DoubleTree Durango Review

DoubleTree Durango Review

Durango, Colorado is touristy western town at the southern end of the Million Dollar Highway 550.  I was planning on taking the drive up through Silverton and Ouray to Montrose before cutting back to Utah to visit the parks.  I spent one night at the DoubleTree Durango, booking the room with points.  The cost was 43,000 Hilton Honors points, which I value at $215.

Overall I find DoubleTree properties to be inconsistent.  I have stayed at fantastic properties (like the DoubleTree Perth Northbridge) but most seem warn and lacking character except the cookie at check in (which I find not very appetizing).  Unfortunately the DoubleTree Durango was on the disappointing end of the spectrum.

Location

Most of the chain hotels are located outside of town on the highway.  The DoubleTree is located just a block off of the main street of town along the Animas River.  It is a quick walk to the heart of the town.  There is a grocery store across the street.

Parking is free; they even have some spots reserved for Hilton Honors Diamond elites (though that was about the best of the elite benefits at the property).

Check In

I arrived around 5:00pm after driving up from the Hyatt Regency Tamaya near Albuquerque.   I was told that there were no upgrades available.  Instead I was assigned a room on the second floor looking out at the parking lot.  As this was during COVID, it was explained that breakfast would be “grab and go” in the corner of the lobby.  All restaurants at the property were closed though the pool and gym were open.

Room

I was assigned a standard king bed room on the second floor (one floor up from the lobby).  As you enter the bathroom is on the right and the rest of the room straight ahead.  The hotel is old and most parts of the rooms have not been recently updated.

I was glad to see a small refrigerator and microwave next to the TV.

During COVID, Hilton properties do a good job of showing the room has been sanitized; even including hand wipes with my Diamond bottles of water.

The sliding doors led out to a small balcony with view of the parking lot.

Bathroom

The bathroom has a single vanity with a good amount of counter space.  The bath products are Crabtree & Evelyn branded and individually bottled.

The shower/bath combo is your standard set up.

Amenities

There are at least two restaurants in the hotel; though one is closed for COVID while the other, a beer garden, is closed on Sunday and Monday (the days I was there).

There is an inside pool and gym in the bottom floor.

The back of the hotel faces directly on to the river and path that leads along it.  The river facing rooms would be quite an upgrade to the parking lot rooms.

Breakfast and Elite Benefits

As a Gold or Diamond Hilton elite, continental breakfast is included.  It seems to be up to the discretion of the property as to what this includes.

During COVID, the property is offering a selection of two bagged breakfasts.  One has 2 hard boiled eggs, fruit, pastry and juice while the other has yogurt, fruit, pastry and juice.  If you wanted to add a sausage sandwich, you could for $7.  It seemed they were literally offering the least they could within the rules of the program.  My breakfast the following day at a Hampton Inn was much better and included an omelet and french toast (and free for all guests, not just elite members).

Between the lack of upgrade and lackluster breakfast, it is clear that the DoubleTree Durango doesn’t value guests that are Hilton Honors elites.

Overall

The best thing that the DoubleTree has going for it is the location.  A room that faces the river would be fantastic.  You can easily walk in to town.  Beyond that, it didn’t appear to me that the hotel was trying to make a positive guest experience.

What is your thought on DoubleTree properties?

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