The Crowne Plaza has been "demoted" to a Holiday Inn by the chain. A smart move because this hotel is far more functional than luxurious.

A lot of people complain about the neighborhood, but I didn't find it dodgy. It is a downtown location in an old city, but I didn't feel unsafe there (admittedly, I didn't walk the streets either). Parking is $6, unless you find a spot on the street (but the meters begin running at 8, and its an expensive 25 cents per 15 minutes).

My room was decent (watch for scalding water in the sink), and the property is undertaking a renovation. It's necessary, because things are looking a bit tired.

Had breakfast in the restaurant because I had my kids and, with Holiday Inn, kids are free. Front desk said there would be a buffet, but they didn't offer it that morning due to low occupancy. The food from the menu was pretty bad -- probably the worst eggs I've been served this year. Drive to the nearby Farmer's Market for breakfast if it's open that day.

I received this hotel on a $41 priceline bid for a 3 star. At that price, it was fine. But, if paying my way, I would have preferred an "easier" suburban location. Not much reason to stay downtown in Allentown unless you have some business there.

Inside of hotel very nice. Restaurant was OK. Downtown location is horrible. In a very bad area. People were screaming in the streets all night and saying rude things to me. Did not feel safe at all. Heat in room did not work.

My first night at the Crowne Plaza was fine. The room was huge and clean, the king bed was comfortable, and the extras (including a Sony CD player/alarm clock/radio and a sleep CD) were very nice. There was very little noise from outside the room when I went to sleep. All in all, I thought I'd be writing a rave review for TripAdvisor (other than the somewhat dodgy downtown location).

However, all that changed the second night. The hotel was fully booked and while I have no idea who or what was on my floor (8th), it was the most unpleasant night I've ever spent in a hotel/motel, including one-star hotels and Red Roof Inns. People were partying, yelling, and slamming doors. The noise was incredible. After on-and-off sleeping for three hours, I was just about to call the front desk (and maybe even the police) when it stopped at 2:30 AM. Naturally, I then had trouble getting back to sleep.

The next morning, I decided for convenience's sake to have breakfast at the hotel. BIG mistake. While the newly-renovated restaurant was very nice and laid out in an attractive, terraced manner, nothing else was good. I opted for the breakfast buffet, but by the time I got there, almost no food was available (although the buffet still had at least an hour to go). I had to wait 15 minutes for *some* of the items to be replenished, and the food was barely passable. Finally, my waiter never showed up with my check, so I had to get another employee to get it for me. For the second time in my life, I left a two cent tip. When I checked out of the hotel 30 minutes later, the meal charge was not on the bill and they couldn't find my check--so they gave it to me for free, which was certainly appropriate. I was told the restaurant was understaffed, but only about half of the tables were full when I was there, and the servers really did not look that busy.

Friends of mine attending the same event got better deals at other hotels, as well as a good night's sleep. My experience may have been unusual, but I will not stay there again and risk it.

This was my first time at this hotel. I travel to Allentown once or twice a month on business. They refer to the recent renovation. I can’t imagine what it was like prior to the "renovation". My No Smoking room stunk of cigarette smoke, there was a fist size hole in the wall, the security latch was broken, the table lamp was broken, the toilet didn’t flush and I had to pick the paint chips from the fallen ceiling out of the tub. The name sounds upscale but travelers beware! I found the Crown Plaza in Williamsburg, VA to be in the same condition.