I'm just back from a trip--traveling by myself this time--and I had checked the option to select room at check-in. I suppose I had vague expectations that the hotel would perhaps decide to upgrade me. Or that I could select the room online the day before check-in (but then I forgot to go to the website to do so).

The Hampton Inn clerk said they were upgrading me to a room with two queen-sized beds, as that would give me more space than a room with just a single bed, and she said that they did try to upgrade Golds whenever possible, and this time they were able to.

I suppose I had my doubts that this was really an upgrade--two queen beds an upgrade over a king bed?--but it didn't matter to me. Room was on points anyway, and I was happy. It was just that I wondered if she really was sincere, but I suppose she was. Anyhow, pleased with room, and would have been with any room I got. No big deal.

Then I checked in at another Hampton Inn a few days later, in another town, checking in without a reservation. This hotel gave me a king room. It was a better room IMO because it had a cushioned chair with footrest, as well as a desk and chair for the desk.

Since I didn't use the chair but ended up working at my computer at the desk, I suppose the comfort difference was minimal, but I did prefer the king room.

Not complaining. It is not as if the difference was between the Waldorf Astoria and a Motel Six, after all. These were both good Hampton Inns, immaculately clean and well-run.

Still, I doubt that I will check the "select room at check-in" option again, after reading this thread.