Hilton Garden Inn Tallahassee

The Garden Grille wasn't terrible, and the service was impeccable, but an average meal cost $50 for a cheeseburger and fries, shrimp cocktail, brownie, and two Dr Pepper bottles. Breakfast had to be ordered from the grille too. After the slow dinner, we didn't want to wait around again, and having paid nearly $300 for one night, I wasn't paying extra for breakfast. We were told at least the coffee was free. For those of us who don't drink it, that felt insulting. Other Hilton properties nearby, and even the Holiday Inn Express next door, have continental breakfast. The bright entrance initially gave me the impression of a higher-tier hotel. I'm a self-described Hilton girl, but the room was dark and mediocre, with a heavy smell of cheap cologne or generic air freshener. I chose the accessible room for the bathtub because of my Parkinson’s disease and need to soak after a long drive to relax my muscles and ease leg cramps. That wasn't really possible: a large fixed metal seat takes up the back of the tub, there's no plug, and I had to stuff a washcloth in the drain just to hold water long enough to sit upright uncomfortably and soak my legs a little. There was no body soap, the lotion container was loose and teetering away from the wall, and the toilet paper was one-ply. Hilton can do much better.

The front desk and bar staff were friendly, and the room was comfortable. Still, I had trouble sleeping because the AC has no fan-only mode and kept switching on and off all night. There was a hole in the ceiling above the front shelving where an internet box seems to have been installed, and white dust covered the top of the shelf. The elevator was broken. Since it was New Year's, I understand getting a repair service might be difficult. The stairwell side door also lit up for my key card but wouldn't unlock. Breakfast was very expensive for what it was: watery eggs and thin French toast. The juice was good, though, and not from concentrate.

That 24-hour Fitness Center really stood out. It was clean and well kept, with dumbbells up to 75 lbs, a rowing machine, treadmills, and enough equipment for a complete workout. It felt like a real gym. The hotel is pet-friendly too, which made traveling with our four-legged family members easier. Free parking and reliable Wi-Fi were useful, and the location right off I-10 made getting around Tallahassee quick. We arrived late after a long day on the road, tired and hungry. The bright, welcoming lobby was a nice reset, and the front desk service was friendly, professional, and fantastic. The whole property felt spotless, modern, and bright. Our quiet room seemed designed for business travelers, with new air conditioning, a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, well-placed outlets, a large desk, good lighting, and comfortable bedding. It was easy to settle in, work, and rest. We were glad to have dinner at the Garden Grille Restaurant without going back out. The Lemon Drop was nicely balanced, the Spinach Artichoke Dip was hot and creamy with lovely seasoning, and the Caesar Salad was crisp and fresh. The Cheeseburger and Herb Grilled Chicken Sandwich were generous, tasty, and quick to arrive. A warm Brownie a la Mode was just right to finish the night. Breakfast came quickly the next morning, with friendly service. The Greek Yogurt Berry Parfait had ripe berries and just enough sweetness. The Two Egg Plate with crispy bacon was a satisfying, classic meal before a busy day. For business travelers wanting convenient dining, good amenities, cleanliness, and excellent service, the Hilton Garden Inn Tallahassee near I-10 deserves a better Google ranking. Ignore the older ones. Highly recommended. The hotel hosted this stay, and this review reflects my honest experience.

I canceled the room and stayed at the Drury next door, which was amazing and at the same price point. I'm still being charged for a room I never stayed in. My husband also agreed it smelled like cigarettes, though yes, that's subjective. The GM apparently had time to relay a decision through Anthony, but not to spend five minutes calling me. In 20-plus years of hotel stays, I've never had an experience this bad. The staff were outrageously disrespectful, rude, and unprofessional. Don't put your health at risk here, and save yourself the headache by booking at Drury if you're in the area. The room was humid and musty, smelled of mold, and reeked of cigarettes. I told Jay at the front desk and asked for another room. Before going up, I asked whether I could cancel and get a refund if the second room also wasn't acceptable. She said yes. The new room had slightly better airflow and was less humid and musty, but still smelled of cigarettes, and I started coughing as soon as I entered. When I went down to cancel and ask for the refund, Jay said she'd been up there and smelled no cigarettes, so I couldn't get one. There was no manager on site. She kept stepping into the office to call someone, then coming back to say I could leave but wouldn't get a refund. I eventually got to speak with the assistant manager, Stanley, who was on the phone with her. He said the GM was reasonable and would call me Monday to sort out the refund. Monday came and went with no call. I contacted the hotel and spoke with Anthony, who didn't know what had happened, said he'd look into it, and call back. When he did, he was rude, inappropriate, and unprofessional. He said two people had checked the room and found no cigarette smell, so there'd be no refund, and said he was passing on the GM's decision. When I asked to speak directly with the GM, he said no, the GM was in meetings. He also refused to give me the GM's name, saying he didn't have to. I don't even know where to begin. Shouldn't a GM prioritize guest problems?