Homewood Suites by Hilton Athens Downtown University Area

I’m disappointed in Hilton after this stay. They charged $1,000 per night for parents weekend, but the experience didn’t come close to matching that price. The room wasn’t fully clean, the breakfast was subpar, and every elevator reeked of weed. There was no Hilton Honors gift at check-in, and even a soda cost $3. On top of that, there was no valet: I parked in the extra lot, then had to go back downstairs to put a paper in my car or risk being towed by 7am. At $1,000 a night, they could at least make the stay feel special with extra staffing, a welcome basket, mimosas, or a nice happy hour.

The pool table in the common area was a fun touch, and the location right across from the arena was excellent. The front desk ladies were super sweet. Figuring out the elevators was confusing, though, and some posted directions would help.

I used to enjoy staying here, but it’s been a while and the service has changed. There’s no valet now, and the parking garage setup was confusing and frustrating to figure out. At the Hiltons where I usually stay, I can pull in and have my car and luggage taken care of. I’m old and disabled, and I’m glad to pay for that kind of help. I was in Athens, GA, for a 3 night stay costing $1,000 so I could meet my new granddaughter. My wife and I had to manage the confusing parking, luggage cart, and my walker ourselves. When I asked the desk if things had changed, they said they no longer do valet or anything like that. I explained that, as a loyal Hilton customer, I stay at places with service and wouldn’t return. The reply was, “Okay, that’s fine.” Be warned, this location has become a self-service place while still charging an average of $300/night. No thank you.

The location was perfect, close to major attractions, restaurants, and public transport, and the bar was enjoyable, if a little pricey. Breakfast was another highlight, with a generous selection of hot and cold food, fresh fruit, and great coffee. The room was spotless, modern, and spacious, with a very comfortable bed, strong Wi-Fi, and plenty of outlets. Housekeeping did a great job every day, and I was pleasantly surprised by a complimentary room upgrade. The staff were warm and helpful, and check-in was quick and smooth. The one downside was the front desk food and snacks. They were so expensive that I could go to a restaurant and spend 70 bucks on four small snacks. Aside from that, I loved the stay and couldn’t have asked for a better place. I’ll definitely come back and recommend it.