Positives: Clean, comfortable, convenient, classy
Negative: Noisy A/C unit; room temperature hard to control
Bartlesville's Hilton Garden Inn is an very nice hotel that would be a strong competitor in any market. They offer so many positives I have trouble listing them all: amazing citrus cookies served every evening, convenient location, well-kept facilities, reasonable pricing, and more. It's no wonder they're rated "number 1" in Bartlesville.
The lobby is gorgeous, as is the landscaping. Every staff member was cheerful and responsive. We requested an extra set of towels when reserving a room and they gave us two extra sets. The property offers plenty of parking. It's located in a very "walkable" area...several points of interest and some of the best restaurants in town are literally across the street. Elevators functioned flawlessly (even if they were a bit slow).
Room decor was rather basic. That's not to say it was ugly or uncomfortable. It was less "showy" than similar accommodations at competitors in this class, with fewer stylish cues and more practical features. Furnishings were comfortable, lights and fridge and microwave all worked, and the shower had plenty of hot water.
The biggest surprise was the bed. Our room featured an adjustable mattress, the first I've seen in a hotel. It worked quite nicely. Do you prefer a firm bed? No problem. Simply change the switch. Do you sleep better on a soft mattress? You can have that, too!
With one exception, the hotel was extremely quiet! During our visit we saw families from softball teams and folks attending a class reunion, but never heard any undue noise in the hallways or adjacent rooms. Very impressive!
With all these fantastic benefits, why didn't our experience rate a "five"? That's the "one exception..."
At the end of the day, hotels are for sleeping. Even though our room was clean and comfortable and well-supplied, we had difficulty regulating the temperature. The air conditioning unit frequently cut off during the night as it reached the target temperature. Our room became extremely stuffy during these lulls. I often woke up feeling hot, and couldn't return to sleep until the unit started running again.
We first set the temperature to 76 degrees...our temperature at home...but eventually lowered it to 73 then to 68. This forced the unit to run almost continuously and kept the area around the bed more comfortable. However, it made the space closest to the unit quite cold!
Temperature regulation was only part of the problem. Wall-mounted units always generate noise, but this one was louder than usual. In addition to the typical "hum" we're accustomed to, it regularly went through clattering phases.
Occasionally it entered a phase during which it sounded as if a diesel engine was idling outside. I looked out the window on several occasions to make sure there wasn't a truck or train in the vicinity. Nothing. Harmonic vibrations from the unit were the culprit.
Perhaps the stuffiness was a result of our room's location directly over the pool. Heat and humidity from below might have contributed to the heaviness. It may have affected the unit's operation. I don't know "why" we had trouble, I just know "that" the room was hard to keep comfortable.
The Bottom Line -
Despite difficulty adjusting the temperature, we would stay at here again. Every other aspect of the facility was first-rate, and the staff was exceptional. I was extremely impressed with their dedication to excellence, and am confident they'll investigate the temperature control problem. Perhaps it can be solved.
We do hope to return for more sight-seeing in the future. Next time I will request for a room in a different part of the hotel to see if location makes a difference.