Hotel Hilton University of Houston (Houston, USA)

Courteous staff are constantly complimented for the lengths they go to in order to accommodate guests. From recommending eateries and attractions to assisting with transport, printing and faxing documents to promptly responding to room requests, nothing is too much for perfect personnel.

The bountiful buffet breakfast is much-loved by reviewers who rave about the abundance of mouth-watering options available each morning. With some healthy options (and some not-so-healthy ones), and choices for those with dietary restrictions, there is something to appease all palates. Breakfast staff are a breath of fresh air.

For those in town to visit family at university, this campus-based hotel is perfectly situated. Parents dropping off their not-so-little ones for the first time love the proximity to many of the student-orientation activities, allowing for a soft and stress-free start to their child's semester.

The hotel is part of the University of Houston's program for hotel and restaurant management, and, therefore, staff in training are not always fully-equipped to deal with serious issues and lack the necessary experience to resolve all situations. Shortcomings in experience are apparently made up for by effort.

Small rooms are lacking in what many would consider to be basic amenities. When the room rate is factored alongside such facts as the price of parking and paid-for internet (after 24 hours) then its little wonder some guests go in search of better value elsewhere.

Minor maintenance issues occasionally conspire to sully otherwise excellent experiences. Air-Con units are prone to breaking, while the lack of a working ice machine on all floors annoys. Elevators and room cards are amongst the list of other things that don't always function as they ought.