Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites St. Paul NE - Lake Elmo, an IHG Hotel

Hot tub was broken, we were told about it at check in but they told us to enjoy the heated pool. Then they had rented the pool out for a kids birthday party and we were not able to use that. They didn’t apply our IHG awards to our stay. They asked us not to sit in the lobby. The soap dispenser was falling off the wall in the bathroom. Vending machines didn’t work.

Very clean room, excellent price, and the restaurant next to the hotel had a wonderful brunch buffet (only Saturday and Sunday for brunch buffet)! Overall we had a very nice 2 night stay and will definitely be back when we come to visit family!

Despite requesting a room, that was not by the pool, we got a pool facing room. The pool was open until 11 PM and the screams came directly through our windows. The loud children were back in the pool again at 8 AM. As a family, I was hoping my kids would get to bed earlier than they did. I do not blame the people in the pool, but if we did not have earplugs, our stay would’ve been miserable. We were also surprised that the security latch on the inside of our room door was completely broken, as if someone tried to force their way into the room prior to our arrival. I told the associate at the front desk, and she didn’t seem too concerned. Other than that, we felt the hotel was very clean, we enjoyed the hot tub and pool (just not the noise), and thought the room was comfortable.

My biggest complaint is that apparently the hotel rents out space or lets large groups of people gather and party in the pool area. There was a birthday party attended by at least 50 people. They took all of the tables and chairs from the pool deck and gathered them together leaving very few for others. I saw many of these people come in the front door and go straight to the pool area in coats and boots so I don't think they were staying there. They walked around the pool deck in muddy and snow covered shoes. Lots of food and drinking of alcoholic beverages, talking loudly in language not appropriate for children. There was very little space left for the hotels guests with families to use the pool. The front desk did bring in a folding table and some chairs for 1 other group to use so they definitely knew about the situation.

Both nights were quiet and overall good, but the last morning before my 14 hour drive home; I was awoken at 7am to doors slamming and kids running around and this continued until 9:30am when I finally just gave up on going back to sleep...if you want a good nights sleep; never take a room close to the pool!!!