Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca

Duane and the night clerk were very nice. The woman who checked us in was a doll.

There was a strange mildewy odor in the room. Subtle, not unbearable, but there. Room was spotless, so it weird. The pool was closed when we were there. That spoiled some exercise plans I had.

Nice stay!

The bath tub has hair , dirty hand towel on top of the shower curtain and body cream was empty

Let me preface this review with the fact that I spent close to $1500 for TWO nights at this hotel.. We're talking Ithaca not Paris. I booked 2 separate reservations rather than one reservation with 2 consecutive night. This was a mistake on my part (long story). When I checked in I was greeted by two lovely ladies. They were both welcoming, friendly and funny. Sadly, I only can remember one of their names, Ashley. She comes back into this story unfortunately. I explained that I had booked two nights in two separate reservations and wanted to know if I needed to check out and then check in again. I was told that no, they would make sure I could stay in the same room and I would need to just get a new key after noon. Great! I've done this a million times at all kind of hotels around the world and it's not usually a problem. Even if it is, it's communicated and I can plan around it. This time it turns out there was a problem yet it was not communicated to me. I arrived on the late side (close to 8pm) so went up to my room. The following morning I had breakfast in their cafe (horrible, do not waste your time. Head to Collegetown Bagels). I left the property and headed up to Cornell to deal with getting my son moved in and settled. In the middle of schlepping things from the car to the apartment, I receive a phone call from the hotel. It's Ashley. One of the ladies who checked me in. She tells me that they need me out of my room. I tell her that I had a full conversation about this last night and I was told there would be no issue. I could tell from Ashley's tone that she was uncomfortable. She offered for me to speak with her manager - Anne Brown. Anne Brown took the phone and IMMEDIATELY started in with, "You didn't book the same room. You need to come and get your stuff out of the room." I explained to her that I had a conversation with her front desk people when I checked in and they said there would not be an issue. She continued in a low-key accusatory manner of insinuating that I INTENTIONALLY refused to leave the room. Not once did she apologize for any miscommunication. Not once did she acknowledge that this was not my fault. Not once did she do anything to convey that this was a huge inconvenience to me and she was grateful for my understanding. Not once. To say I was furious was an understatement. The tone in which is assistant GENERAL MANAGER chose to speak with me was shocking and insulting. I stopped what I was doing and drove down to the hotel to deal with their mistake. I asked to speak, in person, with Anne Brown. Her unprofessional attitude was in full force. When I explained to her how insulted I felt that she insinuated I had done something wrong all she could say was, "I'm sorry you felt that way". Here's where it gets better. This "manager" proceeded to lie through her teeth and throw her employee under the bus. She told me that "they" realized there was an issue with allowing me to stay in the room for the 2nd night shortly after I checked-in and had tried to reach me but couldn't. I told her I was upstairs in her hotel room. Someone could have phoned the room, called my cell, slipped a note under the door OR maybe knocked on the door. None of these things happened. Not the night of check-in, not the morning after. This woman lied to my face. Offered zero accountability that the hotel screwed up and made it my problem. Ashely graciously showed me to my new room. She was apologizing the entire way. For the mistake and for her boss's behavior. I felt horrible for her. I am not unreasonable and had someone actually, TRUTHFULLY, communicated with me that I could not spend the 2nd night in the same room I would have packed up my belonging and taken it with me. Not a big deal. I had a full day of shopping, unpacking, coordinating and organizing ahead of me. But, no one did. Instead, I was accused of "not booking the same room". Since when do guests choose their own room at the check-in desk? I am a Gold Hilton Rewards member - I am upgraded in 90% of all stays. I do not check my reservation against what room I am assigned. I can't stand those people. I checked-in, was given my key, confirmed that I would not have to check-out the following day and went on my merry way. The whole situation was preventable. Communication is clearly not a strong point for someone who is an Assistant GM in a hospitality environment. There was absolutely NOTHING hospitable nor professional about my interaction with Anne Brown. Zilch. In my previous visit to Ithaca I stayed at the Marriott Downtown on the Commons. Unfortunately, by the time my son committed to Cornell Law the hotel was booked up. I think I know why the Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca was not.

Staff members were helpful, friendly and polite and the room was clean and comfortable. Our only real complaint is that the room smelled of stale smoke.

Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca exceeded my expectations — the staff were very friendly, the hotel was clean and comfortable, and its location near Cornell

The only downside was that the coffee machine in the room could have been a bit cleaner.

Very spacious, right in the middle of the city and has a pool!

Stayed 2 night when looking at colleges. Easy to get to both Cornell and Ithaca college. Clean, quiet and easy to walk to many restaurants. Staff was friendly. We have no complaints.

Staff, location, amenity

Quite expensive