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| - I am giving the HGI 5 stars based on what it is, not compared to other hotels.
I have been staying at the Hilton Garden Inn for the last two years; I'm here for business and I fly back and forth every weekend. I have lived through their growing pains, their remodeling, and their re-birth. Right now, the HGI is at the top of their game.
The lobby was recently redecorated and has a crisp, modern feel. I liked the old wood-heavy look, but this open-space, airy look is also quite nice. The front desk staff is very friendly although I would love to see the check-in process streamlined. (The Hyatt Andaz has you check in with a personal concierge, and other hotels are completely done on iPads.)
The rooms are spacious enough; I usually get a 2-room suite with a jacuzzi. While I rarely use the jacuzzi, I like the second room for the extra space. The hotel maid staff is fantastic. Day after day they do an amazing job of making my place look fresh. On occasion, a maid does forget to replenish coffee or leave conditioner in the bath, but a call to the front desk fixes that.
Unlike some who complain, I like the location of the hotel. It's off the main strip, but only takes a 5 minute stroll in this very walkable and safe city. Within minutes I'm at the Mint Museum, at the Epicenter for a movie, relaxing on the Green, or in a number of great restaurants.
Speaking of restaurants, the HGI on-site restaurant is quite good. The selections change several times a year and everything is delicious. A giant helping of hummus for $5? Yes, please. Fresh fish? Excellent.
There's free on-site laundry which is worth staying here alone. The fitness center is small, but this is a hotel (and a budget one at that), not a Gold's Gym (which is a few blocks over.)
Regulating temperatures in the room can be tricky depending on what kind of thermostat your room(s) have. The WiFi issues seem to have been resolved, thanks to lots of complaining and that the Democratic National Convention came through last year. Yes, the street can be a little noisy with a siren from time to time, but I'm from Cleveland. I sleep better with noise.
Tip: Ask for a room that looks over the NASCAR museum. The lights on the building coupled with the lights on the Duke Energy Tower are a lot of fun.
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