We stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront after a concert at the nearby Princess Theater. Although the Fairfield Inn was closer, we chose the DoubleTree, hoping the extra $10 per night would bring a touch of Hilton elegance.
Unfortunately, we were mistaken.
This DoubleTree reminds me of Miss Havisham from the Dickens novel—clinging to an outdated image of elegance while reality tells another story. Despite the Hilton name, this hotel offers a mediocre experience, only slightly above a budget motel.
Service was lackluster at best. Each time I approached the front desk, I had to interrupt staff conversations. At checkout, I dropped my keys without even a nod of acknowledgment from the staff member nearby. The layout was confusing, with unclear parking for non-diamond level guests.
Our room was basic and didn’t live up to the Hilton standard. The HVAC system was dated and lacked a wall thermostat, so we struggled to reach a comfortable temperature. We paid extra for a "river view," only to discover it was distant, with buildings blocking any real view of the river. We ended up keeping the curtains closed.
The one bright spot was the breakfast buffet, which was good but came at an additional $7 fee. Worse, I had to ask for the breakfast coupon on the morning of our departure, instead of it being provided at check-in.
If we had the choice again, we’d skip this DoubleTree. The experience here has certainly affected our opinion of the brand moving forward.