DoubleTree by Hilton Wilkes-Barre

The spacious renovated rooms had comfortable beds and pillows, and the service was excellent. They put things right at checkout, so I’m giving five stars and would return. The hotel had just opened and was still being renovated, which showed: the lobby felt dusty, the fire door was broken, the sink wouldn’t drain, and the elevator buttons didn’t light up even though the elevator went to the assigned floor. Breakfast normally costs $15, runs only from 6 to 9 a.m., and was complimentary for me because of my Hilton status. The choices were average and quite limited, with very salty potatoes. The restaurant is open from 5 to 9 or 10 p.m., and Hilton Amex users can apply a $50 credit, though prices reflect that. The walls are a bit thin, so footsteps outside carry through. Once the work is done, this could be an excellent place to stay. I’d recommend it to Hilton Gold members and above. Without that status, at the usual rates I’d probably choose a hotel with free breakfast.

We’ve already booked next year’s Christmas party at Holiday Inn East Mountain, after hosting it here for the second year in a row. Will Krupp made the booking and planning easy, and Shirley handled the day’s details and made sure we had what we needed. They’re a big reason we keep coming back. We knew remodeling was underway, so that wasn’t a surprise. The room we stayed in had recently been remodeled and was clean and nice. Two small suggestions: point the shower toward the wall or water gets all over the floor, and add a room safe. We recommend it as an event venue and are looking forward to next year.

The rooms feel modern and homey, even though some renovations are still underway. It’s a nice, updated hotel in a handy part of Wilkes Barre, close to the hospital and casino. A good little spot.

The night staff were polite, and I was told at check-in that coffee started at 5 a.m. and breakfast ran from 7 to 11. My teenage son and I had an 11 a.m. hockey game, so that sounded good. Both online and in person, breakfast was described as complimentary. In the morning, though, a VERY RUDE staff member said it wasn’t included and cost $14.99 per person. I wasn’t going to argue and start the day that way, but the customer service was awful. The lobby was bare and under construction, and there was no WiFi. They also require a card for a deposit to get the room, which they don’t tell you, though that was the least of the problems. Be accurate about what you offer and hire people who enjoy the job. It’s a shame to feel unwelcome somewhere you’re staying. I won’t return. Do BETTER Holiday Inn!