Of course, every Spark is inherently different, but here’s my experience with the Spark by Hilton in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It had been a Comfort Inn for the past decade and before that a Baymont Inn. The hotel is close to the highway and I don’t like that at all, but there was no other option for trying out a Spark along my road trip through the Midwest. During my stay, I encountered several typical Hilton elements at this hotel, which made my stay more pleasant.
For example, the parking lot was evenly newly paved black and the area was spotless. The landscaping was in colors that complemented the yellow/purple/violet colors of Spark.
There were no less than five diamond parking spaces opposite the entrance. Normally, I don’t use those, but because they were still empty, I put my car over there. Otherwise, it may look pitiful, not a single diamond guest, a 'plain' guest could think 'Why do they avoid this hotel?'.
The receptionist was very friendly and spontaneous. Because this was my first Spark-stay, she explained where everything was.
For example, coffee and tea are available all day in the lobby (so not in the room, it didn't even have cups) and you could use the microwave in the store.
The hallway gave the impression of a new hotel. The emergency stairs were also neatly carpeted (which is often not the case at other basic brands) and smelled fresh.
The room had a small niche behind the door, with hooks to hang your coat. The hand wash had a different color than the body lotion. Do they finally understand that people over 50 have a serious problem reading that small print on those bottles? The brand name is always printed in large caps, but the content is hardly distinguishable without finding and putting on your reading glasses first.
I found the room decor pleasant, although probably every Spark will look the same in the future. The room had a nice chair to sit on, which I liked. All lights had small switches, but all similar switches, another good point.
The hotel featured that new Hilton TV system, whose name I don’t know, which includes Tubi which offers free movies and TV. The 55-inch flatscreen was a Samsung, it could be turned towards you and the sound was perfect. The area to put the suitcase wasn't wide enough, I had to put it in sideways. There was a fridge (no microwave). Although I extended the writing desk, I couldn't use it, because when I sit on such an ottoman for longer than 30 minutes, my back will be sore for at least 2-3 days.
Being unable to use the writing desk, thanks to Tubi, I was able to watch a classic movie on the Samsung TV that covered no less than three themes of my road trip: Iowa, Mason City, and Grant Wood. My evening couldn’t have been better!
The shower had doors that could be fully shut so your floor would stay dry. Fortunately, the Body Wash bottle also had a different color than the shampoo and conditioner.
Other options for the night could have been the small fitness center, with new Precor equipment, featuring RunTV.
The guest laundry is available from 6 am until 10 pm, the machines are $2.00 and $2.25 (the one on the left, I think it is the washer). They have two of each.
A map with area restaurants could be picked up.
Or you could pick up items from the store, though for TV-meals you would have to use the store's microwave. I liked it that they had two regional beers. On my statement I noticed they had only charged one of them. Let's say, that was for this nice review!
Also, they offered a selection of wines in full and half bottles. Prices of everything wasn't different from any other Hilton branded hotel.