John_OHST

It was formerly a Days Inn.

ByrdluvsAWACO

Bingo!

dbmaury, you hit the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned. VS members earn 200 miles at HI's, versus the 1000 earned at other hilton properties.

DAL

Stayed in several that have room service with adjacent restaurant - like HI St. Charles, NOLA had a deal with at least 1 cool restaurant next door, maybe more, nice bkfast, sometimes found hard boiled eggs as well as the patties, had king cake during Mardi Gras. HI Pensacola Beach had a deal with the seafood restaurant next door for some great room service, really nice business center and breakfast was run well. OK pool bar. New HGI next door has nicer pools but smaller rooms, don't know if they had the bar sink, fridge & MW in the room like HI, didn't get as good reviews in TripAdvisor. HI&S Franklin/Cool Springs TN might have room svc with the restaurant in front of it, I walked over

For business travel I get Breakfast to Go 4 out of 5 mornings

I stay in HI Knoxville West once a month and they've been part interior, part exterior, now completing all interior. All the others I stay in are interior only.

Never noticed one not having business & fitness centers, but don't use them 99%

I think it just depends, I always check TripAdvisor if they're close

TrishBOS

Recently stayed at the Hampton in Vacaville CA. This was the nicest Hampton I have ever stayed at! I hated to leave. That being said, I have found many decent HI and some pretty crappy ones.

I really enjoy the HGI brand. I find the hotels very consistent in terms of service and amenities. With HI, it can sometimes be a crapshoot. At HGI, you always know exactly what to expect.

delpreston

The oldest Hilton Garden Inn was built in 1999. They're a relatively new chain. Some Hamptons are really showing their age.

HGI's are the primary Hilton property I use. Hamptons have their place.

To me HGI's have better room layouts, nicer bathrooms (though I do like that updated Hampton's have curved shower curtains). High speed internet access is almost always wired at Hilton Garden Inns, many older Hamptons are forced to Wi-Fi it.

The Hilton Garden Inns have a nicer lobby and general area as well. Great meeting place when working in groups. I even told my group of employees that we need to get our travel department to make HGI the standard to go by when booking travel. Usually we're in an old Marriott in the towns we frequent. Where, with HGI you'll always get a relatively new property.

Only thing I'd like to see between both chains is better bedding. I know there's a push in the industry for it, but too many times I still get a beat up dirty old velux blanket.

Nomade

I'm also concerned with the quality of beds at HI and HGI. HGI started to implement their "Evolution bed" with a mechanism that allows personnal adjustment of the mattress. I have not experienced those beds but it seems to be a great improvement.

ssullivan

The new HGI beds are nice. And Hampton is implementing new beds over the next few months as well.

thelostshark

Generally, what is the difference in price/quality or anything else between Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn? Last night I stayed at a Hampton in White Marsh MD. Right next door was a Garden Inn. They were priced the same (so said the Hampton front desk clerk), but Hampton had a complementary breakfast, so I stayed there. tls

aineo

I have stayed in a HI with the new beds and I was quite impressed. I am anxious for all to get the upgrade as this is one of the chains my company prefers.

ssullivan

Hampton:

• Breakfast: Self-serve, mostly "continental" with a few hot items; disposable plates, cups, utensils.
• Rooms: Some have microwave/refrigerator, but not standard; mostly basic furnishings although King Study rooms are typically nicer with a small sofa.
• Bathroom: Lower-level amenities; typically shampoo, soap, and lotion but no conditioner. Plastic cups.
• Hotel Structure/Architecture: Most Hamptons have interior corridors and elevators, but some older properties have exterior corridors. Some have no elevators. Lobby areas are generally small. Some do not have exercise rooms.

Hilton Garden Inn:

• Breakfast: Buffet with wider variety of both hot and cold items; cooked-to-order eggs. "Real" plates, glasses, and utensils. Many locations also offer dinner service in the restaurant and evening room service. Evening cocktail service is also available at some locations.
• Rooms: Nicer furnishings; currently being upgraded with new beds, TVs, and a more modern look. All rooms have a microwave and refrigerator. Rooms typically have a better desk and work chair than Hamptons. Beds always have bedskirts covering box springs; Hamptons typically don't have this.
• Bathroom: Neutrogena amenities (lotion, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash), real glasses, towels are typically larger and more plush than Hamptons.
• Hotel Structure/Architecture: Interior corridors at all properties. Generally newer than many Hamptons. Larger lobby areas with fireplace. Meeting space for smaller functions.

tenmoc

My favorite HI is the one up in Middletown RI.

Favorite DT for the one person asking above is Waltham MA.

Havent stayed at an HGI yet. But they seem to be building one in Newburgh NY that will get my business at least once to compare it to the kind of pricey HI's in that area.

cullen24

San Diego Hampton on Pacific Hwy - incredible attention from the staff

holmedown

Couldn't agree more - was there two weeks ago and the staff were excellent.

cullen24

Was it the 15th - the 18th. We may have shared an elevator. I held a small meeting in one of the conference rooms on the 16th

orfflyer

To add to the list of up-scale HI's:

Wilmington, NC - Right beside Port City Chop House
Columbia, SC - Near USC (lot's of good eateries, too)

Ones to avoid - Chesterfield, VA, Lynchburg, VA

As a PP said, pays to do a little homework before booking - I stay away from the HI's without interior entrances as they have all been old, run down properties in my experience.

I haven't had a bad experience with HGI, but they equate with a slightly above average CY, IMO.