Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbia/Laurel

Mixed bag here. Hotel seemed clean and well kept. Check In process was flawed, didn’t get the room I specified via the app. Room was fine but HVAC controls were disabled. 3 of 3 treadmills in exercise room were out of order. WiFi access messed up, front desk had to give me a special access code to use it. Pool was shut down by the local health department according to the sign. But breakfast was ok. location was perfect. Would I stay here again? Yes but…

I give this hotel 5 stars- Clean, safe, modern, friendly staff, quiet. This hotel had everything I need as a business traveler. I saw several reviews on line that were less than positive. However, everything experienced during my 8 day stay was enjoyable and comforting. This is a beautiful and well maintained property. It is kept very clean and the Manager Ali and his staff were all very friendly and accommodating. The breakfast buffet was traditional Hilton fare, which I find to be very satisfying. This Hilton property is on the top of my list for places to stay. The only negative was the ice machine on my floor didn’t work, so I simply used a machine on a different floor. Not sure what prompted the negative reviews but I didn’t find any evidence of the issues reported. I will be back the next time I’m in the area

The newer rooms are very nice,though you can see the age on the older rooms on the first floor such as paint WORN from a toilet handle on the first floor, and the ac units look alittle worn. mainly cosmetics as the ac worked well, there was hot water at all times I tried. I have 3 stars for service but it's not the concierge fault as it has been several times I have walked up for a room and been told they were booked with fewer than 20 cars in the parking lot. I would have to go to Expedia or an online site to find that rooms had been sold off and I would have to book online. This had led to me sleeping under my desk several times due to working late nearby before figuring out the game that the concierge does not have full access to actual available rooms as hotel policy must sell off the rooms to make a better try at consistent business from online companies than people that need hotel rooms spur of the moment.

I booked 5 King suite rooms, even though the rooms have a sofa bed, the website would not allow me to include two children with the two adults. I had to book the rooms showing only 2 adults. Once we checked in about 8pm, my room (621), had 1 bath towel, 3 hand towels and 2 washcloths. There were no sheets for sofa bed. I went to the front desk to get sheets and towels. Another guest was checking in, after the desk clerk checked in the guest, they continued to discuss her (the desk clerk’s) social life, the guest’s business and social life and the guest invited her to meet him for breakfast. This went on for several minutes as I stood waiting to be helped. My 9 and 10 years old sons were with me and fell asleep in the lobby chairs waiting. I finally waved my hand to get the clerks attention that she has other guest waiting for assistance. The other guest remained at the desk while the clerk leaned around him to ask me how she could me. I stepped to the left of the other guest to request sheets and towels. I was informed that they would be brought to know room. I returned to my room and waited 10 minutes and called to check on the status of the linens that I request. The same clerk answered and stated that someone was bringing them. An additional 10 minutes went by and still no linens. I called the front desk again and indicated that we were tired and needed to shower and go to bed. Eventually, someone brought the requested linens. The TV was not working on the room; it would turn on but would only get a black screen. I informed the person that brought the linen to the room. He informed me that the the staff was aware that the TV was not working and was suppose to replace the TV. He stated that he did not have access to the replacement TVs and no one with access was at the hotel at time and no other rooms were available. So we did not have working TV in the room. Update: No one from Hilton or Honewood Suites contacted me regarding the issues that experienced. This shows a lack of concern about guest experiences.