Hilton Garden Inn Westchester Dobbs Ferry — Hotel in Town of Greenburgh

Hilton Garden Inn Dobbs Ferry, NY

I have NEVER felt so unwelcome and been so humiliated in my life as I was upon visiting this hotel.

Before I describe my unfortunate experience, let me start by saying that I am an experienced travel agent and multiple business owner. I've orchestrated and utilized travel plans and stayed as guest in hundreds of hotels and resorts in every US state, as well as internationally with concentrated focus on Trans-Atlantic travel.

However, upon checking into Hilton Garden Inn on Ogden Ave in Dobbs Ferry, NY; I experienced treatment that NO PERSON should ever have to endure.

Around 6:30pm Saturday, April 25, 2020, I checked into your hotel. The gentleman at the front desk was very polite, friendly and professional. Regrettably, that was to be the only hospitable treatment I was to receive.

His replacement later that evening, a woman that called herself "Tiqua" on several occasions, has embarrassed herself, as well as the entire Hilton brand in my opinion... (As well as the opinions of my colleagues whom have already heard of said woman's disgraceful behavior.)

After check-in, I had a few errands to run, so I returned to Hilton Garden Inn around 9:55pm on 4/25/2020. I entered the building via the front entrance with my personal assistant; carrying bags and a cart. We were not greeted upon entering, but were followed to the elevator by the woman on duty. I almost didn't know who the woman was speaking to; as her harangue began yet was directed towards my back.

I turned to find out why/who she was reprimanding. She began her tirade by saying: "By the way.... Any Parties or events that we find out about will result in forceful removal.." I was a little disoriented, and I asked her what event is the Hotel hosting? "Teek-wuh" continued her speech about events, and parties, and forceful eviction. I told her that I was not hosting any event, that my stay is private and only for 2 people. The woman goes on totally ignoring what I was informing her, and aggressively continuing about calling police and forceful removal!

I felt almost unsafe and unsure as to "Te'Kwa's" next move and I realized she was not going to end her one-sided argument, so I bid her: Good Night and continued to my room....all the while with that woman STILL reciting "event policies" to my turned back.

...Imagine being an essential business proprietor who has been away from home for almost 8 weeks delivering protective equipment, medicines, and food 7 days per week & 16 hours per day due to Covid-19... Finally on my way home, and the FIRST person I encounter is your rude and stereotyping night employee!!

This was not imaginary, but openly hostile behavior! I had to encounter this same woman around 4:44 am early Monday morning for towels and water. I went over to the snack area and she initially told me the snack area was CLOSED. I walked over to the coffee station but the coffee was very cold and old. I needed to take my medication and had to beg this woman to make an exception to sell me the water; as I have a medical necessity. This was hands down the worst stay of my travel and logistical...

This property does a poor job of welcoming guests, especially solo travelers who are not connected with a sponsored corporate event.

I made a solo trip to the USA from London - the purpose of the visit was to inspect a house in Dobbs Ferry that we are in the process of purchasing. This property is the closest hotel to that location and both my husband and i have stayed several days each in separate trips connected with inspections on the house.

The main challenge i experienced was finding the hotel forecourt (entrance) when arriving in an Uber car. This hotel is located in a mixed use development (Offices, restaurants and cinemas) accessible from the nearby Saw Mill River Parkway and the New York Thruway. The hotel is the tallest structure in the development. Finding a way in for the first time is truly challenging!

If you are an arriving guest, please follow the directions here carefully. If your SatNav system takes you to the east side of the building - it's Hamilton St., you will be on the wrong side of the building for first time access. Having driven around the building in the Uber car, i asked the driver to leave me off on Hamilton St as it appeared to be a front aspect to the hotel building. There are no access points, however, for first time guests. There is a door at the southern end of the building which includes the property name in red letters (Hampton Inn). However, that entrance can only be used by guests who have room keys. There is a roundabout at the southern end of Hamilton St, If you are arriving from the motorways to the east, look for the Ogden Ave. exit which is a steep uphill road. In a very short distance ( a few yards / meters) take the first right turn. There is a very small sign in dark red lettering but it was not visible when i arrived at dusk in a rain storm. Proceed down a ramp onto what looks to be a car park entrance - carry on straight and you will arrive at the hotel forecourt just inside the car park structure.

The room was a generous size and all appliances worked properly. However, you need to ensure that you advise the front desk each day that you want your room to be serviced. This is not an automatic daily function as in most hotels. Despite my request on the second day, the hotel failed to service my room.

I ate dinner in the hotel on my third night. The menu offered a reasonable selection of salads and mains; the portions were good-sized and table service was polite and efficient. I had an open faced sandwich with mozzarella and tomatoes - moderately priced at less than $20 including a non-alcoholic drink.

I wrote to the General Manager of the franchisee and provided detailed suggestions...

This review has been a long time coming (a year exactly)! My family and I stayed here for about a month(!) after we moved to Dobbs Ferry. This is a brand new hotel and we were the first inhabitants, and, at the time, they were still working out their kinks. For example, they advertised a hotel shuttle to metro north, but sadly they did not have that up and running so my husband had to take an uber to metro north every morning, which wasn't ideal. They also boasted a pool but truth be told, it was not ready for use, which was disappointing, especially for my kids. I spoke to Christine Zipparo who is the director of Sales at the Hilton and she was sympathetic and responsive. She followed up with us about our stay a couple of weeks later and even offered a few gift certificates at local restaurants, which was very much appreciated. Staying at a hotel for a month with school age kids, living out of suitcases, is not easy! This was at the tail end of the summer so our kids started school while we were in the hotel! On the first day of school the front desk receptionist wished my kids a good first day at school. When we returned, she was there asking them how their first day at school was. Very sweet. The adjustment to Dobbs Ferry and to a new school was made easier with a hot breakfast at the hotel restaurant every morning. Our kids loved the DIY waffle bar. The wait staff remembered my husband's preference for soy milk with his cereal every morning. I wish I remembered everyone's names because they were all very kind and professional and took good care of us. The hotel is situated in a shopping complex with a few family friendly restaurants nearby, which made it much easier for us. The hotel amenities are top of the line. I had to use their conference room a couple of times for work, which worked out beautifully. Everything was brand new so there was no "gross" factor anywhere. What stands out the most to me is the ways in which the hotel started to feel like home: from the warm greetings in the morning, the hot breakfast, the same pizzeria guy from Lombardo's that delivered to our room every week, and even the comical house cleaning staff who arranged my kids' stuffed animals in peculiar positions ;-) I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone staying in Westchester. In fact, we did! Our family is coming to visit in a couple of months and will be staying there as well. Thank you...