Hilton HHonors - Which Hilton in San Bernardino?

I have to fly to Ontario airport and head out to San Bernardino. Looks like there are 2 Hiltons to choose from, which one would FTers recommend? I'm looking for a newer hotel that is close to restaurants/shops/stuff to do.

I'm a Hilton person but can go SPG and Hyatt if needed (yes, I know this is a Hilton thread =).

Thanks in advance!

Why not do some mattress run :p

I have stayed at the SB HGI for two month back in late 2010. Generally a good stay. Pretty standard HGI experience. Nothing special to write about (guess that's a good thing).

But the Hilton is definitely closer to restaurants (walking distance).

Not sure which one is newer.

I prefer to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Rancho Cucamonga. It is a bit outside of San Bernardino the City (It is located right up the street from the Ontario Airport) and an easy 15 - 20 minute drive into San Bernardino the city.

In the parking lot is 6 - 8 good restaurants and you are right across the street from a decent outlet mall. Up the street is a pretty nice mall in Victoria Gardens. Rancho is one of the nicer cities in the area with a fair amount to do.

I prefer to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Rancho Cucamonga. It is a bit outside of San Bernardino the City (It is located right up the street from the Ontario Airport) and an easy 15 - 20 minute drive into San Bernardino the city.

In the parking lot is 6 - 8 good restaurants and you are right across the street from a decent outlet mall. Up the street is a pretty nice mall in Victoria Gardens. Rancho is one of the nicer cities in the area with a fair amount to do.

Or the Homewood Suites right next to it if it is an extended stay. The drive to San Bernardino is not bad since it is against the traffic. Close by Victoria Gardens is very lively at night.

If you want to stay even further away from San Bernardino, DT in Claremont is in a nice area. Claremont downtown area is very nice and have many good restaurants and shops.

Thanks for all the great input! I'm only there for 2 nights and generally like to go around and explore the neighborhood so it sound like Rancho C. might be a good option? I heard San Bernardino is a bit gritty of a place so perhaps not the best for a female to wander around and explore. ;)

Or the Homewood Suites right next to it if it is an extended stay. The drive to San Bernardino is not bad since it is against the traffic. Close by Victoria Gardens is very lively at night.

If you want to stay even further away from San Bernardino, DT in Claremont is in a nice area. Claremont downtown area is very nice and have many good restaurants and shops.

This Claremont looks very nice! Thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks for all the great input! I'm only there for 2 nights and generally like to go around and explore the neighborhood so it sound like Rancho C. might be a good option? I heard San Bernardino is a bit gritty of a place so perhaps not the best for a female to wander around and explore. ;)

Rancho Cucamonga is definitely a good option especially if you like to shop. I wouldn't wander too far east into Fontana though. Some areas of Fontana are not so nice.

If you really want to wander around and explore, you should drive to Claremont downtown. It is a college town and has some unique restaurants (not chain own) and sometime live music. I recommend Viva Madrid if you can find it.. it is hidden behind a bagel shop. Order a flaming Spanish coffee and enjoy the show.

I forgot about the Double Tree in Claremont. If you do have some free time a quick drive and walk through downtown Claremont can be quite nice.

I did have a negative experience with the Doubletree Claremont though. I arrived with a reservation at 5:00 PM on a weekday (HH Gold at the time) and my room was not made up. I waited in the lobby until 7:45 PM and they finally had the room ready for me. . . . they could have cared less if they inconvenienced me. Totally unacceptable to me after a long flight to have to wait until almost 8 PM to get my room? Left a note for the manager, not even as much as a "sorry". Have not stepped foot in there since.

Thanks for all the great input! I'm only there for 2 nights and generally like to go around and explore the neighborhood so it sound like Rancho C. might be a good option? I heard San Bernardino is a bit gritty of a place so perhaps not the best for a female to wander around and explore. ;)

Oh you are definitely right on this - the county jail is a few blocks away :eek:
And the city itself probably go bankrupt any time now.

+1^ for the HGI RC. Great staff at that property. Lots of restaurant nearby as others have mentioned. There is also a brand new ES at Ontario Airport with free shuttle to/from the airport.

Oh you are definitely right on this - the county jail is a few blocks away :eek:
And the city itself probably go bankrupt any time now.

Sounds lovely, LOL. Well, if Wikipedia is to be trusted, they have already declared bankruptcy!

+1^ for the HGI RC. Great staff at that property. Lots of restaurant nearby as others have mentioned. There is also a brand new ES at Ontario Airport with free shuttle to/from the airport.

Ok all roads point to RC! I'll probably do that the first night then Claremont the second. Hopefully the rates will agree with my plans. THANKS A TON everyone! I think I'm actually going to look forward to this trip now. ;)

Ok all roads point to RC! I'll probably do that the first night then Claremont the second. Hopefully the rates will agree with my plans. THANKS A TON everyone! I think I'm actually going to look forward to this trip now. ;)

I live in Riverside, and I definately recommend staying in RC if you can, as opposed to San Bernardino. I think the area where the hotels are in San Bernardino are probably okay in terms of safety, as there are likely to be other business people around, but San Bernardino is definately a bit yucky. You will enjoy strolling around RC and Claremont much more in the evenings.