We decided to stay at this hotel since we were attending a wedding nearby.

SERVICE- For a large chain like the Holiday Inn, I expected a bit better than what we received.

A main reason for booking this hotel was their "Free Shuttle" service to and from the airport.

I emailed the hotel before our stay to enquire on how to use this service. I did not receive a response, but figured that once we got to the airport, there would be a shuttle to the hotel every hour or so (as many hotels in the area do).

Once we arrived at the airport, we could not find a shuttle. We called the hotel and were informed that it is only available "on request", and that the next one could be there in over an hour. I was disappointed with this, since I had emailed beforehand to request the shuttle and received no response.

Upon departure, it was the same ordeal. We were given the run around for when we could get the shuttle, and ended up being rushed out of the hotel without being able to print our tickets for the plane.

Not a huge deal, but if you advertise a free shuttle to and from the airport, the directions should be much more clear.

Full disclosure, I completed the hotels survey AFTER our stay, and received an email back right away saying they were sorry about this.

ROOMS- The rooms were standard, but nice. The beds were large and comfortable. The bathroom was a little cramped, but otherwise pretty standard.

THE BALCONY DOORS DO NOT OPEN, which was a little disappointing on several fronts. I understand that from a safety standpoint it makes sense, and this may be a legal issue and not the fault of the hotel. However, it would have been nice to sit on the balcony.

Breakfast was just okay. Nothing to write home about, but it was free, and better than nothing.

CLEANLINESS- Hats off to the cleaning staff, as they go above and beyond here. Our room was impeccably clean throughout the duration of our stay. The hotel and grounds were also kept very clean! This is so important to guest satisfaction, and they have this part right!

OTHER- We used the pool one afternoon and it was clean, and refreshing! Plenty of chairs around the pool and from what I could see they also offer BBQ areas as well! A nice touch!

Stayed one night, in Santa Ana to attend a Banquet at the Bowers Museum. (Very nice museum, worth a visit.) Hotel is one year old and rooms and common areas clean. Everything in the room worked, and the room was large and well furnished. Not a luxury hotel, but good value for the $. Breakfast included in my rate and was adequate, good, Convenient to downtown Santa Ana and the I-5. Rooms facing 1st St., do get some traffic noise, even on the 10th floor. Adequate parking and the lot is well-lit at night. Had a problem with the reservation and getting to the hotel--Reservation Confirmation email gives the address as 1600 East First Street, which my GPS did not recognize, and could not use GPS until I got to Santa Ana and called the hotel. They said the correct address is 1600 East 1st St.; entered the correction and it worked. The desk clerk, when I complained, said he will inform Holiday Inn.