DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chattanooga Downtown

I’d stay here again without hesitation. It’s easy to walk to the river, attractions, and nearby restaurants. The rooms were roomy, modern, excellent, and well cared for, and the front desk and other staff we met were helpful and courteous. The coffee shop downstairs was a lost cause: two terrible cups cost me nine bucks. No big deal, there are coffee shops nearby.

The hotel restaurant and catering team were fantastic, and the pool and gym were well kept. We enjoyed our stay at the DoubleTree Downtown Chattanooga. The lobby and lounge feel warm and inviting, and the fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies are a treat every time. The downtown location is hard to beat, within walking distance of the riverfront, main attractions, and plenty of good restaurants. The rooms are on the small side, the beds felt too stiff for my back, and the elevators are showing their age. We know renovations are planned for this year and are looking forward to seeing the updates. It was a comfortable stay in a great spot.

I was anxious the whole night, and daylight couldn’t come soon enough. I usually bring my own Lysol, but this experience pretty much ruined my time in the city. The first room had stained mirrors, the furniture in the lobby was already visibly damaged, and the elevators had disgusting stains from who knows what, maybe blood drops from construction workers or something else. I wish I’d just given up the reservation money and gone elsewhere. I later realized there was a Marriott and other chain hotels down the street. Warm cookies couldn’t make up for the dirt. The first room was dirty. When I reported it, they offered to clean it or move me, and I chose another room. Check-in itself was smooth, though a little slow, and not because of the staff. Even after being charged for the room, I still felt uneasy that the rooms in general weren’t cleaned to an acceptable standard. On one bed, I noticed a crusty stain on the brown bottom layer of linen on the other bed. I nearly threw up. The curtains had rips on both sides, some furniture was visibly damaged, and under the refrigerator had accumulated something disgusting. I worried about how anyone could put food in a fridge sitting on dust, which I hoped wasn’t mold. It was like that in both rooms. Parking was $25 for an uncovered lot with no elevator access, just a gate. It didn’t feel particularly secure. You could perhaps park on the street for free and get the same level of “security.” The hotel promises an upgrade, and it can’t come soon enough. I wouldn’t stay again even after remodeling. If they’re this lax now, new decor probably won’t change their practices.

The location is great and the staff were very nice, but the rooms are very dated and need repairs. I raised my concerns at the front desk and was basically told that all the rooms are like this. I’m kind of amazed by the five-star reviews.