Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

The food and service was excellent.

Everything was excellent!!

Beautiful view

Wonderful place to stay

Nothing

Location

No microwave, no fridge

Located downtown with a lot to do, and places to go.

No refrigerator in my room.

Location/ view

Bathroom outdated

Location

The restaurant downstairs wasn't open.

I went thru a third party to book this room. Unfortunately there was a commutation issue between them and the hotel. According to the hotel record I had NO reservation. After 45 minutes the manager able to check me into a room. Parking fee was higher than quoted on my email from third party. I paid it because by this time we were exhausted. India at the front desk was as sweet and kind as can be. Great location was a Plus.

Location

This hotel was an absolute disappointment. The only benefits were its location and the friendliness of the staff. Don’t be fooled by the star ratings! We were put into 3 rooms before our first night stay due to mold and filthy rooms. It’s as if this hotel is reactive instead of proactive with maintenance. The air vents are disgusting, the bathrooms and even the shared hallways have mold, there was grime in the bathrooms, dirt on the floor, ripped fabric bed frames, stains on carpets, etc. The attached pictures only represent rooms two and three. The front desk staff was apologetic and attempted to accommodate, but we purchased a river view room and needed two beds which was apparently challenging due to their reservations that week. My family and I stayed as part of a college tour and were pleased with the access to the river walk, downtown restaurants and shops as well as the college, Wrightsville beach and more. At first glance entering the building it appears as though it is updated and clean. It isn’t until you venture further inside you discover how aged and dirty the facilities are. The back stairwell near the pool entrance is disgusting. There are homeless people who are a constant presence in the hotel parking lot. The only interaction we had was pleasant and brief but just know they’re there. Needless to say, we have never been this dissatisfied with a hotel stay before and we have been traveling frequently this past year. If our stay in town was longer I would have left the hotel altogether and found a different establishment. Hilton executives clearly don’t visit this location!

I stayed at Hotel Ballast a couple of weeks ago, and my experience was mixed. My first impression was excellent, the lobby was beautiful, the outdoor spaces were well-maintained, and the property looked modern and upscale. The river view was absolutely beautiful and was one of the highlights of my stay. Unfortunately, that impression completely changed once I walked into the room. The guest room looked nothing like the rest of the hotel. It felt like they did very minor updates, the floors needed to be swept, and it still appeared to be somewhat date and did not reflect the quality the common areas suggested. While the room itself was a decent size, there was very little space to accommodate luggage. The furnishings included only a small chair, a small dresser with the TV sitting on top, leaving very little usable surface space for personal belongings. The condition of the room was also concerning. The baseboards were detaching from the walls, and the front door had a large gap at the bottom where light came through and anything could easily slide underneath. These issues made the room feel poorly maintained. The bathroom was the biggest disappointment. It looked old, worn, and neglected. The toilet appeared as though it had been previously repaired or damaged, the sink was outdated, and the the beautiful lobby, outdoor spaces, and exterior gave the impression that the guest rooms would be held to the same standard. Instead, the room was in need of significant updates and better maintenance. I left feeling disappointed because the hotel has so much potential, but the condition of the guest rooms did not match the image presented especially with cracked and dirty baseboards. For a hotel that presents itself so well in its lobby and public spaces, I was surprised by the condition of the bathroom. One thing I did appreciate was that, although the hotel does not provide refrigerators in the guest rooms, they do offer coolers for guests who need to keep medication refrigerated. That was a thoughtful accommodation. The staff was pleasant, and I appreciated the appearance of the shared spaces, but I believe the rooms need significant updates to match what guests are led to expect when they arrive. I hope the hotel invests in renovating the rooms because the property has a lot of potential. Especially since this hotel rates are somewhat high, ranging from the high $100’s to high $300’s nightly. Come one Hilton, you can do better!! Overall, I felt the hotel was misleading because the beautiful lobby, outdoor spaces, and exterior gave the impression that the guest rooms would be held to the same standard. Instead, the room was in need of significant updates and better maintenance. I left feeling disappointed because the hotel has so much potential, but the condition of the guest rooms did not match the image presented by the rest of the property.

I was here for a few nights during a business meeting. All was great at the hotel, just a smell in the lobby bathroom that was there all week that makes me go down to a four star, but would definitely stay again! Love the riverfront and proximity to everything.

Staff was amazing.

Nothing

Just stayed at this property which was rated a 5 star. Definitely a 2.5. The staff was friendly, the food was good, and the location great. Our first room smelled so strongly of mildew we had to move. It was also very dated and the bathroom Definitely did not match online photos. It still had a tub with sliding glass doors. The next room smelled better l, but the ac vent was black with mold. We cut our visit short, no thanks. The pool had algae all along the sides, looked like it hadn't been cleaned it weeks. When I came to the pool in the am, there were dirty towels, glasses, cups, and food everywhere. Nothing had been cleaned or cleared. No clean pool towels either. They seemed very shortstaffed. When I called Hilton they didn't seem overly concerned.

Excellent location with an amazing atmosphere. Live music all day. The room is so clean and cozy with a great view. We will stay here again. Everyone here is very helpful. Very safe! Great food!!

Location.

Poor lighting in the bathroom.

The suite was well organised and comfortable. The location was great

The hotel should take care of the house keeping more and everyday

Everything

N/A

Great location but the hotel is shabby. The first room had mold on the vents, the second had a super loud fan (like a bathroom exhaust fan but in the middle of the room). Both rooms were ok but little things - an old bottle cap on the floor, water damage on the bathroom drywall, TV does not work if it is raining, etc. It feels more like an old Holliday Inn than a Hilton.

Good location Public Parking garage in front of hotel Walking distance to visit Wilmington

I think it could need new painting in corridors , specially the wood from doors , and in rooms and bathrooms.. But overall very nice rooms and bathroom with lot of space.

Everything! Room was comfortable, view was excellent, coffee was good. Food in restaurant was wonderful - exactly what we needed after traveling all day. Highly recommend the salmon and the chicken quesadilla!

No digital check out option. As much as I enjoyed valet, more information on self park would have been appreciated especially with parking lots beside and behind the building.

The location was outstanding. The rooms were clean and the bed comfortable.

The pool water was dirty, could not even see the bottom. No refrigerator in the room. I’ve never been to a hotel that did not provide one. You could only get coffee until 11am. Should be available all day.

Location, pool.

Bad rooms, bad beds, no basic amenities like phone chargers.

View was great and location was very nice

Valet parking billed with stay. Did not realize this and double paid the valet plus tip! Room was not ready until almost 5 pm. Windows in room foggy!

The hotel was not our favorite overall however Victoria at the front desk made our stay much more pleasant. She had a great attitude was very professional, helped us with our complicated reservation all with a friendly attitude and beautiful smile. Five stars thanks to this fabulous shining star. Thanks Victoria !

Still waiting for my deposit!!! I called 3x already and been giving the roundabout. Already left voicemail to management no response. 0 stars for services. 0 stars to staffs. Seems like they don't know what they're doing. I was told 2 people get $30 food credit. The lady at the front desk took me to get breakfast. Now I'm being charged $37+ for pancakes and waffles that I didn't even care for in the first place. Until I get my deposit back and calls return this review is staying. Horrible hotel and management; Overcharged and 3 ⭐️ hotel with no breakfast included. Make sure to check your account if you unfortunately stayed here. This hotel should NOT have the Hilton name associated.

Erica night manager is amazing. My reservation was not correct and she accommodated. She remembered my name throughout my visit and just made me feel valued as a customer. The room views were amazing and the grounds. Thank you Erica.

The location was nice. The homeless population did enjoy the outdoor amenities along with us...

There were surprise fees when I arrived. They blamed the third party purchasing (booking.com). The emails I got the day of didn't match the surprise pricing and they did not match the email I got the same day I arrived. Menu prices for the restaurant downstairs didnt match what could be found online either.

The food was delicious and the staff was nice and friendly. Shout out to Raleigh she was amazing. The breakfast staff handled everything with ease and grace. The rooms were ok but the view made up for it… everything was almost in walking distance and you kind of didn’t need to go anywhere since they had a built in kitchen. It was a great experience all together. Would recommend to get the breakfast included in your stay it will be cheaper

It just needs to be refurbished and amenities brought back

No service, amenities

Great location and views

Carpets were not clean. Service was just ok. Crowded dated lobby.

Location

No refrigerator in the room

The location was great alongside the river.

The building is older and seems to hold an odor through out the rooms. Upon entering the hotel room, there was a heavy odor that begin to give me a headache. The vents were not clean. The room was dusty, damp room smell, didn't feel sanitary safe in there, had to look for another hotel same night.

Just awesome!

Nothing

It was convenient to downtown activities.

There were no refrigerators or microwaves in the rooms. Check in and room cleaning procedures were horrible.

I spent a week here for a conference. This is hands down the dirtiest hotel I have ever stayed in. My room was musty, sticky and gross. I had to wipe down the tables myself because the ring marks from drinks were still present. The soap scum in the bathroom is incredible. There are no refrigerators in the standard rooms. The only working ice machine was a floor below me. They provide you with a little coffee maker but no cups. The air handler is also ridiculously loud. To top it all off, the elevator went out on the last day. The staff that shows up are very nice and apologetic so they get 1 of the stars the other is for the location. This hotel would not survive if it was not on the river. The owners of this hotel should sell to someone willing to clean and upgrade this place. Do yourself a favor and don’t stay here.

Location, valet parking, restaurant at the hotel

Room was not the cleanest the sheets had small hairs on them under the comforter. The shower and sink had hair everywhere as if it had not been cleaned, and it was not just single strands here and there. The thermostat was set on 72 and could not be adjusted in the room.

It was beautiful

The staff is outstanding and a perfect downtown location! We traveled to Wilmington for our son’s promotion ceremony in the Coast Guard. Gabriel was so accommodating to allow our family an early check in. The riverside room was perfect. Beds were comfy and everything we needed minus a fridge. Couldn’t figure out the window blinds and a kind little lady from housekeeping fixed us right up! Unfortunately, we had a medical emergency that shortened our stay. Erica (from America) at the front desk was understanding and absolutely the sweetest. She answered all of my questions, was extremely helpful and gave me the warmest hug to “take care” before leaving. Hard to find kindness these days but there is no shortage of that warmth and spirit at Hotel Ballast. Can’t wait to visit again, explore downtown, and hang out at the pool. The folks at Hotel Ballast will take good care of you!

The staff was excellent. The equipment in the rooms was not. The first room we were assigned had no heat and maintenance was not able to get it working. The second and third rooms had the same issue.

Beyond disappointed and disgusted with this hotel. I don't know how Hilton let's them use their name, especially as a Tapestry collection hotel. It certainly shouldn't be a 5 star hotel rating. We stayed here 4/11 for the night after our wedding ceremony at a local venue. My husband came in to the hotel the night before, unbeknownst to me to see if something special could be set up for our wedding night arrival. He talked with the night manager, stated he would be bringing champagne and would pay extra fees to see if he could get some extra additions and ensure a nice arrival to celebrate our wedding night.Notes were made in our reservation, and he was told something would be set up. Upon our arrival to check-in at 10pm on 4/11, he was told it was taken care of, but they weren't sure what was done. When coming in our room, the only "ammenity" we could see were 2 warm bottles of water. Nothing else, not even an ice bucket set up. Worse, our room was beyond filthy. There was inches of dust and dirt on the baseboards and floor. Eveything in the room was coated in layers of dust and looked beaten up.There was no handsoap in the dispenser by the sink. No washcloths to take a shower. Crumbs and filthy floors. Chunks of black gunk in our ac vent. We had a terrible night sleep with the flat pillows, thin blanketts and ac that made screeching noises all night. After waking at 7am to the sound of screaming and yelling...I went to take a shower to leave asap. The shower door panel was filthy, the shower handle half hanging off so it was hard to adjust temperature and the shower drain was so bad you had to stand in 3 inches of water. The toilet seat slid off to the side sitting on it. This was a disgusting and upsetting way to spend our wedding night, especially after spending $300 for a room. Upon checkout we weren't asked anything about our stay...assuming they knew and didnt care it was sub par. This is NOT a 5 star hotel. We live locally in Wilmington and vould not leave fast enough to go home. I would recommend any other hotel

The staff was amazing. Accommodating friendly and polite

We had what I would refer to as minor housekeeping/facilities issues. Door lock battery not working, no towels at the pool, fresh water in the lobby. I felt like maybe they were a bit understaffed but they tried to address everything promptly.

This hotel is nestled in a very nice area off the Cape Fear River. It has a wonderful view of the river, and my room had a view of the Battleship where we could also see other boats and scenery. The Pros: All staff that I encountered were friendly and helpful. Check-in and parking was very easy and organized. I did not get to go to the hotel restaurant for breakfast or dinner, but I did use my Food & Beverage credit in the hotel market which was stocked each night that I was there, fully. My view was AMAZING. I was able to see the Battleship and the windows were wide enough for a full view. Housekeeping came and took care of our room, and restocked and cleaned which I think was nice. The Cons: There is no microwave or refrigerator in the rooms. I didn't realize this, and have brought along a lot of juices and waters that needed refrigeration. There is a microwave downstairs in little market area of the lobby for use though, Although the rooms are nice, they do seem a little outdated. There was more of a damp smell in my room rather than the clean fresh smell that most hotels have. This is the same in the hallway, there was a very musty damp smell (probably from the carpet). I think with a little carpet cleaning and renovation at some point, this hotel could definitely get a higher rating. All in all, it was a nice stay and I enjoyed it and the downtown area!!

Staff was pleasant and very helpful.

Seating areas by pool were filthy. Restaurant seats broken and very worn. Paid for a view and the windows were very dirty. Molding in hallways damaged. Drink prices are very high.

The location in downtown was wonderful. Easy walking distance to everything. Great views out the window on the river side

AC unit sounded like constant ocean waves. Soothing at first but then started leaking water

Very, very dated. Was given a room where the hot water lever was broken off and missing. Maintenance came and was friendly but couldn’t repair. I waited 10-15 for a new room. New room was better but no room has fridge. Went to get ice for my cooler and ice machine was broken on that floor. Pool area is old and very drab. Wouldn’t recommend this with other options up the river walk a few steps.

Had a lovely stay at the Ballast. Great location on the river walk. Helpful friendly staff. Nice clean rooms with very comfy beds. The spiral staircase is neat. Fun pool and patio area.

This is the 5th year in a row I've stayed here for a workshop. Each year is getting worse. As a Hilton Gold member, I stay at lots of Hilton’s across the country and am disappointed in the hotel. It is in desperate need of some renovations. My room on the top floor sounded like a jacuzzi was in the ceiling running 24/7. This is the 2nd year in a row and different rooms that sounded like that. The conference room HVAC stopped working and literally got up to 81 degrees in the room. My recommendation is for our association to find another location.

This hotel was recommended to us by the bride. I did not look at the other reviews before we booked. The check in was not until 4pm. We kindly asked for an early check in so we could get ready to attend the wedding at 5pm. The room was nice and open to the historic side to see the Cotton Mill. The beds were comfortable with lots of pillows. The bathroom had a large shower with all the shampoo needs. The venue was 128 South and if it is open as a restaurant I recommend you make a reservation. The hotel had a shuttle and Aiden kindly took us down with front door service. When the wedding was over we called and he came back and picked up a part of the wedding party. This saved us from waiting on Ubers which can be frustrating. The next day my friend and I were running the Novant Health Wilmington Half Marathon. This hotel was close to the shuttle pickup and where the race ended within walking distance. We asked for a late checkout and Ms. Ericka with her smile provided. We recommend this hotel for its location and the staff’s hospitality.

Cleanliness, staff Sal the valet was excellent !

This hotel is overpriced. The only reason they can charge so much is because of location. First of all, you can't check in until 4PM which is later than most hotels which causes a log jam as most guests are checking in at the same time. They charge $24 for parking (self park; more for valet) and it's just an uncovered lot next to the hotel. Again, more than most hotels. When we got to our room (we paid extra to face the river rather than the city) there was not a microwave or refrigerator in the room. A couple of amenities like that are usually available in less expensive Hilton brand locations. We chose to eat dinner in the hotel restaurant, again something that promised much but.... The Hostess was not at the stand when we walked up and when she arrived, there was one other couple in the area and a single at another table. She sat us right next to the couple when there were plenty of other tables. When our waitress arrived, we asked if we could move and we did. The waitress was not very knowledgeable of the menu and one of the items we ordered she had to come back and tell us it wasn't available. The food was good, at least mine was. My wife said her food was just fair and everything was overpriced. I get it, you're paying for convenience of not having to leave the hotel but if you look at the web site, they seem very proud of their restaurant so I expected better service. The next morning, my wife forgot her shower cap so she went to the front desk to see if they would have one, most hotels do. She was told she could walk across the street to the Dollar General as they didn't have any. As I said, they promised much but didn't deliver.

This hotels has a great location and that is about where the positives end. As others have stated, the hotel is on the older side and is in need of renovation. Walking around the room at night the carpet next to the bed was wet. This was very odd we thought. Upon investigation in the morning, we saw the mold in the grout and realized that this was a water leak from the ice machine on the other side of the wall. The room was musty and the air conditioning did not work. Despite being set on 68 the room never dropped below 74 which made for an uncomfortable night. Overall the hotel needs a significant renovation taking everything back to the studs as I’m sure the infrastructure behind the walls is dated and tired.

Location was great

The bar calling last call at 1015 on New Year's Eve

View of the river.

No refrigerator in room to keep drinks and leftovers cold. No microwave. For such a high price hotel it should have been included.

We stayed and had many many guests from our daughter’s wedding stay as well. Do not stay here!! My nephew walked outside of the hotel and walked down the stairs connected to the hotel. Stepped onto the step and fell all the way to the bottom due to ice. No sign or ice melt on the stairs . Management did not handled this incident well at all. His personal cell phone crushed during the fall and all he wanted was reimbursed. The response was to be more careful. Absolutely terrible

Disappointed in management. My nephew slipped and feel on ice on an untreated sidewalk and got hurt and smashed his cell phone. He only asked for the cost of his cellphone paid. Management's response was to be more careful. Our family spent thousands of dollars during our stay so this response was unacceptable..

The bed was comfortable. Cleaning staff was polite.

No complimentary breakfast provided for the cost of the room. No refrigerator in the room. It was odd- there were .microwave meals in the kiosk - No microwave in the room. Again no refrigerator and no simple complimentary breakfast was provided. Cheaper hotels provide these amenities. I doubt that I will return

The location was great. They did honor my request for an early check-in. Beds were comfortable and the air conditioning worked well.

Paying for parking was a disappointment. One of our room keys did not work. Although we were there for a very short time, we ran out of toilet paper and tissues. The shower drain was clogged and left water standing while taking a shower. The safe was locked when we arrived, and we were unable to secure our valuables. Maintenance did come and open it eventually, but we did not use it.

Room was hot

View was great but other than that the hotel needs major refreshing and wifi not free….for price it shud be….i parked my own car n it was still $22…..I had a wheelchair n valets never offered to help put it in my car….sink n lobby bathroom was stopped up…no soap n dispenser which I told front desk but next day it was still not fixed….as I said I had a person n a wherlchair n I made reservation at last minute so I cudnt get a handicapped room but pics on website don’t look like any of bathrooms had a bar by toilet!! The 800 line the guy didn’t even know what day it was! However the young girl at front desk was very good!!!! So there u go….i will def go to embassy Suites next time

Staff was super friendly. Hotel was very clean and everything worked. Food was excellent!

No mini fridge. Hurd several customers also complain about no mini fridge. Key cards all of the sudden don’t work. Difference in prices from what was advertised to actual price

Great location at a decent price, walking distance to most shops restaurants and bars. nice bed mattress pillows and linens, the Cape Fear river view, the bathroom layout and mirrors, but not a bar of soap to wash up with in sight.

Dated structure needs updating and repair, structural cracks a plenty, surprising for the Hilton name. Drapery rod is pulling out of the wall. No soap at the sink, sticky floor, noisy room due to being near the elevator and tile floor- rude people dragging bags across tile, and slamming doors, elevator doors scratched and dirty. EVERYTHING was a charge: not even a free continental breakfast like you would get at the $69.00 motels, coffee or juice, fruit, NOTHING, Cheapest cup of coffee was $4.00. And charges for wifi, and TV! and even parking, $22.00 for self park, $27.00 for valet FOR EACH NIGHT. OMG, what a bunch of money grabbing, and even the parking on the street was high- $3.00 per hour and up to $17.00 in pay by plate lots. $$$ at every turn!!

Close to town

Dirty hallways and email said parking was $17 a day but at check-in it was $22

Location.

Better trained front desk employees. The smallness of the room. The smell of raw sewage walking up the sidewalk to the entrance. The most puzzling issue is the lack of a refrigerator. Please let us know the reasoning here other than cost savings.

Secure parking.Courteous, welcoming satff.

no refrigerator in room. Expensive breakfast

Fantastic location.

Read all of the reviews for this hotel. All of the rooms need some serious updating, dirty lamps, moldy bathroom ceilings, and air that smells of must. The mattress folded up like a taco when I sat down on it.

We booked online for 4-nights, staying December 28, 2025 to January 1, 2026. We arrived about 4 PM on Sunday, December 28 to check in. The lobby is really on the 2nd floor as there is a ramp to drive up above the street. The room price alone is reasonable, but when we arrived, we discovered they charge $24/night for parking outdoors on a surface lot with no security. We checked in to our room with large windows and a beautiful river view. The room was nice, but the AC/heater fan was loud and rattled constantly waking us up every time it came on. After a mostly sleepless night, I reported it to the front desk. Coming back to the room in the evening, the fan was now quiet, but after going to bed, we realized it was very hot in the room as the AC was not working, another poor sleeping night. I then reported it the next day. Maintenance came by our room in the late afternoon, stating the AC fan rattles when the building shifts or some such lame excuse. He then was able to fix the AC by flicking a switch. I think he had shut it off the day before and forgot to turn it back on again. The other negative, no free breakfast, no free coffee not even in the room. We had a small in-room coffee maker, but housekeeping left no coffee. The restaurant on the ground level was far too expensive, so we searched for breakfast and coffee elsewhere each morning. We like this location, but next time maybe the Embassy next door that has free breakfast, better service and nicer restaurant.

We were told breakfast was included and the buffet was Saturday and Sunday it was even on the menu. The hotel staff even told us that we would have a buffet and we went down this morning expecting it and they said no. That was disappointing and when we booked it told us breakfast was included. It was not. AC did not work it was hot there was no body wash in the dispenser

Comfortable bed and room

Only one coffee cup in room.

Location / patio / river / breakfast

Having to walk around at night when all doors are locked.

I enjoyed my stay. Staff was great. Housekeeping made my stay very comfortable and clean. Great view. And walking distance to everything.

Old, dingy, and very dated—this hotel feels like it’s been stuck in a time warp since the 70s, complete with a dark lobby that screams “budget motel chic.” Honestly, I think this property is just a cash cow, milking guests without reinvesting a dime for the last 30 or 40 years. Service is average at best—not very friendly, and certainly not impressive. You’d think they could at least hire someone to smile once in a while! There are so many newer, nicer places for the same price or even less within walking distance. Do your homework! While this hotel might appear to be a full-service, slightly upscale option, it definitely is not. You will be disappointed for sure. Don’t fall for the low-point redemption trap as an HHonors member; there’s a reason it’s so tempting. Valet parking is pricey, and self-parking might be a bit sketchy. If you're looking for a better experience, check out the ALOFT by Marriott next door. They offer self-parking right up front and have a fantastic rooftop patio bar and dining area right on the river. Trust me, your wallet and your sanity will thank you!

Front desk staff was rude not to just me but even the couple in front of me Jeanette acted like she was clueless to her job and kept saying I don’t know.

Dirty Rooms!! Nothing else matters. Get a new cleaning supervisor. The dirt on the walls and doors was an on going problem that was never addressed. I’d feel better sleeping in my car. On a positive note, the staff at the front desk were amazing.

Upon checking in, the room was totally unacceptable. Let’s start with poop stains in the toilet. There was blood on the door and walls in the bathroom. The floor needed to be vacuumed. I went to the front desk, and explained my concerns. They assigned me another room. The bellman came up to move our luggage, he asked to see what I was concerned about and agreed that the room was unsuitable. We were assigned to another room, which was no better. Again, I had to go to the front desk and yet tell them again the room was dirty. She said that they would send up a new cleaning crew. I had dinner reservations at 6:00 pm that night and that they would send the cleaning crew at that time. After dinner that night we went back to the room. Very little effort went into cleaning that room. It looked like someone tried to pry the door open, the wood was damaged. Not feeling comfortable, we checked out the next morning. The front desk staff were outstanding, they need to hire a new cleaning crew. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A TAPESTRY HOTEL. DEFINITELY DO NOT RECOMMEND!.

Cleanness’s

N/A

We went for a race and the distance to the finish line is great.

With parking fee and no microwave or refrigerator in the rooms.

Travelers deserve to know what they're paying for. My friend booked this hotel using a Marine Ball discount. Two couples, rooms next to each other, three nights. The discount was paltry compensation for what we encountered. The rooms weren't just dated—they were filthy. Drawers contained accumulated hair and grime. The bathroom sink area had more hair. Shower fixtures were rusted throughout, and the drain wouldn't function properly—hair and debris that should have washed away simply sat there. The sheets smelled of previous occupants and were clearly not washed. Basic cleanliness was not attempted. The coffee situation was absurd: no cups provided, the coffee itself hidden in a cabinet, and the maker crammed into a low cabinet requiring you to kneel on the floor to operate it. Not a single complimentary cup of coffee exists anywhere on the property. The smallest purchasable cup was overpriced, and the $18-per-person breakfast was largely inedible. The only item worth consuming was the fresh-made omelet; everything else was subpar and unpalatable. Three days without a refrigerator. Not broken—simply absent. The HVAC blower roared nonstop in both rooms, day and night, making restful sleep nearly impossible. Tissue boxes were missing. Towel supply was barely adequate for one day. We had to request extra toilet paper because no replacement had been provided. The room was booked for me by someone else, but travelers should not need to investigate whether a hotel provides clean sheets, functioning drains, coffee cups, or basic hygiene. These are standard expectations, not luxury amenities that require advance verification. This property operates fraudulently. Charging guests for accommodations this substandard—unwashed linens, non-functioning facilities, pervasive filth—while presenting as a legitimate hotel is unconscionable. The USMC should reconsider doing business with this property for Marine Ball events until it meets basic hospitality standards. I'm finished paying for substandard rooms masquerading as acceptable lodging. The only bright spot: the front desk staff, who remained professional and patient despite working in a property that is clearly failing.

If I could do negative stars, that would be great. Less than adequate! It was a 'deal' for the Marine Corps Ball? I would not choose to stay there again-and I have been there several times over the 20+ years I have lived in NC. Since they changed the name, and 'upgraded', not helpful. Views were good, not a lot of towels, no fridge, no lotion, breakfast buffet was less than ok. I would have rather stayed at another Hilton property two blocks up with a free breakfast-I know what I am paying for. We had guests come in and they thought it was like a Motel 6. Not my thing!!

Everything was great

I’ve stayed in many hotels and very rarely write bad reviews, yes I have stayed in worse hotels but never one at this price point that was so poor. I’ve given it a 2 star but it was nearly a 1. The reviews imply the city side rooms are dated, and our one most certainly was. As a Hilton diamond member maybe I’ve got to used to hotels making an effort. Zilch on this one. The iron man race was taking place so quite possibly no upgrade room was available the first night, at least that was the reason given, but I did complain and nothing changed. Based on the number of guests mingling in the lobby / breakfast the hotel didn’t look full. The recent the reviews housekeeping lets it down, the usual thank you for your feed back comment is recorded against many and we will fix it with the team is response but clearly the management chose not to. No hand soap on arrival, a single 1/4 roll of toilet paper with no spare and no room service until you complain . By then it too late , no room service available so towels and toilet paper just dumped on the bed. The shower didn’t drain properly. One other common issue in this and the 3 other hotels was the lack USB phone charging points in the rooms, only one , with none built into the many wall sockets. it must be a Hilton US thing. No proper bar seemed to exist, other than in the on-site restaurant , what a difference really nice and 5/5 establishment. The BUT though is it is not part of the hotel and you could not charge the bill back to the hotel. If only the rest of the hotel matched the restaurant. All the staff were fine and the breakfast was fine. Apparently it’s also hotel policy not to arrange early morning taxis for guests, for me that is ridiculous. The only excellent aspect is its location, the location is 10/10, Wilmington itself was good for a short stay, if it wasn’t for that this would have been a 1*. Only tip at the time of booking -1 week before our stay - there was very little difference in price between the river view and historic $5 from memory so the hotel at that time was not fully booked . A big mistake not taking the river side because reviews suggest they might be better. Unless I enter an Ironman race I will never be back in Wilmington , but if I were to I would not be staying here. It is not often I write that in a review.