We had a fantastic experience at the Hilton Garden Inn, and a huge part of that was Bri at the front desk who checked us in. From the moment we walked in, she was warm, welcoming, and genuinely happy to help. You can tell right away when someone actually cares about making your stay start off on a good note—and Bri absolutely does.
Check-in was smooth and quick, but what really stood out was how professional and attentive she was the whole time. She explained everything clearly, answered our questions without rushing us, and made us feel like valued guests instead of “just another reservation.” Because we’re Gold members, Bri went the extra mile and upgraded our room, which was such a nice surprise and honestly made our whole trip feel more special right from the start. That kind of recognition and customer service is exactly why loyalty programs matter—and she delivered it perfectly.
It’s rare these days to come across someone who balances efficiency with real kindness, but Bri nailed it. She was upbeat, polite, and made the entire process effortless. If the Hilton Garden Inn team sees this, please recognize her—she’s a standout and represents the brand extremely well. We truly appreciated her help and will absolutely be happy to stay again. Thanks again, Bri!
ML
Mikaela Langley
5 days ago
Great location but an older hotel. Had ants in the first room but Melissa was great and got us moved over to a new room quickly & conveniently. She also comped our parking which made the stay that much better. Surprisingly good water pressure in the shower!
I came to Ybor a few days before my cruise to enjoy the local area. I originally booked an AirBNB, which turned out to me a nightmare. It was so bad I cancelled the Airbnb shortly after arriving. Then i found out Tampa Bay was the hosting team for the NFL Football game on saturday. Now i had to hope to find a hotel room. I was able to book at room at the Hilton Garden Inn Ybor for 4 nights at a very reasonable rate. When I arrived I met Melissa at the front desk, she asked me how my day was going and I vented to her about this terrible AirBNB Experience. Melissa was amazing! She upgraded me to a larger room, provided me with great restaurant options and told me about the bar and breakfast at the hotel. The room was very clean, comfortable and quiet. The bed was very comfortable, the windows have blackout curtains, Everything was great. The restaurants she suggested were the best, and the prices were not bad at all. Every day when I walked thru she would greet me, ask how things were going. I also had breakfast in the lobby, which was very good and inexpensive. During that time i was able to watch her interact with customers, she has such a great personality. Very helpful with everyone!. Breakfast was excellent, for $15 i had coffee OJ 2 eggs, bacon, and toast. The server Yoan, was very attentive, service was quick and food was very good. Yoan was checking on everyone, making sure everyone had what they needed to start their day. I also checked out the bar, which serves Beer and wine (I think from 5-930pm) the server has a great personality and interacted with the guests. (Sorry I forgot the young mans name). I will definately stay here in the future, it is within easy walking distance of restaurants and bars. Its also 2 trolley (Free) stops from the Cruise port.
I was there for the Heritage Festival and it was super convenient to everything especially walking right out the front door to the Festival. I'm really writing this review to praise the entire staff especially Melissa who works the front desk. She went beyond her job title to make sure we were good. Little things like having dry towels waiting for us after coming in soaking wet from the storm. Constantly checking to see if we needed anything to recommending things to do and even where not to go. Just super helpful and sweet. The whole staff was super accommodating but Melissa just added a little more effort in hospitality. Looking forward to coming back and will definitely recommend this location to family and friends. Rooms are a little dated but very clean which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
RG
Rachel Green
Dec 19, 2025
Overall, this Hilton Garden Inn is a solid choice if your priority is location and friendly service, especially when visiting Ybor City. While it isn’t perfect and clearly has areas that need improvement, the positives outweigh the negatives enough to justify a four-star rating.
The location is the biggest strength of this hotel. It’s right in the heart of Ybor City, within easy walking distance of restaurants, bars, nightlife, breweries, shops, and the streetcar/trolley, which makes getting around Tampa very convenient. Whether you’re in town for a concert, cruise, game, or weekend getaway, being able to park once and walk almost everywhere is a major advantage.
Staff and service are consistently praised, and for good reason. Front desk team members like Anna, Kayla, Brie, Melissa, Darian, and others are frequently mentioned by name for going above and beyond.
From early check-ins and local recommendations to resolving booking issues and handling special requests, the hospitality here is a standout. Even guests who had problems with rooms or amenities often note that the staff was kind, professional, and genuinely tried to help.
The rooms are generally clean and functional, with comfortable beds for most guests, good water pressure, and decent space. Housekeeping is typically reliable, and many visitors report quiet stays despite being in a lively district. The pool, hot tub, patio, and outdoor areas are also nice perks, especially after a long day exploring or traveling.
That said, this property is clearly due for updates. Several rooms feel dated, with older furniture, worn carpets, peeling tubs, and aging fixtures. Some guests have experienced maintenance issues such as inconsistent air conditioning, humidity, or outdated TVs. While not universal, these inconsistencies can impact the overall experience especially at higher nightly rates.
Another commonly mentioned downside is extra costs. Parking is handled by a third party and runs about $30 per night, which many guests feel should be included given the room price. Breakfast is available but not complimentary, which can be disappointing compared to other hotels in the area offering free options. These added fees can make the stay feel more expensive than expected.
There have also been isolated but serious complaints (such as pest issues or room assignment problems), which are concerning. While these do not appear to be the norm, they do affect consistency and explain why ratings are mixed across platforms.