Hilton HHonors - Doubletree Hotel Santa Ana/Orange County Airport Trip Reports and Reviews

Stayed here last friday night. This is the new "French boutique" DoubleTree located at 201 East MacArthur Boulevard.

As a Gold I received:

- 2 bottles of water
- coupon for hot breakfast (choice of 6-7 entrees)
- coupon for glass of wine
- no cookie
- no room upgrade (no big deal, since their regular king room is roomy and nice)

It's a very nice hotel w/ very friendly employees (although the young front desk clerk was charmless).

FYI, the free airport shuttle takes less than 5 minutes (at 5pm on a friday!) to transit from the airport to the hotel.

Also, there is a Quiznos next to the hotel in case you tire of the inflated hotel restaurant prices.

Well, after 2 searches and no real discussion found about this facility, other than to mention it was nicer than the Doubletree Club across the street, I am ending my multi-year lurker status.

I am on a project in my firm's Santa Ana office, which is very close to the Santa Ana Doubletree. Let me say that my corporate rate on this facility is $120 a night and my opinion about this hotel at that price is much better than if I was paying the rack rate of $199.

The hotel is very conveniently located for anyone flying into, or out of (SNA) John Wayne Airport, there is a small shopping facility in the parking lot of the doubletree including a Quizno's, Nail Salon, Dry Cleaner (2 day turn around) at very good prices ($1.55 shirt laundering, $2.99 for dress pants and about $4.00 for a suit), Hair Salon (too expensive) and a fairly decent coffee and dessert shop with free wi-fi. Accross the street is a food court with a Starbucks... That said, nothing else is within walking distance.

The hotel lobby is nice, and in keeping with other reviews I have read elsewhere, it was in use for a conference the entire time I was there. I called a few hours before I checked in, because I had a Tues. and Thur. night booked, but Wed. was sold out, trying to get in on Wed as well. It was still booked, but John told me he was upgrading me to an Executive level room.

When I checked in, I was told I was a Gold VIP (which I am) and that cookies were unavailable, so I was given a raincheck. I was also given a wine and breakfast cert (which I haven't yet used, but will next week). I should have inquired further when I was given a room on the second floor, but I went up, only to find a regular looking room with 2 double beds, not a king. Went back downstairs, explained that I had been promised an Executive room and that my profile calls for a King bed. The young man at the front desk gave me a blank stare, asked if I wanted a King Executive room, and when I said Yes, gave me a new key for the 7th floor, where I found a room immediately next to the Elevator. Hmm... The HHonors profile must not be read at this hotel as mine says AWAY FROM THE ELEVATOR!!!!

I let it ride, as I was very tired at this point. When I went down the next day I asked about extending my stay for the sold out night, and they had room for me. I was allowed to stay in the same room. That night I asked for 2 more wine/breakfast certs, which I was given right away. I also used my Cookie raincheck.

I didn't park at the hotel, as I park at my office, but I heard it was $8 or $9 for self park. Seems a bit steep.

Oh, the executive room looked just like the regular room to me and I didn't have a chance to check out the pool or the fitness facility, but I did find out that for $12 a day you can work out at the 24 fitness nearby... Also seems a bit steep.

Well, that's about it, except that the Bordaeux is a fairly decent bar.

I wondered what the difference between an executive level room and a regular one. When I stayed there I was on the 7th floor too. But it didn't seem like anything special.

I think they might not charge parking on the weekends. I seem to remember that they didn't charge us.

The pool area is tiny.

When Istayed there I left considering it an average to poor stay. I have no interest in returning.

I've stayed there twice. Wasn't too impressed either time. Rooms along MacArthur Blvd. can be very noisy. They do charge for parking. Wasn't upgraded either time. Room rates now seem to be pushing $180-$190 per night during the week.

On the good side, the breakfast was good. It's a fairly new property and done in a very colorful motif. There is a good wine store across the street near the Quiznos shop.

I think the property has a lot of potential - it just doesn't seem to work well for me.

I just finished my second stay at the Hilton by the airport. I like the property a lot. One thing to be prepared for is they are mid-renovation!!! If you stay here I recommend the breakfast in the restaurant (very nice quality) and DEFINITELY visit the exec lounge in the evening. Not only is the food rather good, the matron is the friendliest I have ever encountered and goes out of her way to be helpful. I was very impressed she even remembered what I drank from my visit 2 months earlier. She has been there forever and really loves her job and it shows.

Thanks to the OP for the report - it's good for those who might do a search on that property. And thanks to the others for their input on alternatives.

Cheers.