Hilton Longboat Key Hotel

This is the place to stay for R&R. With our busy life style, This is the one place we can't wait to get to on our summer vacation. The pool and the beach are the best. The grounds are well maintained. The rooms are clean and comfortable. The staff is friendly and there to serve.

From when we approached the Hilton Longboat Key, which appears to be (and turns out to be) a quaint, beach inn rather than a chain hotel, until we pulled out of the parking lot, everything was great. Granted, we are not overly picky people, but we did not experience anything that made our overnight stay anything less than wonderful. The young men at the front desk were very friendly and the homemade brownies helped somewhat. We booked using Travelzoo and, by definition, that meant that we got a standard room and not a suite. They did not have any Kings left so we had two queen beds, but that was fine. The staff was very busy. We saw the front desk guy taking the bell cart here and there. We saw touch up painting and cleaning going on constantly. The housekeeper even insisted on helping me punch the button for ice, when I really just wanted directions to the icemaker. The included breakfast buffet was delicious and service was quick and friendly. Even though the sky was overcast and it was a bit cool, a walk on the beach was relaxing. There were lots of attractive seashells and the sunset was gorgeous. A perfect get-away for one night or a week. We drove to St. Armand's Circle and had a leisurely stroll around it, along with a nice supper at one of the many restaurants there. We wanted to live there, in the Hilton Longboat Key, at least for six months.

We stayed for 4 nights and had no problems at all. Despite a bargain price, we were given a suite on the 5th floor--a separate living room and bed room and each had a balcony--with a view of the pool and ocean. The service couldn't have been better; everyone was friendly, held doors, answered questions, smiled, etc. The waterfront location is superb, although don't expect a lot of activity on Longboat Key, which is primarily residential.

The location of this hotel is wonderful - right on the beach. But our room had cracked glass (hurricane glass we were told, and they were waiting for a replacement) a broken door handle, plaster mising from ceiling and peeling wallpaper. We did not have any problems with the staff, all of whom were friendly. We got a decent deal on Travelzoo for our stay, but had we paid full price I would have been very upset. I am surprised how shabby it was for a Hilton property.

I agree with the reviewer that liked the hotel but not the attitude of the hotelier. Despite requesting a room on an upper floor when the reservation was made, well in advance, I was put on the second floor with no view of the gulf. I returned to the front desk to ask if I could be switched to a higher floor but was denied, this with a practically empty parking lot. Let me add that I got a great deal on this room through a Hilton special (travelzoo) and I feel that their attitude was that since I didn’t pay a lot, I wasn’t going to get a lot. Maybe when they offer deals, they should add a disclaimer that if the rate is 60% off, guests will be treated 60% less, as well. So now, I’m a dissatisfied customer that wont come back to this hotel. I am sure that Hilton understands the concept of customer loyalty and return business; this hotel is no Hilton.

We have family who live on Longboat Key and have always enjoyed staying at the Hilton. This year was special, my wife and I were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. After we arrived the management sent us a complimentary array of fresh fruit and a cold bottle of the bubbly to celebrate. We also noticed the Hotel has recently been upgraded and the staff went out of their way to make certain our anniversary was memorable. We enjoyed our stay and will be back next year.

We stayed here for a week after a week on Disney ( 4 adults 2 kids). We had requested 2 rooms (one on ground floor for my disabled mother-in-law) and the other a family room with a gulf view (we pre-paid the extra). On arrival we were advised by reception that the only Gulf room available was one with a king size bed and a single roll-out - not much use for two adults and two kids aged 10 and 7. We opted for a standard room with two queen beds and received a refund - nice room but nothing special. When give the form to sign I notice that its not my name on the form - twice!!! Went back to reception on numerous occassions about a gulf view room with two beds but were told quite bluntly nothing doing. This was until I offered to pay whatever when suddenly was available. After 20 minutes with the reception guy swearing at his pc and hitting the keyboard very hard - he tells me the rooms gone, theres nothing he can do about it. My mother and father in law were told on arrival that they had altered their booking for arrival two days later (no amendments were ever made to that booking). They were told only available room was on 5th floor. When referred to booking details where a ground floor room was requested they were told thats the only room we have and there's a lift! Remember we booked in after them and ended up with ground floor room!!??!! We offered to swap and reception said 'do what ever!' Now I know I'm English and I may not be fully up to speed with all American ways but..... when the breakfast menu gives you a varied list every day why were we told only buffet available each day. And then why should i tip for self service. Breakfast staff didn't want to know me after first day i didn't tip. Plus the food was overpriced anyway! I'll gladly tip for service and did in all other restaurants. Drinks at the bar in plastic cups including coffee - only allowed glass / china if your having a meal. Cocktails served by a barman who only knew how to pour beer!. Pool, spa, fitness room, beach, etc were excellent though. And now I'm back in England in the cold.

While surfing Longboat Key on the internet we discovered the Hilton Longboat Key Beach Resort and what a pleasant surprise. My family and I enjoyed a very quiet getaway weekend from Gainesville, Florida. The hotel appears to be recently refurbished and in great condition for an older hotel. Service was good and the food in Latitudes was excellent. We are planning a return visit soon.

Spent the weekend here while shopping at St.Armands Circle, the local shopkeepers highly recommended the Hilton On Longboat as a First Class Resort. They were right on!!! Staff was well trained, food great and the sunsets were breath-taking. We will be back.

A seasoned traveler to the USA I and my family arrived at the Hilton Lonboat Key expecting typical American service which is high, what we received was very disapointing , something akin to a back street Blackpool bed & breakfast , we had booked through Travel City Direct (another disapointment) who must have reserved the worst rooms in the hotel for their clients, seems like we should all be pleased to have a view of the unattractive carpark, it did not stop there , the manager was arrogant and could not care less about customer satisfaction, when requesting better service he agreed with my option to leave and find other accomodation. Best to avoid this run down hotel if you are on a budget, I even offered to pay any costs (no matter how high ) to get better service , the hotel and the service it offers belongs in the backstreets of Blackpool or some of the cheaper costas of spain (my appologies to Blackpool)