Hi Explore,

I'm Diamond now, but have worked the front desk at a Hampton and still have many friends there. As you have probably noticed, Hampton has recently upgraded the breakfast selections and many other aspects of "the Hampton Experience", such as the new work desk for sitting in bed, new key packs, to-go breakfast bags to grab, signage around the property, DND signs, etc. This is being done to make ALL Hamptons a homogenous experience. What you experience in Vancouver, BC should almost be identical to Miami, FL. This logic can work well, if you believe in the McDonald's experience, but it does not always allow enough leeway to bend standards to fit the individual hotel.

For example, how many times have we stayed at an airport HI and missed the breakfast since it starts at 6am and had to catch an early flight? HI's are not allowed to have any other hours other than 6-10am...no exceptions. The new standards dictate the plate size, type, even vendors to obtain said. This applies to virtually every item in the hotel from breakfast food items, utensils and food PLACEMENT to furnishings in guest rooms.

Any HI that goes above these standards is breaking the franchise agreement. I can tell you on the days this particular HI is inspected by Quality Assurance, you will see the disposable plates and utensils. An example from my own hotel was upgraded premium soaps, shampoos and lotion in the bathroom of suites. On inspection days, we had to rush around and make a quick switch back to the lower quality HI standard issue.

So enjoy it when a hotel goes above and beyond, but if they do....hope you're not there on inspection day .