Hotel Hilton Atlanta Northeast (Norcross, USA)

Almost every review acknowledges the huge part played by staff in making stays effortless and memorable. Receptionists are perpetually cheerful and genuinely dedicated to taking care of guests, while maintenance issues are attended to swiftly. Waitstaff and barstaff are warm and attentive, recalling guest's names and drinks preferences.

Countless business travelers vow to never stay anywhere else when visiting the city. With attentive staff that remember repeat guests and foster a home from home feeling with their distinctive southern charm, businesspeople also love the fast check-in app, bombproof Wi-Fi, well-equipped work-out center and interstate access.

The hotel is hugely popular with conferences and large group bookings, and is especially adept at catering for big numbers. Specialist chefs concoct a massive banquet of high-end delights, while also accommodating a range of dietary restrictions. The same chefs are responsible for the hugely popular buffet breakfast.

Reviewers are sometimes shocked to find rooms in a less-than-perfect state. Many comment on the peeling wallpaper and dated furnishings. Beds are old, bathrooms are in dire need of updating, and a strong smell of cigarettes is ingrained in carpets. Recent comments suggest much-needed renovations are underway.

Some guests with experience of this chain are used to more attentive service. While personnel are invariably praised for their efforts, visitors bemoan the fact that there is no valet service, bellhop or concierge. Occasional understaffing on the front desk means checking in and out can take time.

A lack of sound insulation in rooms leads to a frustrating night's sleep for some. Thin walls mean TVs in adjacent rooms are often audible, while slamming doors and returning revellers in corridors conspire to keep light sleepers awake. You may want to pack earplugs, just in case.