The DoubleTree Club Hotel in Santa Ana is a perfectly adequate but relatively unremarkable hotel. Its best features are its location and the rates and upgrades available when guests book through HiltonHHonors.com.
The DoubleTree Club Hotel is a basic business hotel. It’s a bit smaller than many similar properties in the Hilton family, it’s well kept and attractive, and the staff members are polite and pleasant enough. The on-site restaurant and lounge are convenient, as are the fitness and business centers, but “adequate” is probably the highest praise they deserve.
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| The living area of the Balboa Suite |
However, while the property’s location is one of its positive attributes, it is also a negative. Though close to a couple of major freeways (I-405 and the 55), it’s in an area that is primarily office and industrial space. That means the weekends can be pretty quiet, and it also means there aren’t many restaurants nearby. There is the usual retinue of fast food and strip mall restaurants but the choices are relatively few.
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| Balboa Suite Sleeping Room |
The AAA rate on HiltonHHonors.com was quite good, and the benefits of booking Hilton properties through the Hilton web site often include very reasonable upgrades. Depending on the level one has obtained in the HiltonHHonors program, upgrades can be requested for a very nominal reasonable – or NO – fee. My Diamond status snared me a “corner room” -- The Balboa Suite, Room 633 - for no additional cost! As you can see from the pictures, the “corner room” was more accurately described as a “suite”.
If you’re able to take advantage of upgrades, I definitely recommend looking into the DoubleTree Club Hotel if you need to be in Orange County. Otherwise, I don’t believe you’ll be disappointed.
But don’t expect to be overly impressed either.
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
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Photos by Carl Dombek
Click on photos to view larger images
But don’t expect to be overly impressed either.
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
Follow @TheTravelProUS
Photos by Carl Dombek
Click on photos to view larger images
Thank you for posting a detailed review of your stay with us.
ReplyDeleteI would say it is quite accurate in its details, although we certainly would have liked to have scored at least 4 stars! What could we have done differently? We certainly would like to have you back as a guest in the future.
Mark Pfeifer
General Manager
Doubletree Club Hotel
My response:
ReplyDeleteMark,
There were really three areas that needed improvement.
First, the staff -- while professional and competent -- didn't really make me feel special. They didn't make me feel like a "valued guest," which is generally one of the things I enjoy about staying at Hilton hotels.
Second, the bar seems like an afterthought. It's as though someone said, "Hey, we forgot! We need a bar!" and they stuck it in some empty space. As a result it is not very warm or inviting.
Third, while the breakfast buffet was OK, the layout was confusing. None of the staff seemed to sense my confusion and offered to help, though I was eventually able to find the silverware so I could eat my eggs with something other than my fingers.
I trust these comments will be helpful.
Regards,
Carl