Hilton Garden Inn Williamsburg

There are several restaurants within walking distance, which was handy, and Colonial Williamsburg is close by. Our room was nice, and the pillows were so good that my sister bought the same brand after she got home. Breakfast had lots of choices and everything was warm. I'd recommend this hotel.

Michelle was the best part of our stay. She was making fresh coffee in the back when we arrived, so I understood the delay before she greeted us. Once she came to the desk, she was delightful, and she even texted after we got to the room to ask if we needed anything. I made a point of saying goodbye to her on our way out. The lobby is really nice, and the room had a clean fridge, a nice microwave, and a coffee machine. The bathroom was clean, but both toilet paper holders in room 322 were coming off. The bed was comfortable, the pillows seemed new and didn't smell, and the carpet needs replacing. The hallways were hot. The room itself was clean but dated and a little dingy. The HVAC was awful: it sounded like a jet engine, and we couldn't turn it down without the room getting too humid. We were either freezing or couldn't breathe. My husband can sleep through anything, but the noise and cold kept him awake both nights. I wanted to leave after night one, but we stayed for the second. Breakfast costs $15, which is outrageous when Richmond Road has so many good pancake places and restaurants. The hotel rooms need refurbishment.

The location was great for the activities we had planned, and the basics were covered: comfortable bed, good shower, spacious room, and a good breakfast. Still, the room felt beat up and was falling apart. The furniture, wall coverings, and cabinets really need a full renovation. The toilet was disgusting under the rim. From the outside the hotel looks great, but inside our room it felt like a budget place. I took photos in case the GM or owner wanted to see the problems. It's up to the owner how much money to put into the property. We didn't have a reason to complain during the stay, but if we come back to Williamsburg, we might pick somewhere more upscale.

I spent two months here on a business stay and really wanted to give the hotel four or even five stars. The breakfast crew was that good, and the service overall was outstanding. Most of the front desk staff, though not all, were professional, knowledgeable, and clearly happy to help. Special shout-out to the lovely matronly woman with white hair and the two Abigails. The rooms showed some wear and old water damage, but were well maintained: the visible damage had been patched, and I saw no dampness or mold. The AC in my room worked very well, and the bed was decent. The desk was pleasant to work at. The big issue was the lack of AC in the public spaces: the entry hall, pool, lounge, bar, dining area, and hallways. When I asked, it sounded like this had been a recurring problem since at least last year. The staff have to work in those conditions, especially tough in summer. Laundry was a problem too. The whole building, two wings and four floors each, shares two washers and two dryers. They're old coin machines that often fail to cycle properly and sometimes eat your coins. Clothes can stay damp unless you pay another $2 for an extra run. One washer has obvious rust inside the lid, and one dryer is missing a support leg and bounces around. The laundry setup badly needs an upgrade with durable machines that take cards and cash, even if a cycle then costs $2.50. With working AC in the public spaces and better laundry machines, this could easily be a 4.5-star hotel.