Hilton Stockton

The slow elevator was the one real frustration. There are two, but only one was working, and I sometimes waited nearly seven minutes for it on the fifth floor. Finding stairs to use instead wasn’t easy. During the day, the staff also rely on that elevator as they move between floors doing housekeeping and restocking, so waits can stretch out. It isn’t the staff’s fault, but I imagine it gets frustrating for them too. I stayed for the weekend because I had back-to-back 12-hour workdays and didn’t want to drive back and forth from Sacramento. Angelica at the desk was the opposite of the frustrating Hilton call center: she was kind, professional, and quickly changed my reservation to add a day. My room was spacious, clean, quiet, and comfortable, with a balcony. Parking was included, as was breakfast both mornings. It was a simple buffet, but having it covered was lovely. The staff in general were friendly and professional, and I’d stay here again.

The room had plenty of towels and toiletries, and the halls stayed quiet. Using key cards throughout the property was a thoughtful touch, and the grounds are gated, which helped me feel safe. There’s a Starbucks on site, along with a sports bar and deli. The staff were warm and welcoming, and the hotel is close to gyms, shops, and places to eat.

Only one of the two elevators was running, and it moved painfully slowly. After the floor beep, it could take about 10 seconds for the doors to open. One trip was annoying enough, and with lots of stops you could see people getting frustrated. I’m in my second week of a three-week work stay. The rooms are pretty good, though the mini fridge is so small that leftover containers often don’t fit. The internet was rough too. On the first night of each stay I often couldn’t watch YouTube, though it improved over time. In week two, notices said they were upgrading the Wi-Fi, and I saw a tech with dozens of wireless access points to install.

There’s no Hilton lounge on site. During my visit, a public job fair of some kind made the hotel very loud while I was trying to sleep during the day. I also felt uneasy about safety, with people living in tents just outside. I probably won’t stay here again for business in Stockton.