HILTON GARDEN INN SARASOTA - B

I thought I had stayed here before, but upon arrival I’m thinking perhaps not! A little bit more of an older HGI, but my room was clean and had everything I needed. Staff at the front desk were absolutely fantastic from the moment I checked in, through some concerns with a double booking, until my check-out the next day. The beds in my room were a little bit more on the hard side, which I personally love and I slept really well. Very nice fluffy, white towels too! Good location with obviously easy access to several colleges nearby, the airport, and only 15 minutes from downtown Sarasota. I was given free breakfast with my booking, but didn’t take advantage of it. A couple of negatives, but nothing that would deter me from staying here again! >> Toilet bowl water sits far too high in the bowl — be careful! >> Shower wasn’t overly hot and the pressure wasn’t that great. >> No trash cans near the elevator, which is a little unusual. This hotel is adjacent to a Home2 Suites, which I would usually stay at, but recently I’ve been seeking the additional Hilton points. As a result, I would definitely stay here again! (I usually take photos whenever I stay at a new hotel, but I forgot this time, sorry!)

We held a 90th birthday party with 60 family members at this hotel. I just want to applaud the staff for booking guests' rooms, setting up lovely tables, preparing a great buffet, meeting individuals' dietary needs, and being courteous and helpful before, during, and after the event. Thank you Nina, Patricia, and Alex for helping to make the evening memorable and fun.

After a long and exhausting 3.5–4.5 hour drive from St. Augustine to Sarasota, we arrived at the Hilton Garden Inn looking forward to finally resting. Unfortunately, despite having a confirmed reservation through Super.com, the booking was not showing up in Hilton’s system when we arrived. This is where Ashley at the front desk truly became a superhero. Ashley immediately took full ownership of the situation. She contacted Super.com, coordinated with her back office, and worked tirelessly to resolve the issue while simultaneously assisting other guests at the desk. Watching her juggle multiple responsibilities with such professionalism, calmness, and kindness was genuinely impressive. You could instantly tell that Ashley loves her job. She was friendly, approachable, upbeat, and incredibly hospitable throughout the entire process. Thanks to her persistence and dedication, we were checked in and taken care of when we were completely exhausted and stressed. Our positive experience didn’t stop there. The next morning, we mentioned that the refrigerator in our room was extremely loud at night. Ashley immediately arranged for it to be replaced within minutes—no hesitation, no excuses, just action. Throughout our stay, every time we saw Ashley, she greeted us warmly, chatted with guests, and created such a welcoming atmosphere. She connects naturally with people and makes you feel genuinely valued as a guest. Ashley is truly an asset to Hilton and to this property. Her customer service, ownership mindset, and positive energy set a gold standard for hospitality. Because of her, our stay turned from stressful to memorable. Thank you, Ashley, for going above and beyond. Hilton Garden Inn is lucky to have you. I also want to share quick feedback on breakfast service. The breakfast team worked extremely hard—most days it appeared a single staff member was handling everything (orders, kitchen runs, silverware, and guests), which is truly the job of multiple people, and their effort deserves recognition. However, the breakfast itself was below average compared to similar hotels and felt overpriced for what was offered. I’ve had better included breakfasts at comparable properties. One suggestion: coffee should be available throughout the day, not only during breakfast hours. This is a basic amenity many guests rely on, especially at a Hilton property. On a positive note, the marketplace had a great selection. We stayed on Christmas Day when most restaurants were closed, and the variety there was very helpful and appreciated.