Hilton HHonors - I'm confused

sorry if this is a well known topic, but it's only just struck me that I have no real idea about what distinguishes different H family "classes". I've spent 2 weeks in Hiltons, Hamptons, Doubletrees, Embassy's in US.
What I thought were distinguishing features don't seem to hold that true- except Hampton's are consistent.
Can anyone explain how a Doubletree is different to a Hilton (etc etc), please?
What IS the business model- I'm currently in a Doubletree with a Hampton right next door. The price difference is $5, and I'm on the Exec floor (not as a HH benefit, we booked it).
Both are entirely full.

this might be helpful.

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/brand/about.jhtml

The Doubletree is the least consistent of the brands. Beware. Some are fine others are barely acceptable and some don't even make that hurdle. There are some old ones that were aquired from Red Lion that are really "tired" and well worn. In a number of cases however, they are in higher value locations than Hamptons, HGIs and Homewoods.

To expand slightly on my SMF co-habitant (no, guys, it means we live in the Sacramento area!) I have learned to be aversive to anything that says "Doubletree Club." Some have been passable, but some of the worst hotels I have stayed in have been Doubletree Clubs - fortunately, I have to admit, the worst of the worst seem to be closed now (Houston - if you want to know how they treated people Google "Yours is a very bad hotel,") Miami (instead of demolishing it, they could have used it for training CSIs and entomologists,) and the one at JFK with the active prostitute queue out in front.

My line of defense is to avoid Doubletree "Clubs" and for on the road consistency, book the Hilton Garden Inn - IMO highest consistency, decent sleeping, excellent free breakfast (I skimp on lunch when I am presenting / working,) free HSIA, etc.

And I use the heck out of FlyerTalk to get a "preview" sense of what I am in for at other Hilton properties. I can't begin to quantify how I have benefited from FT in my business and leisure travel - and hotel reviews, tips and tricks have been one of the highlights on my seven years of FT lurking and posting. Thanks, all! Thanks, Cheap Elite - nice link!

I thought the worst Doubletree Club was the (now closed) one @ JFK?

The one in Las Vegas (Airport) is actually not-too-bad. Boise is t-i-r-e-d, and not much cheaper than the fantastic, brand new (convenient!) Hampton Downtown. San Diego ... pay more to stay anywhere else.

The Doubletree is the least consistent of the brands. Beware. Some are fine others are barely acceptable and some don't even make that hurdle. There are some old ones that were aquired from Red Lion that are really "tired" and well worn. In a number of cases however, they are in higher value locations than Hamptons, HGIs and Homewoods.
I agree they are all over the place. Same with the DT suites. The V shaped ones are decent, other then that they are all over. I do not think they are even building DTs anymore. All I ever see are new HGIs.

I agree they are all over the place. Same with the DT suites. The V shaped ones are decent, other then that they are all over. I do not think they are even building DTs anymore. All I ever see are new HGIs.

I don't know about new builds, but they're still converting other hotels to DT's. The Sheraton Suites in LEX was converted to a DT within the past couple of months.

ATL Airport Doubletree Club is passable.

Indianapolis N, Carmel Doubletree Hotel and suites is one of best I have ever visited.

The differences as I know them...
*Hilton Full Bar and Restaurant with room service valet parking and a doorman
*Double tree as above but with a can of cookies
*Embassy Suites Cheap Beer and wine at night and greasy "free" breakfast in the AM
*HGI Usually newer properties limited bar and limited restaurant in the evenings and AM (Some room service)
*Hampton Inn No evening meal service (some limited properties with happy hour) and breakfast that is all over the map from microwave meals to hockey puck eggs)