Hotel Review: Hampton Inn & Suite Allen Park

As America slowly reopens its economy, my work is picking back up, putting me in a position to travel regularly once again. I haven’t traveled for work since mid-March, so I didn’t know exactly what to expect from my accommodations in the new pandemic-stricken world. I’m fortunate enough that my job allows me to select my lodgings as long as the hotel’s portfolio and location are within a specific budget and distance. I primarily stay at either Marriott or Hilton properties to rack up points and take advantage of my status; when selecting Hilton, I always opt for Hampton Inn & Suites due to their abundant presence nationwide and surprisingly impressive quality, particularly the newly renovated branches. I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suite in Allen Park during my most recent business trip to Detroit. I wanted to share my experiences traveling during a pandemic and describe what Hilton has done to minimize the spread of the virus while providing a relaxing, enjoyable stay.

I liked the high ceiling of the hotel lobby area, which created an open and airy feel upon first impression.

What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?

American Express Hilton Aspire

The American Express Hilton Aspire is currently offering a signup bonus of 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 in 3 months. Be aware that since this is an American Express (AMEX) card, you’re only allowed to receive the signup bonus once per lifetime. With a valuation of 0.6 cents per point, the signup bonus is worth about $900. The annual fee is $450, but cardmembers get a weekend night certificate (redeemable on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at non-premium hotels), $250 incidental credit towards your airline of choice, $250 Hilton resort credit at select Hilton resorts, and Hilton Diamond status, the highest in Hilton’s member ecosystem. Until August 31, cardmembers are also able to apply their resort credit towards purchases at U.S. restaurants as a temporary perk offered by AMEX during these difficult times.

The American Express Hilton Aspire is one of my all-around favorite cards for its benefits and perks. Photo credit: www.americanexpress.com

The Aspire earns 14X per dollar spent on Hilton hotels and resorts when booked directly through Hilton and 7X on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly with select companies, and U.S. restaurants. All other purchases will earn 3X per dollar. As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, you’ll receive a 100% points bonus and 10 extra points per dollar spent at Hilton properties. Therefore, the Aspire earns a total of 24X per dollar spent on Hilton properties when booked directly with Hilton, yielding a grand return of 14.4%. With Hilton’s frequent points promotions, you can rake in a serious amount of Hilton Honors points in no time. Even if you don’t stay at Hilton properties too often, this card is definitely worth the annual fee due to its amazing perks and benefits, and I strongly believe it’s the best hotel credit card available on the market right now. 

If you’d like to apply for the American Express Hilton Aspire, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! http://refer.amex.us/EDWARSLgWl?XLINK=MYCP

American Express Hilton Surpass

Alternatively, I could’ve used my American Express Hilton Surpass card to book my stay. The Surpass is currently offering a signup bonus of 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $3,000 in 3 months, also worth about $900. Like other AMEX cards, the Surpass is subject to the once per lifetime signup bonus rule. The annual fee is a comparatively meager $95, but unlike the Aspire, it doesn’t come with airline or resort credits. However, the Surpass can be a great workhorse card as it offers generous everyday multipliers. It earns 12X Hilton Honors points per dollar spent on hotel and resort purchases booked directly with Hilton and 6X at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. All other purchases earn 3X points per dollar spent. Because cardmembers receive automatic Honors Gold status, they’ll receive an 80% points bonus and 8 extra points per dollar spent at Hilton properties. As a result, the Surpass earns a total of 20X per dollar spent on Hilton properties when booked directly with Hilton, yielding a return of 12%.

The American Express Hilton Surpass can cover a wide range of daily expenses and still comes with a great multiplier for Hilton stays. Photo credit: www.americanexpress.com

If you’d like to apply for the American Express Hilton Surpass, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! http://refer.amex.us/EDWARS5A0R?XLINK=MYCP

Lobby & Check-In Review

As soon as I stepped into the hotel, I immediately noticed a big plexiglass barrier hanging over the check-in desk, separating visitors and staff.

A plexiglass barrier was hanging as a safety precaution for hotel staff during this ongoing pandemic.

I’m not sure how effective it actually is, but hey, another obstacle for the virus serves as reassurance for guests. I normally use Hilton’s app to check in digitally, so I didn’t have to get a physical keycard. Thanks to my Diamond status, I was upgraded to one of the available suites upon check-in. My room was on the highest floor and at the end of the hallway, which was preferable to being close to the elevators to escape the noise from other guests. Heading up to the elevator, I noticed hand sanitizers were placed on every floor.

Hand-sanitizer dispensers were located on every floor so that guests could clean their hands before and after operating the elevators.

It was a thoughtful perk that I used to clean my hands before and after every elevator ride. In the elevator, another sign instructed general etiquette and the maximum capacity per ride as social distancing measures.

I didn’t have a problem keeping the elevator at a maximum of 2 people per ride, as all hotel guests were considerate and understanding of the policy.

Bedroom Review

When I entered my room, there was a counter space with a small sink akin to a wet bar, which came in handy to wash my hands upon every entry to keep my suite sanitary during my stay.

Having a sink right by the room entrance came in handy during the pandemic.

The mirror was perfect for freshening up before departing for work, and the counter shelf included a small coffee machine to make myself a brew to go. Further in the room was a comfortable loveseat with a small portable side table.

The loveseat was plush and restful enough where I’d feel comfortable crashing a few nights on it.

The center of the room featured a 32-inch TV and wide desk that divided the living and sleeping quarters, great for my late-night work.

I don’t watch TV while I travel, but it was useful as a large monitor for work.

I appreciated the “smart” desk, which incorporated multiple outlets and USB ports for my laptop and cell phones. At the end of the room was a king-sized bed with side tables and lamps.

The bed was comfortable, but the headboard’s design seemed aesthetically out of place.

The bed was comfortable, and I had plenty of space for myself. Each side table was equipped with electric outlets and USB ports that actually held on to power blocks. However, the headboard was wrapped in a hideous decor that made the bed feel out of place. I would’ve preferred either a clean white trim or a simple wooden board to make the room appear more modern. Later during my stay, I was surprised to find someone had come in to perform a daily clean. I would’ve assumed that the hotel would cease its cleaning service until a guest checks out for sanitary reasons. I hoped the cleaning staff washed their hands thoroughly and wore masks every morning they came to clean.

Bathroom Review

Because my room was a suite, the bathroom area was separated by a sliding door.

A sliding door was a stylish yet functional choice for separating the bathroom from the bedroom.

The sink was separate from the shower, and there was plenty of space to spread out my travel-sized amenities and other toiletry items.

Other than the issue with the sink spraying everywhere, the bathroom was clean and inviting.

However, the sink’s faucet was too short. The water would spill all over the countertop every time I washed my hands. One element that caught me off guard was how effective the hairdryer was, which didn’t dry out my hair as much as other Hampton Inn blow dryers in the past. The amenities were by Neutrogena, which I believe applies across all American Hampton Inn properties. The typical shower tub and toilet area were clean, and the water pressure was to my liking.

The clean albeit character-less tub/toilet area.

I wish the staff had placed more bath towels, but upon my request, they brought up extra towels for my week-long stay.

Gym Review

The gym was brand new and more extensive than average Hampton Inn gyms. It had a whole body workout machine with different handle options and two adjustable benches with dumbbells weighing up to 50 lbs.

It’s always nice to have an all-in-one machine to save the space and deliver various workout options.

There was a total of six cardio options, ranging from treadmills to ellipticals and a cycling machine.

For the size of the hotel, the gym offered a great selection of cardio machines.

There were even some medicine balls present for a complete core workout. The gym was overall very tidy, likely due to a more regimented cleaning schedule and decreased use by guests.  My only complaint was that the benches were highly uncomfortable; I wasn’t sure if they were just newer models that needed breaking in, but it felt akin to lying on a stiff wooden log.

The free weight section, with a sanitary wipe station and TV for your workout entertainment.

All in all, I enjoyed using the gym and never noticed anyone else using it during my five-night stay.

Breakfast During the Pandemic

Hampton Inn usually serves a buffet-style breakfast, but due to safety measures, they replaced them with to-go breakfast bags containing bottled water with an Arizona iced tea packet, an apple, strawberry Nutri-grain bar, and blueberry breakfast muffin. Next to rows of breakfast bags were Yoplait cups in ice.

Breakfast became unimaginative two nights into my stay due to the same to-go items everyday.

Not only did the content remain the same throughout my week-long stay, but the flavors and variations of the items did not change one bit. While I appreciate the hotel’s efforts to provide something to guests, I wish they had at least offered different flavors so they could rotate among a few options. On the flip side, I understand the potential of guests grabbing items and placing them back due to their flavors or options, which would increase the risk of COVID-19 exposure. 

It was difficult to find hotel guests enjoying breakfast in the morning.

Summary

Traveling during a worldwide pandemic requires many precautions for yourself and others.  I think the hotel did an excellent job setting up barriers and placing hand sanitizers. My upgraded suite was comfortable and spacious. Though the bed’s headboard made me question its design motif, my stay was relaxing. I was not a massive fan of the semi-permanent selections of breakfast items. I got tired of eating the same flavored yogurt and granola bars and wish they offered different flavors as a change of pace. Surprisingly, the gym felt brand-new and much more significant than what I was used to at other Hampton Inn hotels. Coronavirus has really slowed down the hospitality and travel industries. It was good to see Hilton implementing and modifying policies to accommodate guests, so we remain safe. Even though there is only so much a hotel can do while staying open, I presume these measures will remain until there is a vaccine or substantial decrease in case rates. Until then, get used to wearing masks and frequently wash your hands for yourself and others!