Hilton HHonors - Ocala Florida Hilton

Any flyertalks have recent experience at this hotel? I will be spending some time in the next few months in Ocala and wondered about this hotel?

I haven't stayed, but my brother was there in the last couple of nights and was commenting about his great experience. He is diamond and was upgraded to executive level with appetizers and drinks available from 5 to 10 pm. No charge for the drinks. He said the rooms were recently upgraded. I hope this helps.

They used to have a pretty good comedy club in the hotel as well (although that was 15 years ago, now--not sure it's still there).

I have stayed here maybe 3 times. Last time was 3 months ago. Exec. lounge is one of the few with free alcohol. I strongly prefer to stay on the HHonors floor due to pet allergies. It is the only floor on the hotel where pets are banned. Ocala is horse country and the guests often bring pets. There is a paddock outback beyond the pool - nice to stroll back there and take a left down the road towards more stables. Ask for a room facing south for this view but the north rooms are OK, too, if it helps avoid the allergy situation. The hotel no longer has a comedy club. Diamonds (probably Gold too?) get hot breakfast buffet in main dining area. BTW, in Ocala you may want to avoid the outside-corridor Hampton Inn that is very nearby. Lots of franchise restaurants nearby when driving east down the main drag.

Horse country? Pets in the hotel? This sounds interesting to say the least. Free booze in the lounge is great. I didn't think domestic Hilton's had free liquor anymore. ^

I have been doing the homewood suites. THe gym at the homewood is weak, but other then that it is a brand new hotel. They also have a lot of double and triple points rates going. Some times the rates are the same sometimes they are crazy.

I only stayed at the Ocala Hilton once and that was about two years ago on a business trip. Stay was extremely short, unfortunately. Rooms were good, executive lounge was really good, staff was excellent. Would stay there again in a heart beat.

Couple of times last year. I agree with the positive comments by others.

One of my favorite Hiltons - the staff is very friendly and, as stated earlier, the exec lounge has free alcohol. The breakfast buffet is one of the best.
^:-::-:

Horse country? Pets in the hotel? This sounds interesting to say the least. Free booze in the lounge is great. I didn't think domestic Hilton's had free liquor anymore. ^

I stayed there once when there was some kind of horse event in the area, and a lot of the guests had dogs. The elevators smelled like wet dog, and the fourth floor landing had an odor that told the story of a dog that couldn't quite make it outside in time.

I stayed 4 nights at the Hilton Ocala last week, and I thought the hotel was great. Service was helpful and friendly, and the rooms were great. I was upgraded to the Exec level, and I had free Internet. The lounge did not have much in the way of food when I was there, but I did have a couple of free drinks.

Teh breakfast coupons are for the full breakfast, includeing eggs to order. They also gave me a couple of drink coupons. The gym was rather small, but new.

I'm back at the Ocala Hilton. This is now my 3rd stay in the past year. I am here for 2 nights and was not given an executive floor upgrade. I'm on the 6th floor overlooking the parking lot vs. the pool. No water in the room and no hand lotion. I inquired and was told that the extra amenities are only given on the executive floors. There are rooms open upstairs as I checked. I said I am a diamond, aren't I entitled to water at least? Next stay will be at the Homewood Suites. The woman at the front desk is far from friendly. However, I must say Tammy in the bar is terrific!

I'm back at the Ocala Hilton. This is now my 3rd stay in the past year. I am here for 2 nights and was not given an executive floor upgrade. I'm on the 6th floor overlooking the parking lot vs. the pool. No water in the room and no hand lotion. I inquired and was told that the extra amenities are only given on the executive floors. There are rooms open upstairs as I checked. I said I am a diamond, aren't I entitled to water at least? Next stay will be at the Homewood Suites. The woman at the front desk is far from friendly. However, I must say Tammy in the bar is terrific! The homewood is nice, but the gym is rather weak.

If my memory serves me right, it is the only Hilton with a Horse Barn.

I'm back at the Ocala Hilton. This is now my 3rd stay in the past year. I am here for 2 nights and was not given an executive floor upgrade. I'm on the 6th floor overlooking the parking lot vs. the pool. No water in the room and no hand lotion. I inquired and was told that the extra amenities are only given on the executive floors. There are rooms open upstairs as I checked. I said I am a diamond, aren't I entitled to water at least? Next stay will be at the Homewood Suites. The woman at the front desk is far from friendly. However, I must say Tammy in the bar is terrific!
Please do future diamonds a favor and make a complaint with the manager. This does not sound like they are following their terms and conditions.

Please do future diamonds a favor and make a complaint with the manager. This does not sound like they are following their terms and conditions.

Such good advice which I followed yesterday. The manager agreed completely, said they would have an immediate front desk meeting without naming me. Then sent a delicious platter of cheese and fruit and a bottle of wine to my room. They have promised an immediate correction so I am very satisfied and will return after all.^

Such good advice which I followed yesterday. The manager agreed completely, said they would have an immediate front desk meeting without naming me. Then sent a delicious platter of cheese and fruit and a bottle of wine to my room. They have promised an immediate correction so I am very satisfied and will return after all.^
Glad to hear it. Congrats.

And if you stay in Ocala, it's only a short drive to Micanopy, FL where Doc Holiday was filmed
http://www.ocala.com/article/20090106/ARTICLES/901061001

Recent Stay. More changes have happened. Full buffet is no longer a Diamond option. I was told there are (3) tiers of breakfast coupons. Different rules for different room rates. My room rate of $80 (weekday rate found online as the "spring break promo") included a continental breakfast only. Even Diamonds must pay additional $6 for the hot items. If I had paid the $99 rate that was advertised by a banner near the entrance then the hot full buffet would have been included (IIRC, the $99 rate was not available online). Seems like another example of Diamond dilution. There is no longer free booze in exec. lounge. Top shelf drinks are $3 each- very reasonable but no longer free. The snacks in the lounge remain the same. There are many more brand-new choices at that Ocala exit. It appears that in order to compete they are waving a low rate and then diluting benefits upon arrival. BTW, despite my many previous stays, I had to request a HHonors floor room. I had not been pre-assigned and had to beg and grovel, despite being a Diamond. That experience always leaves a cardboard taste and it makes me wonder if the afore-mentioned "training meeting and corrective measures" are being sincerely employed or just a lip service to mollify one specific guest.

Recent Stay. More changes have happened. Full buffet is no longer a Diamond option. I was told there are (3) tiers of breakfast coupons. Different rules for different room rates. My room rate of $80 (weekday rate found online as the "spring break promo") included a continental breakfast only. Even Diamonds must pay additional $6 for the hot items. If I had paid the $99 rate that was advertised by a banner near the entrance then the hot full buffet would have been included (IIRC, the $99 rate was not available online). Seems like another example of Diamond dilution. There is no longer free booze in exec. lounge. Top shelf drinks are $3 each- very reasonable but no longer free. The snacks in the lounge remain the same. There are many more brand-new choices at that Ocala exit. It appears that in order to compete they are waving a low rate and then diluting benefits upon arrival. BTW, despite my many previous stays, I had to request a HHonors floor room. I had not been pre-assigned and had to beg and grovel, despite being a Diamond. That experience always leaves a cardboard taste and it makes me wonder if the afore-mentioned "training meeting and corrective measures" are being sincerely employed or just a lip service to mollify one specific guest.
The Spring Break Promo is supposed to include the "full breakfast". Please email C/S so this will be resolved and future travelers will not get taken. I live in Ocala and I eat there some and I have noticed the buffet getting smaller everytime.

Unfortunately, the situation has not improved here. Arrived and quickly given a room card with a room on Floor 6 (not executive). I asked whether this was a pool or parking lot view and the clerk said parking lot, "would I prefer a pool view?" Yes was my response. She handed back my card with a room now on floor #2. In the meantime, a gentlemen was checking in WITHOUT a reservation with a different clerk. At the end of their conversation, the clerk said to him (presumably no status customer), I have upgraded you to the executive level. I said to my clerk, no executive room for me? She said, well, they are only available on a space available basis. I was upset to say the least and asked for the manager. She gave me a card and said to call or email him. I did on tuesday night. It is now Saturday, and there has been no response. BTW, no water in my room, and she did not give me breakfast certs. When I asked, she did give them to me. Very unhappy with their lack of diamond benefits. So much for the discussion I had with them a few months ago.:td: