Home2 Suites by Hilton Appleton

The location worked perfectly for us, and free parking was a nice bonus. The hotel is pet-friendly, so we could bring our service dog. The rooms were clean and comfortable, the breakfast was delicious with lots of choices, and the service was excellent.

The location is the best thing about this hotel. It’s near attractions but outside downtown, on a side street with little traffic noise, and the staff were generally friendly. The rooms let it down. There was dust on surfaces that should have been cleaned, including dust falling from the microwave when I opened it. The top of the fridge was only partly dusted, and there was a beer can under the bed from a previous guest, which made me wonder how well the floors had been cleaned. The beds were rock hard. We stay at Home2 a lot, and this one didn’t meet our usual expectations.

The room was clean and modern, with a kitchenette and a comfortable bed. It’s also a good value and just five minutes from the airport. I’d stay again, though the loud furnace woke me several times when it kicked on, and hallway noise carries into the room.

The location near Fox Valley Mall and its amenities is a plus, and it’s a Home2 Suites. Beyond that, the stay was disappointing. Our room was dirty, with full wastebaskets and garbage on the floor behind them. They charge an $86 pet fee supposedly for cleaning, but the room didn’t look cleaned. It felt like a money grab. I contacted Hilton’s inquiry line and nothing came of it. The pool doesn’t open until 9 a.m., so lap swimming is out, and after that it’s kids. Parking is a mess, with the lot design putting everyone far from the building. There are hardly any luggage carts.