Hampton Inn Carrollton

The freshly renovated room was missing a hair dryer and an iron or steamer, and the microwave button wouldn’t open the door. I heated food in it that morning and couldn’t get it out, so my pancakes may still be in there. Renovation work was going on across the dusty first floor, and my hanging clothes got covered in dust before I reached my room. I understand the hotel is being renovated, but I hadn’t expected work to continue so late in the evening. There were no drinks for sale or vending machines, so get water before your stay.

Breakfast was a highlight, with a good range of choices and a well-kept seating area with different kinds of tables. They had three cereals, two waffle flavors including a seasonal one, oatmeal, bread, eggs, and other usual breakfast items. The location is handy, just off the freeway near restaurants and not far from downtown Carrollton. The hotel also has a pool and gym, though I didn’t use either; the gym looked like it needed updating, and I didn’t spot a treadmill. The friendly staff made check-in quick. Rooms are a good size, whether you get two queens or a king, and each has a desk. Mine was clean, with small bottled toiletries in the bathroom and more available if you ask. The pillows seemed small for the beds. The exterior has been updated, which is nice, but the lobby and breakfast area still feel dark and dated, and the inside could use renovation. I’d stay again.

I was in town to adopt a dog and stayed one night. The nearby restaurants and stores were a plus, and breakfast had a pretty good selection. A few things in the room weren’t working right: the nightstand light with the outlet, the tub drain, and all but the channel-up button on the TV remote. The lampshades were crooked and broken. It wasn’t a big deal for one night, but I can see it being inconvenient on a longer stay.

We booked and paid for a Kingsuite, but got put in a double instead. We were basically told there was nothing they could do because renovations were underway and we’d booked through a third party. The beds were really hard, and the shower water was lukewarm. I definitely won’t be back.