TWAL10114Ever

Has anyone stayed at this property? If so, opinions?

I was looking at the property on the website and there are no pictures so that's a little scary! LOL

2400

Very nice: new, off 395 towards Carson City, close to restaurants, very friendly staff. Great alternative to the HI

TWAL10114Ever

Thanks for your message!!! Are the restaurants within walking distance? Any good ones?

2400

Mostly chain restaurants in strip mall settings. I don't remember whether they are within walking distance, not far at all by car. The HGI is several miles from the major casinos.

aztimm

This was under construction when I was last in RNO in Jan. I typically get there 1-2 times/year and stay at the Hampton Inn, never been upgraded (even as a Diamond). If the price is similar, I'll definitely try the HGI for my next trip.

Anyway, there's a new outdoor mall/strip mall thing about 1/2 to 1 mile from the Hampton Inn, so within 2 miles of the Hilton Garden Inn (I'm estimating these 2 properties to be 1/2 mile from each other). It has the typical chain-stores and restaurants (I ate at Buffalo Wild Wings and visited the Apple store). We have an almost identical setup about 5 miles from my house, in Gilbert AZ.

I always get a car at RNO, and always get nice upgrades (from both Hertz and National). Yes, you could stay at one of the casinos, mabe even cheaply, but I'd rather be away from the major buzz where I don't have to deal with so much smoke. Reno is a pretty easy city to navigate, seems similar to Tucson, but with much better freeway access (even surface streets seem to flow pretty well).

TWAL10114Ever

Anyone had any recent experiences at this property?

Pat89339

I check in tomorrow for the weekend. I will report back. If you have any specific things you want to know, let me know.

TWAL10114Ever

Curious if the hotel is still in "new condition?" As a Diamond did you get an upgrade? Also, what restaurants are within walking distance (if any) or within a mile or so.

Thanks in advance for your help! I'm scheduled to check-in there in about a month.

CommittedLurker

I stayed there in early June. Yes, it has a new feel to it.

I checked out very early and did not have a chance to sample their breakfast.

I did not get an upgrade.

In summary, this is just a regular HGI. Nothing special, I thought. The location is a little too far south of everything, IMO.

Pat89339

I stayed at this property July 4-6, 2008, with Mom89339 who prefers an accessible room. They tend to be the first off the elevator lobby and a rather sparsely furnished regular room. When I booked the reservation I requested that we not be upgraded because we need the accessible room. Using online check in I saw we were assigned a first floor connecting room. I never accept connecting rooms and when checking in I asked them to look for an upgraded room instead. The clerk said that they do have an accessible whirlpool suite available. Score! There is no bellman, but they do have bell carts and the male clerk at the front desk helped us unload the equipment and brought it to our room (note there was only 1 person on the desk Sunday and they had to get the housekeeper and maid to help us with loading the equipment back into the car).

This is a 5-story HGI, which opened in March 2008 (it still has the new hotel smell ). It is located Southeast of the main casino part of town in an Industrial Park area. During the week we were told that the hotel is full of suits (so upgrade would be more difficult) and on weekends the hotel is pretty much deserted, with the occasional exception of group bookings (read bus loads of kids for some local sports tournament or other). The hotel has 5 suites (one accessible #315). All suites are numbered X15 and are the first room off the elevator lobby, but not on the car side. There is a small indoor pool with outdoor deck with tables and chairs, exercise room with two treadmills, and weight bench. There is a business center with the remote printing service (even with the hotel relatively empty the computers were busy). The Grill serves until 9:00 p.m.

Our suite was the largest I have seen at an HGI property. The parlor has a large corner whirlpool bath (with 2 large towels, bath mat and washcloths), guest bathroom, hide-a-bed couch, chair, coffee and end table, small 4 drawer dresser with a 36” Phillips HD flat screen on top with DirecTV HD programming, including HBO HD (we were warned that the remote control is slow—it is), work desk with Herman Miller chair, refrigerator with small freezer, microwave, regular-sized kitchen sink, coffee set up and closet (with iron and ironing board). The bedroom had a Garden Sleep System bed, an upholstered chair, 4-drawer dresser with the Philips flat screen TV on top, and small closet. The Master Bathroom had a large deep soaking tub (not accessible), a single marble topped sink, walk in shower (with shower bench) and more towels than I have ever seen in a hotel bathroom. There were 4 large bath towels on a rack by the shower, 4 more bath towels by the large soaking tub and no less than a dozen washcloths folded in various shapes around the room and a half-dozen hand towels. Each room had separate air conditioning controls (be sure it is switched to cool or it will just be the fan).

The staff is friendly and personable. They were eager to help and offer suggestions about our interest—shopping—and directed us to some great finds. They were eager to help any guest with questions about the local area.

Diamonds and Gold receive two bottles of water at check in. Does it annoy anyone else that many of the hotels have switched to the half-pint bottles? You also get breakfast at the Grill (note: only on paid stays; if you are staying on points, you do not get breakfast). On the weekend, breakfast is scheduled from 7-11 a.m. There was a variety of boxed cereals, plenty of fresh fruit (watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, OJ and cranberry juices, regular and non-fat milk, variety of pastries and donuts, oatmeal, cook yourself waffles (one guest asked the waitress and for whipped cream for his) bagels, English muffins, and wheat and white bread for toasting. They offer cooked to order eggs, omelets, with sides of sausage patties, bacon, and potatoes. There is coffee, tea (only choice of 3 regular and 1 herbal) and hot chocolate. I believe this was priced at $11.99 for others.

TWAL10114EVER, regarding food within 1 mile of the hotel: To simplify directions, consider the HGI at the northeast corner of the intersection of Double R Boulevard and South Meadows Boulevard. In the corner with HGI there is a McDonalds.

North on Double R at .5 miles there is a strip mall with Hong Kong Diner II and Rick’s Deli Café. Continuing further at .7 miles another strip mall, Double R Galleria, with Washoe Wine Company, Sushi Take Out, and Icebox Take and Bake.

East on South Meadow you will find nothing but office buildings and homes.

Southeast corner of South Meadows is the Double Diamond Village strip mall with CaiE’s Oriental Kitchen, Papa John Pizza, Smith’s (grocery store with bakery and deli), Wing Stop, Keva Juice, Ben & Jerry’s, Port of Subs, Starbucks, Taco Bell and Sushi Moto.

On the Southwest corner there is a small casino, Sierra Gold, advertising spirits, food and jackpots.

West on South Meadow at .1 mile at the Double Diamond Town Center you will find a Subway, Moxie Java, Domino Pizza, and Flowing Tide Pub & Grill. Continuing on South Meadow to So. Virginia, turn right and there is an IHOP, Wendy’s and Winco.

If you are coming to Reno for gambling or fine cuisine, this is not the area for you, unless you have a car and feel like driving.

The one minor issue I had is that the wrong HBO movie directory is in the room. They need to get the HBO-HD movie directory.

Oh and for the plane geeks, you are close to the landing flight path for RNO and I saw (but not heard) many planes on approach for landing. The airport is 5.5 miles away to the north.

I liked this hotel. They had an eager and helpful staff, we received an excellent upgrade, and the hotel was not crowded. We drove from San Francisco and were thrilled to find that gas was only $4.05 a gallon at the Reno Costco!

Westcoaster

Thanks for all of the info, Pat. One note: You are supposed to receive free breakfast on an award stay at HGIs if you are Gold or Diamond.

aztimm

Yes, thanks for all of the great info Pat!

I have a 4-night biz stay here in early September. I'm debating if I want to split it, stay part at the Hampton. It sounds like the Hilton Garden Inn would be better for the weekend, so I may do the Hampton then switch to HGI. I will be up very early (helping out with the balloon festival), and don't want to switch hotels every day.

Pat89339

You're welcome! I know we are supposed to receive free breakfast on award stays, but the clerk said they don't give it at this franchise. Since I was scoping out the hotel for others here, this came up in a conversation I had with the front desk clerk. I agree he is wrong, but it seems to me that many hotels stray from the HHonors rules.

You're welcome! Wow, lucky you to be helping out with the balloon festival!

JDiver

Hilton Garden Inn Reno
9920 Double R Boulevard, Reno, Nevada, USA 89521
Tel: +1-775-850-9700 Fax: +1-775-850-9797

AAA Category: Unrated . . Hilton HHonors Reward Category: 3 (25,000 points per night)

I'll be staying tonight (July17 2008), and Pat's excellent review and information on nearby restaurants, etc. is most useful. (The hotel is a very short distance from my client's business, so that's also a plus!) I'll only add any impressions of my own, with such a great report anchoring this thread.

I had no problem finding the hotel, and it is in a quieter location just a couple of blocks from highway 395, within walking distance of the shopping centre Pat mentions (s.e. at S. Meadows Parkway, with the Sushi Moto - which has what appears to be an extensive sushi menu and $19.95 all you can eat dinner sushi offer.)

This hotel is a 100% smoke-free facility. No pets allowed (service animals excepted.) The Hilton Garden Inn Reno Nevada hotel is located in South Reno-just off of US 395 and South Meadows Parkway. There are an indoor heated pool and whirlpool spa (open 5 am - 10 pm, children must be accompanied by an adult. The business centre has two working computers and printers, copy machine and remote printing courtesy of PrinterOn. There is a fitness centre near the swimming pool, as well as coin-operated washer and dryer.

I had already checked in with OLCI, and the 10 descriptions of rooms offered were very helpful (including nearness to elevator, connecting rooms, etc.) I selected a "King Bed Evolution Room" on the 5th (top) floor not near the elevator. Very nice, like OLCI is supposed to work - other than the prominent "Hampton" logo in the upper left corner! I am on an AARP rate at USD $134.10 (plus taxes / local fees,) with a 6 pm same day cancellation possible (I always select the lowest rate I am eligible for and pass it on to my client.)

As I arrived early at 1:30 pm and was told the room was clean and available; very nice, as I had another session with my client at 4:00 p.m. for the next shift. The afternoon and evening desk staffers were warm and welcoming (other than the morning guy in the suit who had a distinct aura of "I'm doing this but it's beneath my station," anyway. I was issued the room key and breakfast chit, and two bottles of water were waiting in the room - smaller bottles, 355 ml each.

The rooms are laid out in one long course, from x01 to x34, odds one side of the hall and evens the other. Room x18 is the one to avoid - it is directly across from elevator well and noisy ice and vending area; x20 might be the next one in noise levels. x15 and x16, near the elevators, are suites and accessible rooms. And though according to the plan x01-x03, x10 and x12, x21 and x23, x26, x33 and x34, are slightly smaller than the others, I am in an x10 and feel it is spacious and not missing any space at all. Even rooms face southeast and the sun, odds northwest and the general direction of the airport. Some noise is unavoidable, but traffic noise seems to be highest after 7 am.

The room itself is very new looking and immaculately clean, in gold shades, dark woods and cranberry accents. The bed is the Hilton Garden Sleep System (remember this has adjustable firmness dials near the head of the bed on each side of the mattress,) the usual chest of drawers with a large flat-screen 36"? Philips television, desk with Herman Miller chair and HSIA (WiFi and Ethernet, quite speedy,) lots of electric outlets (6 at the desk alone,) the usual coffee service, ice bucket, iron set, fridge and microwave, and arm chair with contrasting Ottoman with small drum side table.

Lighting is good, and the room is very nice indeed - good decorator, well kept up (not to mention it is pretty new.) Noise seems to be better suppressed than at the last (Roseville CA) HGI I stayed in, though one can hear the occasional jet if the winds are right. The individual air and heat unit (below window, wall thermostat,) is eminently controllable and fairly quiet, and does not affect one at the desk.

The bath is the functional HGI standard, with Waterpik massage showerhead in the shower-bath with bowed shower curtain rod, single sink, Neutrogena amenities (the short set, no showercap or courtesy kit,) bagged hair dryer.

Downstairs, the lobby is very spacious, the Garden Lounge is open 5 - 9 pm (limited selection of wines and beers,) the Great American Grill is open for breakfast 6:30 - 9:00 am (extended to 10:00 am weekends and holidays,) and is generally less generous than many HGIs, at USD $9.95 children under 12, and $11.95 for adults. There is no self-service hot line - only hot cereal and a waffle machine are available to the guest, as eggs / omelets must be ordered, as must be the sausage or bacon they keep behind the scenes you can order with it (no potatoes or other additions.)

There is a goodly selection of fresh well-selected fruits, two juices, and a variety of breads - mostly extremely sugary pastries, with two kinds of mass-packaged bread and pseudo-bagels for toasting; no croissants, no "English muffins" and the like. It's more reminiscent of a limited service Embassy Suites. Compare with Roseville, CA, my immediate previous HGI stay:

For dinner (no lunch served) the Great American Grill opens 5:00 - 9:00 pm daily, room service hours same as for dinner (18% service and $2.00 delivery charge - the waiter will still want a tip.) The dinner offered is with a more limited menu than the most extended HGIs, and is not exactly what is reflected in the room menu. Breakfast is $11.95 (and $9.95 for children under 12.) There is a Pavilion Pantry with sodas, juices, limited beer and wine selections and some sundries, open 24 hours.

I am pleased with this HGI - one of the nicest I have stayed in - and though somewhat abbreviated and stingy (seconds or larger portions are not an option for those preferring them,) breakfast is decent (and still much less expensive than the brekkies I saw in European hotels at €30 and up.) I'd definitely stay again - I'd not recommend it if your agenda is nightlife and gambling, but otherwise, yes indeed.

Pat89339

JDiver What a wonderful addition to the review of this hotel.

There were a few differences in breakfast during my stay, which may be because it was a holiday and weekend stay.

Breakfast was served 7-11 (we snickered about the gambling reference). There were cooked potatoes available (cubed with green peppers and onions) but it was behind the scenes. The first morning he had to cook them for us because either no one else asked for them or he had run out, we couldn't tell. They were super hot when they were served. We also had english muffins and noticed that the pastry variety changed every morning except for the donuts.

We had no problem getting seconds or larger portions and even brought waffles back to our room to eat later.

Pat