Tru By Hilton Santee

I won't stay at this location again, or at any Tru Hilton if this is what they offer. I had just spent five days at the Hampton Inn in Washington NC, also owned by Hilton, and the staff and breakfast there were much better. Here, the coffee was bitter, the pancake chewy and spongy, the grits lukewarm and lumpy, the omelet rubbery, the bacon soggy, and the orange juice tasted like it was at least two-thirds water. The front desk staff member at check-in was pleasant, but that was the only good part. I paid $141 including tax for a very bare room with one chair and a small eating table. The road noise was loud, the uncarpeted floor felt dirty under bare feet, and the bed was just adequate. Shower pressure was so weak the water barely came out. The breakfast was absolutely horrible.

The pool was the reason we paid at least $40 extra for a night, hoping the boy could burn off some energy. We had no idea it wasn't heated. Swimming in water around 70 degrees or colder while it was freezing outside was miserable, and the water looked green, nothing like the photo. If we'd known, we would've saved the extra money and gone elsewhere. Rooms were tiny, with only a fridge, and the bed was hard as a rock. Coffee was bad and breakfast was just okay. For a Hilton, this was pretty poor. I feel ripped off and think a partial refund is fair.

It was a clean, modern, new hotel, but the rooms were really basic. There was just a small fridge, no microwave, and no dresser or anywhere to hang clothes.

The room and bathroom were very clean, and I slept great on the super comfortable bed. Staff at the desk were friendly and helpful. I was also impressed by Tru and Hilton's sustainability efforts. There’s a pool table and an exercise room, too. I'd like to come back.