Went up to the room on the 9th floor and thought we were in a parking garage - there was a small, dark hallway and then the rooms were motel-style - with 10 floors! It was a little bit scary walking outside that high up. The room was fine - although the deadbolt on the door didn't lock and there was a constant dripping from the vent in the ceiling. The free shuttle to anywhere within 5 miles was great and the shuttle drivers were very helpful.

This is an aging structure that could use some work. From the lock on the door (magnetic strips that neutralized daily and had to be remade each day) to the nominally non smoking room with the unmistakable scent of years of nicotine permeating the carpets and wallpaper. The AC never worked - luckily the weather was cool. Even from my top floor room (eight floor) the clanging of ancient exhaust fans over the roof of the restaurant kitchen droned out the sounds of the nearby freeway. The staff was cooperative and responsive although they were never surprised the room deficiencies. I am sure they see it daily. On the plus side, the hotel is within easy striking distance of downtown and the southern approach means that for the 4-5 minutes to arrive downtown the price drops precipitously compared to closer in properties. So despite the inadequacies, the rooms are a good value for anyone doing business or going to the game in the convention center, stadium area of downtown.

The hotel was, nice. There is no continental breakfast of any sort. You have to buy individual meals from their restaurant, I didn't feel like spending the extra cash so we didn't eat there. It was moderately priced. The beds have pillow top mattresses and that was VERY nice, they even have a "pillow menu" if you need a certain pillow, they'll get it for you at no cost! The hot tub, it was hot, but didn't push much bubbles through. Seemed like the pump was going out, VERY clean tho. The swimming pool holds 30 people and is heated and VERY clean as well. The hotel property is clean and so was our room. The rooms? They were ok, nothing really fancy about them, but it was nice, much nicer then Motel 6, but not fancy. There is a microwave and a fridge, in the room. There is a Convience store right across the street, and a Jack in the Box right across the street. The air conditioner was pretty loud. The "ocean view" everyone is talking about..... Don't get your hopes up too much, its not much of a view. There is a view of the ocean, but its more of the Naval station view. I think one of the biggest downfalls is its location, easy access to and from I-5, but WOW! ITS NOISY, It won't keep you awake noisy, but you open the door and you hear all the traffic on I-5 as well as the side streets. The wireless internet was free and fast. Would I go back? 80% sure I would. I have no real complaints about the hotel, or the room, just the loud traffic. I hope this helps with your planning.

I hate to criticize a budget hotel where the staff does try. Some things going well for this hotel:
a) convenient in/off the highway
b) friendly night staff
c) Holiday Inn cares about overall appearance.

But I wouldn't stay here again. I was there on business looking for a good deal convenient to the border. IF I came again, I think for just a few dollar more you can find much better places closer to downtown, which is only another ten minutes north. Maybe a boutique hotel or a comfort inn. This place is a bit sketchy. Some things you need to realize about this place:

a) not the best neighborhood. Street noise (sirens, catcalls) kept me up all night the first night. Second night I turned on the AC (which sounded like a freight train) - the noise helped drown out the
streetnoise so I could get some sleep.
b) latch was broken on the door, made me worry about security (but I had no incidents).
c) TV had terrible distortion which made it impossible to watch.
d) there's no place to eat in the neighborhood excpet a jack-in-the-box or the hotel restaurant (or a pizza place that delivers till 10). No real late-night room service.
e) no vending machines except for coke machine. So it was coca-cola for dinner.

The only saving grace is that the staff really is nice and friendly, and in my book that goes a long way - but this hotel just can't overcome its location.