We decided to stay at the Hilton Downtown because our usual hotel – the nearby Hampton – was charging a rate that, quite frankly, is inexcusable. Over $500 per night, including tax? For a Hampton? Give me a break. If I was staying at a Fairmont property, or Vancouver’s L’Hermitage, that rate would be justifiable, but not here – not for a Hampton. And for those who’re curious, the Hilton Downtown charged us just over $270 a night, which is far more reasonable given the time of year and class of hotel. I understand prices are generally higher during Vancouver’s “high season” (which seems to get longer with each passing year), but the rates most hotels charge in the current day are just outlandish. It wasn’t even just a couple of years ago you could stay at the Hampton on Robson for about $240 a night during the peak tourist season. Now, we’re just getting greedy. . . In any event, we enjoyed our stay at the Hilton, not just because it offered far better value for money, but also because the location is more central and the customer service we received was beyond reproach. Really, this hotel is an exemplary example of what all Hilton-branded hotels should strive to be. As noted, the Hilton Downtown is central – located along bustling Robson Street (see my earlier review of Robson Street on this site). Thus, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, practically everything you need is right at your doorstep: Countless boutiques and shops; easy access to public transit, including bus and SkyTrain; a number of notable tourist attractions nearby, including BC Place, historic Chinatown, Vancouver Public Library, and the Pacific Centre, to name but a few; and, of course any number of great restaurants: Black Rice, Jollibee, Glowbal, JAPADOG, Maruhachi Ramen, A&W, Bacchus (recent Michelin star recipient), amongst others. It’s kind of funny . . . part of the reason my partner and I were excited to stay at the Hilton is because two of our casual favourites, Atealier and Curry Fusion, were literally across the street . . . or so we thought! Turns out both closed in early 2023 and are home to new eateries: “rollzy” and “KDS Norwegian Waffles.” Maybe we’ll try them one day? Our room – a one-bedroom suite w/ king bed – was nice. The grey and off-white walls helped to create a “soft” and warm atmosphere, which we found quite relaxing. The living room featured a pullout couch, smart flatscreen TV and work desk. The separate bedroom was fairly basic, but had many a charging port for our mobile devices. More importantly, the bed was very comfortable, lending to a good night’s rest after a couple of long days exploring Metro Vancouver. The bathroom was also spacious, modern and featured a walk-in shower. WiFi quality was very good as well. The only thing I didn’t care for in our room was the tiny table in front of the couch – made for limited foot space and also made the living room feel kind of cramped. We did not try any of the in-house restaurants (Starbucks and Hendricks). I really do have to give many a kudo to the staff at this Hilton. Everybody we encountered made us feel so welcomed! Special shout out to the folks who work the main entranceway. They went out of their way to ensure a positive experience, displaying a consummate level of professionalism rarely seen. Will the Hilton Downtown be our new “go to” accommodation? It’s hard to say; after all, old habits die hard and we’ve been loyal patrons of the Hampton on Robson since 2008! However, in today’s world, I think our loyalty is more in our wallet than to a specific property ;)…