The riddle of 2x points or 2 stays (aka, Hilton Garden Inn, Gurgaon - hotel report)
In December 2013, I had to rush to Gurgaon on an urgent business trip. Unfortunately (and strangely), virtually all hotels were sold out for the first night of my stay. I finally managed to find some contacts who got me a room at the Hilton Garden Inn for the first night, and the DoubleTree by Hilton on the second. I was quite satisfied with this arrangement, because I quite like the DoubleTree, because they said they'd have my luggage transferred from one hotel to another during the day, and because that would count as 2 stays. However, once I checked in at the Hilton Garden Inn, it was clear that I like the hotel well enough to stay for both nights, and also get a small haul of points with Hilton More Nights More Points (up to 4x) offer, which BTW is valid for stays till 31 January 2014. And so I got my stay extended by a day.
The Hilton Garden Inn, Gurgaon is located at Baani Square, which is also the mall next door. That said, the hotel had its own entrance, which ensured a lot of privacy to the hotel's guests.
I still did fear a little bit about my stay, because to my mind, the Hilton Garden Inn was a low-end Hilton brand, and I wasn't so sure about their facilities and the benefits they would offer. However, I needn't have worried. One look at the simple yet elegant entrance lobby was sufficient.
There was even a dedicated counter for HHonors guests (which apparently, they don't get too many of, so they were only too happy to pamper me!).
And so, straight to the room. On the way, I forgot to take pictures of what was possibly the narrowest elevator I've ever been on in my life! Anyway, the room was a delux room (though I couldn't really find anything to set it apart from a standard / base category room). Clean, at the same time simple and functional. Here are some pictures...a large king size bed, work desk, lounging chair and the ubiquitous coffee maker - what you'd find in most hotel rooms world wide.
I felt the bathroom, was rather small, but again, that probably was just me, trying to find an excuse to place the Garden Inn at the bottom of the Hilton portfolio.
A word about the bed - I don't think I've slept *that* well in any hotel room, for as long as I can remember - something about a hard mattress, I guess?
Breakfast next morning (in fact, on both mornings) was quite extensive. Contrary to the promised "hot cooked breakfast" that the HHonors portal promises, there was a standard buffet laid out, with separate sections for fruit/yogurt/juices, toast/croissants/etc, Asian (noodles, conjee and the like), and Continental. Plus, eggs to order.
They even got me a hanger for my coat, so I didn't have to leave it on the back of the chair!
In the end, I was quite sorry I wasn't staying here longer. I know they won't likely give me upgrades to their higher category rooms (such as the suites I often get upgraded to at the DoubleTree), but I really wouldn't mind coming back to this hotel.
[Update - March 2014]
The Hilton Garden Inn, Gurgaon is located at Baani Square, which is also the mall next door. That said, the hotel had its own entrance, which ensured a lot of privacy to the hotel's guests.
I still did fear a little bit about my stay, because to my mind, the Hilton Garden Inn was a low-end Hilton brand, and I wasn't so sure about their facilities and the benefits they would offer. However, I needn't have worried. One look at the simple yet elegant entrance lobby was sufficient.
There was even a dedicated counter for HHonors guests (which apparently, they don't get too many of, so they were only too happy to pamper me!).
And so, straight to the room. On the way, I forgot to take pictures of what was possibly the narrowest elevator I've ever been on in my life! Anyway, the room was a delux room (though I couldn't really find anything to set it apart from a standard / base category room). Clean, at the same time simple and functional. Here are some pictures...a large king size bed, work desk, lounging chair and the ubiquitous coffee maker - what you'd find in most hotel rooms world wide.
I felt the bathroom, was rather small, but again, that probably was just me, trying to find an excuse to place the Garden Inn at the bottom of the Hilton portfolio.
A word about the bed - I don't think I've slept *that* well in any hotel room, for as long as I can remember - something about a hard mattress, I guess?
Breakfast next morning (in fact, on both mornings) was quite extensive. Contrary to the promised "hot cooked breakfast" that the HHonors portal promises, there was a standard buffet laid out, with separate sections for fruit/yogurt/juices, toast/croissants/etc, Asian (noodles, conjee and the like), and Continental. Plus, eggs to order.
They even got me a hanger for my coat, so I didn't have to leave it on the back of the chair!
In the end, I was quite sorry I wasn't staying here longer. I know they won't likely give me upgrades to their higher category rooms (such as the suites I often get upgraded to at the DoubleTree), but I really wouldn't mind coming back to this hotel.
[Update - March 2014]
- What's good: F&B, very helpful staff, consistency of Hilton HHonors program benefits
- What could be better: nothing much, really
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