**Review: Hilton Garden Inn, Summerville, South Carolina**…read more **Check-In and Arrival:** My check-in experience at the Hilton Garden Inn in Summerville, South Carolina, was exceptional, especially compared to my last five Hilton properties. The front desk personnel were welcoming and seemed genuinely happy to be on the job. I used the app to check in and select my room, so my stop at the front desk was brief, just to pick up a plastic key. The lobby itself is large and spacious, with a lively atmosphere in the bar and restaurant area. There are plenty of comfortable seating areas, perfect for getting some work done or simply relaxing. **Room and Amenities:** The hotel is quite large, standing eight stories high. My room was clean and passed the black light test with flying colors, as did the bathroom. I particularly liked the bathroom layout, which included shelves above the sink that provided useful counter space without getting wet. Typically, toiletries have to be kept on the same surface as the sink, where they are prone to getting wet, so this was a nice touch. Additionally, there is a night light in the bathroom, which is a nice touch for late-night convenience. Across from the bathroom is a closet nook, which is an uncommon but very helpful feature. It houses a closet with an ironing board, iron, hangers, and a safe on one side, and a full-sized mirror on the wall with three drawers that also double as shelves for extra storage. A notable feature is the barn door on the bathroom that slides on rails, adding a touch of modernity to the room. The room also includes a small nook with a Keurig coffee maker, a modern microwave, a lighted shelf that actually works (unlike my last Garden Inn), and a refrigerator recessed in a cabinet. Lighting in the room is plentiful. There are six different light sources from the front door to the bedroom area alone. The bedroom has four light sources: two lamps and two wall sconces. There are two lights in the kitchen nook, a light in the closet, a hallway light, and two lights in the bathroom. This provides ample lighting options, with the ability to set a lower ambient light if desired. The room also features a large chair in the corner by the window and a computer chair, which I'd rank as my second favorite in a hotel room in 2024. It's the same design as in a previous hotel but with a cloth finish, offering a comfortable and secure feel. **Dining Experience:** After a long day, I decided to dine at the hotel restaurant rather than go out. The in-room menu had lively descriptions of food choices, and I settled on the open-faced ribeye steak sandwich, served with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a sesame roll. Due to sensitive teeth, I avoid hard bread, so I was pleased to see that it was supposed to be served on a sesame roll, which is the traditional roll for a steak sandwich. However, when the food arrived, it was a closed-face sandwich on a hard ciabatta roll. The ribeye steak had been cut into chunks and was cooked well beyond the medium I had requested. The sandwich was challenging to enjoy because of the unexpected hard bread. The vegetable side was fresh and delicious, but the overall meal was disappointing. My server disappeared after delivering my food and only returned once I had finished eating. When I inquired, I was informed that the sandwich is always served this way, which left me feeling dissatisfied. **Nature Trail:** The hotel literature and online sources mention "The Hilton Nature Trail," so I decided to check it out before it got dark. Unfortunately, the trail is quite short, only extending about 100 feet into the woods before dead-ending at some dangerous debris and a drainage pond. **Nearby Amenities:** On the positive side, there are many food options nearby the hotel, offering plenty of alternatives to the in-house dining. **Final Thoughts:** Overall, my stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Summerville was great. The hotel provided everything I needed, from a clean and comfortable room to welcoming service. However, the dining experience could use some improvement. It would be helpful if the menu items described actually made it onto the plate as expected by the customer. NOTE: I gave five stars for the hotel experience and did not include the food experience in my rating. The restaurant should be a separate entity that could be reviewed separately from the hotel. Overall the hotel is great.

From the owner: Daily Mandatory Charge includes: Destination Marketing Fee…read more Find us off I-26, within a mile of local dining and major retailers. Whirlin' Waters Adventure Waterpark is 15 minutes away, and we're 30 minutes from Charleston and Lake Moultrie. Relaxation's easy with our resort-style pool and several walking trails nearby. Cooked-to-order breakfast awaits, and our two-story conference center has meetings covered. WiFi's on us.