Spark by Hilton Roanoke Airport

The building and rooms are beautiful, but I couldn't get hot water for a shower in the morning after a long workday. I ran both the shower and sink for ten minutes with no change. I've stayed in hundreds of hotels across the US, and I didn't expect this from a Hilton. It ruined my morning.

I tried using the guest text system to get help, but nobody answered. Calling the front desk wasn't much use either because the phone in our room wasn't working properly. Then the hotel lost power, after water service had already gone out during the night. We couldn't shower or properly use the room facilities. I know emergencies happen, but the silence and lack of support made a frustrating situation much worse. I was very disappointed with my stay at Spark by Hilton Roanoke Airport.

For the price, this was a good value, but check the parking charge carefully. I stayed seven nights across two separate weeks. The website said parking was complimentary, while a sign at the hotel said it cost $5 per night. On my first visit I got the charge removed at check-in. The second time, the woman checking me in acknowledged what I said, but the fee was still on my bill when I got home. I didn't follow up to have it taken off. There was no shortage of parking, and the strip mall next door had free spaces. Charging guests when the website says parking is free feels disingenuous and like a profit grab by the operator. If the website still says it's complimentary, make sure they remove the $5 nightly fee.

My room was clean and had a fridge, microwave, ironing board and iron. The shower had run out of soap, but staff fixed that the next day. I also used the gym, which had familiar Life Fitness equipment, a treadmill, free weights and filtered water. It was kept cool, which I liked. The TV was nice, though you couldn't see it from the machines. I suggested adding a bike for guests with limited mobility and a scale. Breakfast was very basic, so I skipped it, but the coffee was amazing and there was just one kind of tea. The lobby looked fresh, with drinks and snacks for sale. Check-in was easy, and they recognized my Diamond Member status, gave me water and explained the layout. They mentioned the $5 parking fee and a monthly rate if needed. The staff were helpful throughout my four days and made me feel valued. I'd recommend the place. I hadn't planned on staying at The Spark, but availability was tight because of an event and the price was great. Recent reviews made me comfortable giving it a try. It's an airport hotel that's been fully redone. I'd stayed at one other Spark property, also in Roanoke, but learned later it had a different owner. That one was closer to town and I rated it three stars at the time. From outside, this one looked like a converted Comfort Inn or similar box-shaped hotel, which it was. The new owner gutted it after the previous hotel had sat vacant for a while, and it had fresh paint from just over a year earlier, when it opened. The surface lot is large, so finding a spot wasn't an issue. My double room had climate control down to 68 degrees and a TV I never used. It's also worth knowing the complimentary continental breakfast doesn't offer much.