DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Charlotte - SouthPark

The layout is great, and I'm sure the grounds look beautiful in summer. The bartender was awesome and the front desk staff were friendly. But the room felt dated and wasn't very clean, especially the carpet and shower. It smelled of cigarette smoke, dogs barked all night, and the sliding glass door had no safety bar, which worried me. As a Hilton Honors member, I was surprised breakfast cost $17 per person, so we passed. We asked three times for extra towels, and housekeeping came into our room with a blanket after I'd said we'd pick it up at the front desk. The shop mostly had candy and drinks, with few basic essentials. Not worth the price, and I wouldn't return.

Getting to Center City Charlotte was easy, and South Park mall is right next door. The room felt like a home away from home, clean and comfortable, and the employees who were there worked hard to help guests. There could use more staff during busy periods, though. A few things need attention, like painting and nail work in the courtyard, but I was thoroughly satisfied and found it a four-star hotel.

The young woman who checked me in was absolutely delightful, but she's the only staff member I interacted with, and the property itself felt worn out, poorly maintained, and insufficiently cleaned. I wouldn't stay again. My suite had a stale cigarette smell that lingered despite what seemed like an attempt to cover it, and the upstairs hall smelled of cigar smoke and weed. The side entrance area also smelled strongly of cigarettes, though the main lobby did not. That entrance, marked with an “Enterprise” sign, was inconveniently far from the lobby and especially awkward at 10 PM with all my luggage. My key turned the light green and clicked, but wouldn't open the double-locked door. Another guest eventually used the emergency release to let me in. It was frustrating, and hard to believe guests are meant to use that entrance. Inside, the room was hot, the mirrors dusty, and the switch plates yellowed and dented. The kitchenette looked well appointed at first but was dirty: opening a cabinet left my fingers grimy, and grease and residue crusted the cabinet tops. They supplied a dishwasher packet but no regular kitchen soap. Even the check-in cookie was only a broken mushy pile, though that alone wasn't a big deal.

The staff went out of their way to sort things out, which is why I'll keep coming back. Even the night security guard came to look at the AC when maintenance wasn't on site. We were moved from our first room because of an odor, not foul, but like it had recently been painted. The next room was better and clean, and everything worked, though the balcony door came completely off its track. Maintenance put it back, but it still didn't work properly or close all the way. The HVAC also made irritating noise. The hotel is very nice and the staff were great.