Hampton Inn & Suites Austin-Airport

We’re here for two weeks, and the hotel has just one washer and one dryer. The washer was broken, so I ended up washing clothes in the tub and carrying them downstairs wet in a suitcase to dry. The dryer was often in use, leaving me to air-dry clothes for four people, which took two days. The closest laundromat is almost two miles away, too far to walk to. The gym is tiny, with one treadmill, a bike, and weights that only go up to 25 lbs. It comfortably fits just two people. I know because I was in there with another person. Breakfast is okay, but usually the same every day. Both beds had blankets yellow around the edges, and there were dead flies on the windowsills. The rooms smell strongly of cleaning chemicals or cologne or something, though you get used to it after a few days. There are always homeless people hanging out outside.

The first-floor room I wanted wasn’t ready when I checked in, so I waited a few minutes while staff finished it. That wait paid off: it was right by the back exit, which made hauling my heavy musical equipment in and out easy. For a three-star hotel, the stay felt more like a 4-5 star one. Breakfast had a wide selection, with fresh strawberries and pineapple instead of the usual green bananas and tiny apples. The hot tea choices were limited, with no herbal tea, and when the green tea ran out, nobody replaced it. Oddly, the “hot” water also wasn’t hot when I needed it outside breakfast hours, and this happened on consecutive days. The fitness room is cramped. There’s barely space for a treadmill and elliptical side by side, so it’s awkward with two strangers in there. The equipment was in good condition, but there wasn’t room for a floor mat to stretch on, and they don’t have one anyway.

The rooms were tidy and clean, housekeeping was friendly, and breakfast was good. But the first room’s toilet didn’t work, so we had to move. Renovations were underway, though nobody mentioned them when we booked. Construction started at 8 a.m. or earlier and was loud even on the fifth floor. The pool was closed and looked like it had an oil slick on top. When the water fountain by the desk didn’t work, I told the desk clerk about the toilet, pool, and noise. She asked if we wanted to cancel but didn’t apologize or seem concerned. I then asked for bottled water, and she charged it to my room. A horrible experience.

We booked a suite and a king room, but they didn’t have the suite, so they gave us two king rooms instead. I asked whether they’d adjust the price for the downgrade, and they said they would. At checkout they refused to give us a receipt. Once we got home and the charges posted, we saw they’d overcharged us. Hilton said they’d send a check in 4-6 weeks. What a mess. The dishonesty and lack of professionalism make this a bad hotel. We won’t be back.