Hilton HHonors - Roanoke (VA) DT...Category 2 HHonors hotel?

Can anyone tell me how a HHonors hotel is actually rated by Hilton?
I just stayed at the DT Roanoke for a convention and it was a beautfully renovated hotel. It consisted of of friendly staff, a wonderful atmosphere, nice, clean rooms, a great lobby, and they performed very well for the actual convention, which consisted of over 300 people for 2 days. They could not have improved upon much all the way around.
I just looked on their site and they will be a category 2 come June. This from an Executive listing.
I also looked at another hotel I stayed in which I was NOT very pleased with, Hampton Inn Knoxville-I-75 North, and it is also listed at a category 2, from Opportunity. The same as the DT?, but with exterior corridors, mediocre rooms, and it was obviously renovated from another motel name.
Can I use their category listings as a reference for hotel quality or do I have to guess? These two hotels are deffinately not on the same level, but to Hilton they appear to be. What gives?

There was a thread here a while back about the rating of hotels. I think it eas because the Hampton in Pearl, MS was a Cat 5.

I have stayed at both of the hotels in your post. The Hotel Roanoke is one of my favorite places. They really take care of the Diamonds there.

DoubleTree Hotel Roanoke is awesome. Beautiful old building and a fantastic elegant restaurant too.

I was upgraded to some sort of junior suite when I was there. Not really a suite but a monsterously huge room. Excellent staff and I would go back without hesitation if the need arrises.

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I have to add my $.02 about the Hotel Roanoke. I had a collegue on extended assignment in ROA and he choose to stay there for 5 months. Everyone knew him by name, of course, and everytime I am back they ask me about him. Fantastic staff!

On the last night he was there, they let him stay in the Presidential Suite for regular price. It has a bedroom, guestroom, two baths, fireplace, kitchenette, load of antiques and balcony access on the 6th floor. Very cool. He had a big party and was a little messy I'm afriad. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

cuzIcan-I think that the HH redemption rating is based on the average rates that they charge. If this is indeed the case I do not think that it is the best indicator of the quality of the hotel. Maybe the Hampton Inn has less competitors and can charge a higher price.

I concur that this hotel is excellent. It is a truly grand old dame of a hotel that has been well maintained and is a joyous place to stay. I think it may be one of the best hotel properties in Roanoke. The Sunday brunch was top notch, killer bee. Would stay there again in a heartbeat and would highly recommend it to anyone staying in the area. The service was top notch, felt like a 5 star resort rather than a double-tree. Most other double tree's I've stayed at have been ok, but nothing special, just a basic hotel. This hotel reminds me of the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, or the Peabody Hotel in Memphis in that the hotel is well reknowned and it is somewhat of an attraction in its own right. If I recall correctly, the rate I paid last August was only $89 + tax, which was a steal considering how nice a property this is. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif