I guess I will throw in my 1.5 cents, which may be worth less everyone elses two cents :-)

The same-name properties are really going to vary a lot depending on how old they are, where they are, and if it was an original Hilton branded hotel or one they purchased and re-branded under their name.

Hampton Inn is usually considered their low priced chain. You will get a basic room along with a free breakfast. The breakfast quality will be debatable however at best, you can get cereal, muffins, bagels, and some are now installing waffle makers. There is usually some hot food like biscuits & gravy, egg pucks as we call them, french toast, sausage, bacon, breakfast pizza, etc., in which they usually have two choices. The rooms don't typically have balconies or does the hotel have a resturant/bar. They will normally have an indoor or outdoor pool & small workout facility. There is also the Hampton Inn & Suites which usually has regular rooms or a suite. The suite could be just a larger room with sitting area (junior suite) or a 1 bedroom suite which has a separate sitting area and the bedrooms close off from that area.

Hilton Garden Inn's are usually once notch higher with a few more nice things. The rooms may be a little larger, better quality furniture, have a restaurant & bar onsite open in the evenings and for breakfast. Pools & workout areas are typical too. Usually in the same area, these rooms will be more than the Hampton Inn next door. They don't normally have a balcony unless it's overlooking something like the ocean. No free breakfast unless it's included in your rate or myway preferences. Breakfast Buffet is about $10 per person in their resturant.

Embassy suites are just they imply, they are an all suite hotel. Typical is a 1 bedroom suite in which the bedroom is in the back. It will have a TV in the bedroom. The front of the suite is a small living room with a bigger TV, sofa with normally a pull out bed, small frig & microwave, coffee maker, wet bar sink, work table for computer & possibly a chair & otterman. Included with the price is managers cocktail hour from around 5:00 - 7:00pm, depending on laws, etc - in which beer, wine, and mixed drinks are served for free. Sometimes snacks of either hot or cold variety may be included. A big breakfast is included with the price (honors stay or paying) either buffet or cook to order. We personally like ES when we can get a good rate on them.

Homewood Suites can have either a junior suite or 1 bedroom suite. They are a little different than Embassy Suites as they have a small kitchen in them. You typically see a full size frig, microwave, electric stove top, dishwasher, and a selection of cooking & eating utensils. They are intended a little more for families who may want to cook some in their room instead of eating every meal out. They have a good breakfast in the morning (included with room), and sometimes have evening beer/wine along with some hot food. They seem to only do evening food Monday - Thursday, which leaves out the weekend crowd.

Doubletree & Hilton to me are pretty similiar as in the USA, it caters a little more towards business travels. Unless you have a good Honors status, it's not much more than an expensive room. You typically don't get free breakfast, evening drinks, free internet, or free access to health club. Certain honor status & myway selections can get some these freebies and/or an upgrade to the next level of room. Both of the hotels may have an executive floor or honors floor in which if you get upgraded, you get access to the lounge on that floor. It will have a continential breakfast and maybe hot snacks & drinks you can buy in the evenings. They will also have a restaurant & bar onsite.

Outside the USA, the Hiltons offer more to elite status when it comes to room upgrades & having better lounges on the honors floor.

None of the above is any steadfast rule by any means as there is some very nice properties on the low end and not-so-nice on the high end.

Since you are using points for this stay, you will most likely, only be able to book the lowest end room online. You might get upgraded when you check in depending on your profile selctions and Silver VIP status.

We usually look at the hotels in the place we are going, go thru all the online pictures to see what they look like, then head over to Tripadvisor to read reviews along with searching Flyertalk.

I know many more seasoned travelers will chime in too. If you let us know where you are thinking about staying, I am sure you will get some good responses. Sometimes, the next town over might be a better location too.

David