Hilton HHonors - Gallery ONE - A Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel Trip Reports and Reviews

We stayed there last year for a pre-cruise night.

I don't know about today (although I doubt it is any different), but it was filthy. My husband and I said we would never stay there again. The carpets will filthy...just about everywhere. The service was minimal. We had a LOT of bags and they forgot to tell us that the porters went home at 5:00. And I mean a LOT of bags (two week cruise w/tuxes and gowns, way too many shoes, etc.). Same thing in the a.m. We had to lug this all back out as well. They were suppose to have a taxi waiting for us--didn't happen. It was NOT a good visit to that Double Tree and I believe there is a nearby Embassy that I would chose instead. I thought the pool area was dinky and very plain...given that the hotel is in FLORIDA!

What I remember most though is how dirty the place was...the ONLY good thing was being able to catch the intercoastal boat from behind the hotel. But not worth the "cost" of everything else.

Dawn

There is a wide range of room types in this hotel as we accidentally found out. The first one we were assigned was very nice, large and well kept, unfortunately, someone's luggage was still in the room. When we called to report that, they re-assigned us to a room that was literally half the size of the first one, with the living room area about the size of a hallway, the sofa was almost up against the window. You could not extend your legs without your feet hitting the window (and I am short)This room was also run down and had the extremely cramped kitchen area described above. Went back down and demanded a better room, and this time got one on the end of the hotel facing the waterway and drawbridge and much closer to the first one. Just be aware and if you get a bad one, demand something better. And unless you want to carry your stuff 15 minutes up and across the drawbridge or over to the beach, drive to the beach and park on the street over there. Or if possible, try to get the Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach, a much better option and right on the beach.

I recently stayed (08/04/06 - 08/06/06 at the Gallery one in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. and this a summary of my stay. I Am still waiting for someone from HH to contact me back regarding this experience :rolleyes:

I would first like to say that the Reservation agent did not inform us that the hotel was under-going a major renovation until after I had booked and was transferred to the automated line for my confirmation.

Having said that, upon arriving in the room we found that we were not booked according to my profile; away from the elevator but instead right across from it.

The AC in the room was not working properly but was repaired upon our evening return.

I then found that ice is not available in each floor but that the guest must go downstairs to the lobby to get ice. I was told that they would put ice on the 4th floor sometime in the future.

We requested extra bath towels but instead housekeeping delivered hand towels.

We attempted to rent and watch a movie but the HotelNet was not working and instead found the Folio of another guest on a digital channel. :eek:

When "Sean" at the front desk was notified of the access of another guest’s folio, I was told by "Sean" that the system would not be operational until 08/08/06.

Finally, I requested a wake up call at 06:00 AM on my departure date and the call never came. :mad:

I believe that guests should be notified of major renovations or that the hotel should close completely until they are done.

Our personal experience at this particular Doubletree was less than enjoyable.

Sorry for your bad stay. While it's been awhile since I stayed there, I remember that it really needed renovations.
If you go to their website the first thing you'll see in bold red is :
[Pardon Us While We Create Our Masterpiece! We are undergoing an extensive multi-million dollar property renovation, soon to become a "work of art!" It's important we share this with you

While that's no excuse for bad service, it does show that the hotel did it's job concerning their renovations.

I recently stayed (08/04/06 - 08/06/06 at the Gallery one in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. and this a summary of my stay. I Am still waiting for someone from HH to contact me back regarding this experience :rolleyes:

I would first like to say that the Reservation agent did not inform us that the hotel was under-going a major renovation until after I had booked and was transferred to the automated line for my confirmation.

Having said that, upon arriving in the room we found that we were not booked according to my profile; away from the elevator but instead right across from it.

The AC in the room was not working properly but was repaired upon our evening return.

I then found that ice is not available in each floor but that the guest must go downstairs to the lobby to get ice. I was told that they would put ice on the 4th floor sometime in the future.

We requested extra bath towels but instead housekeeping delivered hand towels.

We attempted to rent and watch a movie but the HotelNet was not working and instead found the Folio of another guest on a digital channel. :eek:

When "Sean" at the front desk was notified of the access of another guest’s folio, I was told by "Sean" that the system would not be operational until 08/08/06.

Finally, I requested a wake up call at 06:00 AM on my departure date and the call never came. :mad:

I believe that guests should be notified of major renovations or that the hotel should close completely until they are done.

Our personal experience at this particular Doubletree was less than enjoyable.

Welcome to FlyerTalk. As suspect you didnt do any research on this property before booking your stay or you would have known to avoid this property.

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=404572&highlight=lauderdale

For future reference, always do a search on a property before booking to see what other state. Generally, opinions vary, but there are some properties, like this one, where everyone opinions are pretty much the same - BAD!!

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129419&highlight=lauderdale

You can't be upset about a wake up call, YOU should ALWAYS have a back up and NEVER depend on the hotel for a wake up call.

As far as knowing about the construction, my last stay there was in November of 2005, the construction information was listed prior to that, so that is a well know fact and on the properties homepage. So how could you say you weren't notified? If a travel agent, or third party booked this on your behalf then they should have notified you of the construction.

You don't indicated you HHonors level, but I would send a not to HHonors & flyertalk@hilton.com to voice your concerns.

cfsnco
It reads like you made your res by phone. Although they should,I never would count on getting all appropriate info from their.
I ,generally, do a search here and check the web when I'm going to a new location. This is especially true of Dbltr. Their qwuality,IMHO,is rarely great, oten okay and too often poor.

Am not sure if I indicated on my inital post but I had just returned from Cancun earlier in the day and did not want to stay with family. So I booked over the phone with HH reservations. It wasen't until I had booked that I was transfered to an automated line for the confirmation that the recording informed me of the renovations. The live agent never mentioned the renovations.

Regardless, To see some other guest's folio or possibly my own on another guest TV is not a good thing.

I have been there three times during this renovation.

First of all, great rates during this time and the rooms are absolutely gorgeous

Secondly, it is clearly annotated on the website. The fact that the reservation agent didn't review this with you, doesn't really surprise me.

My last stay there (Wednesday, last week), internet was out in the entire property, major league PIA. That is something they should advise you of during check-in. My only salvation was that I was on the 9th floor facing the canal and was able to log-in on someones wireless connection.

Just back from a four night stay (Nov 14-28) at the Doubletree Ft Lauderdale Gallery One. Wow - can not believe the difference from a visit pre-rennovation about two years ago. This was a full rennovation. The room layouts are the same (slight change to kitchen), but all fixtures, carpet, bathroom, etc are new and well done. Beautifully done. From what I can tell rooms were gutted. The only thing I recognized was the tile in the elevators and the balcony railings! I'm glad to have this back as a Hilton option because my last visit I used the downtown Hampton and it would have been fine for short work visit, but not as well positioned for vacation. Of course I also walked by the upcoming Hilton on the beach which is huge and looks stunning.

So - quick highlights:


All the room layouts seem to be the same as before with options for water views, and city views, etc. Some rooms have full balcony others just a sliding door and small 'step out' balcony.
Rooms have the new Double tree beds.
Not sure if all rooms have kitchens, but mine (1120) had the same as before: small fridge, microwave, dishwasher, two-burner electric range, and quite a bit of kitchen stuff such as glasses, cutlery, etc.
Living room still has a good size desk and sofa desk. Kitchen now has a peek through to the living room.
track lighting in kitchen and living room
Bathroom is so much better with a walk-in rain shower
Diamond Benefits: Was able to secure a great room with large balcony even during busy weekend with Winterfest boat parade. But I also came in Thursday night when I don't think many of the parade folks had yet arrived - and did this just so I could get a good room 'with a view'. Also got high speed internet for free (charged to the room, and then taken off when checked out). Asked the desk about the policy and they confirmed it was for gold and diamond.

OK - that some quick things that come to mind. There were a few minor problems. Still only ice on 4th floor. Housekeeping missed a few things. But really, nothing to complain about. But I wanted to do an update because even though this is my first post, I travel a lot (and okay, have been lurking too long at Flyertalk and need to pay back) and can tell you they got this rennovation right. All the problems I read about before my first visit over 2 years ago, and expressed in earlier posts, are gone. I'd go back - though I'll admit I'm eager to try the new Hilton next year!

I stayed there in May of this year on business while renovations in progress and got a very reasonable rate of just over $100 and a fabulous upgrade to a newly renovated 3 room suite on or near the top floor with views of the ocean from 3 directions (wrap aound) as well as the intercoatal waterway. Even though I do the myway points in lieu of benefits, they gave bfst voucher. Super impressed.

Bump - anything new on this property?

Thanks,
Fredd

Bump - anything new on this property?

Thanks,
Fredd

Stayed there last week. I believe all the renovations are 100% complete. The staff is very kind and offer special treats for Diamond members. I always receive certs for breakfast bufffet. The best room in my opinion is 1434. My associate prefers the lower numbers on the top floor. Just a couple blocks from the beach and so much more reasonable than the new Hilton that just went up.

Thanks! ^ :)

Fredd