It looks like there are no reports yet on the first Hilton Garden Inn in Europe. I made a quick stop there not expecting anything special just to visit Mercedes Benz museum http://www.mercedes-benz.com/content...ld_Museum.html There are plenty of activities to do in Stuttgart itself as well as close by. One of my favourites is Metzingen outlet village about 40 km (25 mi) from the hotel. It is great to buy suites and other upscale clothes. Due to the current exchange rate it might not be the best deal for the visitors from the United States.

It was an award stay I got via Diamond desk for the Cat 3 hotel – 25k points per night. I was driving myself and I have to admit I found it only after the second try. It is between the Porsche Arena and the Gotlieb Daimler Stadium in Stuttgart. The fact is that the building compared to the other two is relatively small – 4 story building. There are unnoticeable HGI flags hang outside. There’s nothing else eye-catching or different to notice. There is basically just a Hilton Garden Inn title on the one of the small buildings written in similarly to what Porsche uses. Please note that HGI is NOT in the Stuttgart city centre.

Hotel uses Carl Benz centre parking which seems to be the same physical building. It costs EUR 13.50 per 24h with in-out privileges (additional ticked needs to be asked at the hotel’s reception). I would assume there are other parking options on the street or by the stadium, too. One needs to push the button at the first gate, ask reception to open the next gate in order to drive in from the hotel side. It is a covered and modern parking. I didn’t notice the sign at the first gate and drove to the second one. Went inside, check-in was a breeze. They upgraded me without asking to a deluxe room on the 4th floor. Room #418 is overlooking the Porsche Arena. We were also invited to free breakfast next morning in the hotel’s restaurant. They asked themselves during the check-in whether I would like to use free internet. I actually got two free vouchers, one also for Mrs. dabeee69. Internet connection was indeed very good.

Whole hotel and room itself smells new. It is also very modern:
- RFID room doors and keys
- Linksys in the Ice machine room
- Garden Sleep System adjustable bed
- Mirra ergonomic chair in the working area
- Microwave and a teapot
- Fridge
- Philips Flat TV
- Neutrogena bath products plus a blue duck (reminds me of yellow duck in Munich Hiltons), and more.

The selection in the room service menu is not too extensive, just a page of food. They have more stuff available than written in the menu book. I went for the Dunkeles Weissbier which was not listed in the menu. Food delivery was prompt and the quality of it was very good, everything was fresh and tasty. It was also very moderately priced compared to our previous Hiltons in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich

The bed is sort of special; mattress is made from the New Zealand’s virgin wool. It has adjustable firmness of mattress. I had a comfortable night’s sleep.

Fitness room is relatively small but good enough. I went there for a quick morning workout and found 5 cardio devices as well as couple of multi-purpose strength machines.

The breakfast is very good. Fresh orange juice has to be squeezed by the op itself They also have sekt (sparkling wine but not exactly champagne), kefir and good selection of warm and cold stuff in the buffet.

I would definitely return. This has the best from traditional HGI in a very modern layout. I am glad HGI Stuttgart NeckarPark employ great, helpful and responsive staff.

I made a gallery of the hotel; feel free to check it out on http://dabee.net/HGISTR