Hotel positives:

* close to Universal Studios theme park
* free hot breakfast
* clean rooms, excellent houskeeping service. We were on the 3rd floor.
* Shuttle service to Universal
* Right next to an IRide trolley stop. (Orlando public transportation)


Hotel negatives:

*shuttle runs limited times

* rooms are kind of small

* pool is outdoors and very small. There is no hottub to soak in after long days at the park.

If you have your own transportation, it's a great place to stay. The rooms & lobby were clean. Beds comfortable. Plenty of hot water. The staff was friendly. They had a complimentary breakfast with pasteries, cereal, fruit, eggs and sausage, muffins, and drinks each morning that was very good. It is close to Universal. The hotel said it was within walking distance...and it was...about six LONG blocks, and while we did walk it in the mornings, I would definitely NOT walk it at dark. The Hampton sits back off the main road and the most direct way there didn't look very safe. There are some good restaurants around within walking distance, but again, I wouldn't want to walk to them after dark. The 'shuttle' service that was provided to any of the attractions was a joke. Yes, it is offered, but you share this shuttle with about 5 or 6 other area hotels. Its a first come first serve basis and this Hampton is the last to be picked up and the very last to be dropped off from anywhere!! Needless to say the 6 block trip at night is easily a half hour trip and you have to get to the shuttle stop early so that you get a seat!! It's wasted time. A taxi from Universal to this place will run six to eight dollars. Add to that there was ONE shuttle at 8a.m. (which is why we walked there in the a.m.), one at 11 a.m. one at 5 p.m to get to Universal. There was only one departure from Universal depending on the park closing time....usually a half hour from the evening end. Coming back from Sea World was worse; the park closed at 7 p.m. but the last shuttle to the Hampton left at 5:30....which meant you had to be waiting by 5 p.m. to ensure a seat!! You lost 2 hours at the park! So, if you don't rely on the shuttles to get you anywhere, this was a good stay for the price. I would stay here again, but I would have to check into the car rental prices verses the taxi fares.

We stayed here one night while waiting to go to Disney World. Our flight had arrived in the late afternoon and we decided to stay here one night to go to Universal City Walk. The hotels first impression was a little old but after we walked in the lobby the hotel appeared to be very modern. The check in was fast and the staff was friendly. There were outside enterances to the hallways where the rooms were and they were key activated which was nice secure thought. Our room was on the first floor and the room was a little dark. The room was very clean and had clean linens. We didn't find any dirt or grime in the tub meaning it was well kept. Breakfast was ok with bagel and pastries and ceral or you could grab a breakfast in a bag. Good saty would probably return.

My brother & I returned from a week-long cruise and wanted to visit Disney for a couple days, so I booked us a double room with a fridge/microwave. We thought we were lucky to get a room at this time of year, and were surprised when we arrived from the boat at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 20. Since we wanted to unload our luggage, and head right to Disney, we didn't take the time to check out the room assigned to us. We unloaded our luggage, etc. at which time I told my brother to turn the air-conditioner down so it would be nice and cool when we returned later that evening. When we finally returned to our room, the room was not cool at all (considering it was digitally set for 65, it should have been forming ice by then, but it wasn't). When I went to use the bathroom the toilet seat was loose, the sink wouldn't hold water long enough to wash your face before showering, and if the other person didn't stand within yelling distance, we couldn't get out of the bathroom because the bathroom door handle was so loose we couldn't get out without help from outside.

Since it was so late, and we didn't feel like moving, we made due for that night, but at breakfast (which was the same thing every morning), I requested to see the manager. I found out all employees are from the Russia or Ukraine area. Now mind you, I've worked with people from these areas before who took great pride in their work, but the front desk clerk (male) was very rude each and every time I requested the manager or help. I was told at that time which was 7:30 a.m. that a manager wouldn't be on duty until 10 a.m., but just before 8 a.m. a female who identified herself as the assistant manager asked what the problem was, at which time we told her. I asked for a reduction in our charges, but was told she could not do anything, but offer me a certificate for one (1) free night at the location. I told her I didn't want that as I didn't want to travel from several states north for just one night, and I definitely didn't want to stay there again. She once again said she could not do anything else for me. Never once was the 100% Hilton guarantee mentioned. Nor was another room offered to us. After she left, another tourist staying there also, said she and her daughter had the same exact problem with their room, and also were not offered anything by way of a guarantee.

The next morning, after looking through the Hampton Inn directory and discovering the 100% guarantee, I once again questioned the SAME rude male desk clerk why I was never offered the 100% guarantee. He never did give me a reason. He demanded the return of the one (1) free night certificate (which I didn't want any how), and then he gave me a free night. GEE!! When he gave me the printed receipt for further charges (for the night I wasn't GTD for), I told him my address was nowhere near correct. There is NO SUCH address in my city and state. He rudely told me that information is what was on my reservation. I then told him, "No it is not, because I reserved through Hampton Inn's website, and I know my own address." He then DEMANDED to see my driver's license. He changed something, gave me another printout, and it STILL wasn't right. I told him he still couldn't get it correct. He then proceeded to tell me that is what my driver's license says. (Since I've had the same address for over 20 years, I think I know what is on my own driver's license). He once again DEMANDED the license, at which time after going through this for more than 20 minutes, I told him he needs to learn to read English, and if he couldn't get anything correct, I was not paying the charges. He then threw the license at me.

Upon my return home I contacted Hampton's headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, explained my problem and was told if the hotel didn't contact me, I should contact the headquarters again in three (3) business days. Never did hear from the hotel, but when I called just last Friday, June 1, I was told the hotel had sent me an e-mail (no they didn't), and that my credit card had received a 100% GTD (still don't have that credit as of today, June 5). I've once again sent an e-mail to headquarters, but I'm doubtful I'll get anywhere with them either.

Seems to me, if they can't or don't want to honor the 100% guarantee offered by Hilton, why do they print it in all their books, directories, and websites? This was the worst Hampton Inn I've ever stayed at and will not stay at another unless this problem is taken care of and a refund is issued.