Hotel Elkhart, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Parking was easy and convenient in Elkhart, especially downtown, and there were no fees. The Mother’s Day snacks were delicious enough that I went back for seconds and thirds! We came for a sports tournament in South Bend, but because I booked late, we stayed in Elkhart. I wasn't expecting much, yet both the town and Hotel Elkhart surprised me in a good way. The weather over Mother’s Day weekend was beautiful. The room was quiet, with a very comfortable bed that left me rested for a walk around town and the tournament. The hotel itself is clean and spacious. The AC was a little loud at first, then quieted once the room reached the set temperature. It was a really enjoyable visit to a charming small town.

The rooftop was closed for the season, which was the one letdown. Still, I'd stay here again next time I'm in town. I was visiting for the weekend and liked this cute boutique hotel, with several places to eat within walking distance. The downstairs bar and restaurant had a comfortable atmosphere, good food, and strong drinks. Staff were thoughtful and nice. The room was spacious and well planned, with solid walls that kept out the usual hotel sounds. The bed was comfortable and I slept well. I found it a little hard to keep the air temperature comfortable, though that may just be me. The bathroom was spacious too, and came with a cozy robe sealed in plastic, but all that tile made it really cold. A small space heater in there would be nice.

Even with Diamond status, I couldn't change a reservation I'd made more than five months ahead. I originally booked Thursday through Sunday, three nights, then asked within a day to shift it to Friday through Sunday for two nights. They refused because of a three-night minimum restriction for that weekend. This seems to be a common issue across Hilton, with policies that impose unnecessary limits at an Elkhart, Indiana hotel where tourism is minimal compared with other places. Booking this far ahead shouldn't be such a hassle.

I travel for business with coworkers, and this was an incredibly poor experience for a Hilton Honors member who travels regularly. After I booked weeks ahead, they oversold my room without telling me and moved my reservation to the Hilton Garden Inn 15 minutes away. The manager wouldn't make any adjustments and offered a free appetizer. The Hilton Garden Inn was as bad as any Hilton I've stayed in. Our first room was 59 degrees. I was told the second room was the only other one available, and its carpet was stained all over. I have a photo of the carpet for reference.