DoubleTree by Hilton Long Island City New York — Hotel in New York

I knew before going here that the place wasn't great, but sometimes hotel reviews aren't what they’re cracked up to be.

First, I’d like to say I’m a Titanium member with Marriott, and I took up Hilton on their status match challenge where I can become a Diamond by staying 14 nights. I thought sure why not, that way I have status with two major hotel chains.

I decided my first booking in 15 or so years would be at the DoubleTree Long Island City. From past experience with Hilton, DoubleTree is supposed to be slightly above mid-tier in service, so that is what I expected. I didn’t expect great service and I knew for the price I was paying I shouldn’t expect much.

When I arrived at the hotel, it was okay. Check-in was good, I got a free cookie and some water. I asked about valet parking and they told me I had to go to the Marriott next door to valet park. I went and waited 45 minutes to park because the two valets were on lunch. No big deal, just a first-world problem.

I finally got to my room and was only there briefly before heading back out. It was small, but it looked nice. This was around 3 PM.

I returned several hours later at 11 PM. I was exhausted and hot. It was June 24th, 2025, the high was 105 degrees and even at 11 PM it was still 96. Anyway, I got to my room and went to take a shower. Mind you, I am a guy with short brown hair. I take my shower and look down at the drain and there are like a thousand long black hairs. Gross, but whatever.

I go to dry myself. The first towel I grabbed had brown spots on it. The second one I grabbed had a black spot on it. The third one was clean. Fine, whatever. I didn’t want to complain at 11 PM because I was tired and didn’t want to switch rooms since the beds looked clean.

One of the four pillows smelled like Cheetos. Then I noticed the hotel is across the street, technically two blocks away, from a power plant. The constant hum, sound of whooshing air and trucks backing up kept me up all night. If you like white noise maybe this is for you. I have lived in Brooklyn my entire life, grew up in East NY, and never heard so much noise at night. Whoever decided to put this hotel here wasn’t thinking.

When I woke up in the morning, I noticed even more things that were messy. Dust was everywhere. It looked like nobody had cleaned the room in days. I even found 32.20 euros on the floor. I guess I’ll use it on my next trip to Europe.

When I checked out, I did complain about the dirtiness of the room, but all I got was an OK and a shrug, even after showing them the video of the hair in the drain. Whatever. I will not be coming back and even though I have 13 more nights at different Hilton hotels, I may reconsider them because...

A Nightmare Stay: A Cautionary Tale of Hospitality Gone Wrong

From October 14 to October 16, 2025, my wife and sister-in-law endured what can only be described as a deeply disappointing and frustrating experience at this hotel.

Upon arrival, they were greeted not with comfort, but with a room that reeked of neglect—unclean surfaces and a pungent odor that made it hard to breathe. The shampoo and conditioner were nearly empty, so they politely asked the front desk to have them refilled while they were out.

When they returned, the bathroom had been cleaned—but the trash can remained full, the bed sheets unchanged, and wet towels were left sprawled across the bed. Somehow, conditioner bottle was filled but the shampoo container wasn't filled in. My wife, understandably upset, went to the front desk and spoke with Dex, requesting a housekeeper to change the sheets and provide fresh towels.

A housekeeper arrived and handed over five towels—but refused to change the bed sheets, citing that it was five minutes before the end of their shift (11:55 PM). My wife and sister-in-law returned to Dex, asking again for the sheets to be changed. What followed was a bizarre and infuriating exchange: the housekeeper falsely claimed that the sisters had declined the sheet change, and Dex, instead of resolving the issue, told them to wait for the next shift.

My wife firmly reminded Dex that guests deserve immediate action, not excuses. Only then did the housekeeper return and finally change the sheets.

But the damage was done.

Dex showed no ownership, no urgency, and no commitment to guest satisfaction. The housekeeper lied to Dex and to the guests’ faces. I personally requested a call from the General Manager to resolve this matter. As of 10:38 AM ET on October 16, I have received no response. The Housekeeping Manager, who should have been informed of the incident, has also failed to reach out.

This experience was not just bad—it was unacceptable. The lack of professionalism, accountability, and basic hospitality standards is staggering. I expect immediate follow-up from hotel leadership to address...

I recently stayed at the DoubleTree in Long Island City and had an overall positive experience. The hotel’s standout feature is its convenient location — it’s just a short walk from several subway lines (notably the 7, E, M, and R trains), making Manhattan access quick and easy while offering a quieter, more residential neighborhood vibe. This makes it a great choice for both business travelers and tourists who want to be near the city without staying directly in Midtown.

The check-in was friendly and efficient. As expected from DoubleTree, I was greeted with a warm chocolate chip cookie at arrival, which was a nice touch. The lobby is modern and comfortable with ample seating and a business-friendly atmosphere.

Rooms were clean, well-appointed, and sized reasonably for New York. My room had a comfortable bed, good-quality linens, and a practical workspace with accessible outlets — useful for remote work. The bathroom was tidy; the toiletries and housekeeping met typical Hilton standards. I appreciated the blackout curtains and efficient climate control, which helped ensure a good night’s sleep despite being in a busy city.

On-site amenities are solid: the fitness center is functional for a quick workout, and the restaurant/bar offers decent food and beverages for casual dining. Service throughout the hotel was professional and responsive; staff were helpful with local directions, transit tips, and luggage assistance.

A few minor downsides: some rooms face the street and can pick up city noise, though the windows reduce most of it. Prices can be higher during peak travel times or events, so I’d recommend booking in advance or looking for deals. Also, while the restaurant served well, options nearby are plentiful it’s worth exploring LIC’s growing dining scene for more variety.

Overall recommendation: DoubleTree by Hilton Long Island City is a reliable, comfortable, and well-located option for visitors to NYC who value easy subway access, modern rooms, and consistent Hilton service. I’d stay again, especially for trips where quick Manhattan access and a quieter night’s sleep...