Hampton Inns: Should You Really Stay at One?

Ah, Hampton Inns. Those mid-tier hotels that seem to be everywhere. Are they worth staying at?

That’s what we’re here to find out. I’ve stayed at many, and have an informed view of this important question. Let’s dive in.

What are Hampton Inns?

Now known as Hampton by Hilton, Hampton Inns are mid-tier hotels that seem to be everywhere (especially in the US). Per Wikipedia, there are about 2,433 of them.

Who Owns Hampton Inns?

Ultimately, they are under the corporate umbrella of Hilton.

What Does Hilton Say About Them?

This:

With over 2,200 locations globally, Hampton by Hilton™ hotels offer high-quality and consistent accommodations and amenities. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, and free, hot breakfast with fresh baked waffles and hearty oatmeal with toppings. You can count on friendly, helpful service and so much more. At Hampton, making you happy makes us happy. So, if we can make your stay better, talk to any member of our team, and we’ll make sure you’re 100% happy. GUARANTEED.

How is the Experience at Hampton Inns?

Not bad at all, I’d say! Here are some pros and cons:

Pros

Price

Hampton Inns are relatively cheap. I ran searches for some random dates in November for three locations spanning the price range: Clackamas, OR, Orlando, FL, and New York City. The per-night prices I was quoted ranged from around $85 to $226.

Location

Hamptons tend to be located outside central business districts, but not far from them, in inner-ring suburban areas (at least in the US). Therefore, you are usually a short ride away from wherever you need to go

Decent Amenities

Practically every Hampton will feature free breakfast and car parking, and many will have a pool, gym, and other amenities. I have never been charged for any of these.

Free Breakfast

Like I said, the breakfast is free. The bad news is that it’s not great, though it is decent and serves its purpose. At every location I’ve been to, it seems to be cooked elsewhere, and only warmed up on-site.

Still, you can get a full “American” breakfast. It has all that you would expect: protein (scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, etc.), bread (white and whole wheat), oatmeal, juice, coffee and more.

Consistency

Some Hampton Inns are in better shape than others, but the experience is pretty consistent everywhere you go. You’ll usually find that they’re:

• Clean.
• Well-designed.
• Not in rough neighborhoods.
• Have decent, attentive service.
• Participation in the Hilton Honors loyalty program.
  • If anything goes wrong, you can always escalate to corporate.

Cons

Limited Service

Hampton Inns are not full-service hotels. This means that you do not get a concierge or even an on-premises restaurant or bar. You basically get a decent room, breakfast, a small gym, and usually a pool.

No Fun at Hampton Inns

These are not “fun” hotels; they’ll meet your human needs in a pleasant environment, but that’s pretty much it. Plus, they’res somewhat drab and dull, though they’re apparently being revamped and modernized.

No Glitz or Glamour

No “fun” factor, glitz, or glamour: Hamptons seem geared to business travelers and budget leisure guests. While they look clean and somewhat modern, they’re not trendy, fashionable, or cool.

If you just arrived in NYC, Vegas, LA or Miami for a weekend getaway, they can bring down your mood with their dullness. You won’t find a party atmosphere or beautiful, tipsy people milling about, if that’s what you’re looking for.

Hampton Inns can Be Drab and Dull

Hamptons kind of all look the same. There’s no impressive architecture or funky details, just standard-issue road warrior accommodations. Also, I’ve sometimes found some minor dust inside the guestrooms, which makes me think that housekeeping can be a bit careless (acceptable, but not excellent).

Do They Allow Pets?

Dogs are usually allowed. Per the AKC:

Most Hampton Inn properties do allow dogs. Number of pets, size of pets allowed, and fees may vary and are at the discretion of each hotel. However, even when pets are not allowed at a particular hotel, service animals are always permitted. Although some properties have many pet-friendly rooms, pets cannot be left unattended in them, and hotels are allowed to charge for any damage caused by an animal being kept on the property (this is for damage only — it is not a “pet fee”).

Video Reviews

Here’s some random person’s video review of a Hampton in the UK:

Summing Up Hampton Inns

Hamptons are great for business and leisure travelers on a budget. However, if you want the “fun factor” and have the money (or someone else is paying 😉 ) stay somewhere else.