Stayed here for 3 nights over new years. Paid $55/nite thru priceline. Dec 29, 2006-jan 1, 2007 Missed the entrance to self park, and had a ton of bags, so used valet. Valet is $22/nite, self park is $19, so not a huge difference. But was disappointed to find out other hotels within a block or 2 of the hilton only charge between $10-12 for self park- Radisson was $12 for self park, $18 for valet. Valet parking attendant was okay, bell man very prompt and attentive to helping unload car and bringing us to desk to check in. We switched to self park for the last 2 nights. Upon check in, we were given a room with 2 queens. We asked if we could have a king with a queen sofa. basically we were told we had the cheap rooms, and it would be an additional $51 a nite to upgrade to a king with sleeper. so we took our 2 queen bed room, and the bellman helped us upstairs to our room on the 19th floor (pool floor). upon the elevator doors opening onto the 19th floor, we were greeted by the most horrendous screaming I have ever heard. We walk over to the pool door and looked in. A large family had taken over the entire pool area, and were carrying on like it was their backyard pool party. Flips, dives, marco polo, screaming and yelling like maniacs. A small baby was floating on an inner tube in the whirlpool! Just a mess, unsafe for all involved- and no one else could possibly use the pool. I asked the bellman if there was security to deal with this. he informed me that if there was an adult present, there was nothing they could do about it. He led us to our room down the hall from the pool, where we could still clearly hear the screaming from the pool. No soundproofing at all. Were seranaded by the pool revelers until almost 11pm. Initial impression was that the room was nice, but nothing special. Basic hotel room. There was only 1 trash can in the room, and it was one of those narrow, art deco small cans that hold like 3 tissues, so most of our trash (our kids had juice boxes, toy boxes from gifts for the kids, etc) had to put placed next to the can. Room had a coffee/tea maker in the bathroom, and we used the tea bags, sugar packets, napkins, paper cups, and stirrer the first night. 2nd day, housekeeping came through, but left all the trash boxes next to the garbage can, did not replace tea packets, sugar, cups or stirrer, and left a sheled sunflower seed on the floor where there had not been one before. When I complained about the pool and bellman the morning after we arrived, the manager gave us breakfast coupons for the buffet. The food was so horrible, if I had paid I'd have demanded my money back. Eggs were undercooked, oatmeal overcooked and one large lump in the pot, poor selection of breads, and poor food presentation. Even my kids who usually love breakfast wouldn't eat any of it. Location is excellent. We could easily walk to all downtown attractions, but had to drive to zoo, speedway, and children's museum. Be aware, parking fills up quickly on game nights. We ended up taking a cab on game night, since we were afraid of moving our car and not finding a spot when we returned back. We did order room service for lunch on new yr's eve- all of which was very tasty and large portions. We ordered 2 kids' pizzas (which were large and very good), hamburgers (which were also good, and the sides with it were huge), and the homemade chips with dip (large portion and very good). The third day, the trash was still not picked up, and the tea/sugar/cups were still not replaced, so I called down asking for more tea. Someone brought up 2 tea bags, and nothing else. I've had more generous supplies at a travelodge. So as I was checking out I did mention my concerns regarding housekeeping, garbage pickup, and replenishment of supplies. Gentleman behind the counter (Jonathan) was very helpful, and took off my bill the room service and first night valet parking. So our stay was nice, just okay. I would not rate this hotel exceptional in anyway. It's about even with a hyatt. Three stars is appropriate.
