Hampton Inn Detroit/Utica-Shelby Township

We got settled in, went swimming, used the weight room, ordered pizza, and rented a movie. But at 11 p.m. we couldn’t hear it even with the volume all the way up, so I went down at midnight and the helpful desk worker moved us again. Earlier, I’d checked in with my three sons, all under 16, and found someone in the bathroom of a room that showed as occupied. I apologized to him, reported it downstairs, and the woman said nobody should be in there before giving us another room. At over $200 a night, five miles from home, this turned into a headache. We don’t usually stay at rundown hotels. At least breakfast was good.

On Christmas morning, my partner and I were working a 30-hour surveillance patrol guarding the Walmart Supercenter next door. With all the stores and gas stations closed, we had nowhere to eat, and Hampton Inn welcomed us in for a wonderful Christmas Day breakfast. The service was out of this world. Best hotel experience I’ve had this year. Thank you so much!

The pool was a huge letdown. There’s no hot tub, though the website still says there is one, and the pool was freezing even after I asked the pool attendant to warm it up. It smelled so strongly of chemicals that we couldn’t swim, and the fumes burned our noses and made the little ones dizzy. The steps were slippery, and the pool didn’t look scrubbed or clean, just treated with chemicals. Housekeeping also needs to improve: the laundry room was filthy, and we found hidden trash in hallways and room closets. On the plus side, the rooms were spacious with comfortable beds and fluffy pillows, breakfast had plenty of tasty options, and the front desk service was quick and issue-free. The location is convenient, tucked behind Walmart and away from city bustle, with bright parking and locked doors after a certain hour, so it felt secure. I’d recommend it for a short stay, though there’s room for improvement.

I’m disgusted by how this was handled. Two days after checking out, I noticed a $250 charge on my bank statement. When I called, they said the sheets were stained down to the mattress, the bed was destroyed, and accused me of having a party. They refused to show me proof and even hung up when I asked to see the pictures. I know the room was clean when I left. I’d booked it so my daughters, ages 6 and 8, could swim and have a little girls’ night. I’m always considerate and leave no trash for housekeeping. As a single mother with Christmas just over and bills due, I can’t believe they took that money from me. If I could give zero stars, I would.