Hilton HHonors - Terriffic HHonors VIP experience at Hampton!

I arranged for a reward stay (2 free weekend days) for this 4th of July weekend at Hershey, PA Hampton Inn and Suites.

Wow. If there were problems with this merger, there aren't any here now. A very friendly front desk staff greeted me (coordinated by a Ms. Jennifer Lia). They were expecting me, and had already pre-assigned me an upgraded suite (on the reward no less). She answered my questions, gave travel advice, and was terriffic to my kids. I explained that I had a different reservation at a nearby hotel (after the reward was over) at a better rate then they had listed, and she matched it so we would not have to move.

When I arrived in the suite - wow again. Full kitchen, king suite, huge rooms...and a fruit and chocolate basket waiting for me with a personalized greeting letter from the hotel's general manager.

This is a Hampton folks...who would expect such service?

I'm very pleased and impressed. Way to go Hilton!

I'm not shocked at all---over the past five years I can't think of a single problem-plagued visit to a Hampton. While they're not the Ritz, I've always found them to be the best of the mid-priced chains.

I was amazed a few years back to find out that faxes were always free---incoming AND outgoing. (even long distance) And the phone rates have always been fair---usually whatever the direct dial LD rate is, without those stupid added fees.

I've also had the thrill of an unexpected upgrade---those suites make a few day stay much more fun. These folks seem to WANT you to stay with them!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I had my very first Hampton experience at the LAX Hampton Inn last month and was very pleased by the service and acknowledgement of my HHonors VIP Gold status...especially by the front desk staff.

My room even had a small HHonors Gold amenity in it: 2 bottles of water, a box of Oreo cookies, and a welcome letter from the property Manager.

I'll be back.

Many hotels can easily learn a great deal re customer service by just booking a reservation and staying a night or two with Hampton Inn and Suites (hint, hint Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, etc). When booking you easily are quoted the best rate by friendly knowledgeable people, no need to usually give a cc #, checking-in is quick and efficient, rooms have always been ultra-clean etc etc.

Oh yes, once I had had a problem with an a/c unit. They called in (7 pm) an engineer and replaced it, but the new one did not work either. The hotel was totally full so could not change rooms. The next morning my bill was under the door and, true to their 100% satisfaction guarantee, read NO CHARGE. Even received a letter of apology in a week. Wow!

Hamptons used to be one of my favorite chains in the days before I got serious about earning miles. I stopped staying with them when I started earning great rewards, first from HHonors, then Starwood. My only stay at a Hampton since they joined HHonors was awesome and I reported on it here. I am really happy to feel able to stay at their properties again now that they are in HHonors!

Update - We just returned home for our town's 4th of July celebration.

The GM of the property made it a point to ask me how everything was for the stay. He said he tries to speak personally with every gold and diamond that stays there.

What a great 3 day mini-vacation.

Stayed at a Hampton Inn while in Cleveland for a funeral. My sister required a handicaped accessible suite and found the accommodations excellent. The service was outstanding.
They let our family (7 of us shared 2-2 bedroom suites) hold a night before the funeral gathering (in their breakfast room area) where over 35 relatives showed up. We ordered chinese takeout for everone and were able to store the left over food in their cooler overnight.
I e-mailed a letter to the manager when I got home thanking her and the staff for the above and beyond service to my family. She was so dumbfounded to receive a thank you letter that she phoned me to say how much she appreciated it. I also got a letter a few days later thanking me again. What a class act!!!

Stayed at Hampton IAH airport as HH Gold. Have to echo everyone's experience, very nice people and very accomodating, concerned, and helpful. Definitely will use this chain more.

Just wanted to chime in praising Hampton Inns - stayed 5 times with them as HH Gold in the last few weeks in various locations (San Francisco, Baltimore, Kansas City, etc.), always had a great service and upgraded room, snacks, bottled water, etc. IMHO, they are representing a great value, especially after being included in HHonors.

I've had some equally wonderful experiences at Hamptons, which was good since previous employer required we stay there when possible. However, since they became a Hilton property I tried to book one in Sumter, SC and was told that they were having the "iris" festival (this was a Saturday business trip) and that I'd have to book two days or no days.. I explained that I was Hilton Gold.. they were singularly unimpressed and still wouldn't give me a room - even though rooms were available and you'd have to think that the big rush for them would have been over by Saturday afternoon at 3pm~.. this was Memorial Day weekend, but still! I of course sent an email to honors customer support the next day.. never heard a word from them.

Update - Update:

I checked out (of the stay that started this thread) on Monday. Remember it was one additional day after a 2 day reward - and at a matched-reduced rate. Red flags all over the place for HHonors credit to get messed-up.

Today (Friday), 4 days later, the stay, points AND 100 double dip miles are credited (as I check my account on-line at the HHonors web site).

(I had the folio all ready to fax in for proof.)

It would seem that, as I said before, the properties should now be considered seamlessly merged. Well done.



[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 07-07-2000).]

Well, after all your glowing comments I decided to give the Hampton Inn in Sumter, SC another try! Just found I have to go there tonight for same client for meeting over weekend.. checked website.. says executive floor is available, but no rooms come up on the "check rates/ book res".. I'll call them directly to see what I can arrange... I'll let you know... maybe I caught them too early in the new Hilton relationship on Memorial Day weekend...

Dittos on the Hamptons! I stayed at the STL Hampton (near Union Station) shortly after the HHonors program started with them. Arrived in my room to find helium baloons, cookies, water and a personal note from the GM. Also got my points credited promptly. I will definitely seek out Hamptons in the future - these folks really know how to treat their customers.

Cheers,

'toad