eponymous_coward

I had a recent stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Midtown mentioned by CMK10 upthread. Rate was $63 over Labor Day weekend, parking is free during weekends. Property has been renovated and rooms/ public spaces now look like brand standard (fridge, brown fake hardwood at entryway, HGI trimmings, etc.). Balconies overlook a pool type I'm a sucker for; the old school 10 foot deep pool from the 1950's (rare these days due to lawsuits). It's close enough to decent restaurants, breakfast was fine, got my bottled water and breakfast as a Gold. Would definitely stay again.

PWMTrav

Any recommendations for the best area property to stay over Christmas? We have a 3 year old and will be out visiting family. Looking for something decorated, decent food (especially breakfast) on property a big plus since we usually end up eating at the hotel in the morning, and sometimes relatives come back with us for a drink or dinner to change things up. Heated pool would work as well. I'm a recent Hilton Diamond, so I'm not sure what kind of recognition to expect with that.

jfe

The downtown Hilton is the only one I know that has an indoor pool. The food for breakfast is decent, but not sure that they decorate for Christmas

cblaisd

Had a one-night stay this week at the Embassy Suites Thomas &24th. Was very pleasantly surprised. Was by far the cheapest option in snowbird-infested Arizona-in-January.

Room and entire property was immaculate; staff very very cordial and helpful. Highspeed internet actually high speed. Breakfast, while not as good as some ES's or HGI's was certainly not "horrible." Lots of cooked-to-order options and the short-order chef was cordial and seemed to enjoy his work.

I also very much like the fact that every room has a balcony -- nice for watching planes on approach or takeoff at PHX.

Airport shuttle was fast and the driver helpful and affable.

Yes, the neighborhood is a bit sketchy, but not horrible. The hotel also has good -- evident but not obtrusive -- security. And I really liked the open-air layout much more than the typical "atrium" Embassy.

CMK10

Glad to hear that hotel is doing alright. They were a client of mine in early 2008 and I felt the hotel had long since seen better days.

siliconflyer

Anyone stay at the PHX Hilton Airport property lately? Planning to stay 1 night on President's Day for a layover. Am thinking between HH and Hyatt properties. Status Dia for both if that is of consequence. Thanks so much.

CMK10

Do you need to be near the airport? If so, that's probably the best Hilton/Hyatt property you're going to find. Otherwise, you can do better elsewhere.

Nado

I saw a review a few pages back but understand this property was recently renovated.

Can anyone offer a recent review? Thanks!

cacj

Does anyone know if the Hampton Inn Phoenix Airport North on 44th Street has begun their room renovations yet? The place was taken over by new management a while ago, and rumored that they would renovate in 2016. The place really needs it.

pinniped

Any experience with the ES Phoenix North? Traveling down there for work the last weekend in March...overlapping the final days of Spring Training so still seeing high rates everywhere. This place is $170/nt. and looks fairly nice from the website.

The reason I ask is because almost every other Hilton in town is north of $200/nt., even most HGIs and Hamptons and even the ones that aren't particularly close to any of the baseball stadiums.

Makes me wonder if anything is wrong with this Embassy...

atsak

Oh, there is something wrong with it . . . it's not up to Embassy Suites (or Hilton standards).

Check in area - beautiful - breakfast great - staff very very nice. But we just stayed there for 3 days and some comments.

1. Room had a lot of wear and tear and weird placement of light switches.
2. Generally clean but some mildew in the bathroom
3. Water pressure not regulated - showered in scalding hot and lukewarm
4. Stains on curtain in living room (looked like water), not addressed though brought to front desk's attention.
5. Towels forgotten by housekeeping one day, requiring two calls to front desk while waiting to bath the kids.
6. Updating ongoing, my brother saw a rat in the parking lot . . . probably due to the reno's the vermin are being displaced. But uh . . .
7. Floors were uneven (weird)
8. Pool too cold to swim in despite apparently heated
9. Spa unusable - too cold - on another day (weather was mid seventies)

Would recommend looking elsewhere or being SURE you get a room that's been updated already - building one and two seemed in better shape at least from the outside - we were in 3030. Plan to write Hilton about this tomorrow actually - terrible value for $185/night. Have always been so pleased with ES's in DC, Niagara Falls, LAX, etc. Was a big let down.

eponymous_coward

It's spring training in Phoenix. Even the dumps are twice regular price right now. You're not going to get good value during absolute peak season for hotels in Phoenix.

That being said, given your description and OP's problem... I'd probably see if I could Priceline/Hotwire a four star instead if I could get a similar price to that ES (or maybe even less?), and sacrifice the points/status benefits.

atsak

Good value, to me at least, would have been having the standard ES experience ie a well maintained room. I would have been happy paying the rate if the curtains were clean or more importantly cleaned when I asked, the towels were stocked and the pool was heated as advertised. The other stuff I would have overlooked.

Other Hilton properties nearby were advertising rates at about 30 - 40 a night more - so I'd recommend spending a little extra unless you can be assured an updated room - those appeared very nice.

To the hotels' credit they did offer some points compensation when I complained and responded within 24 hours, so I feel the matter was resolved satisfactorily and professionally.

aztimm

Anyone have any info on the Homewood Suites Phoenix/Scottsdale:
9880 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale AZ?

Looks like it is just south of Shea.


I'm going to a work event at a nearby hotel (another chain ) that is completely sold out, and this is very close and has an excellent rate ($111 before tax).

I used to live in metro Phoenix, but I can't remember the last time I've been to this area. Is it a new build, or converted from something else?

There is a Hampton Inn nearly right across the street. Rate is slightly higher. I could take that if it is better. Again, I don't really know that property either.


Both the Hilton and Doubletree Scottsdale resorts are considerably more. And I since I really won't be on-site much, it seems silly to pay $300+/night.

BigJC

Stayed here about 18 months ago. It was built as an HS with actual bedrooms and offered the standard HS breakfast and weekday dinner. Cocktail hour along with dinner consisted of draft beer and low dollar bottled wine. A little bit further drive up from Old Town than the resorts but I thought it was a decent place to stay for the price point.