Hilton HHonors - HGI Huntsville report

Checked in today. Got breakfast "pass" and 2 bottles of water. Was also given a coupon for a free appetizer at Landry's, which happens to be next door. Don't plan on going there at all, since I lived in Houston...

Got up to the room, smelled cig. smoke. Looked at the room number plate, and didn't see the no-smoking icon. Called down and got another room. The checkin clerk recommended Dreamland for some BBQ, and called for me to make sure that they were still open (it was 9pm already), and they were. Had their new "brunswick" (sp?) soup, which has their BBQ chicken and pork in a soup with potato and tomato chunks. Yummy. Their sauce is on the spicy side. Also got a BBQ chicken sandwich. It was huge. I managed to eat about half of it, and took the rest back. Also had their banana pudding, which was great as well.

Looking for a steakhouse to eat at now...

Room is nice and clean. TV is a Philips CRT widescreen, and its got way to many inputs for a hotel TV: HDMI(!), HD-component, Component, S-video, 2 x composite, in the back, and another set of S-vid/composite on the side. Also have a good channel lineup from the local cable co. Even has OLN (now VS.) channel!

Thanks for the report.
Nice to hear that some properties are using above average TVs.

I always appreciate it when a property provides you with a coupon or freebie for a nearby eatery.

I know OLN is Outdoor Life Network, what does VS stand for?

... I always appreciate it when a property provides you with a coupon or freebie for a nearby eatery

If the OP is traveling for Marshall Space, etc. it may be helpful to know that the Titusville HI (near KSC) also gives out eatery coupons for the nearby Durango Steakhouse. That HI is kept in tip-top shape, too. ^

VS Network is "Versus" network (former OLN). Sort of a ESPN knockoff.

Thanks for the report.
Nice to hear that some properties are using above average TVs.I have stayed a couple of nights there as well.

The TV is nice, but there is not much point in bragging about a high-def TV without any high-def inputs. Would be great if they would cut a deal with the cable company to offer some HD channels. I just got HD at home - WOW.

David

Looking for a steakhouse to eat at now...


Pauli's Chophouse downtown is pretty good, although has a more varied menu than the standard upscale steakhouse. But still a very good place, particularly for northern Alabama.

I've stayed at the HGI Huntsville before, and it really is a nice place. It's only been open about a year so it has all of the latest upgrades to the standard HGI room that most properties don't have yet.

The new Embassy Suites in downtown Huntsville just opened. Going to try it out in two weeks for a five night stay on my next trip to the city.

Pauli's Chophouse downtown is pretty good, although has a more varied menu than the standard upscale steakhouse. But still a very good place, particularly for northern Alabama.

I've stayed at the HGI Huntsville before, and it really is a nice place. It's only been open about a year so it has all of the latest upgrades to the standard HGI room that most properties don't have yet.

The new Embassy Suites in downtown Huntsville just opened. Going to try it out in two weeks for a five night stay on my next trip to the city.

Thanks for the rec of Pauli's, will definitely look into it. I've went to Thomas Pitt BBQ for lunch and Ol' Heidlberg for dinner today. Both were great as well. Going to the Greenbriar BBQ next to the cotton gin tomorrow for lunch. Everyone seems to have a different fave BBQ place :p But so far for me, Thomas Pitt is better than Dreamland. Their potato salad is great too!

Thanks for the rec of Pauli's, will definitely look into it. I've went to Thomas Pitt BBQ for lunch and Ol' Heidlberg for dinner today. Both were great as well. Going to the Greenbriar BBQ next to the cotton gin tomorrow for lunch. Everyone seems to have a different fave BBQ place :p But so far for me, Thomas Pitt is better than Dreamland. Their potato salad is great too!Greenbriar (or Gibson's) is the definitive BBQ for the area. Greenbriar has hushpuppies that are beyond belief.

There are actually two Greenbriar BBQs: The original that started in a cinder block building and moved out to I-565, and a second one (different owners) that took over the old cinder block building and is called Old Greenbriar. Both are good.

Enjoy!
David

Greenbriar is definitely my barbecue choice there. And you can't beat Ol' Heidelberg if you like German food.

Well, I had a mid-afternoon flight out of HSV today, so I went to the Golden Rule near the airport, which was pretty good for a chain. I finally got some beef brisket! The Greenbriar I went to is near or right off from "Old Hwy 20" I think, its farther away from I-565 than the other Greenbriar. And you guys are right, the hush puppies are great there! And the wait staff kept those baskets full as well.

I ended up eating at the Longhorn chain steak place for dinner friday night, and was un-impressed. Oh well. My co-workers said that the Pauli's Chophouse downtown needs reservations, so I just played it safe and went to Longhorn. Also went to this coffee house on Pratt, on my way out from a drive through the Monte Santo park for a little fall colors. This coffee place was pricey I thought, and their "Almond Joy" espresso drink was too sweet, but oh well, wanted to try something other than a mocha... ;)

I have spent the last three weeks at the HGI, and I have been very happy there. 2 free bottles of water, outdoor pool and hottub, decent fitness center.

My favorite restaurants:

Landry's next door is pretty good for seafood, fish, etc. and has some nice desserts.

Pauli's had a very nice steak, and the lobster was good, if not a bit on the small side. More pricey, but I walked in on a busy night without a reservation and got a table in the bar area.

For Mexican, Rosie's Cantina is pretty good, but usually very busy.

There are a few Japanese teppanyaki-type chains, not bad.

Surin Thailand has some decent Thai food, and sushi.

Greenbriar is great BBQ and hushpuppies (as noted above).

There is also a nice steak house in Madison, called Main Street Cafe. It's in the old jailhouse, and they have some tables in the cells.

For a change, there is a Brazilian cafe downtown, that is only open for lunch currently, named (what else?) Cafe from Brazil. They had some very delicious meals and desserts, and original Guarana soda.

Currently I am at the Embassy Suites, and have been there for 3 nights. There is a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in the lobby, which I have not eaten at, as I am trying to try places I can't find at home. The ES is very nice, and the staff has been over-the-top. I will try to post a trip review in the next few days.

Currently I am at the Embassy Suites, and have been there for 3 nights. There is a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in the lobby, which I have not eaten at, as I am trying to try places I can't find at home. The ES is very nice, and the staff has been over-the-top. I will try to post a trip review in the next few days.The HGI is very new, and the Embassy Suites (downtown) and Homewood Suites (west of town just off US 72) have both just recently opened.

Quite an expansion of Hilton stay opportunities in HSV. More than makes up for the loss of the Huntsville Hilton downtown, now affiliated with HI.

David

Today's Huntsville Times has an article announcing another HGI to be built off of South Memorial Parkway:

link (requires annoying demographic information) (http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1162376390134490.xml&coll=1)

Also an article on the Embassy Suites, noting the previous lawsuit by the builder against the city:

(linky) (http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1162376154134490.xml&coll=1)

David

Checked in today. Got breakfast "pass" and 2 bottles of water. Was also given a coupon for a free appetizer at Landry's, which happens to be next door. Don't plan on going there at all, since I lived in Houston...

Got up to the room, smelled cig. smoke. Looked at the room number plate, and didn't see the no-smoking icon. Called down and got another room. The checkin clerk recommended Dreamland for some BBQ, and called for me to make sure that they were still open (it was 9pm already), and they were. Had their new "brunswick" (sp?) soup, which has their BBQ chicken and pork in a soup with potato and tomato chunks. Yummy. Their sauce is on the spicy side. Also got a BBQ chicken sandwich. It was huge. I managed to eat about half of it, and took the rest back. Also had their banana pudding, which was great as well.

Looking for a steakhouse to eat at now...

Room is nice and clean. TV is a Philips CRT widescreen, and its got way to many inputs for a hotel TV: HDMI(!), HD-component, Component, S-video, 2 x composite, in the back, and another set of S-vid/composite on the side. Also have a good channel lineup from the local cable co. Even has OLN (now VS.) channel!

Good thing you stayed in the hood in Huntsville... Try the Embassy Suites that just opened in DT HSV, or the Hampton Inn on University... Little bit safer. Next time your in Huntsville, let me know. Ill let you know some good places.

I'm not a Huntsville expert. but I did not feel unsafe during any of the past 21 nights that I stayed there. There is an Extended Stay hotel next door, and Landry's Seafood on the corner within walking distance.

I agree, never have felt unsafe in that part of Huntsville. Granted there are some residential areas near the hotel that aren't all that nice, but I've never felt like the HGI was in the "hood."

I'd love to go back, hopefully I can convince my boss to send me back again. Side note, I think the Hampton Inn was sold out for the dates I need. Anyway, I hope to go back!