experience a unpleasant. I say this because every time we went out the room we had to wait for her to come back from upstairs while she opened the rooms to everyone else.. just not okay for almost $600 weeks paid.
- 2/5
Prior to checking in, apparently there was some sort of power outage so we didn't have a room key at all during our stay and their staff had to let us into our room each time. When I inquired about a possible discount about the inconvenience, I was told no.
- 4/5
No complaints
- 5/5
Great Breakfast and coffee! Nice indoor pool we enjoyed the stay!
- 5/5
Pool
- 1/5
I’m really disappointed that I never received my deposit refund back. I left everything in good condition, followed the rules, and still had to keep asking about it with no resolution. Communication has been frustrating, and I honestly expected better. Just wanted to share my experience so others are aware.
- 5/5
A big shout out to Olga at the front desk during our stay. She was very friendly and helpful.
- 5/5
lAt first we had a bad room with a leak in it that had a bad smell, but the staff was very helpful and friendly and moved us just across the hall in a remodeled room. So dont be afraid to speak up and ask if you get a bad room
- 5/5
Staff was very nice and helpful , room was clean , nice breakfast
- 5/5
Exceptional
- 5/5
Clean room
- 3.5/5
One side of the king bed was super worn down and uncomfortable and the other side was ok. The couch was pretty worn down too.
- 5/5
Exceptional
- 2/5
We were pleased with the remodelled hotel until it came time to take showers. There was no water coming out of the faucet. The young man from the hotel was nice but unable to fix. He did offer to change rooms for us but it was late and my daughter was in bed already. We ended up staying in the room with no showers because we were only staying for 1 night. I left a message for management requesting partial refund but did not receive call/email back.
- 5/5
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Parking was convenient and easy. Breakfast room was comfortable, clean and well stocked. I will definitely stay here again.
- 5/5
Friendly staff, clean rooms, good location
- 5/5
Friendly staff, clean rooms, good location
- 4/5
It used to be 3pm check in. I hope they can return to an earlier time.
- 4.5/5
Clean, comfortable, good breakfast & coffee.. Can’t think of anything..
- 5/5
Excellent service
- 5/5
Excellent service
- 4.5/5
Clean, comfortable, good breakfast & coffee.. Can’t think of anything..
- 3/5
The area is okay and the hotel is clean. The food options are okay but the staff is professional and helpful.
- 5/5
Clean room, friendly staff, yummy breakfast, free parking and clean pool! We will definitely come back !
- 5/5
Accommodation was up to standards. And made our previous stay look horrible and we were grateful you have found a hotel that we could rely on and have our family feeling safe and secure
- 5/5
Great stay as always w/ family!
- 5/5
Everything was clean and perfect except the pools was down due to a shark. And we had a hard time with our blind coming out of its rail. Food was great.
- 4/5
Very strong beach smell cause me to have headaches.
- 5/5
Very clean snd very good food
- 5/5
Clean, safe, great staff
- 5/5
-Staff upfront were friendly and very helpful -Breakfast staff were also friendly and polite - 10/10
- 5/5
Everything was as expected. What stood out to me was the great water pressure in the shower! The breakfast was good as always.
- 4/5
The staff was extremely helpful and courteous in helping us transfer to another room on our last night. The rooms were very clean. Our first room didnt have hot water for showers but it was still comfortable and warm...the 2nd room had nice hot water for the shower. We loved the beds and linens...more comfortable than most hotels. Great breakfast options as well. House keeping staff got us a shower safety mat promptly when requested. Handicap parking was conveniently located. Our TV had great viewing options. We were hoping that the indoor pool had warmer water than it did but it is winter. Over a four star rating with a star less because of the issues with warm water. We would come back and stay again.
- 5/5
Excellent
- 5/5
The property was clean. The staff was professional. Room was clean. Location convenient.
- 5/5
Loved how the often asked if we needed more towels! Parking is great ! Right next to a gas station and lots of food and coffee shops around the area! Breakfast is delicious! Staff is kind and always helpful :) would come here again !
- 5/5
Room was spotless and plenty of space. Staff was friendly and helpful.
- 5/5
Reasonable and well located. Room was clean and temperature was easy to adjust. Parking was easy.
- 5/5
Good one
- 5/5
Room was clean upon check-in. It was equipped with a lot of usb-c ports. More than adequate lighting.Bottled Dove liquid shampoo, soap, body wash in the bathroom.
- 5/5
It was great!
- 5/5
Great
- 3/5
The parking lot was limited, however the staff was very friendly and obliging.
- 5/5
Clean rooms good breakfast !
- 3/5
HARD beds. Hotel needs updating/refreshing.
- 5/5
Clean and nice service
- 1/5
The shower didn’t have hot water the iron didn’t work
- 4/5
Good breakfast
- 1/5
Main bed was lumpy but okay. The room smelled musty upon entering. Prepared eggs were rubbery and the boiled eggs inedible. Overall very disappointing stay, especially when we were looking for a calm, clean, and comfortable place for ourselves while while my father was going through hospice. Would never book again.
- 4/5
Thank you everything was good.
- 3/5
The breakfast has gone down hill. Ive been staying at this hotel for years but i have not been impressed with the food. Egg was so dry it tasted like cardboard. The fruit, oranges and apples were going bad. They used to offer fresh fruit but now it’s not worth the money. I will be staying at different facilities moving forward.
- 5/5
Everything great
- 1/5
They gave me a room that was not cleaned and I didn’t notice but someone had a prostitution service there the night before I checked in and i had kids with me and i have photos to prove this along with my family as witnesses, we did not notice any of this until the next morning because there was women hair in the bathtub and the prostitution receipt as well
- 4/5
Nice clean rooms and quiet
- 5/5
It was a easy and quick check-in. All staff was very nice and accommodating. The room was comfortable and clean. It was an over all great stay.
- 5/5
welcoming staff
- 4/5
Good location, nice staff,
- 5/5
The property was clean , well lighting, felt safe.
- 5/5
We ended up at Holiday Inn Suites after one night in a different hotel that was fulthy. The stincre
- 4/5
Location was great, clean, swimming pool was nice. The issue is when it comes time for breakfast, they are shorthanded, and several items were empty such as coffee, coffee cups, ketchup and so on. The room was spacious with two TVs, comfortable bed. The tub was new, but the bottom was not set right and would wobble when you would stand on it (as if you are on a surfboard). $300 a night is a little stipe for this type of service, but it is on off the affordable properties around there
- 5/5
It’s one of the best hotels in California in my last 9 days the La Jolla embassy suits by Hilton still a great and better than this . This one is a hidden Gem in this Santa Cruz area .
- 5/5
The rooms were really clean and organized everything you need. It was perfect for our family of five. The breakfast was delicious. The front desk lady was phenomenal. Went above and beyond to help. Least favorite checking into the room. It was hot and stuffy. The air conditioning wasn’t turned on.
- 3/5
Decent place for a small city
- 1/5
Great hotel gym however, one of the best! I won’t be back but I won’t give up on the brand.
- 4/5
Good all
- 5/5
By far the best hotel, always clean and staff very friendly.
- 4/5
Wonderful receptionist and staff. My 9 year old found a random bra on the floor next to his bed but otherwise the room was clean.
- 5/5
I will stay again
- 4/5
Breakfast needs some help, (keep the potatoes every day), otherwise very good stay, would stay again.
- 2/5
No bath tub plug so I could not bath my children only shower available … they comped our “market/frontdesk” purchases to help make experience not as bad.
- 2/5
Nobody there.
- 1/5
The stay was horrible very sorry feeling. The ADU room that they booked as a “suite” was very small. The tub had a broken drain and it didn’t work we had to take showers only. Also the sink outside of the bath because it was and disabled set up room sprayed water everywhere when turned in. Obviously the the metal filter was not installed as it looked to be somewhat new … water aggressively sprayed out everywhere … there were hi alas in bikes constantly in parking lot going in and out of creek area where they were obviously living…
- 2/5
Electric went out. Staffs are very friendly and hospitality. If electric didn’t went out and if breakfast was served, would give five stars.
- 4/5
Great comfort during our stay with friendly and helpful staff.
- 4/5
Great stay
- 5/5
The perfect stay! The whole family loved it!
- 5/5
People get good customer service
- 5/5
Breakfast was the best!!!
- 5/5
The stay my family had there was great. They say it was nice spot because of the cleanliness of the place and the hotel was close to the activities we had planned there.
- 4/5
One of the nicer hotels in the Watsonville/Freedom area. Easy parking grocery across the street. Of course the room is clean etc…
- 1/5
As soon as I booked it online, not realizing it wasn't through the hotel directly, I needed to cancel due to travel plans change. I was charged and was unable to cancel.
- 5/5
Loved it
- 4/5
It is in a good central location. Close to everything.
- 5/5
Awesome hotel
- 4/5
All-round good stay
- 3/5
Apparently it’s on their website that the pool isn’t available but I don’t see that through Expedia so that was the main reason we booked here. The rooms are older and smaller . Heater / air didn’t work in our room when we arrived 45 minutes early and tried to check in . If we wanted a working room we had to wait but we have 4 kids under 8 year old so that was unfortunate.
- 5/5
Great staff, great rooms for our family of 5
- 4/5
drops. But room is clean and spacious 👍
- 5/5
Did a last minute booking here for an unexpected overnight. Friendly staff, clean and comfortable room, parking was easy. No complaints!
- 5/5
The room was great very clean. I just didn’t like all the tweekers outside when I first was checking in. One of them approached my boyfriend’s daughter which is only 15 years old. Then he signaled out to some other guys that were riding around on bikes. Once we got inside it was nice. But it was the whole walking inside to the property that was not a good experience.
- 5/5
very good
- 5/5
Nice and quiet they serve a good breakfast and good dining options at walkable distance
- 5/5
Very nice lady and man at check in counter. Cheerful, friendly, and very competent. We had a good time.
- 5/5
Stave was so friendly! Beds were comfortable
- 5/5
The area was good. But my room was not ready by check in time I had to wait for a while. Lady seem nice when I was in line and everyone was getting checked in of course a lot of them where members and it all went smooth for other guest as soon as she asked if I was a member with the IHG hotels I said no she like your room is not ready I was like okay do you need my name or something to check before you even tell me my room is not ready. She’s like oh yeah so I gave her my information and she still said it wasn’t ready. The check in was the issue and the person helping in the front desk other then that everything was good.
- 3/5
Did not stay a second night as planned.
- 5/5
Easy check in, very friendly and breakfast in the morning very good.
- 4/5
Nice staff
- 5/5
Excellent
- 5/5
Great customer service, clean room
- 5/5
Staff was very friendly and professional. Will definitely stay there again
- 5/5
First time staying here. Room was VERY CLEAN. Breakfast was awesome! Staff were accommodating. I highly recommend this hotel ! Would definitely come back again and again . GREAT EXPERIENCE!
- 4/5
Quiet and easy access to freeway
- 5/5
Great stay with friendly staff.
- 3/5
Holiday Inn Express Suites Watsonville charged my account an additional $600 after I had paid my hotel balance. When I asked staff about these charges they blamed Expedia, then my bank when in fact it was the hotel that processed the charge. They should not be charging my account without authorization. When we checked in I authorized the first transaction nothing else should go through until checkout but no they charged my account on two different occasions without me authorizing the charges. Poor business own up to your mistake it’s as simple as that and stop charging people’s cards during there stay two activities should happen check in and check out that’s it.
- 5/5
Nice place
- 5/5
We had a great stay, clean and comfortable rooms
- 3/5
No hot water. TV was difficult to operate
- 5/5
Great service
- 3/5
It made me think that the clientele or persons to whom they rent rooms are not safe or responsible. In the evening children ran the halls at 930 pm and persons slammed doors. This is irritating as I am a light sleeper and the walls appear to be very thin. Will not stay at this hotel again and I hope their is not a problem in receiving my deposit refund.
- 4/5
Pool was absolutely discusting. Milky water. Hair all over the place.
- 5/5
My kids loved the pool. Breakfast was great!
- 5/5
Everyone was so nice and helpful.
- 5/5
The hotel was very clean and very spacious
- 5/5
Very beautiful hotel! Staff was very kind! Very clean place! Thank you!
- 5/5
Good
- 5/5
Very smooth check in and friendly staff. Appreciate the quick check in and helpfulness when we needed pool towels.
- 4/5
Clean comfortable room, front staff very friendly and knowledgeable, nice and varied breakfast very tasty
- 5/5
It was very nice and clean. Staff were friendly.
- 5/5
My KiDDS loved the room space and indoor pool.
- 5/5
Took a family trip up north, glad we stayed here. Very safe, clean and Lots to do near by, and large variety of food very close by.
- 5/5
Our stay was excellent, my Grandchildren enjoyed the pool. The room was clean and quiet and the complimentary breakfast was good. My only gripe was the Ice Machine being out of order or out of Ice they only have one machine for the whole hotel. But otherwise a great stay near many shops and restaurants and highway one.
- 5/5
Great service and safe area
- 5/5
We selected this property for its amenities and proximity to a family wedding. Great location.
- 2/5
Disappointing and relative expensive
- 4/5
Bathtub floor was dangerously slick. Mentioned it to the desk clerk & was given a terry cloth mat to place in the tub. Had to go a store to buy our own tub mat just to be safe. No major channels on t.v. (abc, nbc cbs)
- 5/5
Great property for a short stay!! Area around may be not the best for walking around at night as it is in a commercial sort of zone but has things close by!
- 2/5
I am writing a review for the first time. When I arrived at the hotel, I informed the front desk that it was my first time staying there. However, when the front desk staff checked my reservation, I was told it was booked through a third party. She said they do not provide the original room I booked online to non-members, and the luxurious rooms are reserved only for members. As a result, I was given a room, and she said I should get a good view. Unfortunately, the room had an unpleasant smell, and I was unsure of where the smell was coming from. Nevertheless, I decided to stay for the night, thinking the smell would disappear. When I checked out the following day, the lady at the front desk asked me how my stay was, and I responded that it was not good. I told her about the smell and how it had prevented me from getting a good night's sleep. I visit Watsonville and Santa Cruz twice a month for business and try different hotels each time to see what others can offer. However, based on my experience, this hotel is not for me. See the attached photo. The view from my room is homeless, and it is so sad.
- 5/5
Across the street is shopping and restaurants It’s a pretty peaceful location
- 5/5
Great
- 3/5
Doesn’t work for me !
- 5/5
Nice room!
- 3/5
Rooms have paper thin walls and you can hear people walking by. Staff was friendly and helpful. Morning breakfast was a hit with the kids
- 5/5
Very clean room. All amenities provided and in good working order. Windows open to pleasant breeze. Friendly staff. Highly recommend.
- 5/5
I like the staff is really friendly...everything is clean and comfortable 👌 excellent place to stay
- 4/5
Sherri was fabulous! She checked us in, very friendly and kind and helpful with suggestions. The first room we got unfortunately had an issue around 9pm. The shower flooded our front door area and the phone didn’t work. I went down to let Sherri know and she didn’t hesitate in getting us moved over and even gave me extra points on my IHG credits for the hassle. Amazing service! Overall comfy beds, pillows were great, very quiet hotel. Breakfast was excellent each day! Parking isn’t too bad except it could be a problem if they book all rooms. Overall 8/10 as the property itself needs some maintenance you can tell (our second room the toilet ran every 10 minutes or so, but we got used to it)
- 4/5
Was very nice
- 5/5
Great stay at this hotel. My gf and I love it here.
- 5/5
Very nice and clean. Good service. Good breakfast. Great value, convenient and comfortable
- 5/5
Clean room friendly staff
- 4/5
Our ice chest and food were stolen from our truck. If they know they have a problem then they need night security.
- 3/5
Hotel was nice. Clean and comfortable. Finished of hotel have been updated. But power went out in hotel at night while other buildings and street lights remained on. All room doors opened as the electronic locked unlocked. This made it difficult to get ready early in the morning.
- 5/5
Pleasant lady at check in
- 2/5
You can hear everything from one room to the next. We were on the 2nd floor, could hear everyone walking around on the 3rd floor (all night long). Also could hear the over crowd of people at the pool till midnight.
- 5/5
Really nice place to stay highly recommend it
- 1/5
From the minute we parked I was concerned with the safety of this location. Signs in the parking lot warned about locking my car and securing my valuables. Then I walked in and the front desk was "protected" by see through plexiglass type material. When asked the clerk said it was to protect the night desk clerks (and not from COVID.) When I asked about the parking lot sign and how safe this location was, the clerk advised that the local police usually did a drive through each night. I also asked about the $150 security deposit at check in as it was higher than I was used to. It was explained that the owners had just completed a multi-million dollar upgrade to the hotel and guests were stealing things in the room like the special desk lamp. Thus the need for a higher deposit. Then she proceeded to argue with me on a statement she made about Watsonville being the strawberry capital of the world. As I am from Florida and the local chamber of commerce publicizes that Plant City is the strawberry capital I mentioned that. She became very protective and said that's not possible. All around very poor customer service in my opinion. Then at breakfast, we were surrounded by what appeared to be construction workers or linemen that had stayed at this hotel - no families or other couples. Made me very uncomfortable. I question the safety of this hotel and would not recommend it; especially not for families for older couples.
- 1/5
The check in employee had horrible customer service
- 4/5
The rooms where clean, however the our beds where not done on a daily basis.