hotel review: hilton charlotte center city

(Charlotte, North Carolina).  I often have to travel to Charlotte for business meetings and I have stayed at this Hilton about ten times.  It's not really because it's a great hotel, but because it's a typical business hotel that is conveniently located - literally, connected by a walkway to my office in charlotte.  I would only recommend this hotel for business travelers, because I wouldn't consider staying here on my leisure trips as it's really not that fun or nice.  However for a no-nonsense business trip, it is satisfactory.

pros:

on the walkway to my office from the hotel (the ymca is on the right)

• great location - right in the heart of downtown and across from the Charlotte Convention Center.  15 minutes to and from the airport (usually $25 flat rate + tip each way; and it seems to be the same whether you take a yellow cab or black town car).
• connected to the YMCA Heath Center - which is very well equipped and has an Olympic-sized pool and jogging track (but there is a daily fee to use the facilities which they can charge to your hotel bill).
• good service - the staff is always courteous, professional and helpful; room service is prompt.

• easy to print boarding passes - they have a little printing center near registration where you can print your passes 24/7.
• coffee maker with coffee bean coffee - hey i'm easy to please in the morning and i can't stand hotels that don't provide a coffee maker in the room.
• phillip thomas roth products in the bathroom - not my favorite brand, but good quality shampoo and lotion that doesn't strip you dry. 

standard double room

cons:

• hotel is a bit outdated - they've tried to do a cosmetic remodel of some of the main common areas (e.g., lobby, coastal bar) and bathrooms to be more contemporary, but there are still some signs of shabbiness.
• room cleanliness is inconsistent - i've been here many times and at times the rooms are spotless and other times, a bit dusty.  it's never disgusting or gross, but there are times the rooms (especially the bathroom) seem a tad neglected.
• food is mediocre - i've tried eating at the hotel restaurant and the executive lounge and ordering room service and the food is never terrible, but never great either. 

yay! coffee maker with decent coffee!

for more information on the hotel, please check their official website: Charlotte Center City