The oldest Hilton Garden Inn was built in 1999. They're a relatively new chain. Some Hamptons are really showing their age.

HGI's are the primary Hilton property I use. Hamptons have their place.

To me HGI's have better room layouts, nicer bathrooms (though I do like that updated Hampton's have curved shower curtains). High speed internet access is almost always wired at Hilton Garden Inns, many older Hamptons are forced to Wi-Fi it.

The Hilton Garden Inns have a nicer lobby and general area as well. Great meeting place when working in groups. I even told my group of employees that we need to get our travel department to make HGI the standard to go by when booking travel. Usually we're in an old Marriott in the towns we frequent. Where, with HGI you'll always get a relatively new property.

Only thing I'd like to see between both chains is better bedding. I know there's a push in the industry for it, but too many times I still get a beat up dirty old velux blanket.