Tru by Hilton Auburn — Hotel in Auburn

Diggin' The Tru Brand

I stopped in at this newer Tru by Hilton while in the Auburn area for business. I've stayed at one Tru previously at the Denver Airport and was TRU-LY impressed. Built for the millennial and the business traveller and with its budget-friendly pricing, I'm digging' the Tru brand. Tru to its name, the brand is made for the modern traveller. With its bright, modern decor, and welcoming workspaces, Tru delivers.

Check-in was quick and painless, although my digital key wasn't working I still didn't;t mind 'checking in' at the front desk. When I went to the elevator, I noticed a community board on the wall adorned with locally inspired things to do. This was a nice touch.

My room was bright with minimalist modern decor, it's not as big as a Hampton or Home 2 or Homewood suites but just the way the rooms are laid out, they don't feel small. Everything you need for one night or multiple nights awaits you. There is plenty of space for your gear and devices, as well as multiple wall hooks for your coats and jackets. The desk is a little on the small side so be warned. You will find USB ports and outlets tuned into every nook and cranny. If you're in your room to work or play, the wifi signal is fairly strong, as I had two phones, an iPad Air and Dell Notebook all charging and connected at once.

The bed is comfy, and the washrooms are spic and span clean, so you can just chill out and enjoy the space. If you get tired of your room the downstairs lobby area has many places to chill, a games room, Big screen TVs, and work pods, so it's a great place to sip a local craft beer and catch up online. The fitness center has enough tools to get in a good workout. The free Lavazza coffee is fresh, free and flows all day long. Tru is TRU-LY a great little hotel chain, and if you get a chance to check one out, you will agree it's a great, modern, and affordable chain that...

We stayed here for three days while visiting family. The room was clean, but we were unpleasantly surprised to find:|-- No dressers or drawers of any kind. We're supposed to keep our clothes in the suitcase? Or on the tiny open shelf under the TV?|-- No closet! Just a pipe in the corner of the room with hangers. Weird. There were also large pegs on the wall for hanging jackets, etc. I guess that's fine but we really want a closet and a dresser so our clothes aren't just out in the open.|-- No in-room safe. We had to carry our valuables with us when we left the room.|-- No microwave in the room. They have a microwave in the lobby market area, which made it seem more like a gas station convenience store than a hotel.|-- The breakfast was extremely limited. They advertise a "hot" buffet breakfast, but the only hot items were a small try of sad scrambled eggs and another small tray of rubbery sausages. The orange juice was foamy coming out of the dispenser, and tasted like soap.|-- The soap, shampoo, and conditioner are in these weird bottles that you had to squeeze to dispense. That was very awkward (especially to use at the sink) and also difficult for me, as I have problems with hand pain anyway. And the scent was unpleasant. |-- The mattress was reasonably comfortable, but it was on a wood platform that make a loud creaking noise with the slightest movement.|-- No coffee maker in the room. They advertise 24/7 coffee and tea in the lobby, but that seemed to be true only in the morning.|-- There is a small fitness center. But it's located right next to the elevators and has an all-glass front. Anyone working out is basically in a fishbowl.|We will never stay at the Tru...

I cannot say anything about the rooms since I was unable to stay here, but I can say that the management is dishonest and places small amounts of money above all else. I recently booked a stay at this hotel by accident, I meant to book a stay at the Auburn, Al Tru. When I arrive in Auburn Alabama I was really surprised to see that I had made this booking mistake but the staff at that hotel was glad to help and got me booked at the right hotel. This hotel, in Indiana, however, refused to refund my money as it was a booking made through a third party.

When the third party requested a refund they denied it. Then when I called this hotel directly, they lied and said the third party company had never requested it. The third-party company gave me the name of the manager and the date/time they had spoken so I tend to believe them. I called the corporate office of Hilton, since this hotel bears their name, to complain and after some time I received the same story.

It's too bad for Hilton that they put their name on this hotel, as I won't be staying in any Hiltons again, and it will be a lot more than this two-night booking that they miss out on. Also, there is a good chance I will need a hotel in Auburn, IN in the future, but this one won't be getting my money.

In the end, honesty and good customer service should matter for something. I suggest you factor in that this hotel is so desperate or dishonest that they would rather take your money for providing no service than to...