Hilton HHonors - Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth, NH

I've heard that they are building a new Hilton Garden Inn in Portsmouth, NH. Does anybody have any insider information about this property? Will it be any good? What part of town is it in? How does it look from the outside? Should I stay there during my week long trip or at the Hampton Inn?

Nick Adams
Diamond HH

My experience is that, with few exceptions, Hilton Garden Inn properties are consistent. If you have been to one Hilton Garden Inn, you have been to virtually all of them. If you like staying at Hilton Garden Inns, you should like staying at the new one in Portsmouth and not be disappointed.

Hampton Inns — especially the older properties — are less consistent, unless the property is relatively new.

Personally, my selection on which property I choose would be based solely on room rate, location and, to a lesser extent, amenities offered — assuming both properties are relatively new.

I was surprised that the room rates I was offered were the same, $169. I've always like HGI better than HI, but I've seen great things about the HI on other posts.

Nick

I was surprised that the room rates I was offered were the same, $169. I've always like HGI better than HI, but I've seen great things about the HI on other posts.If the Hilton Garden Inn is the same rate as the Hampton Inn, as a Hilton HHonors Diamond member I would personally choose the Hilton Garden Inn — unless the location is so inconvenient that I would have to choose the Hampton Inn.

By the way, only FlyerTalk members who are Hilton HHonors Diamond members from Marietta, Georgia are allowed to post to this thread.

(Looking at a Google map of Marietta, Georgia during this post :) )

The Hampton in Portsmouth is nice, but nothing special. It's located off of a parking lot at the Home Depot.

Stayed there last year and the rate was $107 in early Sept - went to book this year and the rate was $179. The manager told me that the rates haven't changed much from last year (???)

I booked at the Sheraton instead (used some points) - much better location. If I'm going to pay $179 for a night in the future, I'd much rather it be in a HGI than in the Hampton.

Larry

Thanks. I think you have helped me make up my mind. I will definately be staying at the brand new HGI. I will post a trip report when I get back.

Hilton must love Mariettians.

Nick

As I posted in my post a while back. I love the HI. Call and ask for the Liberty Mutual rate, I think it's like $89 or something. I was upgraded to a room with a 2 person whirlpool. They have a happy hour with local brew. And a shuttle that will take you in the area if you don't want to Drink and drive.

As I posted in my post a while back. I love the HI. Call and ask for the Liberty Mutual rate, I think it's like $89 or something. I was upgraded to a room with a 2 person whirlpool. They have a happy hour with local brew. And a shuttle that will take you in the area if you don't want to Drink and drive.

At an $89 a night or even $109 a night rate the Hampton Inn is a great place to saty. But at $179 a night I really can't justify it. I was so surprised to see the large jump from last year that I carried on a relatively long email exchange with the manager. He was very friendly, but he couldn't seem to help out.

There have been several new HI and HGI's in new england in the last couple of years- Freeport, ME: HGI, Bennington, VT: HI, Brattleboro, VT: HI

Larry

I was hoping to also get some information from somebody out there with some insider info about the new HGI in Portsmouth. For instance, what pricing structure are they using and what benfits will be offered to Diamond members?

Thank you,
Nick

Does anybody have any updated info on this property?

Nick
Marietta, GA


I was hoping to also get some information from somebody out there with some insider info about the new HGI in Portsmouth. For instance, what pricing structure are they using and what benfits will be offered to Diamond members?

Thank you,
Nick

Does anybody have any updated info on this property?

Nick
Marietta, GA

bump

You do realize that this hotel is not yet open and is only accepting reservations effective after June 1? I doubt that you'll get much in updated information until the hotel actually opens.

Is it open yet? Has anyone stayed there? I need internet access during my stay (June 25 - July 1) and was wondering if it was available there. Or any other info on the property.

Nick

Hi Nick,

Yes, it's open. In my opinion, it's ugly as hell with a lovely view of the parking garage across the street. You can read more about it here: http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/06062006/news/106391.htm

Gail


Is it open yet? Has anyone stayed there? I need internet access during my stay (June 25 - July 1) and was wondering if it was available there. Or any other info on the property.

Nick

Is it open yet? Has anyone stayed there? I need internet access during my stay (June 25 - July 1) and was wondering if it was available there. Or any other info on the property.

Nick

They were supposed to have opened last month, but b/c of heavy rain in the area, construction was delayed. I had a booking, and the manager called me about a week before my stay and explained the situation, and went out of his way to try to book me at a nearby, non-Hilton property. He was very solicitous, said I could still get HHonors points, and was extremely helpful. Can't say much about the physical part of the property, but their service pre-opening was excellent ^

I did end up staying there. The hotel was nice, but you could tell that they were still working out the bugs. I had to fight in order to get free breakfast coupons as a Gold HHonors. I was staying for 5 or 6 nights, yet they only gave me one mornings worth of coupons. When I inquired as to why I only got one, they said that was the policy. When I pointed out that Gold members are suppose to get breakfast during the duration of the stay, the desk clerk said she would only give me one more days worth of coupons.

I finally got a hold of the manager who rectified the situation and offered to post 25,000 points to my hhonors account for my troubles. I thought that was very generous. The manager pointed out that they were not sure how to treat hhonors members yet. I would think that this would be something you trained on before opening.

Has anyone else experienced this location yet?


Nick
Marietta, GA

I did end up staying there. The hotel was nice, but you could tell that they were still working out the bugs. I had to fight in order to get free breakfast coupons as a Gold HHonors. I was staying for 5 or 6 nights, yet they only gave me one mornings worth of coupons. When I inquired as to why I only got one, they said that was the policy. When I pointed out that Gold members are suppose to get breakfast during the duration of the stay, the desk clerk said she would only give me one more days worth of coupons.

I finally got a hold of the manager who rectified the situation and offered to post 25,000 points to my hhonors account for my troubles. I thought that was very generous. The manager pointed out that they were not sure how to treat hhonors members yet. I would think that this would be something you trained on before opening.

Has anyone else experienced this location yet?


Nick
Marietta, GA


Wow getting 25,000 points for some problems is a great deal. Probably more than the value of your saty.

Wow getting 25,000 points for some problems is a great deal. Probably more than the value of your saty.

True, I was very pleased with what she did to make everything right. I would have prefered a comp to Diamond, but I'm not complaining. She was very nice and I feel confident that she will retrain her staff and make things right. I'd like to hear from someone who's been there since I left in early July and see what type of experience they had.

Nick

This is my second stay in two weeks (here now), and they've worked out the kinks. Amenities provided without a hitch, no upgrades though, and very helpful. They made sure to mention gold status, and also knew that this was my second recent stay (always a nice touch). Clean because it's new, and a great location near Market Square.