DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford - Bradley Airport

After missing my flight, I chose to stay here instead of driving home and coming back the next day. The hotel is newly renovated and nice, and it offers a free airport shuttle. There's dining on site, though I didn't eat there. I would recommend it if you need a place near BDL or in the area generally. Just know the walls are thin. I heard every word of my neighbors' late night fight.

The restaurant at this DoubleTree by Hilton near Bradley Airport was badly managed and a very disappointing experience. It was clearly understaffed, and the employees seemed overwhelmed, so service was slow and the atmosphere unpleasant. One staff member I dealt with, a black slim woman, was openly rude and unprofessional. I understand staffing shortages happen, but that doesn't excuse disrespect or poor service. For a hotel under the Hilton brand, the lack of organization, professionalism, and basic hospitality was unacceptable. I won't return, and I'll advise my company and colleagues to avoid this property.

The hotel itself is very nice, and it's about 5-10 minutes from the airport with a courtesy vehicle. But the service at the bar was awful. I waited about 10 minutes before Matt came over. I ordered a lemon drop, then two coworkers joined me. He acted annoyed and short with us for no reason. When one coworker asked for a lemon drop made with tequila, he refused and nearly snapped her head off. The bar was full, but nobody I saw was eating, and we were the only ones having food. It was our first time at this hotel, and we had questions about the food. Be nice and patient. I understand someone might be underpaid and overworked, but being rude, breathing heavily, and rolling your eyes at us is wrong. I tip very well. Being the only people of color in the bar is no excuse to treat us badly. There weren't people at the tables, so why be so mean? I'm tired of bad service in places with dead atmospheres. I can see why the bar is empty. The bartender probably runs people off.

The blood in the elevator and the staff's lack of concern made for a frustrating arrival. I came back to the desk to report the fresh blood covering the floor, but the clerk said she knew and told me to use the other elevator. Because of how the elevators work, the second one wouldn't come until the first left. I had to reach into the bloody elevator to press a button and then wait for the other one. I felt it should have been closed to keep guests away from a biohazard and the sight of blood. I arrived for a work trip at about 11pm and saw three local police vehicles outside. I didn't think much of it, since they could have been there for many reasons. The clerk was friendly when I checked in and didn't mention the police. I later learned there'd been a drug-related assault somewhere in the hotel a few minutes before I arrived. The rest of the stay was uneventful, but the rooms need updating and basic maintenance. The ceiling above the bed was peeling, the inside of the bathroom door looked like it hadn't been cleaned in weeks, and there was no shower gel. I wouldn't recommend staying here and will encourage my company to find somewhere else for our annual meeting or training.