The Saratoga Hilton

“The best in Saratoga.”

I rarely write negative reviews…. And what I wrote below did not affect my overall experience at this Hilton (or the five star rating I gave the hotel)— it is a very nice hotel, my suite was modern and clean — I am not sure why people’s reviews keep saying the hotel was in need of updating (?!) - t… more

I rarely write negative reviews…. And what I wrote below did not affect my overall experience at this Hilton (or the five star rating I gave the hotel)— it is a very nice hotel, my suite was modern and clean — I am not sure why people’s reviews keep saying the hotel was in need of updating (?!) - the lobby area is lovely- it’s not a Four Seasons but it does have a mid-level luxury vibe. The hallways and public areas are clean and safe. I would definitely recommend the hotel as the best place to stay in Saratoga…. everyone working there was kind and helpful with the exception of one encounter: The only issue I had was the morning front desk clerk - she was very cold and prickly when I was asking general hotel questions. I was surprised to encounter attitude at this level of hotel. She never once looked at me but just kept typing and acting like I was bothering her with my questions. I kept trying to get information out of her (her apathy was frustrating) and she was not interested in providing customer service. She treated everyone ahead of me the exact same way as she treated me - never once looked at them while they spoke (there was a line of people) and people were not amused by her attitude when they were walking away. It’s not anything she said, it’s how she made each of the guests feel as they encountered her. Very cold vibe - “I don’t care about you - go away you are bothering me”. She didn’t say that but she oozed that vibe to everyone. Every person who walked away from her either had their eyebrows raised or looked hurt and confused. I can understand how it may reflect poorly on some guests perception of the hotel. Especially if you are checking in or out...it sets a tone for the beginning of your Hilton experience or the end. Either way, it’s not good. But that cold meanness was not indicative of any other employees I encountered. They all were fabulous. The manager is super nice. I chose not to say anything to the manager for fear of retribution while I was there and my future visits. In this day and age no one is going to give details as to who the employee is… sadly, that is for the hotel to figure out. I imagine there have been other complaints about her attitude…. And yet she is still there. I’m not interested in reaching out to management to discuss any further details. Again, they can figure it out quite easily. One last note regarding personal safety… Saratoga has changed over the years and is no longer the safe quaint village it once was. It has grown significantly in the last decade. The main street (after dark) right outside the hotel is not somewhere I would walk alone. We were standing outside the hotel doors on Broadway (there are three entrances to the hotel) and there were drunk people congregating, screaming and fighting - this went on both Friday and Saturday nights. (Not the hotels fault, it is what it is). There is a surprisingly large homeless population in Saratoga that gather at both parks close to the hotel. (There is a homeless shelter close to the hotel and a food pantry). So this changes the vibe of the city and the hotel is right in the center of all the weekend chaos. As a traveler you should be aware that during the day Saratoga is amazing. Just don’t get lulled into a false sense of safety because “the village is so cute and iconic”- there is crime - especially once the sun sets. Just be aware of who is around you if you decide to leave the hotel at night to take a walk. I lived in Saratoga and still have friends and family in the area and we are saddened to see it morph into what it has become. Progress is great but crime is not.

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