Hilton Garden Inn Mattoon — Hotel in Mattoon

Not a bad stay but not up to usual Hilton standards (I said this at the last Hilton stay in October and we tried a different brand in November for better location and cost but its wasn't better so came right back). Definitely disappointed and while its still our prefered brand our loyalty is wavering. After a long snowy scary drive we arrived 2.5 hours later than planned and had to wait for the check in person. Another couple came down and he went to bar twice asking if someone could assist them. Both time the bartender stated he should be right back. Eventually the couple just took two waters from the little food area and left. Front desk person come out and answered the phone that had been ringing. We quickly check in and inquire what time breakfast opens in the morning as we have a tight schedule. 6:30 is the answer so head up to our very clean, dark, quiet and comfortable room. My teenage daughter carefully plans her morning - wake up at 6:25, eat breakfast, come up and get dressed and ready for her scholarship interview tomorrow. We are at breakfast at 6:35 with 2 other tables and wait until 6:45. I inquire about ordering and are told breakfast doesn't open until 7. This is important information, I wouldnt have inquired if it didn't matter. This puts my daughter behind because we waited to find out. There is ZERO signage. She gets ready and I come back and order for us both so she can start making up time, after again having to track down an employee, I order an omelet and she asks what I want in, since I have no idea my choices I just guess, so I said all the vegetables you have. The omelet is so skimpy with just 4 veggies (mushroom, onion, bell pepper, tomato) and not a lot of them. Had to ask where the silverware was, had to hunt down my own salt and pepper. The omelet was $10 and I thought for $10 they could have put a few more veggies in it. Luckily as diamond members we had the $10 per person credit but if I had to pay for that Id be furious. Then the worst part of any breakfast area - the coffee ran out! Luckily I had just poured a cup but at least 4 people tried and had to request more and she had to brew more (i left so who knows how many more people left under caffeinated). And the eating area was not crowded. Never even hit half full. The common areas were clean except the stairs could use a vacuum. Part of staying at the Hilton brand is quality nights sleep (hit it1) but a nice breakfast to start the day (hard fail). 3 stars against any other hotel chain but 2 stars again Hilton brand. Though honestly, most of my Hilton reviews are excellent but the past two fell short, I hope this is not indicative of where this brand is going. . .I havent decided if Ill try this hotel again or try a different one if we go to...

I have stayed in many Hilton hotels across the country, this by far the worst I have ever experienced! The only positive about this hotel was the proximity to everything I needed and the bed was comfortable. Upon check-in, the clerk barely greeted me as I entered. I had to ask for basic information about the hotel, even after being asked if I had ever stayed with them before and answering "no, I have not". I had to specifically ask about breakfast, when it was served, where it was served, etc... Horrible first impression was set by this clerk. The room was good, at least at first glance. But after working the day and then driving for 6 hours, I was tired and not paying much attention to things. The following morning, as I start getting ready, I realize there are trimmed whiskers all over the bathroom vanity. I don't have a beard, no way those were from me! The toilet was loose so any movement it would bang against the floor as it rocked back and forth... Breakfast being served daily, was adequate but after 4 days got VERY old as there was no real variety. Same food to choose from every day.... The girl working the breakfast area, although nice enough, did not offer any information as to anything. Came by and asked if she could get me anything further to drink, to which I had to have her repeat herself a couple of times because she spoke so quietly. Then just before I am getting ready to leave she sets a slip down on the table like a bill. Doesn't say anything other than "here you go". What am I supposed to do with this, is she really expecting a tip for merely asking me if I wanted something to drink besides coffee?? On my last day there, Saturday morning, I arrive in the lobby at about 6:45 so that I can get my breakfast and begin my 6 hour drive home to find out that breakfast isn't served until 7, but also that they were running late and it wouldn't be ready until at least 7:30... By far the worst experience in a Hilton I have ever...

For this to be a new hotel (less than a year old), I am not impressed. I checked in today. The front desk guy didn’t explain anything to me. (Wi-Fi password, breakfast hours, which direction my room is, etc) Just asked my name and how many keys I needed. The bathroom isn’t very clean. What are these house keepers doing?! There’s no way the shower should be in this shape already. I’m here on business, and there’s no computer. There’s a printer, but you can’t connect to it. It’s pretty useless and I’m unsure why it’s even sitting there. Other than that, it’s ok. I’ll be going back to the Holiday Inn Express going forward. I need a working “business center” and a clean bathroom!

EDIT TO ADD: This is week 3, and the rooms last week and this week have been great. I haven’t seen the rude guy back at the front desk, everyone else has been great! The restaurant, STIX, inside this place has the best food in Mattoon and Charleston. The PERFECT burger and steak!! Nathan W. Is fantastic and fun and he needs a raise and a promotion. He’s the best worker there!!!

I’m going to ETA again: I’ve been staying close to 2 months now, and it’s been a lot better than my first, however, when I checked in on 10/2, my room hadn’t been cleaned very well. This is the 2nd time this has happened. Little hairs all over the sink from where the previous stayed, there was a print in one of the beds where someone had laid, looked to be burgers smeared on the shower wall, dirty/sticky floors, and hair on the bedside table. The front desk guy seemed unbothered but the housekeeper cleaned the room for me. She is the only one who bothered to apologize or try to make it right. I wanted to talk to the GM but was unable to. So I’m lowering them to 2 stars and adding photos of my filthy room...