Hotel Review: Hampton Inn & Suites – Benton Harbor, MI
⭐️ 1 out of 5 stars
As a Lifetime Diamond Member, I’ve stayed at hundreds of Hilton properties, but my recent experience at the Hampton Inn & Suites Benton Harbor was deeply disappointing — both in service and accommodations.
Let’s begin with the booking: I reserved a king room, but upon check-in was told bluntly, “We’re sold out. That’s all I have,” and was given a double bed room with no apology, no effort to resolve the situation, and no acknowledgment of my Hilton status. I was placed on the first floor, in a noisy area filled with the sounds of children running above me throughout the night. The property caters heavily to families, making it unsuitable for business travelers seeking a quiet and restful environment.
The front desk experience was the most alarming. When I expressed frustration — calmly — about being assigned a room I did not book, the front desk agent deflected accountability, stating, “It’s not my fault. It’s not my problem.” When I asked for her name, she refused to give it. She was a very large woman, which I mention only because it was the only identifying detail available, since she declined to introduce herself or wear a visible name tag.
Rather than de-escalate or apologize, she said she was “feeling threatened,” despite the fact that I had stepped more than 20 feet away to continue the conversation. When I stated that she hadn’t even offered an apology, she finally said, “I’m sorry,” but it was clearly after the fact and delivered with visible resentment. Her next move? She offered to cancel my reservation — not as a solution, but as a way to push the problem away. This is not how trained hospitality staff should respond to loyal guests.
Beyond the service failure, the property itself is lacking:
Mold in the shower
No soap or shampoo
Stained pillows
General cleanliness felt below standard
Surrounding area feels unsafe, with homeless activity near the adjacent Home Depot
Bottom Line:
✅ If you’re a business traveler, avoid this hotel.
✅ If you value customer service, avoid this hotel.
✅ If you want the room type you booked and expect Hilton standards, book elsewhere.
The front desk associate clearly lacked the training, composure, and professionalism required to handle even mild guest complaints. Instead of taking ownership or showing empathy, she became defensive and dismissive. That’s unacceptable — especially from a flagship Hilton brand.
I ended up relocating to a better quality hotel , where the staff lived up to the service I expect as a long-standing Diamond member.