We have stayed at Hampton Inns up and down the east coast. It's always been our preferred hotel chain when we travel. Usually they exceed our expectations, this one however did not, but it was still a decent hotel.
First off it had documented cases of bed bugs. HAD being the key word. A quick internet search will provide more than one review with mention of having had a bed bug experience here. The staff admits to it, and coincides with the time frame of the reviews that it was a few years ago. They have since resolved the problem and as a precaution I'm told they had bed bug sniffing dogs. That put my mind at rest enough to book here thru Hotels.com due to their liberal cancellation policy and to be on alert more than usual.
The two girls working the second shift at the front desk were exceptional. They were friendly and helpful and talking with them was like talking to an old friend and I appreciated that. The lobby and breakfast area was beautiful. I loved the decor and the color scheme was one of my favorites. Everything upon entry looked newly remodeled. I expected that same look and newness to carry on to the rooms, however it did not. I was so thirsty from the long drive and was so looking forward to the ice water that is usually present in the lobby. Sadly they had none, only complimentary coffee...but what I really wanted was a cold glass of water. Bummer!
Don't get me wrong, our room was nice, although smaller, and it was probably very tasteful.......in 1994. We didn't have a closet, instead a long row of heavy dark furniture lined up side to side that took up an entire wall. A microwave stand, huge armoire, dresser, and a low dresser all in one continuous line. It really dragged down the room. We also didn't have a desk like most Hampton rooms do, but instead a small table and two chairs. The bedding was clean and fresh and we immediately pulled off all the sheets and mattress covers and checked for evidence of bed bugs. None was found. The bathroom was dated but clean and I did like the layout with the corner vanity as it provided more room. There is an Ihop adjoining the property and it was close to a major roadway with lots of dining and shopping options. This town has a few traffic circles (hate em!) but other than that the location was great and centrally located.
Shortly after our check in I started to discover some things that disappointed me. A grape and M & M was found on the floor so vacuuming was not done well. They stayed there the entire weekend. The room was dark and the drapery was drab and ugly. The shower head didn't have a long enough neck so you had to stand immediately underneath it. There weren't enough outlets in the room. The outlet in the bathroom had some sort of issue and didn't hold a plug See pic) . We had to get maintenance to provide us with an extension cord and pull out the furniture so we could access one near a mirror for my hair appliance.
Other disappointments was the lack of a cable tv guide, as well as a binder telling us about the area and providing local menus. The front desk did let us use their menu's but it would have been nice not to have to walk out there which was our only choice since our phone didn't work either. I also missed the customary wooden tray that Hampton always has in their rooms for eating in bed. It would have been handy for this trip, especially since we were traveling with a toddler who liked to watch tv while eating in bed. There wasn't a business center which we always appreciate to print back up directions in the event our phones lose service (which they do often). The one bed was also so close to the wall that it would have made more sense just to push it up against the wall instead of leaving a small crack, just enough for a concern that a child could fall down there.
On the plus side this location had a pool and a jacuzzi which we enjoyed. That area was dated but clean. The hallways and public rest rooms were clean, as was the breakfast area. Breakfast was good and free and we liked the selections. The staff overseeing breakfast were very nice as well. Overall I think the staff really does a good job.
So while this wasn't my favorite Hampton it could be if they stepped things up a notch and were more in line with the other Hamptons. But be vigilant and ask and check for those bed bugs, every time. read more