I've stayed with the Holiday Inn Express chain in other cities and thought the rooms were very serviceable for the money and the beds comfortable. However, my room in San Luis Obispo had several problems, the most pressing of which was that the toilet did not flush properly. The bathroom sink was rotted through by visible rust and smelled badly of mildew. In addition, there were large stains on the carpet at the entrance and what looked like food or drink stains on the wallpaper near the door. This is a great location, but sadly, the room was in dire need of maintenance and there is no excuse for the poor condition this room was in.

Stopped off one night on the way South on the Big Sur. Pity we could not stay longer on this trip.
Hotel is a little gem with very nice staff and clean and cool rooms.
Good location in a quiet neighbourhood reinforces the comfortable feeling felt by all.
Efficient reception confirmed our reservation by phone when it looked as if were might arrive later than planned.
Nice sized and equipped rooms
Ate that night at resturant adjoining the hotel, good food and drinks.
Breakfast was a continental one in the hotel,(with simple indoor and out door seating) was fine for the day's drive ahead.
Luggage loading and handicapped access through main entrance was very, though the side door had a number of steps and a slope which would make it difficult for wheechair users to negotiate.

Just returned from a 3-night holiday weekend stay at this great property. As always, they treat me like an Ambassador even though I am always paying a very low rate. Unlike my experience at most other properties including some high end places, the clerks here actually read my comments before I arrive and pre-assigned us to a quiet, top floor, end of hall room. IMO the furnishings are equivalent to what you might find in a Courtyard, etc. - nice but not lavish. I was happy to see that they recently switched from disgusting bedspreads to duvet-type covers which can be laundered frequently. As always we got a large room with a lot more space than many fancy 4* city hotels. The bathrooms was not "heavenly" a la SPG but clean and serviceable - this one had 2 sinks (one outside the door) and a shower curtain with a lining. Plus refrig and even 2 robes! Pool area is small but nice; the gym is also a bit too small, but that is my only complaint.

The breakfast was nothing to rave about but better than many similar complimentary "continental breakfasts" as it usually includes hard boiled eggs, yogurt, and a huge selection of baked goods, cereals and fruits, plus assorted juices and coffee. This location has a free internet terminal in the lobby - not sure if in room wireless is free but of course the parking is (not that competition would permit a charge) Good location near freeway and across street from Apple Farm restaurant, not far from downtown SLO or freeway (but super quiet).

In sum we have nothing but plaudits for this HIX and in fact I plan to send a letter thanking the staff for another wonderful stay. Don't take a chance on some of the other mediocre properties where we have been disappointed (hint: see arroyo grande).

Me and my wife spent 3 nights at this hotel while celebrating our first annivesary. We decided to stay here cause we wanted to visit Hearst castle and also explore towns like Pismo Beach, Cambria, and Morro Bay. The hotel staff was friendly and helpful. The rooms were clean and the pool was heated. The hotel had easy access to the freeways and had a trolley stop right in front to take you downtown. The other plus for the hotel is that there was free wireless internet access which is a plus when i needed phone numbers, directions, and also when I needed Tripadvisor...