Hampton: Entry level hotel for the budget minded with free internet and breakfast with a high degree of similarity in layouts throughout its many locations. I have many friends that are big fans of Hampton Inns and make it their primary hotel since it provides a reliable clean and comfortable surrounding for a great value since breakfast and WiFi are included.

Embassy Suites - The all-suite concept along with free breakfast and managers reception makes this the Family brand of the Hilton properties.

Homewood Suites - Extended Stay suites/studios that include a kitchen/kitchenette and dinner and drinks Mon-Thurs and free breakfast. This is a newer brand so there is high level of consistency between property layouts.

Hilton Garden Inn: I consider this the best brand idea Hilton came up with and is custom tailored for the business traveler. THE most consistent brand in terms of cookie cuter layouts. For those of Diamond/Gold this is the best value as you always get a full made to order breakfast in an restaurant that is not overcrowded with everyone getting free breakfasts.

Doubletree - The first of the "full service brands" and widely agreed upon as THE most inconsistent of all the Hilton brands. There are good ones, there are bad ones, but the consistency is the cookie at check-in and the Sweet Dreams bedding. Complimentary breakfasts for Diamond/Gold usually is more than simply Continental and often a full buffet with eggs (often omelettes made to order as well). I think the introduction of Curio will mean that there will not be any new Doubletrees that are truly premium properties (such as The Wit) and all the new ones will be Mid-tier hotels that don't meet Hilton standards.

Hilton - Full-service flagship brand with a lot of inconsistency (although I think the consistency has improved over the past decade). Many Hiltons offer Diamond/Gold strictly continental or lounge breakfast so if a proper breakfast with eggs et al is important to you it is a bit disappointing.

Conrad - I consider Conrad even in the US to be a step above Hilton and have a more international flair to it with a noticeable difference in clientele than a typical Hilton. I have become a big fan of this brand staying multiple times at three of the four current US properties (New York, Miami and Chicago) and I am thrilled they are expanding in the US. Conrad has more of a casual elegance/luxury to it (Hence their motto "The luxury of being yourself" which is certainly not the Waldorf vibe) I realize they are much better outside the US, but doesn't that also apply to Hilton's as well?

Waldorf Astoria - The top luxury brand of the Hilton empire and at least from my perspective a bit stuffy at times (the amount of stuffiness varies from property to property). From my perspective, the Waldorf Astoria Chicago is the US property that best embodies what a Waldorf should be/proper Waldorf experience.

Curio/Canopy - I think Hilton made a mistake coming up with two new brands right on the heels of each other. Curio I can understand, its for the unique boutique like hotels that formerly would get slapped with a Doubletree moniker because they did not fit Hilton or Waldorf (and more recently Conrad).


I have to add a few comments about Room Service since I am someone who uses it quite a bit in my travels. I have found that Hilton Garden Inns and Doubletrees tend to have what I consider to be "reasonable" room service pricing. Hilton room service pricing has escalated over the last decade as I am finding less and less where I don't feel like I am being gauged price wise if I want Room Service. Conrad/Waldorf have expensive room service as one would expect from a premium brand sometimes bordering on the obscene (Waldorf New York remains the most ridiculous room service menu pricing I have seen in a while)