The Bargain Hunter
Jul 24, 12, 11:35 am
Our family of 4 stayed at this Hampton Inn for 2 nights last week. After two stays at the very nice HIs in Inrondequoit and Elimra/Horseheads, this HI was a disappointment. Upon our arrival, we discovered that the hotel was hosting several soccer teams who were in town for a tournament. As parents of athletes ourselves, we just accepted the fact that we have also contributed to hotel mayhem in the past when traveling with sports teams, and just accepted that this would be a livelier stay than we had encountered at the previous HIs. At check-in, the hotel noted that they strictly enforce their quiet hours, and I am happy to say that none of my negative comments involve exuberant young athletes enjoying their travel experience.
However, that is where the good points end. While checking in, I was offered a room on the 2nd floor. While I am only Hilton Gold, my travel preferences clearly state that I prefer rooms on high floors, away from the elevators, and my reservation was made well in advance of our stay. Fortunately, the 2nd desk clerk was able to find a room that matched my preferences.
This hotel is sorely in need of renovation. While it uses the current style duvets, it still has double beds, rather than the brand standard queen-sized beds. The bathroom vanity is the old-style white countertop with no storage shelf below. The hotel itself was only marginally clean, and the staff clearly did not display the same level of professionalism we had experienced at other HIs earlier in the week.
The lack of concern among staff was most apparent at breakfast. The hotel does not stock regular half-and-half for coffee (only flavored creamers--we asked each morning and were just told "no."), and breakfast attendants are content to lean against the wall as they watched items run low and trash piles grow high. In a really strange twist, a large box of not-very-appetizing looking donuts was part of the breakfast offerings. My daughter confirmed with a breakfast staffer that these were for all guests, and not provided by one of the soccer teams. Alas, the donuts tasted as bad as they looked, and were clearly at least day-old offerings. I was especially shocked to see some of the same remaining donuts offered for breakfast on the following morning!
I would overwhelmingly recommend the HI Irondequoit over the HI North for those looking for an HI in the Rochester area. We would have switched hotels had we not booked the pre-paid rate.
However, that is where the good points end. While checking in, I was offered a room on the 2nd floor. While I am only Hilton Gold, my travel preferences clearly state that I prefer rooms on high floors, away from the elevators, and my reservation was made well in advance of our stay. Fortunately, the 2nd desk clerk was able to find a room that matched my preferences.
This hotel is sorely in need of renovation. While it uses the current style duvets, it still has double beds, rather than the brand standard queen-sized beds. The bathroom vanity is the old-style white countertop with no storage shelf below. The hotel itself was only marginally clean, and the staff clearly did not display the same level of professionalism we had experienced at other HIs earlier in the week.
The lack of concern among staff was most apparent at breakfast. The hotel does not stock regular half-and-half for coffee (only flavored creamers--we asked each morning and were just told "no."), and breakfast attendants are content to lean against the wall as they watched items run low and trash piles grow high. In a really strange twist, a large box of not-very-appetizing looking donuts was part of the breakfast offerings. My daughter confirmed with a breakfast staffer that these were for all guests, and not provided by one of the soccer teams. Alas, the donuts tasted as bad as they looked, and were clearly at least day-old offerings. I was especially shocked to see some of the same remaining donuts offered for breakfast on the following morning!
I would overwhelmingly recommend the HI Irondequoit over the HI North for those looking for an HI in the Rochester area. We would have switched hotels had we not booked the pre-paid rate.