I had booked in Salinas as Monterey & Carmel were all full - well for our budget anyway. We really weren't too sure what we were going to find when arriving in Salinas, but this is a gem. This would have to be the most comfortable & modern room we had on our holiday in USA. Large & clean. They suggested a great place for dinner -Growers Pub, which was perfect also. really like having parking without having to pay for it also. Thanks, a very pleasant stay in Salinas

I stayed this hotel on my return to Los Angeles following a business trip in Northern California. I wanted to stay in nearby Monterey, but the rates there were far too high on my budget, for one night when I was not arriving until 9pm.

The staff was very helpful and I was more than surprised at the room. It was large, very modern with a flat screen TV, had a kitchenette area with beautiful counter tops, a fridge and microwave. It was one of the nicest rooms I've stayed in over the last 5 years.

After checking in, and a little stiff from driving all day, I hit the small but well-equipped fitness center.

Sadly, I was sound asleep shortly after that. I wish I had more time to spend there.

For anyone traveling in that area, I highly recommend it. Although the immediate neighborhood does not suggest the luxury you will find at this hotel, no worries. Given it's excellent proximity to the freeway it was also surprisingly quiet. And there were a nice section of restaurants near by.

Ooops, so this page will not let me go back to un-check the room service rating. I do not recall if the hotel had a restaurant or not and do not think they had room service. So I cannot rate it high - but have to no reason to rate it poor, but the page will not let me chose nothing once I hot something.

We stayed at the HIE Salinas during a weekend trip to the Monterey / Carmel area. I generally have a low opinion of most Holiday Inn Expresses as they tend to be very hit-or-miss. The HIE Salinas is a TRUE HIT! Wow! I was stunned by how modern, luxurious, and clean it is!

The rooms have great ammenities including comfy beds, fresh carpets, granite countertops, plenty of electrical outlets, free wifi, free parking, and HDTV that's actually in high definition (with a robust selection of DirecTV channels).

Lobby is efficient and clean enough.
There is a free daily breakfast which is ample and significantly more robust and tasty than what you will get at a Best Western. This is not 4-star dining, but it gets the job done and has a good assortment of cereals, sausages, biscuits, eggs, pancakes, yogurts, limited fruit, etc.

There is a business center, gym, and pool. I did not use any of these but they looked good.

There is plenty of parking at the rear of the hotel. It felt very safe, despite being at the end of a strip of motels and hotels. It is located next door to the Best Western and is right off an entrance to the 101.

There is an In-n-Out burger in walking distance.

The only downside is that i booked this hotel a few days before arrival and it was pricey for a HIE. They offer regular rooms and suites. I had a king suite, but really just wanted a regular room (sold out).

I would definitely stay here again.

I stayed in a double room with 2 friends while on vacation from Aug 31 -Sept 5, 2012. Our goal was to see San Francisco (1.25 hrs away), and all of Carmel & Pebble Beach (40 min away). Salinas is small, quiet, and perfectly located if you have your own car and enjoy driving. Don't be alarmed by the surrounding low budget motels when you get near the Holiday Inn. It is VERY nice and clean. The ladies who make the daily complimentary breakfast keep the area clean and well stocked with food (breakfast is from 6-10am and get there before 9:30 if you dont want to miss the last of the fresh food). I got a sneak peak of the kitchen one day and Wow - that is a clean kitchen! Seeing it made me feel much better about the breakfast. The lobby was so nice that guests hang out with their families there on busy nights. The rooms are spacious and really clean. Housekeeping comes through around 9-10am, and if you want your room cleaned same day be out of it by then. There are lots of outlets in the rooms and all of ours worked. There is a blow dryer, microwave, and mini-fridge in some rooms along with free internet. There are only 2 open computers near the lobby, so business travelers should keep that in mind. The hotel has easy access to major roads and freeways. For the first time ever I used the laundry facility at a hotel, and theirs is clean and inexpensive ($1 per wash/dry). Definitely bring your own detergent or bleach, and the front desk will give you quarters.

An added bonus (unrelated) is the In-N-Out burger 2 doors down! I would definitely stay at this hotel again.

Caution: Do not eat at Margie's Diner next door. It's really bad food and really old.