Holiday Inn Milton Keynes East M1 J14

What is your Priority Club status?
Diamond

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
King (same price as Double), no upgrade.

How are the rooms?
Typical UK HI room and bathroom.
Window opens downwards by pushing your fingers into a tiny gap which could easily trap them.
Rooms are numbered from 1 to 60(?) with half of them being on the ground floor, felt slightly funny since most hotels have 3 or 4-digit room numbers.
There is a shortcut to the carpark from the back corridor where my room was, instead of having to go all the way round the front.

How is the exec. lounge?
None

What was good and what was bad?
The public areas of the hotel have been refurbished to a high standard so you feel like you are stepping into a grand countryside estate, but sadly it is only a Holiday Inn.
Located on the opposite side of the M1 to MK town, careful when driving as impatient vans try to overtake (i.e. on your right) just as you need to move into a turning lane to turn right into the hotel.
Free parking with ParkingEye registration screen at desk.

Front desk staff member could not have been less interested in his job, I waited around an empty lobby for about 5 minutes until another guest arrived (there was a nice sofa and chairs though). Then he ambled in slowly saying nothing while taking another minute to log into his computer. Later I saw him smoking round the back.
No mention of Diamond but he did give me the Diamond key holder. No mention of breakfast but I saw some blank vouchers so I raised the issue, he said they were not needed. Received (unasked for) welcome points around 1am.

Breakfast, restaurant again felt very grand with nice furniture, decorations and tableware.
Food was better than average HI breakfast with interesting juices and smoked salmon.
A manager seemed to be training junior staff in the middle of the buffet area berating them for not putting plates under the spotlight to keep them warm and having the wrong serving utensils out. Also when taking a plate off the pile, I felt a sticky substance beneath one which turned out to be a large dollop of butter and jam, the next 4 plates were also dirty.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Rate was £60 on a Friday night, and got 10% back with card offers too, which I was happy with.