We left Portland in the evening as we wanted to maximize our time in the city and I made a detour to visit the Nike campus in Beaverton, just on the outskirts of Portland. There was not really much to see since the Nike Company Store is only for employees, and thus we made our way south towards California. I had made prior reservation to stay overnight at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Medford, in the south of Oregon, which is close to the Crater Lake National Park.
The hotel is not that directly located from the highway though I had no problem getting to the hotel using my GPS. There are actually 2 Holiday Inns in Medford and the one I booked is located outside the town centre. Though it does have some restaurant and food outlets around it. Being close to the highway, there are also several trucks using this hotel as a stopover point.
Arriving at night, there was only one receptionist on duty who checked me in quickly and even provided me a map and information on how to get to Crater Lake National Park. I was also provided with the wifi password before I proceeded to my room. Since I am not a premium IHG member, I was assigned to the same basic double queen bed room that I have reserved for $119++.
Room No: 208 Category: Double Queen Bedroom
Like all standard hotel rooms, the first room is the bathroom which is standard like the ones found in Sheratons with a bathtub. There was one thing I did not like though which is the coffee maker being located in the bathroom. It just doesn’t feel that hygienic and probably why I did not make my coffee inside the room.
Amenities supplied in the bathroom was acceptable and were Bath & Body Works branded, somewhat mass-market. But then again Holiday Inn is targeted to the mass market anyway.
The bedroom again was of a normal size and features 2 queen beds, both of which were somewhat on the soft side and I would like something firmer. The cotton sheets were also not as nice in my opinion. There is also a work desk lacking in the room as the only desk is a round table that is occupied by a telephone, an ice bucket and the hotel folder.
There was no complimentary bottled water and guests could purchase from the vending machines or just get refreshment from the water station at the lobby. There are also newspapers provided at the lobby.
Breakfast was complimentary with the room and it was served in the main dining room beside the lobby. There are ample seating for guests and only 2 other tables were occupied while I was there. Breakfast was served buffet style.
Selections for the breakfast buffet was like a continental selection with pastries, toast, bagels, yogurt, fruits and juices.
Coffee and tea are self-served from a dispenser though do not expect any espresso machines.
The highlight of the breakfast has got to be the DIY pancake machine that can also be found at some airline lounges and hotel club lounges.
The hotel breakfast selections were edible but again not much better than the average club lounge. Though for a complimentary breakfast I have no complaints.
For a stopover hotel, there are actually ample amenities even for leisure guests using this hotel as a base to explore southern Oregon. There is a nice hot tub and swimming pool located indoor on the lobby floor. There is also a small fitness centre with a couple of treadmill and one cycling machine. Not great but better than nothing.
There is also a lone computer room for printing out directions along with a shelves of all the attractions brochures for visitors in the lobby.
For the price I paid, I was expecting something better like an aloft or Hyatt Place style hotel, but the quality of the furnishings were a disappointment. The facilities of the hotel was rather surprising though, and it would be a suitable base for leisure travellers. If only there were other better alternatives, then I might actually consider them.
