This experience was deeply upsetting and unacceptable.
During breakfast, I sat down to enjoy the complimentary buffet that is included with my stay. The moment I sat down with my two Danish pastries, a server a tall white male immediately approached me and placed a check on my table. This alone was inappropriate, as breakfast is complimentary for hotel guests.
When I told him I did not have my wallet with me and would handle any charges at checkout, he responded sharply, “No, you have to pay here.” I explained again that I was staying at the hotel and did not have my wallet. Instead of resolving this professionally, he rudely demanded that I write my room number and sign the check. His tone was dismissive, hostile, and entirely uncalled for.
What made this encounter unmistakably discriminatory was what happened next. I remained seated and observed that two white guests sitting in the same area were never given a check at any point neither when they sat down nor after they finished eating. They were allowed to eat freely without being questioned, while I was singled out, pressured, and treated with suspicion. I was the only person targeted.
This was not a coincidence. It was racial profiling.
The message was clear: I was presumed to be someone who needed to “prove” I belonged there or could pay, while white guests were automatically trusted. This kind of behavior is humiliating, degrading, and completely unacceptable in any establishment especially a hotel that claims to value hospitality and inclusivity.
Shaken by the incident, I returned to my room and contacted the front desk. I was later told that I would not be charged. While that may resolve the billing issue, it does absolutely nothing to address the discriminatory treatment, public embarrassment, and emotional distress I experienced.
No guest should be made to feel unwelcome, suspected, or racially profiled while simply eating breakfast they are entitled to. This incident reflects a serious failure in staff training and oversight, and it raises concerns about how guests of color are treated at this property. I strongly urge management to take this matter seriously and address the behavior that led to this experience
RV
Renee Villari
Jan 26, 2026
The Hilton Garden Inn Ames exceeded expectations during our recent 3-day corporate event. From the moment we began planning until the final farewell, their team demonstrated exceptional hospitality and professionalism.
The venue's flexibility with last-minute adjustments and their ability to accommodate special requests truly set them apart. The meeting spaces were perfectly arranged, the catering was excellent, and the technical support was flawless. Every detail, from the room setup to the refreshment timing, was executed with precision.
What truly made this experience remarkable was how the entire staff worked together seamlessly to create an environment where our team could focus entirely on our meeting objectives. Their professionalism and genuine desire to ensure our success was evident in every interaction.
Thank you, Allie, Nichole, Michelle, Mason, and the entire Hilton Garden Inn Ames team for making our corporate event an overwhelming success!