HOLIDAY INN PHOENIX-MESA CHANDLER BY IHG, Mesa

The hotel sits directly off the US-60 freeway, providing direct routes across the Phoenix metro area and to the airport (21 km). A Walmart Supercenter is within a 10-minute walk, and Tempe Marketplace is a 15-minute drive north. Several chain restaurants - including Waffle House, Starbucks, and Culver's - are within 0.5 km. The location is practical for travellers with a car; freeway noise can affect rooms facing north or east, so those seeking quiet should request a pool-facing room.

All rooms feature air conditioning, a private bathroom (with either a bath or shower), a microwave, a small refrigerator, a tea and coffee maker, a work desk, and a flat-screen TV with cable. Some rooms have a private balcony; a pool-view balcony is the quieter, more requested room type. Bathroom doors are sliding frosted glass, which offers limited sound and visual privacy. Some rooms are hearing accessible with a roll-in shower. Room sizes are generally comfortable, though the property shows its age with occasional maintenance issues.

Cactus Kitchen + Bar is open for breakfast (6:00-10:00 daily) and dinner (17:00-22:00, except Sunday dinner). Breakfast is a buffet with eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, juices, and coffee; walk-in cost is approximately $15.99 per person. Dinner offers American fare with a focus on burgers, fish and chips, and a full bar. Special diet menus (vegetarian and gluten-free) are available on request. A snack bar, vending machines, and free kids' meals are available. Pre-paying for breakfast via the room rate provides better value than paying separately.

The large outdoor swimming pool is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and is surrounded by a sun terrace with ample loungers. The pool is not heated, so water temperature can be cool even in warm weather. A hot tub/jacuzzi is also on site. The fitness centre is clean and offers a variety of equipment. Additional leisure options include a nearby golf course (within 3 km), happy hour, and pub crawls (additional charge for some activities).