Tru by Hilton Cedar Rapids Westdale

The walls were so thin I could hear practically everything from both adjoining rooms, and there was a lot of noise outside late at night. The hotel was clean, and the staff were friendly, but the construction feels very cheap. If you're a light sleeper, good luck. Otherwise, it's fine for a quick overnight work trip, especially if you arrive late and have an early meeting. TRU is a no-frills brand, and its properties are generally new, but you might be disappointed if you don't know what TRU is.

The pool was closed, which was the main reason we booked a hotel that night. The elevator needed cleaning, the carpet was dirty, and the bathrooms were dirty too. For one of the more expensive places around, it wasn't worth it. The beds, tables, and other furnishings gave the place a very cheap feel.

The staff I interacted with were friendly, but the room setup was frustrating. Turning on the bathroom light also switched on every light in the room, and there were no bedside lamps or reading lights. The digital keys weren't working, so even though I checked in online, I still had to wait in line. One of the worst Hiltons. The rooms aren't great.

The check-in was handled wonderfully by the gentleman at the desk, who was also there when we checked out the next morning. My problems were with housekeeping. I've stayed here before with my dog and enjoyed it, but this visit was different. The first room hadn't been cleaned properly: bathroom trash was still there, the shower door was dirty, there was toothpaste spit on the mirror and hair on the toilet, and the beds looked hastily made. The desk moved us to another room described as clean. That one was better, with no hair on the toilet and shower walls that felt clean, but the shower door was dingy. There was hair and spill staining on the bare floor, and the mirror still had the same spit on it. I could overlook the mirror, but we also slept terribly because the pillows and mattresses were uncomfortable. My main complaint is that housekeeping doesn't seem to be checked, and rooms aren't being inspected. Maybe the head housekeeper should be accountable and do random room checks like we do at the independent hotel in Iowa where I'm an assistant manager. After this visit, I'm surprised this is a Hilton. It felt more like a Choice hotel.