Hilton Garden Inn is better all around
I always judge any hotel first and foremost by the people who work there. It was late in the evening when I checked in, and the lobby had that mix of small bar, tables and pastry display — all of which seem to me the faux pretense of luxury midst what is, as a fellow traveler said, “A dressed up Holiday Inn.”
And that is about the size of it; the people were nice, but in an obligatory way. The pastry — yes I tried it — was dry and was like makeup on a pig: looked good but was stale. Staler than a Henny Youngman joke (look him up!)
The room was comfortable but the bed sunk so low it was if a Sumo wrestler convention had been sleeping there. The interiors had a me-too wood paneling that made me instantly forget what hotel I was in because it looked like so many others…Hilton Garden Express to name one. We had stayed there by SF Airport in early December; the two hotels immediately called for comparison.
Well, the Hilton had a similar lobby, but more food, a more upbeat and proactive staff and small, but great touch: a glass cooler of water with limes and lemons with cups near the front entrance.
The rooms, size, decor, amenities, were incredibly similar. But the added touches — the cookies, the water, the smiles, the ease of it all…sorry Hyatt! Everybody, if you have a choice, go Garden Inn.
Outspoken Traveler 