Spark by Hilton Louisville Airport

Getting to the expo center was easy since it’s right next door and walkable. I was hesitant because of the reviews, but they may have been from before or during the recent remodel. The room was an efficiency setup, but it was lovely and had a refrigerator and microwave. Everything felt fresh and was very clean. Hilton’s online check-in and digital key worked smoothly too, I got the key on my phone before I even got in the car. The bagel bar was cute, with a light breakfast, and there’s fresh coffee around the clock. I’d stay here again for a volleyball tournament or anything at the expo center.

For a budget hotel, it’s a good value. It was clean, and the Hilton bedding matters to me. Just be sure you’re looking at reviews for the updated Hilton Spark.

I don’t really understand the bad reviews. The rooms were newly remodeled, and we thought the hotel was perfectly fine. Breakfast was the one weak spot: just bagels, toast, and cold cereal. Everything else was great.

My main problem was the billing mess after we cut our stay short. We left after one night, checked out on the 13th, and received a receipt showing one night. But once home, I found a one-night charge from Spark and a separate three-night charge from Sleep Inn. I called nearly every day for a week. The hotel still answers as Sleep Inn, there was no manager on duty, and nobody could explain how to fix it. On the 19th I got the manager Barth’s name and number, but calls were screened and he didn’t pick up. Hilton corporate said I’d have to handle the Sleep Inn charge with the hotel. The hotel then refunded the one-night charge but kept billing three nights, and said they’d have to raise the rate for the one night because we left early. Choice Hotels couldn’t find a Sleep Inn reservation or charge and sent me back to the hotel. My credit card dispute is pending while they try to reach the hotel, which has been impossible. I was charged over $500 combined for one night at what had been a budget Sleep Inn, and no one has resolved it. I may take legal action. Stay away. I’d booked three nights through my Hilton app back in October, for December 12-15, because I thought this was a brand-new hotel accepting reservations from December 9. I’d never stayed at a Spark before, but trusted Hilton to maintain certain standards. The parking lot sign said Sleep Inn, which made the place hard to find. The room was clean but very small, and the staff were friendly, though they didn’t seem familiar with Hilton procedures. When I told them I’d leave after the first night, they had to call corporate to find out how to handle it and said I needed to give 24 hours’ notice. I told them I was giving exactly that notice. By 4 p.m. on the 12th it was sorted out, and we checked out at 11 the next morning. I’d originally planned to give it a very budget-friendly review, but the confusion and charges changed that completely.