Bloomington, Indiana: Homewood Suites

November 2023, weekdays, two nights, king one bedroom guestroom #423

Arrival and diamond perks

When I checked the app after receiving my check-in notification a couple of days before arrival, there were only two guestroom choices available: a king studio on the bottom floor, and one on floor 3. I decided to cancel the check-in process, and then checked the app again the morning of my arrival. That morning, I had been upgraded to a king bedroom on the top floor. I completed check-in, and then arrived at the hotel around check-in time. I received a bag with two bottles of water and snacks.

One bedroom king #423 in Homewood Suites Bloomington, Indiana

Guestroom 423

This is a standard one bedroom guestroom for Homewood Suites. It is on the side of the building facing I-69.  The windows were fairly well sound-proofed, so the traffic noise did not bother us much. 

One bedroom king #423 in Homewood Suites Bloomington, Indiana

The kitchen and living area contained a full size fridge, stovetop, microwave, single cup coffeemaker with supplies, dishwasher, small dining table with two chairs, a sofa, soft chair, end and coffee tables, large flatscreen TV on an armoire, and a work desk and chair. The work desk area was comfortable for working, and the internet connection was good. We stayed two nights, and the internet in this hotel disconnected me 24 hours after we had arrived, while I was inputting data! Grrr! I hate it when that happens.

One bedroom king #423 in Homewood Suites Bloomington, Indiana

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