San Antonio, Texas: Hampton Inn & Suites Riverwalk, Dining, Attractions

October 2023, weekdays, two nights, king suite 727

Reservations, arrival, diamond perks

I had two reservations for this stay, because one night was a paid stay, and the other night was a points redemption. The same guestroom type was not available both nights, so I had to reserve two different room types. I wanted to reserve a [king] balcony room; however, since a balcony room was not available, I reserved a Jr. suite with a king bed, and a Queen double. I called the hotel a few days ahead of time to make sure the stays were linked together, and to check the availability of a balcony guestroom. Although there were no balcony guestrooms available, the agent told me she could assign us the same Jr. suite for both nights, so we would not need to change rooms. She said this would probably be on floor 3. 

Hampton Inn San Antonio Riverwalk guestroom diagram;
star is location of guestroom 727

When I checked in on the app the next day, the only available guestroom choices were as the agent had stated; guestrooms 320 and 321. On floor 3, guestroom 320 overlooks the roof of the building next door, and 321 sets back in the building corner. I chose guestroom 320 to complete the check-in process. We had to go to the front desk when we arrived to complete check-in, because we needed an elevator key. The agent did not say anything about my guestroom location or type, although she did say something about it being the room I had chosen when I checked in on the app. Imagine my delight when she handed me a key for guestroom 727! We had been upgraded to a one-bedroom suite in a much better location. I also received bottled water and snacks.

Hampton Inn and Home2Suites San Antonio Riverwalk
Above, view from Hampton Inn guestroom 727 

I had a difficult time choosing a hotel and guestroom, so I am sharing a couple photos of the hotel and guestroom diagrams with labeled details. The Hampton Inn is located in the same building as Home2Suites. I originally chose Home2Suites, because we like the roominess and full kitchen that brand offers; however, I changed to the Hampton Inn, because it did not look like the Home2Suites guestrooms had balconies. Both hotels do have balcony rooms, although there are more balcony guestrooms in the Hampton Inn, and these rooms are also closer to the river.

King one-bedroom suite #727 in Hampton Inn San Antonio Riverwalk

Joplin, Missouri: Home2Suites by Hilton

August 2023, two nights, weeknights, guestroom 328

Sunset from guestroom 328 in Home2Suites Joplin, Missouri

Arrival experience and diamond perks

I was not impressed with my arrival experience at this hotel. I was told that all of the guestrooms are suites, so there are no upgrades for diamond members. I realize all rooms are suites; however, there are also nicer rooms than the basic suites, and I have received upgrades at this type of hotel in other locations (Kalamazoo, Michigan, for one). The agent also implied that because this was my first stay at this property, I am not a real diamond member. Although she did not actually say that, she made me feel that way by telling me that regular diamond members all check in beforehand, and choose their rooms. As if they know what to do, and I don't! 😳 Well, I had looked at the app several times after check-in became available, and it never showed any rooms on the top floor in good locations, nor any upgrades. You can tell by looking at the diagram at the end of this post, that there are a few larger rooms in this hotel. I was able to get one of the few diamond parking spots every time I returned to the hotel, so it did not appear as though there were that many diamond members in the hotel. This is also the first time an employee at a Hilton hotel has told me that as a diamond member, I could not have any complimentary bottled water.

Guestroom 328 in Home2Suites Joplin, Missouri

Guestroom 328

This hotel has four floors, and I received a room on floor three, near the end of the hall. My room was assigned when I checked in at the front desk. The guestroom was comfortable, clean, and quiet. I did not mind that I had not received an upgrade; I just did not like the way the front desk agent spoke to me. For those of you who do not know me--I am usually pretty easy going! I treat people with respect, and I speak in a polite manner.

Maumee, Ohio: Home2Suites by Hilton Maumee-Toledo

 May 2022, 2 queen beds guestroom 417

Diamond perks and check-in

I had reserved a king guestroom; however, there were no king guestrooms available on the top floor when I checked in, so I chose a queen guestroom instead. I spoke with someone at the hotel before arrival and when I arrived to make sure. The front desk agent handed me two bottles of water when I arrived.

Guestroom 417 in Home2Suites by Hilton Maumee, Ohio

Guestroom 417

We loved this guestroom. It was comfortable, clean, and well soundproofed. During our arrival check-in, the front desk agent had mentioned that sometimes this side of the building is loud with the UPS hub activity from the building behind the hotel. We did not think the noise from the facility was loud or bothersome at all. Possibly, the noise is louder on lower floors.

Guestroom 417 in Home2Suites by Hilton Maumee, Ohio

The guestroom was spacious, and contained all needed kitchen supplies. There was a divider curtain between the sleeping area and the seating area.

Bathroom in guestroom 417 in Home2Suites by Hilton Maumee, Ohio

The bathroom shower was nice, and the towels were good quality.

Breakfast buffet in Home2Suites by Hilton Maumee, Ohio

Kalamazoo, Michigan: Home2Suites

 October 2021, weekday, 1-night, 1-bedroom suite 830

Home2Suites and Hilton Garden Inn in Kalamazoo, Michigan

This hotel has eight floors, and is in the same building with Hilton Garden Inn. When I made the reservation, I had a difficult time deciding which hotel to choose. I ended up choosing Home2Suites, and was very happy with this decision. Home2Suites is the building section facing away from the parking garage, and that section of the building is taller than Hilton Garden Inn. This is a longer walk from the parking garage than Hilton Garden Inn, which I thought was worth it.

View looking west from suite 830 in Home2Suites Kalamazoo, Michigan

Arrival and check-in

The first time I tried to check-in on the app, I was assigned a guestroom on floor 2, and the app was not showing any available guestrooms on the top floor. When I checked again a few hours before arrival, room 830 was available. Even though I did not have a hotel floor plan on the app to see exactly where the room was located, I decided to take my chances, so I chose it to complete check-in. After we got to our room, I realized it was a slight upgrade. It was not clear where to park when we arrived, so we stopped in front of the hotel on N. Rose Street, and went inside to ask. The entrance on this road is actually for Hilton Garden Inn. Home2Suites entrance door is on Eleanor Street; however, that road was under construction. The person at the front desk told me to park in the city lot across N. Rose Street and take the walkway over. The walkway comes over on level 2, and there are absolutely no signs in the walkways or at the elevators for either hotel. I was using the guestroom entrance key on the app, so we got on the elevator intending to go to floor 8. The first elevator we got on only had 6 floors, so we got off without going up. I decided to walk down the hallway, away from the parking garage, rather than go down a floor to street level and the lobby. We found another elevator, which had 8 floors, so we went up to the 8th floor where we easily found our suite.

Suite 830 in Home2Suites Kalamazoo, Michigan

Guestroom 830 and diamond perks

We both loved this guestroom! The view is amazing, and it is very soundproof. If the weather had cooperated, we would have had a fabulous sunset view. Some people may have thought the construction was a view obstruction; however, in our case, it was a bonus. It kept my husband entertained while I worked! 😁

I could not get the bathroom light to turn on when we arrived, and there was no welcome letter or information in the suite, so I went down to the front desk. The person I spoke with told me there is a fuse panel in each suite. After I inquired about breakfast and wifi, he provided an information/welcome letter, and an extra key in a packet with the wifi password. I also received two welcome bags containing water and a snack. The front desk agent told me they do not do put the items in the guestroom, because entering guests' rooms is limited due to COVID. Although I did not reply, I thought: Before I arrive--huh? How is me coming to the front desk, face-to-face with someone to get items directly from their hands, safer than someone entering my room before I arrive? Going to the front desk was not a big deal; I just thought the reasoning did not make sense.

Suite 830 in Home2Suites Kalamazoo, Michigan

Back to the guestroom - As I said, this is a fabulous room! The kitchen/living area contained a dishwasher, full size fridge, microwave, limited dishes, coffeemaker with supplies, sofa, footstool, end tables, flatscreen TV on an armoire, and kitchen table with 4 chairs. 

Suite 830 in Home2Suites Kalamazoo, Michigan
Bathroom on right; bedroom behind closed door

A work area with chair was located next to the TV and across from the bathroom.

Suite 830 in Home2Suites Kalamazoo, Michigan