Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Timmins, an IHG Hotel

The property was great but my review is based on my check in experience. I paid for the room through Expedia using my visa/debit. We made the choice recently to get rid of our visa. Everywhere we purchase online accepts the visa debit anyways. We went to check in and they requested a visa for any damage. I said I don’t own a visa. Asked if I could give them cash or my debit. No to both. Wouldn’t let me speak to manager. No manager around. It was a Saturday and there wasn’t any banks open to get a credit card and we were five hours away from home with three little ones in the vehicle waiting to check in. They told me there was nothing they could do and the reservation would have to be cancelled. Luckily someone else offered who was in the lobby to put it on their card. A $15 holding fee would be applied and whatever charge the hotel decided to put on if there was damage. There wasn’t of course. Just a family weekend with young children. This sort of stuff should be disclosed at booking not when put in my situation without any other options. They weren’t very friendly about third party booking (Expedia) and said this sort of stuff is disclosed if you book through them.

There was a man who approached our window first asking for directions then asked for money. Another man starting walking towards my car until i looked up at him and he starting walking away. I wouldn't recommend if your traveling with children as its not safe.

Had a lovely stay with only a few hiccups*, some of which were related to the ongoing pandemic so really no fault of the hotel/chain. Facilities were clean, beds were comfy, shower was nice & hot, staff was friendly, breakfasts were tasty, and the location was convenient for us. We would absolutely consider this hotel again next time we drive up north to visit family. *Minor hiccups: Lightbulb was burned out in entryway of room upon arrival, there was (what turned out to be a citywide) power outage on the second morning of our 4-day stay which resulted in a 7 am wake up on the holiday Monday (smoke detectors battery beeping), the breakfast facilities are not self-serve and are pared down from the pictures online due to the pandemic (no pancake machine, no oatmeal, no toast/bagels), and there was none of the “info” in the room which I’d normally expect to see in a hotel (local amenities, hotel amenity hours, contacts, etc) - this might also be due to COVID? I know it looks like a long list but none of those concerns are major - I’m just trying to be comprehensive. Over all it is a lovely facility and I’d absolutely recommend it; I just can’t quite give a full “5 out of 5” rating based on the above.