Hilton Garden Inn Columbia

The hot tub felt fabulous, and the Peloton was connected and worked great. Those two things can make or break my rating. The room was clean, spacious, and well designed, with good lighting, plenty of towels, a tub, and a refrigerator. The TV worked, so we could watch the game when we got in. The breakfast was good, though overpriced for a hotel breakfast in this area. The front desk was a bit too pushy about checkout, and the shampoo was subpar. I'm not sure who bought into the zero brand and convinced Hilton that guests staying over a month should share a shampoo bottle, but they should reconsider. If it were amazing, maybe, but it's terrible. I bring my own soap because the bath gel is also terrible and doesn't work well with a bath cloth. I assume that's a Hilton issue, not this hotel's choice. Would I stay again? Probably.

The restaurant had an issue during my stay, but the staff handled it with real care and professionalism. That made a difference. The rooms were comfortable, clean, and well kept, and the bathrooms were clean and stocked. I also liked the inviting, nicely decorated lobby. Everyone was attentive throughout, and it was a pleasant stay with great service from beginning to end.

I spoke with the manager yesterday, and she assured me there'd be a buffet for the next two days. There wasn't one. The hotel lists a breakfast buffet, but everything is made to order, so you have to wait for them to cook it. I don't have 20 minutes to sit around. I need to eat and leave quickly. This was a decent hotel otherwise, but the listing is misleading. Other Hilton Garden Inns serve an actual buffet, while this one doesn't. They should remove “breakfast buffet” from the menu if guests are just ordering from it.

The room smelled of dog pee mixed with harsh cleaner. Nobody offered any kind of discount. I understand the nonrefundable pet fee, since I've traveled with my fur babies many times, but at other Hilton stays I've never paid tax on it. Here there were two separate taxes, taking the $75 fee to over $80. Breakfast was $15 per person and consisted of powdered eggs and bacon. I'd skip that gross meal and go to a real restaurant for the same money. I've stayed at Hilton hotels for years and am an honors member, but this experience has me reconsidering where I'll stay on future trips.