Spark by Hilton Lancaster Dutch Country

We stayed three nights and that worked out fine. The place was clean and well located, though pretty bare-bones. For a longer visit, I’d want more amenities. There’s a mini fridge in the room, but no microwave. Guests can use one in the lobby, which isn’t much help if you want to warm food early or late in your room. Breakfast is cold items like muffins, bagels, fruit, yogurt, and hard-boiled eggs, with hot water for instant oatmeal. The sheets and towels are very thin. In the bathroom there are wall-mounted bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel, makeup wipes, and a bar of hand soap. I still don’t get why they bolt the shampoo and conditioner down but don’t provide liquid hand soap. A solid three-star hotel.

The room gave us plenty of space and was comfortable. Having a couch meant we could relax somewhere besides the bed, which I liked. The shower was the frustrating part. It seems designed for wheelchair access, but the floor didn’t hold the water in, and the short curtain didn’t help, so water ended up across the bathroom floor every time. I think there must be a better way to keep it contained. I also wish housekeeping came daily instead of every other day. At $100 a night, daily service seems reasonable.

I’m a member, though I didn’t mention that during the call. I used to choose Hilton brands first for both work and personal trips, but after this I won’t recommend this property or any other in the Lancaster area. Lincoln Highway, whoever was answering phones around 740pm, was a jerk. I called tonight after seeing a pending charge of nearly $300 on my credit card for a stay I wasn’t making. My card wasn’t lost or stolen, and I was at home with my debit card in my wallet. I shared the card details and what I knew about who might have used it on their app. The man said it sounded like a “personal” matter and that it wasn’t Hilton’s problem, then hung up. He was rude and abrupt from the start, wouldn’t give me his name, and refused when I politely asked for a manager’s contact. He offered no help at all. Unreal. Worst service ever.

The staff were kind. When we explained that our kids go to bed before 10 pm, they turned off the lobby music, which had been playing loudly until around then. Our room was right beside the lobby, so we could hear it. We didn’t try the complimentary breakfast since there were plenty of better options nearby. The room itself was clean, roomy, and good. No bells and whistles, just a good hotel.