Review: The Hilton Garden Inn West in Omaha, NE

I recently spent one night at the Omaha West Hilton Garden Inn. It is a pretty new three story hotel on the outskirts of this mid-western town. I was told it had been opened for about a year.

Being a born and bred Californian, I was impressed on the drive from Eppley Field airport to the venue. Lots of open spaces, friendly helpful people and very cold air-since it was the beginning of December.

Upon arriving at my destination, I entered a very homey looking lobby. One side had a sitting area with a plasma TV tucked away, out of view until you walked over to the corner where it was hung. The other half had a restaurant of sorts. I say "of sorts" mainly due to the fact that it was used for those who chose to eat breakfast there in the mornings or attend the Wednesday night cocktail and snack hour. The management was kind enough to have freshly brewed pots of regular and decaf coffee and hot water with tea and hot chocolate packets with homemade cookies available at all hours. A nice touch-especially since the outdoor temperature at 3 in the afternoon on the day I arrived was 45 degrees. Warm to the natives, freezing to me!

The desk staff were extremely wonderful! I asked if they could print up my return flight check-in for the next day for me-one young lady got to that chore, while her countermate checked me into my room. I thanked them for their help and went off to settle in. The room was on the first floor, right next to the indoor pool and spa area. I had to be at a speaking engagement, so while I took a look around, I didn't have enough time to enjoy it or the workout room on the other side of the hall. There was also a guest laundry room available.

My room was a pretty good size and had two queen size beds, a desk and a decent bathroom. Complete with all the necessary amenities-shampoo, lotion, soap, hairdryer. Oh, I forgot my toothbrush and saw that there was a small sundry room to the side of the check-in, but the friendly staff handed me one on the house. My room also had a microwave and a coffee maker with the appropriate makings for tea, coffee or hot chocolate as well.

I didn't have to hail a taxi to take me to my speaking engagement, as the hotel had a shuttle service willing to drive me anywhere within a five mile radius. A nice feature. Being on the outskirts of Omaha, my view was of an open field and what I could see of the outdoor shopping mall a little less than a mile away.

These were the plusses. There were a couple of not so great things as well. One, even though this area knows the weather is going to get cold-the seal on my rather large window was anything but good. I had set the temperature on my thermostat to 70, yet where I sat trying to work on my speech at the desk by the window-the room was so cold I continued to wear my coat. Later in the evening upon my return, I wanted to ward off the cold with a hot bath, but found I had only tepid water, at best coming out the spout. When I called to see what could be done, the clerks were apologetic, but explained that there was nothing they could do. BRRR.

All in all, the Hilton Garden Inn West, was a delightful experience. If I ever have a chance to go back, I'd probably want to stay there and I would recommend it to others.