Hilton HHonors - Which Charlottesville property for a reward stay?

We are considering a weekend in Charlottesville for sometime in late April or late May and would like to do a points stay. Not surprisingly, the Hampton Inn & Suites on/near the UVA campus is already booked (a real bummer since this is an opportunity level prop) which leaves the Hampton on India Ave. or the Doubletree.

Is anyone familiar enough with these properties to recommend which would be the better choice?

Thanks

The DT is okay. It does have an Excecutive level and an indor/outdoor pool. I have stayed there w/out complaint. They Hampton is just up the street in another strip mall. It is a shame that the HI near UVA is not available. It is a great hotel. I have no idea why is an Opportunity one.

I've also stayed at the DT. The rooms could really do with a renovation, but it's not a bad property. Have always been upgraded to the executive level with access to the little lounge and the staff have always been friendly and helpful. I wouldn't go out of my way to stay there (and wouldn't stay if it wasn't a hhonors property) but overall it's not to bad.

Haven't stayed at the Hampton.

I liked the DT. Agree with the comments about needing an update - but it was more than I was expecting in Charlottesville (i.e. the executive level).

Here's another DT visitor who thought it was pretty good. As a Gold, I was given access to the Executive Level. My son and I borrowed tennis rackets and balls from the front desk and played on their courts.

I would stay there again.

Thanks very much for the information. Would still love to hear from anyone who may have stayed at the Hampton on India.

Thanks very much for the information. Would still love to hear from anyone who may have stayed at the Hampton on India.

Lpas,

I'm a Charlottesville resident and had guests for our wedding spread throughout all of the Hilton properties here (and beyond). PM me and I should be able to help you out with descriptions.

I've stayed at the Hampton on India about 7 times over the last several years. It is located within a shopping mall area but off to one side so there is no noise or lights. It is a typical HI with good front desk service. The eating area is very crowded in the morning. Don't typically eat there so don't recall if it is the chafing dish service or the microwave breakfast items.

Rooms are fine... not threadbare. There is an armoire, no closet -- not good for floor length dresses or coats but otherwise ok. Clean but small typical HI bathroom with the corner-style sink. All the typical upgraded HI amenities (curved shower-curtain rod, free in-room wireless with the HI code -- be sure to ask for it, computer bedtray.) Don't recall the number of tv channels.

It is on Route 29 just off the 250 Bypass, which makes it easy to get to anywhere in C-ville pretty quickly. Several restaurants nearby but best ones are downtown. The Barracks Road shopping area is just a little south with several nice places to eat.

The guest population always seems nice. Business types as well as travelers. They seem to frequently be with groups or conferences, sometimes tied to the University. The pool is outside, directly behind the hotel. Very small -- not particularly inviting.

I've never been upgraded to my knowledge -- always put on 5th floor, which may be upgraded rooms. Never had a hottub room, etc as have at other HIs -- don't know if they have them.

I also stayed at the DT -- once four years ago on a combo rewards/paid stay. Although it is the larger property and more attractive physically, the rooms were very rundown. The rugs were filthy -- my socks were dirty in 10 minutes. During my six-day stay, there were several bus tours that used the hotel. One was young people who ran rampant through the halls -- calls to the front desk were useless -- went on for hours. The elevator floor was always wet from people going from pool to their rooms.

Also had terrible time at check out but that can be a one-time thing. The lounge was not much -- the hostess (about 4 yrs ago) was loud and flirting heavily with guests almost every time we were in there. Only ate there once -- not memorable. It is located on northern edge of C-ville, about 5 miles north of the HI. There is nothing else around. Because of the HI location, you can at least run over to the store or a restaurant if you want to.

To be honest, I almost always choose a full service hotel over a Hampton but the DT was just bad enough to make me go back to the HI on successive stays. At least I know what I am getting and it's small enough that it isn't noisy. The size of the DT means lots of foot traffic past your room and the walls are thin.

Hope this helps.

It's wonderful to see that so many of you have visited Charlottesville...my residence for the last 5 years!

Strange that the Hampton Inn & Suites near UVA is not available for standard award stays; it's by far the best location, within walking distance of the University Grounds (5 blocks), UVA Medical Center, and even the historic Downtown Mall (about 3/4 mile down West Main Street, or a free ride on the trolley). It's also the newest Hilton family property in town, built in 1998 or 1999.

Traffic on Route 29 North is often pretty congested for a city of our size, so the fact that the Hampton Inn at Seminole Square (India Rd) is 5 miles closer to the rest of town makes a big difference compared to the Doubletree, especially on weekends when all the shopping traffic clogs Rt. 29. It's about a 20-minute drive from the Doubletree to downtown, while about 12 minutes from the Hampton Inn. The Doubletree does offer a free shuttle to Charlottesville airport, though, which is a nice perk as CHO is expensive to get to otherwise.

I too am very surprised that HI at the University is booked up. Perhaps you chose to pick graduation weekend, which is probably some time in middle May this year. As a fellow Wahoo who goes back for football quite often, I agree with some - do whatever you can to stay at the HI at the University. This, of course, is if you are going to Charlottesville to actually visit the campus (grounds) at least as much as the other locations...Monticello, etc. If you plan to go away from campus a bit, India Rd may actually be better as its better/closer to highways, etc.

Had a friend get married at the DT; as mentioned, its the bigger more full service of the 3; but the traffic will be quite a bummer if heading to UVA itself during any rush hour.

As for the Opportunity; this recently was a level 2 prior to the Opp award level; I was holding several awards at that level then magically it dropped to 7500 pts/night. By far one of the BEST deals at Hilton if you can stand to get it for a football weekend...7500 points for a $160/room...

GO HOOS! (though no post-season basketball this year kinda stinks)

Thanks again to everyone for your input. From what I can tell, the UVA Hampton is booked up for reward stays every weekend from April-June (plus a few in the fall). We really wanted to go in the spring, when we can enjoy the trees in bloom and before the weather gets too hot, so unfortunately, it looks like this property is out. Our primary goal is to see Monticello, so hopefully the India Rd Hampton will meet our needs. Guess next time we'll have to plan further ahead!

Sorry you couldn't book a room at the UVA Hampton. We were there for a football weekend in September( we didn't know how lucky we were) and could not believe this hotel was an Opportunity level hotel. Charlottesville and the surrounding area is one of my top long weekend get aways and it should be grand in the Spring. Have a GREAT time!

Oops. Accidental post. :)

Glad I found this thread...I almost booked a non-refundable one night stay at the DT, but after reading the lackluster reviews on here and another website, I'm going to snag the comparable AAA rate at the Hampton Inn on India Road. I'm going with some friends to see Monticello anyway, so the HI will be closer.

To any of the CHO residents, is it true that you have to arrive at Monticello around 8am during the peak season to ensure getting admission? I read that in a Frommer's guide recently.

We recently returned from C'ville. Although didn't stay there, the Hampton Inn and Suites on Main St is right by the University/Medical Center/downtown area. This is a newer property, and friends have told us it is quite nice. Sometimes this books up fast, but it might be a good choice.

Monticello does get very busy, and you'll probably have to wait on a line, but I think you'll be able to get in after 8:00 AM. Of course, if it's a very hot day, you might prefer going at 8 AM rather than waiting in the heat.

Have a good time. Charlottesville is delightful.