Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton, Downtown Vancouver

I spent 11 nights here and had a great time. It was easy to walk around and explore downtown from this location. The room was spacious, well appointed, and spotless, and the front desk staff were polite, helpful, and accomodating. The breakfast buffet was pretty good, with plenty of hot and cold options, including eggs, potatoes, waffles, and bagels. The pastry selection was good too. I highly recommend this hotel if you're visiting Vancouver.

I've just come back from 2 months travelling through Europe, staying almost exclusively at Hilton properties. Consistently warm, welcoming service is one reason I've stayed loyal to Hilton, and as a Hilton member I was extremely disappointed by my recent stay at Hampton Inn Downtown. I don't expect special treatment or the red carpet, just basic hospitality and courtesy, and that was completely missing. I was there for the weekend with a friend I was hosting, and the check-in was one of the most unfriendly I've experienced. The Front Desk Manager, whose name began with “A,” was rude and dismissive from the moment we reached the desk. When I asked a simple question about the hotel, he abruptly replied, “I’ll get to that” in a tone that felt unnecessarily curt. I stopped trying to engage and waited while he quietly went through check-in, seeming annoyed. It was especially surprising because his nametag identified him as a manager. The front desk sets guests' first impression, and service matters in a competitive city like Vancouver. A smile and friendly attitude go a long way, but we got neither. Once he handed us our room keys, he went right back to what he'd been doing without even saying “Enjoy your stay.” Everyone can have an off day, but if this reflects the property's usual service, Hilton management should address it. The experience made me question my loyalty to a brand I've otherwise enjoyed around the world.

The location worked perfectly for walking to restaurants and the theater. We were in town for my birthday weekend and Moulin Rouge at the Queen Elizabeth Theater. Our room had a lovely view and was quiet, clean, and beautiful. The housekeeping staff were very friendly when we passed them in the hall, though the check-in staff could have been friendlier. Parking was a bit tricky to navigate, but that's to be expected downtown and right next to the stadium.

We were hoping to find a VRBO in our price range, but none were available, and it turned out this Hampton Inn worked out even better for us. We were in the heart of downtown, close to public transport, and chose not to rent a car. The staff were professional, helpful, and friendly throughout, and answered all our questions. We felt welcome right away, then were pleasantly surprised by a complimentary suite upgrade, based on our Hilton Honors membership and the length of our stay. Breakfast was lovely, and the free self-laundry service was a wonderful surprise. We couldn't have been happier.