Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District 1700 East 9th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605

"This stay was my first time in Ybor City, and it is a fascinating place. The neighborhood harbors a rooster and chicken colony, protected by city ordinance, and they crow in the morning and strut around the hotel’s parking lot. Given how urban the surroundings are, the roosters are an endearing novelty. Ybor is a bit outside downtown Tampa, but this hotel is a walkable two blocks to a station on Tampa’s free TECO streetcar system. So it is easy to park your car in the hotel lot ($25/day for guests) and train into town. The trip is ~20 minutes to the Tampa Convention Center and another endearing novelty of the location. The hotel itself was clean and quiet. My room was larger than expected. I think they upgraded me to a suite since the place was otherwise full. The staff were kind and accommodating, available to answer questions about the surrounds and how to trolley into Tampa. I got in late, after 11pm, and there were two helpful staff at the from desk. I usually stay at places with complimentary breakfast, which Hilton Gardens does not offer. However, there was an ample supply of grab-and-go fruit and a coffee/tea station which got me through to lunch. For those wising to sit down, the lobby converts to a restaurant in the mornings billed separately from the hotel stay. My only complaint, which I’m not the hotel’s fault, is Ybor became a bit seedy after dark. Outside a convenience store about 2 blocks from the hotel at about 10pm, I was propositioned by a guy who wanted to sell me his pants - the ones he was wearing - for $25. I told him I wasn’t interested, and the ended the encounter, but I do feel like tourists have to be on guard in the neighborhoods around the hotel at night. The Hilton Garden Inn itself felt very safe and well monitored."

"The front desk clerk was not friendly or helpful at all. She acted like I was an inconvenience. No one answers the phone. I'm a Diamond customer, I asked for a complimentary upgrade. She upgraded me and charged me with out letting me know there would be a charge. I also asked about another benefit and she offered zero help and just pushed me along so she could get back to her business on her cell phone. Zero professionalism."

"The $18 PER DAY onsite parking fee was extremely excessive. The parking is gated onsite and should be complimentary for paying guests. The rooms are outdated and could benefit from some updates. We had a room with what was notes to be 2 double beds that looked and felt more like twin size beds. Very uncomfortable for sleeping even our small family of 3. There was only one elevator but it seemed to move fairly quickly. Had the hotel been more busy, the elevator could have been more problematic. The complimentary morning coffee and fruit infused water were very nice. The pool and hot tub area was relaxing. The courtyard area was lovely and a great place to relax with friends."