Hilton HHonors - Best Hilton Garden Inns

I enjoyed the thread where everyone gave a brief critique of Hampton Inns they had stayed at, and I got a copy of the spread sheet that someone compiled on it. I would like to suggest a similar thread on the Hilton Garden Inns. I would be willing to spreadsheet this one. I have stayed at 2 recently that I have evaluated below.

Hilton Garden Inn, Charlotte Uptown
Very nice property, just opened late 2000. Has a VERY small indoor pool, and adjoining whirlpool. Had reserved a king n/s room on bounceback rate, and because of Gold Status (I believe?) was upgraded to a whirlpool suite, without having to ask for it. Very convenient to major downtown businesses, right behind convention center and just a few blocks from the Panthers/Ericson Stadium. All employees we encountered were very solicitous.

Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte North
Between I-85 and I-77 on Harris Blvd. Convenient to University area. Fairly new property, seemed understaffed when we were there New Years Eve. Rooms very nice, but indoor pool divider was broken and exposed to outside so unusable in January. Just a few restaurant close by (Bob Evans and one more) so you have to travel 5 miles or so for much selection.

By the way, the business center at both were very handy, and well furnished,computer with internet access, free laser printer, desk stuff like staplers, pens, highlighter etc.
Also noticed that the Uptown one had complimentary use of the machines in the guest laundry, that is a first. Don't know if all Garden Inns are like these two. Love to hear from anyone else.

Cindi

I just got back from a stay at the Hilton Garden Inn, Mountain View (CA).

As HHonors Gold, I did not receive a room upgrade, but did receive breakfast voucher at the hotel restaurant and coupon for bottled water from their "mini market" or whatever they call their little sundries store at the Garden Inns. Coupon and voucher received without even asking, as should be the case.

The hotel looks very new, standard Courtyard type room. They seemed to do a pretty good job with soundproofing also--my room was right outside the elevator entrance and I didn't hear anything all night.

I stayed at the HGI Chicago Downtown North a couple of months back whilst looking for a place to live in Chicago. The hotel appears to be nearly new and when I posted my positive experience (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/001182.html) I was advised that in fact it is a year or so old.

Great part of town; excellent service with upgrade/free breakfast without asking; I even got a $99 value rate by checking the website. Highly recommended. The only clinker was the overnight parking rate.

Mike

This stay was approx. 1 month ago...for a 3 night stay.

Hilton Garden Inn – Orlando East/UCF
Brand new property just opened mid-February. Bright, spacious lobby/entry with small restaurant area on left & front desk on right. Very accommodating to allow me into my room at 8:45am to stash my stuff before starting to work. Big room with 2 queen beds, medium-sized workdesk & ergo-chair, bankers-type desk lamp (harsh lighting), upholstered chair & ottoman, credenza unit
with microwave, fridge & coffeemaker. Average size closet. Bathroom also average size with
Neutrogena amenities. I notice many of the HH properties have replaced Hand Lotion with Mouthwash.

When I returned in the evening there was a tray of cookies on the front counter. I asked about Breakfast Coupons. Was told this property does not participate/offer them. Asked again the next morning of the lady who checked me in and she said “we only give them to Diamond Level members.” So, I paid $7.95 for the breakfast buffet, which included made-to-order omelets with standard, but limited choices, buffet items. Decent, but I probably wouldn’t want to pay more then $7.95 for it.

My room on 3rd floor overlooked the pool, Jacuzzi & front parking lot. Video checkout not working, but my bill was ready when I got to the front desk. Card on desk said local calls $1.50 each, but only 59¢ on bill, no time limit. No energy surcharge.

Based on this stay (my first at a HGI), I think they’re OK but appreciate the better HHonors offerings and desk service at Hamptons (for the same price). Paid $85 AAA rate, which is $4 below their standard rate. There was a special where I could have paid the standard rate & gotten Double DL miles, but I passed.

I would be interested in the spreadsheet when you get it done cndij.

was going to stay at the HGI in Flagstaff,Az ,but found out in time that the pool was the size of a bathtub.Right across the street was a Hampton Inn & Suites what a difference!!! In every aspect.

HGI Washington DC Franklin Square

The hotel is a few blocks behind the White House. My group of five people stayed there on Good Friday, for $89 per room which was a great price. As HHonors Gold, I did not receive an upgrade because the hotel was full. The rooms were decent, and we got complementary breakfast.

The service, however, could use a lot of improvement. They ran out of rollaway beds, and they agreed to give us an extra set of sheets and pillows at check-in. We went to the room, called repeatedly, but they never brought that up. The valet parking was slow too. When we tried to take the car out, we found a few groups of people ahead of us. There was only one parking attendent on duty, and he showed up 15 minutes later *on foot* (i.e. he hasn't been picking cars up for anyone). We waited another 15 minutes before we got the car.

I have three free night certificates for any HGI across the world.

Would like to get opinons where I should use these certs for a brief vacation/weekend with Ms. Travelexpert and our five year old daughter.

We enjoy beautiful ocean locations as well as major (or even smaller) cities.

Given our length of stay, prefer to remain in the US/Canada/Mexico, but are open to ideas abroad.

AS far as hotels go, I prefer the HGI in LAS and OMA. The LAS is at the end of the strip, so you do not have the crowds and stuff, but are a couple of minutes. OMA is just a nive HGI, I doubt you would want to visit.

When do they expire (seasons may matter) and are there exclusions?

Here are a few ideas:

City
>Hilton Garden Inn New York/Chelsea (NYC)
>Hilton Garden Inn Times Square (NYC)
>There was supposed to be a Hilton Garden Inn Tribeca, but it never opened (probably became condos)
>Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown
>Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC

Beach
>Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad (north of SD, CA)
>Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk (SC)
>Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Head (SC)

Destination
>Hilton Garden Inn Napa (Napa, CA)
>Hilton Garden Inn Monterey (Carmel, CA)
>Hilton Garden Inn Gettysburg (PA)
>Hilton Garden Inn Niagara-On-The-Lake (Wine area Canada)

While not the best vacation destination...my favorite HGI (and I have stayed at a lot of them) is in, of all places, Manchester, NH...it is in the outfeld of a Boston Redsox Minor League Park and has great rooms and suites with huge plasma screens and picture windows overlooking the ballpark!...Great staff as well!

This makes nil financial sense as the HGI cost savings would be a fraction of the cost of 3 airline tickets flying to most world-wide (or even most North America) locations.

MisterNice

I have not stayed at many HGI locations, but a recent stay at the HGI Carlsbad was truly excellent. The hotel is very nice and the staff are top notch. We were quite impressed. The hotel is just across the road from Carlsbad Beach, which is very pleasant.

My favorite HGI is at the Montreal Airport.
Excellent staff, your name in chocolate on a china plate in your room to greet you.
Not far from downtown Montreal, which is a great city and a chance to pick up on French Canadian culture.

HGI in Eagle, Idaho is by far the best HGI in the system. It most likely shouldn't even be a HGI. Decor and building are much higher end then a typical HGI and the room selection and UGs are way beyond a typical HGI.

This makes nil financial sense as the HGI cost savings would be a fraction of the cost of 3 airline tickets flying to most world-wide (or even most North America) locations.


Yeah. I was thinking exactly the same. HGI's aren't "luxury" hotels.

Probably the greatest money savings would be to stay at some of the city properties i.e. NYC.

When did being practical become requisite for posting on FT?

When did being practical become requisite for posting on FT?

Just wait till I start the following threads " Whats your favorite motel 6?"
on the Luxury hotel board and your "Favorite I-hop " on the dining board :D


mike

Just wait till I start the following threads " Whats your favorite motel 6?"
on the Luxury hotel board and your "Favorite I-hop " on the dining board :D


mike

Great questions! My favorite motel 6 is the one farthest away from my Hilton property.

My favorite I-hop is all of them! :-)

My favorite HGI is at the Montreal Airport.
Excellent staff, your name in chocolate on a china plate in your room to greet you.
Not far from downtown Montreal, which is a great city and a chance to pick up on French Canadian culture.

I LOVE that chocolat on the plate!

Best was they wrote it last name first, then first name, so I walk into the upgraded suite to find a sweet, and funny surprise.

I've found a consistantly good product chain wide. No locations really jump out at me.

I do prefer the stand alone buildings, I was kind of unimpressed with the HGI Chicago Downtown.

I like:
SDF
CLE
FLL
CMH-Polaris
CMH-Dublin
BWI