Holiday Inn Express Vancouver-Metrotown (Burnaby) by IHG in Burnaby

I am writing this review because I have something important to convey to the Housekeeping Manager. Please read this carefully.
I stayed alone for about ten days in November 2025, and I encountered two extremely troubling incidents related to housekeeping—situations I have never experienced in my entire life. Both incidents left me deeply upset.
The Holiday Inn provided a “Do Not Disturb” sign that read “I am busy.” I hung this sign on my door whenever I needed privacy. Despite this, I experienced two incidents that I still cannot comprehend.
First Incident
One morning, I was working on my computer, still in the clothes I had slept in, drinking coffee. Suddenly, the door to my room burst open. I was completely shocked.
Even though the DND sign was clearly hanging on my doorknob, a housekeeper entered my room using a master key—without knocking or announcing herself. She stepped fully inside the room; I could clearly see her shoes.
I asked, stunned,
“Didn’t you see the sign I hung on the door?”
Without stepping back outside, she replied,
“Yes, I saw it. But I can still change everything and clean your room.”
I told her,
“I’m working right now. Since I’m in the room, it would be uncomfortable for you to clean, and I can’t step out dressed like this. Please don’t.”
It was unbelievable that such an incident occurred.
But what happened next was even more shocking.

Second Incident
One afternoon, I went out for a short while. Once again, I hung the Do Not Disturb sign("I AM BUSY") on my door. When I returned, my room had been cleaned, and the sign had been removed and left on the floor inside the room.
I was absolutely stunned.
I did not want housekeeping, and I had left personal items in the bathroom and on the bed. The fact that someone entered my private space, touched my belongings, and cleaned the room against my wishes made me feel violated and disrespected.

Throughout my stay, I spent nearly every morning working in my room and stepped out only briefly in the late afternoon for dinner. I did not want to be disturbed—and yet these incidents happened.
During my ten-day stay, there were two days when I left the room without hanging the DND sign, intending to receive housekeeping. I even left a $5 tip on the table each time. As a solo traveler, I honestly did not need much housekeeping, but I offered the tip anyway.

This was my second stay at Holiday Inn Metrotown.
The front desk staff were exceptionally kind, and the breakfast was excellent. However, I sincerely hope that basic standards of housekeeping etiquette are properly upheld in the future. No guest should ever experience what I experienced.

Additional Note
This photo was taken just before I checked out. As a guest, I have always tried to be respectful and considerate, and I sincerely hope the hotel can extend the same courtesy to its guests.