Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown

The only positive thing about this hotel is its location, which is convenient for walking around Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, that’s where the good impressions end. The staff in general are not very welcoming, often looking tired and as if they are forced to do their job. But the main issue was with the breakfast service. We had prepaid for breakfast and received vouchers at check-in. The hotel’s website describes it as a standard buffet, similar to what you find at other chain hotels: eggs, bacon, some fruit, coffee, juice, pastries. However, it turned out that guests are not allowed to pour their own drinks — coffee and juice are handled only by the servers. At the same time, a check is immediately placed on your table showing the full breakfast price (which you already paid) with an additional mandatory 18–20% gratuity added. When I realized this system was designed to force tipping, I decided to pour my own coffee. But the server literally rushed over, insisting that I was not allowed to do this, and actively prevented me from serving myself. After I refused to sign the check, the staff started telling me that I “don’t understand American culture” and that tipping at breakfast is a tradition. We filed a complaint with hotel management. They apologized and promised to fix the situation. The “solution” was shocking: the next morning, the buffet was completely closed, and breakfast was switched to table service only. As a result, guests had to wait more than an hour just to receive simple food like eggs, bacon, and pastries that could have been taken in 5 minutes from a buffet. While we were waiting, we saw other guests arrive for breakfast, looking confused and frustrated when they realized they could no longer serve themselves. Those who hadn’t prepaid and saw how long people were waiting often just turned around and left to have breakfast elsewhere. The disappointment on their faces said it all. This was done only so that the restaurant staff could continue forcing tips. I have traveled extensively and stayed at many chain hotels — Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn — and I have never seen such pushy and disrespectful service. In the end, my children and I managed to have breakfast only 1.5 hours after arriving. The supervisor apologized again and said they would “consider compensation,” but nothing was actually done. We paid $200 per night. Not extremely expensive, but not cheap either. However, the experience was so negative that I cannot even give this hotel a “2.” My rating is a 1, and it’s unfortunate that I can’t give lower.