Jessica S
Google
First impressions matter, and sadly, this DoubleTree Hilton in downtown Montgomery fails right from the curb. Pulling up, I was shocked by how tired and neglected the building looked—grimy walls in desperate need of a power wash, a parking lot that felt cramped and awkward, and an underground garage that was downright creepy. It set the tone for what became a very unsettling stay.
The only bright spot was the lobby. It was nicely presented, and the staff I interacted with were polite and welcoming. Unfortunately, the positive first interactions were overshadowed by the conditions of the hotel itself. Despite a major Air Force conference happening nearby, the hotel was eerily empty—and after my stay, I understand why.
The elevators themselves felt unsafe; one even had a hole in the floor. My room was outdated, smelled unpleasantly earthy, and was in shockingly poor condition. The bed was pulled away from the headboard upon arrival, exposing a gut-wrenching layer of dust and grime beneath where I was expected to sleep. The mattress sat unevenly on a wooden slab, so old that its springs creaked with every move. Worse, the awkward frame jutted out so much that I banged my knee on it repeatedly.
Other disturbing details included dead flies on the AC unit, a window smeared with streaks from the wrong cleaner (making natural light useless), and a badly damaged bathroom door. When I reported the filth to the front desk, the response was dismissive at best: “So there’s dirt behind your bed? Okay, I’ll look into it.” No one ever followed up, and no one ever cleaned it. That lack of care left me feeling uneasy and disgusted—so much so that I debated leaving entirely.
Hilton has always been a name I associated with cleanliness, comfort, and professionalism. This property, however, feels neglected and forgotten. It is in desperate need of investment and updating. If the staff can’t be supported with a facility that meets even the most basic standards of cleanliness and safety, their kindness can only go so far.
I couldn’t bring myself to eat in the hotel restaurant—if cleanliness standards were this low, I was grossed out to think about the state of the kitchen. This experience was not worthy of the Hilton name. One star feels generous, and I can only hope management takes this as a wake-up call. I'm sure management will respond (or not) with the standard "we're happy to know our staff met the mark however, please call us to discuss your feedback." I'll save everyone the suspense --- I attempted to call them with no way to reach them. If management is actually serious -- they'll do something about the condition of the hotel and the updating it needs. This hotel needs serious attention, because right now, it is misleading guests who expect Hilton-level quality and cleanliness.