Hilton HHonors - Marriott Plat new to HHonors question about brand ranking

I did a search in the forum for brand rank and did not find any threads where the Hilton brands are ranked on their levels/amenities. I would like to make sure I am getting the best level of hotel for my travel $.

Well, the thing is, at least as much as (and maybe more than?) Marriott, some of the Hilton brands are more consistent than others. IMHO you really have to check a DoubleTree, especially, on an individual basis, because the best ones can be nice but the worst ones will make you dream of staying at Hampton Inn (technically the lowest tier).

Sorry, I don't know the full rankding, but can do a little comparison: Hampton Inn is in the same category as Fairfield Inn (free breakfast and free internet for everyone regardless of status). Hilton Garden Inn is next step up probably, but Courtyard isn't a perfect comparison, because Hilton Garden Inn has a great breakfast which typically includes cooked-to-order eggs which is always free to HHonors Gold and Diamond, while Courtyard's breakfast is never free to Marriott elites no matter how elite no matter what day of the week (and may not be the same at any rate; I've never stayed at a Courtyard so I'm not familiar with what exactly the "Bistro" breakfast is). Homewood Suites is sort of like Springhill Siutes (or is Residence Inn closer?). Marriott is sort of like Hilton.

Plus be aware that the relationship between in-hotel benefits and elite level is more consistent in HHonors. You don't have to avoid one brand because you don't get elite perks there (like CY at Marriott). You don't have to think "what day of the week is this" because Hilton doesn't change elite benefits depending on day of the week (as Marriott does).

I appreciate the information!

Hilton Worldwide's brands are traditionally ranked as follows, from most amenities to least:

Full Service: Hilton Brand (Analogous Marriott Brand)

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts (Autograph Collection, The Ritz Carlton)
Conrad Hotels & Resorts (JW Marriott)
Hilton Hotels & Resorts (Marriott, JW Marriott)
DoubleTree by Hilton
Embassy Suites


Focused Service: Hilton Brand (Analogous Marriott Brand)

Hilton Garden Inn (Courtyard by Marriott)
Hampton Inn (Fairfield Inn)


Extended Stay: Hilton Brand (Analogous Marriott Brand)

Homewood Suites (Residence Inn)
Home2 Suites (TownePlace Suites)


As sdsearch mentioned, some of Hilton Worldwide's brands are more consistent than others. Home2 Suites, Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn properties tend to be purpose-built and relatively new, and therefore pretty consistent. Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts are split between newer, purpose-built properties and historic, well known luxury hotels, hence the comparison to both Ritz Carlton and Autograph Collection. Newly developed hotels use the Waldorf Astoria name prominently (e.g., Waldorf Astoria Park City, Waldorf Astoria Chicago, etc.), while heritage properties relegate it to a subtitle (e.g., The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel). Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties range from five star luxury resorts to middling three star hotels, though all are "full service." DoubleTree is certainly the least consistent, and often acts as the "catch all" for full service properties joining Hilton Worldwide from other hotel companies. As such, DoubleTree has no direct counterpart at Marriott, but the quality of its properties is roughly equivalent to those under the mainstream Marriott brand. Positioned further upscale than Springhill Suites, Embassy Suites also lacks a direct Marriott counterpart.

Hilton Worldwide's brands are traditionally ranked as follows, from most amenities to least:

Full Service: Hilton Brand (Analogous Marriott Brand)

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts (Autograph Collection, The Ritz Carlton)
Conrad Hotels & Resorts (JW Marriott)
Hilton Hotels & Resorts (Marriott, JW Marriott)
DoubleTree by Hilton
Embassy Suites


Focused Service: Hilton Brand (Analogous Marriott Brand)

Hilton Garden Inn (Courtyard by Marriott)
Hampton Inn (Fairfield Inn)


Extended Stay: Hilton Brand (Analogous Marriott Brand)

Homewood Suites (Residence Inn)
Home2 Suites (TownePlace Suites)


As sdsearch mentioned, some of Hilton Worldwide's brands are more consistent than others. Home2 Suites, Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn properties tend to be purpose-built and relatively new, and therefore pretty consistent. Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts are split between newer, purpose-built properties and historic, well known luxury hotels, hence the comparison to both Ritz Carlton and Autograph Collection. Newly developed hotels use the Waldorf Astoria name prominently (e.g., Waldorf Astoria Park City, Waldorf Astoria Chicago, etc.), while heritage properties relegate it to a subtitle (e.g., The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel). Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties range from five star luxury resorts to middling three star hotels, though all are "full service." DoubleTree is certainly the least consistent, and often acts as the "catch all" for full service properties joining Hilton Worldwide from other hotel companies. As such, DoubleTree has no direct counterpart at Marriott, but the quality of its properties is roughly equivalent to those under the mainstream Marriott brand. Positioned further upscale than Springhill Suites, Embassy Suites also lacks a direct Marriott counterpart.

Great info, thanks for posting.

HGI and HI are noticeably better (typically newer) than Courtyards and FF inns. DT often seems more old-fashioned, and they seem consistently inferior to FS Marriotts. I also find that Embassy suites trades down in quality for more floor space.

"I also find that Embassy suites trades down in quality for more floor space."

Today I just checked in to a Embassy Suites and that sums up what I am experiencing.

Somehow I got the idea it would be nicer than it is...

HGI and HI are noticeably better (typically newer) than Courtyards and FF inns.

Agreed. Also, most HGI properties have a on-site restaurant (typically The Great American Grill) that offers cooked-to-order breakfast and full dinner service, as opposed to the "microwaved" breakfast and light snacks offered at Courtyard's lobby bistros.


I also find that Embassy suites trades down in quality for more floor space.

I agree and typically prefer one of Hilton Worldwide's other full service brands over Embassy Suites. The finishes and furnishings can be somewhat cheap relative to those in a proper Hilton, the free breakfast is just OK, and the evening manager's reception can be downright bad with meager snacks and bottom shelf well drinks. Not to mention that the hotels are often overrun with families and/or youth sports teams on the weekends. All that said, I don't think there's another all suite brand that offers the same level of amenities and service, and I'd take an Embassy Suites over an HGI or HI any day.

Agreed. Also, most HGI properties have a on-site restaurant (typically The Great American Grill) that offers cooked-to-order breakfast and full dinner service, as opposed to the "microwaved" breakfast and light snacks offered at Courtyard's lobby bistros.



I agree and typically prefer one of Hilton Worldwide's other full service brands over Embassy Suites. The finishes and furnishings can be somewhat cheap relative to those in a proper Hilton, the free breakfast is just OK, and the evening manager's reception can be downright bad with meager snacks and bottom shelf well drinks. Not to mention that the hotels are often overrun with families and/or youth sports teams on the weekends. All that said, I don't think there's another all suite brand that offers the same level of amenities and service, and I'd taken an Embassy Suites over an HGI or HI any day.




Do you prefer the ES over CY? Just curious.

Do you prefer the ES over CY? Just curious.

Yes, but that's an apples to oranges comparison, I think.

Hilton Worldwide's brands are traditionally ranked as follows, from most amenities to least:

Full Service: Hilton Brand (Analogous Marriott Brand)

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts (Autograph Collection, The Ritz Carlton)
Conrad Hotels & Resorts (JW Marriott)
Hilton Hotels & Resorts (Marriott, JW Marriott)
DoubleTree by Hilton
Embassy Suites



That's a useful ranking and a good start for the OP, but I wouldn't call Embassy Suites full service. (Show me the a la carte restaurant and room service, for one.)

The OP would really do better to understand the brand-standard elements and then use resources (there are many property master threads on FlyerTalk) to select the better offerings in a specific location. There are lots of cities where a good HGI beats a mediocre ES.