Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel Conference Center — Hotel in San Marcos

The only time I don't like submitting reviews is when I have a less than 4-star experience. I must at least start with a positive. Service was good. Most everything was done with a virtual key on my phone via the Hilton Honors app, but my interaction with service when needed, was pleasant. Chelsea and Lisa were very helpful. I checked out early as I was not happy. I was credited and I appreciated the help. It was the 4th of July holiday and, unbeknownst to me, it was also the regional Little League World Series. Understandably, it was crowded with the 2 events. My ill experience was due to not only the property, but the people. To start, one of the 3 elevator was down the entire time of my stay (7/3-7/6), so that left only 2 elevators for a 10 story completely booked hotel. I was traveling with my pet, so I had many trips up and down the elevator with children pressing all the buttons for fun. Many of the families were spread out on multiple levels, so my ride to and from the 10th floor would typically take 4-5 stops. The elevators were very dirty. Glass full of fingerprints, the floors of the elevators were sticky with gummy bears and what looked like soda. On one of my trips back to the car, moms were screaming at each other about which mom's kid was a better ball player. On a separate trip for a pup potty break, another man and woman were fighting about something unknown, but the language was out of control. The next day on another pup potty break, a woman with her carload announced proudly that she was going to park in the Hilton Diamond Member parking even though she was not a member. All of these are prime examples of poor caliber of people. At over $200.00 per night after taxes and parking, I am surprised. From the number of people staying in one suite (many rooms I saw on my floor has 5-7 people), my guess is they packed a whole family in to help offset their costs. I like a good deal as much as anyone else, but there are rules you should follow. The rooms are very dated. The red furniture, red carpet, and red drapes makes for a very dark suite. The bathrooms a quite small. I was very impressed with the size of the fridge. That was probably my favorite thing about the room. I had plenty of space to hold my drinks and snacks. The beds are comfortable. I bring my own pillow everywhere I travel, so I cannot give feedback on their pillows. The living area and bedroom both had a decent sized TV. The railings outside my window distracted from the beautiful hill country view because they were full of bird poop. I never once went barefoot in my suite. I couldn't stand the feel of the carpet. I even parked my flipflops right by the bathtub so I could put them back on immediately when I got out of the shower. The walls had several dings, the furniture was dented, and the doors were all scuffed. Trash was all around the property. Not just next to the overflowing receptacles, but in the rocks along the walkways and in the parking lot. Again, people shouldn't litter to begin with, but where is the grounds crew to pick up stuff like this?? The property needs a good facelift. The breakfast was okay. I suggest waiting in the line for the made to order omelet. That was the best item. Don't forget to tip your omelet makers. They work hard in the hot area. They need to clean the self-serve area better. Sticky tables, juice dispensers need to be cleaned under the grate, and the buffet area needed attention badly. The room service sandwich I ordered on the last night of my stay was very good. I was pleased with the quality and speed of delivery. Self-parking is $12.00 per night. No valet available. I had 2 cars in my party. We were only charged the one fee per night ($12.00 x 3 nights). Complimentary beverages are served in the courtyard area each night from 5:30-7:00. I did not attend. It was exceptionally loud, and the lines were very long. Not worth it. Pet (cat/dog) fees are $75+ tax nonrefundable charge. Service dogs are no charge. Lots of potential, so this is a sad review to write. Will...

I've stayed at this property many times over the years. I was happy to see that it was going through renovations as they were much needed. That being said, I'm so disappointed in our stay. I booked 3 rooms. The price of the rooms were highly inflated due to multiple events happening in town. $369 before taxes for this hotel was 100% price gauging. The website says the property is under construction but should have stated that nothing is open. The restaurant wasn't open, the cafe wasn't open, etc. I can't believe they charged this rate for rooms with the hotel being in the condition it is in. Breakfast buffet isn't served on the weekends until 7. We needed to leave by 6:45. A manager told my husband they could provide a sack breakfast for us with fruit, muffin etc. When I went back to the front desk to let them know we would take them up on the manager's offer, the front desk said they couldn't provide it for us. ||There was a lady at a table in the lobby saying she was giving everyone 500 Hilton points due to the construction. We asked her how long she was going to be there as we needed to drop off our luggage but could come back down. She said she would be there until 8. We went down there twice before 8 and she was gone. If the hotel was adding points for the inconvenience, why wasn't this just taken care of at checkin. ||The hotel was completely booked we were told. There were only 2 people working the front desk at check in. The line was incredibly long. If you have a completely booked hotel, why wouldn't you have more than two people working check in?||When we returned from dinner one of our three rooms smelled strongly of marijuana. Not good with a 10 year old. We went tot the front desk and they initially told us they could just spray the room with Febreeze. When we told them that was unacceptable, they told us there was nothing they could do. Luckily the Director of HR was walking by, overheard and immediately stepped in to take care of us. She agreed we should not have to stay in the room. ||We received the text from the hotel checking in that night. I don't use the Keurig's in hotel rooms (if you know you know) and I asked if any type of coffee would be available in the morning in the lobby. They said no coffee would be available until the buffet opened at 7. Again, the coffee cafe (with Starbucks) was closed for construction. I asked via the text to please have a manager contact me the next day. No response and no manager contacted me. ||I typically stay at Marriott properties, and I guess I have been spoiled...

I am a loyal Embassy Suites customer as well as a Hilton honors member. I reached the level of diamond and enjoyed every minute of it. Once retired the traveling diminished as did the status but am still loyal to ES and HH. Anytime we choose to travel the first hotel I seek out is an ES. We scheduled a trip for our granddaughters birthday and this hotel was in the vicinity so I booked it. I gave it a 5 in regards to location service and rooms but a three for the following reasons that I will explain.

The new technology for digital keys and check out is great the stability not so much. It was on and off and i coukdnt share. The oerson on the receiving end couldn't get it to work. What was also a surprise was that I was given access to the pool and the gym but not the Laundry room area, not sure why. Noticed in a review posted with a stay 2 weeks ago noted one of the elevators was broken. During my stay ironically one of the three elevators was also broken, wonder if it was the same one? I had our room upgraded for the snacks which when booked the site said the items would be in the room. They were not and why I had to go downstairs and ask for them is beyond me. The managers reception as I remember was 2hrs why it went down to 1hr and a 1/2 was unknown and disappointing. This is more a recommendation than anything I realize having breakfast 6 til 9 on weekdays is more for the business traveler. My recommendation would be to extend the time during the summer to 10 due to more parents traveling with kids. The food at the breakfast bar was cold and I noticed the same concern in reviews of people that had stayed 2 to 3 weeks ago with a response from the GM of how sorry they were and that they would correct. Guess the responses to customers from the GM isn't really genuine Lastly, the $12 parking fee. The parking lot is huge it's a convention center there is no valet it's all self parking so why the fee? When we asked if we needed it we were told yes, were then given a parking pass with no dates of checking in or check out written on it. With that I was a bit skeptical about this fee if not paid was it even enforced. I understand if it was a downtown location with limited parking and we were using their parking garage, but there were no other buildings around the entire parking area belonged to embassy suites.

Those things forced me to give a 2 overall, because they are things I never encountered with...