Arlington's BEST Kept Secret: Hilton Garden Inn Shirlington!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Arlington's BEST Kept Secret: the Hilton Garden Inn Shirlington. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter hotels – this place? It's got character. And let's be honest, in a world of bland hotel rooms, character is gold.
Accessibility - A+ for Effort (and Mostly Success!)
Okay, so let's get the practicality out of the way first. Accessibility? They try HARD. Wheelchair accessible rooms are a thing, which is HUGE. Elevators are a given (thank goodness, because stairs are not my friend after a serious cupcake binge). Though I didn’t personally test every single nook and cranny (and I am a reviewer, not an accessibility tester), I saw enough evidence that they are making a real effort to cater to guests with mobility issues. This is a huge win for anyone who needs it – seriously good on them.
Cleanliness and Safety - They're Trying to Save Us from Germs
Look, the world is a germ-filled, sneeze-fest right now. Nobody wants to think about hotel germs, but we have to. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and room sanitization between stays are the buzzwords here. They have the Hygiene certification and Staff trained in safety protocol, which is reassuring. I appreciated seeing the Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. They even offer Room sanitization opt-out, which is a nice touch for the eco-conscious (or the germaphobe who trusts their own fog machine!). Physical distancing of at least 1 meter is attempted, mostly in the lobby and restaurant area. Cashless payment service is a lifesaver. The Safe dining setup in the restaurant felt comfortable. I also see the doctor/nurse on call in case of emergencies.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Food, Glorious Food (or, at Least, Decent Food!)
This is where things get interesting. The on-site restaurant, well, it's not Michelin-star territory, but it's… convenient. They offer Breakfast [buffet], which, let's be honest, is the cornerstone of any good hotel experience. There's the usual suspects: scrambled eggs, sad-looking bacon, and the obligatory waffle maker. But hey, coffee/tea in restaurant is ALWAYS a win, because after a hard day of, well, existing, sometimes all I need is a decent cup of dark roast. Breakfast takeaway service is a great option. They have Asian breakfast and Asian cuisine in restaurant, which made me feel that they care for all tastes. Room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver. (I’m not judging anyone who’s ordered a pizza at 3 AM – been there, done that, and wore the crumbs as a badge of honor). The bar is a decent spot to unwind after a day of doing… stuff. They also have the Poolside bar, a great attraction if you are near the pool. And they have a Snack bar too. Never underestimate the power of a late-night bag of chips. And for the vegetarians: Vegetarian restaurant is available.
Services and Conveniences - Beyond the Basics (and a few misses)
Here's where the Hilton Garden Inn shows its true colors. Air conditioning in public area, Doorman, Elevator, Elevator, Elevator (told ya!). And the Daily housekeeping is a MUST. They handle Laundry service and Dry cleaning, which is great if you're traveling for more than a few days. Luggage storage is a lifesaver if you need to check out and you don’t have time to go to the airport. Concierge is always available to help (although a really good concierge is worth their weight in gold, and a bad one can be more frustrating than a broken zipper). I think that is where this Hilton Garden In can improve. They also have the Business facilities and Meeting/banquet facilities. They really cater to business travelers here (but hey, everyone needs a place to crash from the office sometimes!). Having Invoice provided is a common benefit. They have Gift/souvenir shop, and Convenience store to buy essentials.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Pool, Sauna… and That's About It
Okay, let's talk recreation. This is where the Hilton Garden Inn… well, it's not a spa resort. HOWEVER, they have a Swimming pool [outdoor], which is fantastic, especially on a hot DC day, even though I didn't see a Pool with view to go with it. They have a Spa/sauna, which sounds exciting. Maybe they should work more on the Sauna part. There is also the Fitness center – standard hotel gym stuff, treadmills, weights, and the obligatory mirrored wall that makes you think you look better than you actually do after a week of eating hotel food.
Rooms - The Real Deal (and the Little Annoyances)
Ah, the rooms. This is where the Hilton Garden Inn REALLY shines. They offer a massive list of features:
- Air conditioning - thank goodness!
- Free Wi-Fi (YES!) - Very Important to be Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! We're not barbarians!
- Blackout curtains - Because sleep is precious.
- Coffee/tea maker - ESSENTIAL!
- Desk - For those of us who pretend to work on vacation.
- Hair dryer - A lifesaver for anyone who likes to actually, you know, leave their room.
- In-room safe box - Always a good idea for those pesky valuables.
- Refrigerator - For chilling those emergency bottles of bubbly.
- TV - Hello, Netflix binges!
- Internet access – wireless
- Internet access – LAN
- Smoke detector - safety first!
- Alarm clock
- Ironing facilities
- Wake-up service
- Non-smoking
- Bathrobes, slippers, toiletries are also there.
The Little Things That Matter
The devil is in the details, people! They've got Free bottled water – a small but welcome touch. Complimentary tea is a nice plus. The safe is a necessity. I loved the Socket near the bed.
The Quirks and Qualms
Okay, the imperfections. The decor is… standard. It's not going to win any design awards, but it's functional. And the elevators can get a bit crowded during peak check-in/out times. And while the restaurant staff is friendly, service can be a bit slow. But hey, that's life, right?
For the Kids
Family/child friendly - check! Babysitting service - good to know. Kids meal - a bonus, but can it actually be good? (the eternal question!)
Getting Around
Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] are a massive win. Airport transfer is available. And Taxi service is easy to get.
My Verdict & A Crazy Offer
Look, the Hilton Garden Inn Shirlington isn't perfect. But it's a solid, reliable choice. It's got a good location, clean rooms, decent amenities, and a staff that generally seems to care. It's the anti-pretentious hotel – a place where you can relax, be yourself, and maybe, just maybe, forget all the stresses of the world for a little while.
Here's the Deal:
Are you tired of hotels that feel like they're trying to sell you a timeshare? Do you want a hotel that actually feels… comfortable? Then book your stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Shirlington NOW!
But wait, there's MORE!
Book within the next week and get:
- A complimentary upgrade to a room with a view (while supplies last!).
- A free voucher for the buffet breakfast (so you can load up on those sad-looking sausages!).
- A personalized note from yours truly, raving about your excellent choice (and possibly a few unsolicited life advice snippets!).
Just use promo code "SECRETJULES" at checkout!
Don't miss out on Arlington's BEST Kept Secret. Book your stay today!
Unbelievable Omega Flats in Bauru, Brazil: You Won't Believe Your Eyes!
Okay, buckle up buttercups. This is going to be a travel journal, a diary, a confession, a love letter and a hate mail all rolled into one, centered around… the Hilton Garden Inn Arlington Shirlington. (God help us all.) I'm talking messy, okay? Messy. Like, "just scraped a week-old Tupperware from the back of the fridge" messy.
The Shirlington Sojourn: A Messy Diary
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread in Room 417 (or whatever)
- 1:00 PM: Landed at Reagan National. Smooth, surprisingly. Makes me suspicious. Airports usually involve a near-miss with a cart-wielding Starbucks enthusiast and a frantic search for a functioning outlet. Today? Nada. Felt almost… peaceful. Which is probably a sign of impending doom. Seriously, I'm waiting for something to go horribly wrong.
- 2:00 PM: Checked into the Hilton Garden Inn. This place… it’s… functional. Beige. A beige love affair with a hint of institutional. The lobby smells vaguely of lemon pledge and… hope? Okay, maybe that's the air conditioning. The front desk guy had a name tag that said "Mike". Mike seemed nice. He gave me a room on the fourth floor. Room 417. I'm starting to think 417 is a coded message.
- 2:30 PM: Unpacked. Or rather, dumped my suitcase. The sheer volume of toiletries I brought… I should probably seek professional help. The room is… okay. Clean. But the lighting… it’s like the sun’s decided to take a personal vendetta against me. I'm starting to feel like a character in a poorly-lit, depressing indie film. My mood is plummeting fast.
- 3:00 PM: Found the coffee maker. Bless. God. This hotel might just be redeemable. The coffee is… surprisingly good. I needed that. I really, really needed that.
- 3:30 PM: Attempted to connect to the Wi-Fi. Failed. Three times. Mild rage. This is where the trip starts to go sideways, I feel it.
- 4:00 PM: Finally got the Wi-Fi working, after nearly throwing my laptop out the window. I’m already on the verge of a full-blown meltdown and it has only been a few hours.
- 4:30 PM: Forced myself to go for a walk around Shirlington. This is where things get interesting.
The Walk of Shame (or, Shirlington's Charm Offensive)
Shirlington. Okay, so it's… charming. Like a meticulously-manicured suburb that somehow, somehow, doesn't make you want to scream. There are cute shops, a theater, restaurants, and… a dog park? Seriously. It's like they designed this place specifically to lure me into a false sense of security. I saw a Yorkie wearing a tiny sweater. I'm dead, it was too cute. The dog park was the place where I fully realized that I have become that person who points at dogs and says "awww" out loud. It's a slippery slope from there -- there's no way out.
Dinner Debacle (and the Quest for a Decent Cocktail)
- 7:00 PM: Attempted to eat dinner at that restaurant, "The Bungalow," right down the street from the hotel. Cute name. The menu looked promising, but the reality… was less so. The food was… bland. Painfully bland. My salmon tasted like it was caught in a swimming pool. And the cocktails? Oh, the cocktails. They were… weak. Like, "I'm pretty sure they forgot the alcohol" weak. I contemplated asking the bartender for a shot of actual spirit to slam that crap down.
- 8:30 PM: Returned to the hotel defeated. Ate half a bag of chips and stared at the TV. Existential dread intensifies. I don't even care if I've gained a few pounds.
- 9:30 PM: Hit the hotel bar. To my surprise, it wasn't totally awful. The bartender was cool. Maybe he needed a tip? Anyway, I had two glasses of wine. The good news is I didn't cry while drinking. The bad news is I was still thinking about the salmon.
- 10:30 PM: Passed out.
Day 2: The National Mall & My Crummy Feet
- 8:00 AM: Woke up feeling slightly less terrible. Coffee is my friend.
- 9:00 AM: Headed out to the National Mall. I've never been more excited to see the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument!
- 9:30 AM: Found out how far all that hiking and the public transportation is.
- 10:00 AM: Decided to take a break and eat a hot dog. I think I have food poisoning (doubtful).
- 12:00 PM: Arrived back at the hotel! I was exhausted because of all the walking and the heat!
- 1:00 PM: Tried to take a nap!
- 2:00 PM: Took a bath. It did not help.
- 6:00 PM: Had dinner at the restaurant. This time I had the burger. It was fine.
Day 3: The Unexpected Triumph of the Hotel Pool (and the Mystery of the Missing Towel)
- 9:00 AM: Slept an extra hour! I'm starting to feel like I'm getting used to this hotel… this beige oasis of… well, whatever.
- 10:00 AM: Decided to hit the hotel pool. Anticipated it being a miserable experience and it turned out to be… glorious. The sun was out, the water was clean. The only issue? The towel situation. They were tiny. Like, strategically-placed-to-avoid-covering-anything tiny. I’m talking a square of fabric, enough to pat down a Barbie doll. I felt like a giant.
- 11:00 AM: Actually swam a few laps! And didn't drown! Victory!
- 12:00 PM: Went back to the room and got ready.
- 1:00 PM: Had a late lunch at the hotel restaurant.
- 3:00 PM: Went shopping. Shopping is fun, or I think it is.
- 6:00 PM: Watched a movie.
- 7:00 PM: Ate dinner.
- 8:00 PM: Slept.
Day 4 and beyond: The Blur (and the Lingering Beige)
- The Rest of the Trip: The days began to bleed together. More coffee. More walks. The food continued in it's mediocre quality. The Wi-Fi remained a source of intermittent frustration. I learned to appreciate the weird comfort of this hotel. It's a weird sort of home away from home. Maybe the beige grew on me. Or maybe I was just exhausted.
- 4:00 PM (Day 4) Started to make plans to head back home.
Departure: The Goodbyes
- Morning of Departure: Packed. Checked out. Said goodbye to Mike. (Mike’s cool.)
- The Airport: Survived. Didn't accidentally leave anything vital behind.
- The Plane: Finally home!
Final Thoughts:
The Hilton Garden Inn Arlington Shirlington… it's not the Four Seasons. It's not the Ritz. It's a hotel. It's functional. It was a place to rest! Did I find it soul-stirring? No. Did it leave a lasting impression? Probably. Would I go back? Yeah, maybe. If I have to be in Arlington, I would. And you know what? Sometimes, that's all you need. Sometimes, beige is the color of survival. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I'm off to find some decent coffee. And maybe bleach therapy.
Escape to Paradise: Blue Ocean Hotel, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Arlington's BEST Kept Secret: Hilton Garden Inn Shirlington - The Unofficial FAQs (and Rants!)
Okay, Okay, Spill! Why "BEST Kept Secret?" Seriously, what's the Big Deal?
Alright, alright, settle down! The “secret” part is probably a bit dramatic, but hear me out. People *sleep* on Shirlington, in general. It's this charming little village tucked away in Arlington, and the Hilton Garden Inn is smack-dab in the middle of it. For years, it's been my go-to. It's NOT the flashy, pretentious DC hotels. It’s comfortable, generally affordable (especially for the area), and – crucially – easy. Access to everything. You're basically a 30-second walk from amazing restaurants, a movie theater, and a really, really good ice cream shop. Need to walk your dog? (BIG plus for me, a dog owner). Done. Need to grab a coffee? There. Need a quick escape from the city’s insanity? Here. It's… peaceful. Almost annoyingly so sometimes (more on that later…).
Is It Really as Convenient as Everyone Claims? I’m Talking *Transportation*…and Parking. *UGH*
Convenient? OH YES. Transportation? Okay, here's the deal. If you're relying solely on public transport, you'll get a slightly less perfect score. You're not *right* on the Metro, but you can easily walk to the bus. Lyft and Uber? No problem. Taxis? They still *exist*. The real win, though, is the proximity to the main highways. I can be in downtown DC in like, 15 minutes, tops (traffic permitting, of course. Don’t hold me to that at 5 PM on a Friday).
Parking, however... *deep breath*. It’s a mixed bag. The hotel HAS parking, which is great. Is it free? No, unfortunately not. It’s relatively reasonable, BUT it fills up. Seriously. Especially on weekends. I’ve had some *heart-stopping* moments circling the lot like a lost vulture, desperately hoping SOMEONE, ANYONE, would leave. I swear, once I saw a couple taking *forever* loading their car and I was about to jump out and help just to get them to LEAVE. So, arrive early, folks, or embrace the walk from the (slightly further away) street parking. Consider it your daily dose of cardio.
The Rooms... are They Decent? I'm a Hotel Snob. Judge Me.
Listen, I’m not going to lie to you. They're not the Ritz. They're not going to blow your mind with opulence. But they're *good*. They’re clean. They're comfortable. I am someone who travels *a lot* for work - so I literally live in Hotels. The beds are, in my experience, comfortable enough to get a solid night’s sleep (which is crucial, folks, crucial!). The bathrooms are standard, the showers... I’ve had better, I’ve had worse. But I've consistently had good water pressure, which is the most important thing. They're usually well-maintained, though I’ve seen some minor wear and tear over the years (nothing a quick call to reception can't fix). They're functional, and really, that's what matters, right? You're not *living* there. You're sleeping there. And hopefully, enjoying all the Shirlington-y goodness outside the door.
Pro Tip: If you can swing it, snag a room with a view of the courtyard. It’s...well...kinda idyllic. Especially at sunset.
The Restaurant and Food… Are They Any Good? I need my coffee...and my breakfast!
Okay, the restaurant is… adequate. It's not a destination. It's not a culinary experience that will change your life. But it serves its purpose, for sure. Breakfast is fine. The omelets are decent. The coffee is…well, it's coffee. It gets the job done. (I am a VERY harsh judge on coffee.) I’ve actually met colleagues their for breakfast, and it was fine. The staff is generally friendly and efficient. Lunch and dinner are… there. I've had a burger there, a salad there. They’re… fine. The key here is LOCATION. Shirlington is bursting with restaurants. So, you have options. Lots and lots of options. Skip the hotel food if you want a truly delicious meal! The hotel restaurant is for convenience.
Is there a pool? A gym? Can I stay healthy?
YES! There's an indoor pool (which is usually pretty clean, which is a major plus in my book), and a little gym. It’s not a huge spa, but it is functional. I will be honest, I did the treadmill once. Once. I would prefer a walk to the river. I'm not a gym person generally, but from what I could tell, it had the basics. So, while not a resort, you can probably maintain your workout routine.
The People... Is it all Tourists? Or is there a mix of... locals?
It's a mix! You’ll get tourists (Shirlington is very close to major attractions, so it's a good option). But you'll also find business travelers like myself, and even some locals who need a place to stay for a night or two. It's kind of a charming, understated mix. You're not going to be tripping over rowdy spring breakers, that's for sure. The vibe is generally chill. Except, sometimes, by the pool. Kids will be kids, after all.
Okay, But What About the Dog? Is it Actually Dog-Friendly?
YES. YES. YES! This is a HUGE selling point for dog owners. They are VERY dog-friendly. There are grassy areas for dog walking right outside the hotel, and Shirlington is one of the best places to walk a dog I've ever found. There's even a dog park nearby. You might see me there! I'm the one with the goofy Golden Retriever who thinks everyone is his best friend.
Tell me about the service. Bad experiences, or a good one? Do the staff care?
The service? It's generally good. Not flawless, of course (nobody is, and I am fully aware that I am not either). The staff is usually friendly and helpful. There was this ONE time... Oh, man. This might be where I get myself into trouble.
So, I was there for a conference. It was a REALLY long week. Like, soul-Hospitality Trails
