What is Hilton doing with DoubleTree?
Aug 22, 2017, 12:09 am
#61
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Physical properties are either owned owned by Hilton Worldwide, or by a 3rd party.
Hilton Branded property - must be managed by Hilton.
DoubleTree - not a property owned by Hilton (so a Franchise), and not managed by Hilton.
An example of this in the UK is the London Docklands property, which was a Hilton. It used to be managed by Hilton, but the hotel owners to take on the management, or get another 3rd party, of the property a few years back, so it had to be changed to a DoubleTree.
3rd party franchised hotels need to meet Hilton branding standards, but are more open to how they run their hotel (so the hit and miss as far as standards you all have found out). They can choose to use Hilton's supply chain (which due the amount of Hilton properties has a lot of buying power), or not, but Hilton Worldwide take a margin of all bookings as part of being a part of the Hilton brand. If fact in the UK, other competing Hotel brands use Hilton's backend supply chain as they can use their buying power, and have supplier who specialises in supplying exactly what a hotel requires.
I know this is the case in EMEA, and can check if this applies to other regions (I'm sure it does).
Hilton Branded property - must be managed by Hilton.
DoubleTree - not a property owned by Hilton (so a Franchise), and not managed by Hilton.
An example of this in the UK is the London Docklands property, which was a Hilton. It used to be managed by Hilton, but the hotel owners to take on the management, or get another 3rd party, of the property a few years back, so it had to be changed to a DoubleTree.
3rd party franchised hotels need to meet Hilton branding standards, but are more open to how they run their hotel (so the hit and miss as far as standards you all have found out). They can choose to use Hilton's supply chain (which due the amount of Hilton properties has a lot of buying power), or not, but Hilton Worldwide take a margin of all bookings as part of being a part of the Hilton brand. If fact in the UK, other competing Hotel brands use Hilton's backend supply chain as they can use their buying power, and have supplier who specialises in supplying exactly what a hotel requires.
I know this is the case in EMEA, and can check if this applies to other regions (I'm sure it does).
The Docklands Hilton was a very poor property prior to the conversion to DT and now it is much better. Across the UK DT's are by far the most reliable components of the Hilton Chain (contrast the DT Leeds with the Leeds Hilton, The DT Liverpool with the Hilton Liverpool etc.). I also stayed recently in the old Hilton Coventry (Waldegrave) which is now a DT and a huge improvement on it's former self.
It seems somehow perverse to me that the standard bearer for the whole brand (i.e. Hilton) can be so very poor (e.g. Hilton Nottingham Hilton MK, Hilton Aberdeen, Hilton East Midlands, Hilton MAN Airport etc. etc.) when on the whole DT's are much more consistent, reliable and frankly good.
Aug 22, 2017, 2:14 am
#62
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It seems somehow perverse to me that the standard bearer for the whole brand (i.e. Hilton) can be so very poor (e.g. Hilton Nottingham Hilton MK, Hilton Aberdeen, Hilton East Midlands, Hilton MAN Airport etc. etc.) when on the whole DT's are much more consistent, reliable and frankly good.
What you are saying is correct though, it's the Hiltons that are the big issue here rather than the DTs. Newcastle Gateshead imo being the worst of the lot. It's amazing they have allowed what should be a flagship property for the regions to get into the state it is.
Aug 22, 2017, 7:48 am
#63
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Aberdeen is now a DT thankfully and is much improved compared to what it was. Bizarrely they didn't change the carpets in the rooms so it all looks a bit odd but it's definitely better than it was. The DT at the beach is still better than it as long as you get an external room.
What you are saying is correct though, it's the Hiltons that are the big issue here rather than the DTs. Newcastle Gateshead imo being the worst of the lot. It's amazing they have allowed what should be a flagship property for the regions to get into the state it is.
What you are saying is correct though, it's the Hiltons that are the big issue here rather than the DTs. Newcastle Gateshead imo being the worst of the lot. It's amazing they have allowed what should be a flagship property for the regions to get into the state it is.
Aug 22, 2017, 7:57 am
#64
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Haven't Hiltons in the UK long had a bad reputation overall?
AFAIK, I've only stayed in one - in Bath. It felt more like a motel, although I admit I picked it for a very cheap one-night stay so I can't really complain. (This was 15-ish years ago.)
Stayed in a DT in Dublin that was quite nice. (2 years ago)
AFAIK, I've only stayed in one - in Bath. It felt more like a motel, although I admit I picked it for a very cheap one-night stay so I can't really complain. (This was 15-ish years ago.)
Stayed in a DT in Dublin that was quite nice. (2 years ago)
Aug 22, 2017, 8:08 am
#65
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Hilton are looking to open a couple of DT in Germany soon and I think we can expect the standard to be very high as Germany is such an important area for the group. I would imagine NRW would be likely, especially with the Hilton DUS being so weak.
Aug 23, 2017, 1:25 pm
#66
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Aug 23, 2017, 1:30 pm
#67
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I'll add the DT Old Town Istanbul to your list.
Aug 23, 2017, 1:45 pm
#68
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 122
I think there is a tremendous amount of variation between Doubletree properties. I have been in some that I thought were five stars (Arctic Club - Seattle, St. Louis Union Station, The Lismore), many that were excellent and were every bit as good as a Hilton in terms of service and accommodations, and a few that were ho-hum. One (Bloomington, MN) was a bad experience, both from exceptionally poor service and problems with maintenance.
Because of the great variety within the brand, it's essential for me to read reviews before booking. New-build properties and recent conversions are usually very solid, but some that were converted over a decade ago are lacking in upkeep. This inconsistency is something Hilton should try to address, although they have similar issues with the flagship brand. I've never been in a Hampton, Homewood, or HGI where I have looked around and thought "What a dump!" but I have thought that at a couple threadbare Doubletrees.
Because of the great variety within the brand, it's essential for me to read reviews before booking. New-build properties and recent conversions are usually very solid, but some that were converted over a decade ago are lacking in upkeep. This inconsistency is something Hilton should try to address, although they have similar issues with the flagship brand. I've never been in a Hampton, Homewood, or HGI where I have looked around and thought "What a dump!" but I have thought that at a couple threadbare Doubletrees.
Aug 23, 2017, 8:44 pm
#69
Join Date: Jan 2017
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A few more recent data points:
DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh - Green Tree: Beautifully remodeled with a full hot breakfast buffet. I was upgraded to a very large suite. I would stay again - everything was top-notch, clean, and professional.
DoubleTree by Hilton Norwalk [CT]: Nope! It was like they were halfway there, with nice rooms and bedding, but some serious issues. The lamps in the rooms both had shades that were dented or broken, as if they'd repeatedly hit the floor. The windows were incredibly dirty. The lounge was dumpy and underwhelming. The staff seemed to be phoning it it. I suspect a new manager would solve most of this. I would not return.
DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Junction [CO]: An older property that was well-maintained, with spotless rooms and a great breakfast served by an attentive staff. This is what the Norwalk location could be if it were run by someone competent. I would stay again.
DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Smith [AR]: Beautiful fresh remodel of an older property. Issues at breakfast, but a general manager who took charge when I complained about the slow and chaotic service. I would stay again.
DoubleTree by Hilton Lancaster [PA]: Sprawling property in average condition but with excellent service. I would return again, unless there was something cheaper to try nearby.
The Tudor Arms Cleveland DoubleTree by Hilton: Beautiful remodel of an older property. Breakfast could be slightly better, but the staff is great. I would, and have, returned several times.
Looking this over, it seems I have been having pretty good luck lately. I do read reviews and I have probably avoided some turkeys that way.
DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh - Green Tree: Beautifully remodeled with a full hot breakfast buffet. I was upgraded to a very large suite. I would stay again - everything was top-notch, clean, and professional.
DoubleTree by Hilton Norwalk [CT]: Nope! It was like they were halfway there, with nice rooms and bedding, but some serious issues. The lamps in the rooms both had shades that were dented or broken, as if they'd repeatedly hit the floor. The windows were incredibly dirty. The lounge was dumpy and underwhelming. The staff seemed to be phoning it it. I suspect a new manager would solve most of this. I would not return.
DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Junction [CO]: An older property that was well-maintained, with spotless rooms and a great breakfast served by an attentive staff. This is what the Norwalk location could be if it were run by someone competent. I would stay again.
DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Smith [AR]: Beautiful fresh remodel of an older property. Issues at breakfast, but a general manager who took charge when I complained about the slow and chaotic service. I would stay again.
DoubleTree by Hilton Lancaster [PA]: Sprawling property in average condition but with excellent service. I would return again, unless there was something cheaper to try nearby.
The Tudor Arms Cleveland DoubleTree by Hilton: Beautiful remodel of an older property. Breakfast could be slightly better, but the staff is great. I would, and have, returned several times.
Looking this over, it seems I have been having pretty good luck lately. I do read reviews and I have probably avoided some turkeys that way.
Sep 21, 2017, 12:57 am
#70
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Nicest Doubletree I've stayed at was probably in Fresno CA of all places. Not sure if that's an original Doubletree or what, but the building and rooms were fantastic.
Sep 21, 2017, 10:20 am
#71
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The Tempe DT is a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired property. I was surprised when I booked it to find that it was motel-style with doors on the outside, but after a day or so had time to explore the property and really found that I liked it. They also give you a breakfast credit worth more than anything on the menu which is pretty nice.
Sep 21, 2017, 11:06 am
#72
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The Pensacola Grand Hotel (previously a Crowne Plaza property) announced it was transitioning to a DT beginning in April of 2016. The CP sign is down, but no updates have been given as to the expected completion date. We’re almost 18 months in and no other cosmetic changes can be seen. Hotel staff are unsure of the expected completion date.
Last edited by aww3583; Sep 21, 2017 at 2:16 pm
Sep 21, 2017, 8:22 pm
#73
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There was another downtown Fresno hotel that operated for a while as a Doubletree a decade or two back. By coincidence that building had originally been built as a Hilton.
Sep 23, 2017, 12:52 am
#74
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I was wondering what the original life was for that Fresno Doubletree. That design is like an Embassy Suites which makes sense as it would have been under the Holiday Inn umbrella initially...
I see the Radisson brand is currently on the former Hilton again in Fresno (it had Holiday Inn for a while too after reopening from a years-long closure when the economy tanked). Lots of musical brand chairs in Fresno.
There is another Doubletree in Springfield, MO with a similar "feel" and atrium that I guess was also a former Holiday Inn. That is a very good Doubletree, especially considering how Springfield is.
I see the Radisson brand is currently on the former Hilton again in Fresno (it had Holiday Inn for a while too after reopening from a years-long closure when the economy tanked). Lots of musical brand chairs in Fresno.
There is another Doubletree in Springfield, MO with a similar "feel" and atrium that I guess was also a former Holiday Inn. That is a very good Doubletree, especially considering how Springfield is.
Sep 24, 2017, 8:41 pm
#75
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Central California and on the Road
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I was wondering what the original life was for that Fresno Doubletree. That design is like an Embassy Suites which makes sense as it would have been under the Holiday Inn umbrella initially...
I see the Radisson brand is currently on the former Hilton again in Fresno (it had Holiday Inn for a while too after reopening from a years-long closure when the economy tanked). Lots of musical brand chairs in Fresno.
There is another Doubletree in Springfield, MO with a similar "feel" and atrium that I guess was also a former Holiday Inn. That is a very good Doubletree, especially considering how Springfield is.
I see the Radisson brand is currently on the former Hilton again in Fresno (it had Holiday Inn for a while too after reopening from a years-long closure when the economy tanked). Lots of musical brand chairs in Fresno.
There is another Doubletree in Springfield, MO with a similar "feel" and atrium that I guess was also a former Holiday Inn. That is a very good Doubletree, especially considering how Springfield is.