are HGI the better Hiltons?
Apr 22, 2010, 11:46 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: HH Gold VIP, BonVoy Gold, BAEC Gold, AmEx Platinum, Visa Infinite
Posts: 689
This is one of the (if not the) best HGI that I've been to. Unfortunately, I only get to go there every 3 months or so, but the staff have gotten to know me by name (the one gal remembers everything I told her on my first stay and makes conversation about my work, etc ^), they always have great recommendations for dinner/out on the town, rooms are nice, etc. IMO, it doesn't get much better than getting out of work early on a summer afternoon and going and sitting on their 10th floor patio by the pool!
My only (minor) complaint about this property is rooms that don't look onto Sherbrooke. A lot of them look onto the dumpster. However, I only get these rooms when I make a last-minute trip up there and they are sold out... they'll still get my coworker and I rooms after a quick chat with the manager!
My only (minor) complaint about this property is rooms that don't look onto Sherbrooke. A lot of them look onto the dumpster. However, I only get these rooms when I make a last-minute trip up there and they are sold out... they'll still get my coworker and I rooms after a quick chat with the manager!
The pool is great and the view is amazing.
Apr 22, 2010, 12:13 pm
#32
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Suwanee,Ga ,usa
Posts: 3,617
Code:
y Hampton Inn (not "& Suites") has HDTVs, microwaves and refrigerators in every room. Three nights a week local restaurants provide us with complimentary hot food for our evening receptions, and Wednesday nights we offer free beer and wine. Our rates are lower than the HGI next door (hotel hopping, anyone???) Our breakfast offerings are delicious (except for those fake cheese omelets, vom) and we don't charge for laundry (the laundromat does!). Yes, I know, shameless self-promotion, but hey: Guy's gotta eat!
Why I still stay at some hamptons. The last one I was at was in Beaumont,TX. They basically do the same. Nice staff too.
Apr 22, 2010, 1:05 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: SWA A-List Preferred & CP, Delta Diamond, HH Diamond Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 553
Apr 22, 2010, 1:40 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Nothing beats the free breakfast that Diamonds get at HGI. Always have good fresh fruit, and when I'm in the mood for an omelette, I get a nice big fat omelette. Also love the restaurtant/bar option that Hampton Inn's don't offer.
I've become a huge fan of HGI as well!
I've become a huge fan of HGI as well!
Apr 22, 2010, 1:47 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Philly
Programs: HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 197
You must not have stayed in HI not for a long time, I can see many HI are improving their breakfast, adding walffle maker, eliminating fake eggs, etc, though it is still far from what HGI provide. Many HS that I had been to have average to good dinners, rather than it is passable, some had very fillings restaurant quality items, one of the memorable ones are HS DFW which served roast beef, real roast beef not TV dinners or airline Y meals.
Service - fantastic
Breakfast - alright. There is indeed a waffle maker. The breakfast potatoes have been pretty good, the sausage patties have been salty, but otherwise fine. This doesn't make for a great breakfast though. It makes for a passable breakfast; which isn't a knock again HI. a 6 or 7 out of 10 for breakfast doesn't = fail (except for those surveys).
When I think great breakfast - I think cooked to order french toast/omelet (like at most HGIs and some ES).
Apr 22, 2010, 1:54 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: HH Gold VIP, BonVoy Gold, BAEC Gold, AmEx Platinum, Visa Infinite
Posts: 689
Apr 22, 2010, 2:02 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
With US hotels almost always newer is better (eg nicer). Too many full service US Hiltons etc are old, worn, noisy, dusty, tired and ding you for everything other than the bed, towels and running water. If I gotta car I avoid them as I do the plague. The HGI, HI and an occasional HS get the majority of my business anymore.
MisterNice
MisterNice
Apr 22, 2010, 3:19 pm
#41
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CLT
Posts: 7,249
There was a Hampton with $209 for smoking, $230 for non, and the HGI was $206 for a 100% smoke free hotel.
By chain I meant the HGI brand. In my head Brand = Hilton Hotels and Chain = each type, but I guess I am backward.
Apr 22, 2010, 3:53 pm
#42
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 8,142
Last week I was given a room at a HGI and it smelled horribly of smoke. I went to the FD and they changed my room without a problem. The FD person said that it was not a smoking room and that there is a charge of $250.00 (as mentioned up thread) for smoking in a non-smoking room. Six rooms are set aside, at this HGI, for smoking I was told.
Bobette
Bobette
Apr 22, 2010, 4:00 pm
#43
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HHonors
Posts: 172
I haven't stayed in a Homewood in quite sometime (2 years or so); I'm currently staying in the HI - Hobby Airport.. It's the 3rd or 4th different HI I've stayed in this year.
Service - fantastic
Breakfast - alright. There is indeed a waffle maker. The breakfast potatoes have been pretty good, the sausage patties have been salty, but otherwise fine. This doesn't make for a great breakfast though. It makes for a passable breakfast; which isn't a knock again HI. a 6 or 7 out of 10 for breakfast doesn't = fail (except for those surveys).
When I think great breakfast - I think cooked to order french toast/omelet (like at most HGIs and some ES).
Service - fantastic
Breakfast - alright. There is indeed a waffle maker. The breakfast potatoes have been pretty good, the sausage patties have been salty, but otherwise fine. This doesn't make for a great breakfast though. It makes for a passable breakfast; which isn't a knock again HI. a 6 or 7 out of 10 for breakfast doesn't = fail (except for those surveys).
When I think great breakfast - I think cooked to order french toast/omelet (like at most HGIs and some ES).
Apr 22, 2010, 4:20 pm
#44
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Philly
Programs: HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 197
Ugh, I was at that Hampton a few months ago and thought it was horrible. Mismatched lightbulbs in the hallways (when they even worked), clock radio didn't work and a front desk that asked for my room number at the desk twice (a big no-no). Maybe I have a more critical eye but I thought it was just plain run down.
I wouldn't call the lobby..etc. nice by any stretch, but the room is simple, bed is comfy, and I have a HDTV w a decent channel selection.
The only weird thing I've noticed is in regards to the towels/wash cloths. The towels are clean, though seem a bit worn/aren't fluffy.. and the maid leaves however many wash cloths suit her whim. I had 3 Mon.. after that it was a crapshoot whether I received 1 or 2.
Apr 22, 2010, 5:30 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,276
No matter chain or brand, there is none in Hilton family completely smoke free, only individual properties will decide what they want.
I agree, especially on weekdays (Mon-Thur) where dinner is serve, HS can charge as much as a ES or DT, a lot more expensive than HI, but still giving same partner miles as HI does.
Last edited by ORDnHKG; Apr 22, 2010 at 5:36 pm