We stayed here for a convention for 4 nights and got the room off the hotel website for $152 a night. Considering that there was like 3 conventions going on that week we were there, we were lucky to find a room and the price was ok. We got a room with 2 KING BEDS!! Not only were the beds big they were very comfortable and i had 4 great nights of sleep. The neighborhood was little rough, but what do you expect in downtown Long Beach.
The Lobby could use some air refreshner because it smelled like old hair spray(if that makes sense). The price was the worst thing about the stay, and so overall it was great. All of these people talking about the neighborhood being so bad that they felt scared, i mean come on seriously just dont go walking outside alone and grow a pair.

Great hotel with good amenities. Hotel is in downtown Long Beach but near metro and didn't feel threatened at night.
Only down side is that it is 1 mile from beach, but walk keeps you fit from all those huge meals.

I booked this hotel on-line about a week prior to our Queen Mary event for the fireworks show on the 4th of July holiday. Knowing that this hotel offered a complimentary shuttle, I was relieved that we would not have to experience another year of crazy traffic as we had experienced last year. The night before my stay at this hotel, I called the hotel clerk and I was assured that their complimentary shuttle would take my family to the Queen Mary festivities so that we don't have to worry about the mad traffic.

After that call, I was happy knowing that I had made the right choice in selecting this hotel. On the morning of our trip, I had decided to call the hotel to verify our reservations and room choice. It's a good thing that I did this because I was told by the hotel clerk, Gwen, that their complimentary shuttle would be out of service for the entire 4th of July holiday. That's not what the hotel clerk said the night before. Now, we had to leave early to get a parking spot at the Queen Mary. If I knew that the Queen Mary Hotel had an available room on July 4, then I would of booked with them. (I was reached on their waiting list) It was too late to cancel, and book with the Queen Mary Hotel.

After the fireworks on the Queen Mary, we were stuck in their parking lot for approx. 30 minutes, and then add another 20 minutes to that as a result of the 710 freeway being terribly congested. It was a traffic nightmare as it was last year. The hotel stay was average. Breakfast is not free for anyone over the age of 12, and the hotel's location looks sorta dumpy, but if you want an affordable stay, then go for it. But, just don't depend on their free complimentary shuttle service on a major holiday.

I have options such as the Westin, Renaissance, and Hilton, but I have chosen Holiday Inn for the next three years. The staff is incredibly professional at the 4 star level. If I need something, I get it. Only on my last stay did I sign up for the Priority Club membership, so I know they were previously treating me well because I was just another Joe Schmo. The bedding, room size, cleanliness, and amenities are all very good, but not nearly as luxurious as the Westin, Hilton, or Renaissance. Wi-fi is free at Holiday Inn, but it costs at the other hotels. This is a big attraction for me. There's one restaurant downstairs that does a good job of making basic American cuisine that you'd find at Jimmy Dean's, Denny's and places like that. Good food, still. It is right on the downtown bus lines, which is great if you are into saving dollars. A couple of negatives: First, the hotel is located on Atlantic Avenue near a somewhat transitional area. You don't have to pass through the area to get to the hotel, but it is nearby. Also, as much as I love the staff, they are not accustomed to business customers that fly United Airlines. They are very accustomed to Southwest Airlines customers. So, getting an online boarding pass via United Airlines is a hassle since they just don't deal with that website. They don't have a business center, but they can help you with any of your needs. But much of the other snobbery that business travellers have is accommodated. Despite having higher end choices, I have chosen Holiday Inn because it is much cheaper (and my travel is subsidized by California taxpayers), wi-fi is free, I am treated very well, and it is extremely comfortable. Look past its proximity to the transitional area. Have fun!