Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort

I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Beaufort, South Carolina, and overall, it was a pleasant and comfortable experience. Street parking was easy, and I entered through the side door and walked to the front desk. Although I had already checked in via the app, I stopped by to get a plastic key. The front desk experience was flawless—attentive, polite, and efficient. They recognized my Gold status, explained the perks, gave a rundown of the amenities including food and bar options, and were generally top-notch. Every front desk employee I encountered during my stay—three in total—was consistently helpful, professional, and polite. They each made a great impression, and it's clear there's a strong team in place. My room was on the fourth floor—spacious, clean, and well-lit. It had two beds, a computer chair, a small desk area with outlets and USB ports, a TV, and a modern cabinet. The lamp by the window had a comfortable chair and ottoman beside it, with a mushroom-shaped table that made that side of the bed more functional. There was also a table between the two beds, so the left bed had tables on both sides—very convenient. The room included a microwave, small refrigerator, a Keurig coffee maker, and an open closet with hangers, a luggage rack, iron, and ironing board. The foyer area had tile flooring, while the rest of the room was carpeted in standard hotel carpet—nothing remarkable. However, the hallway carpet on the fourth floor stood out with a beautiful, cosmic-style pattern that reminded me of the night sky. I usually don’t even notice hotel carpets, but this one was genuinely attractive. The bathroom was especially impressive. It had extremely bright, flattering lighting with fixtures on both sides of the mirror and an additional ring light around the mirror. There was also a full-length mirror just outside the bathroom. Towels were thick and of good quality, and a hair dryer was provided. Breakfast had some highs and lows. On my first morning, the buffet included bacon, eggs, grits, breads, oatmeal, grapes, and potatoes. However, the regular coffee was completely out, and I had to grab a bottled water from the cooler while staff worked to catch up. The server, who was also cooking and cleaning alone, was doing her best in a clearly understaffed situation. The front desk was engaged and helping however they could, and that teamwork showed throughout the property. On day two, coffee was available, but the buffet trays were nearly empty when I came down. Offerings included grits, eggs, sausage, potatoes, and French toast—replacing the bacon and mini waffles from the day before. I chose to order a sandwich off the menu instead, skipping the buffet entirely. The same employee had been working the breakfast area each day and managed everything with a great attitude despite being clearly overworked. She even apologized again for the day before, showing that she genuinely cares about the guest experience. Employees like her should absolutely be recognized. Even the one housekeeper I passed was pleasant and friendly, and I believe I saw a manager at checkout engaging with another guest—he seemed approachable and personable. Overall, the hotel was clean, well-maintained, and staffed by people who care about guest satisfaction. While breakfast operations would benefit from more support, the team on-site made a real effort to cover the gaps and keep things running smoothly. Hilton should be proud of this staff—they’re the kind of team worth investing in.