We stayed here for 3 nights for one of my BFFs' wedding. The wedding was taken place at this hotel. Honestly, living in Orange County for over 10 years, I didn't even know there's a hotel in this area. Since we've moved to OR/WA area recently, we had to book a hotel for that weekend. Because of bridesmaid's duties which would require me to be at the hotel by 5 AM, we opted to stay here instead of another hotel. I've never stayed at the Doubletree so I had no idea what to expect. Although I was told to expect chocolate chip cookies!
Honestly, it always boggles my mind why one chooses to be in the hospitality business if they don't understand what customer service means. We drove around in front of the hotel trying to find a parking spot or someone who works at the hotel to tell us where to go to park our car. No one was in front of the hotel, so we had to illegally park and we had to wait for awhile to finally find out that there's a parking below.
Check in was fast, so that's definitely appreciated, but what's with the unfriendly welcome? You're the first impression we get when we walk in, a bit of smile goes a long way. Over a few days, we did realize that that seemed to be the norm. No one was smiling, no one acknowledged you when you walked in/walked out, waited in the lobby; they glanced at you and looked away as soon as you caught their eyes. The funniest moment for me was probably when my friend, the bride, and the rest of us bridesmaids were waiting for our rides in the lobby, the desk people just hid behind their desks talking amongst themselves and shot glances at us once in a while. Okay, a "congratulations" to the bride to be may be nice, or even just a smile? The wedding is taking place at your hotel after all.
One incident worth mentioning left a very bad taste in my mouth. A lot of guests were flying in the day of the wedding. One of the bridesmaids had booked the room under her name and left a message w/ the front desk to allow her husband access to the room (she had checked in the day before). Due to bridesmaid's duties, she wasn't going to be around when the husband was going to arrive. She was promised there would be no problem. Apparently it was a problem. The husband and their baby couldn't access their room until we were back in the hotel that evening, hours later. They wouldn't give him a key despite providing his ID and whatever other info that was required. No one was willing to help besides the standard apology. Thankfully, they were able to bunk in their friend's room for a while or else he and the baby would be out in lobby for hours!
The room itself is decent, a normal size, typical business hotel. Bed was comfortable enough for a good night sleep although the walls are thin enough that I could hear neighbor's TV blasting late at night.
In room coffee is virtually undrinkable. Thank God for Starbucks near by (not in the hotel, you do have to drive).
The bride had a "suite" which I stayed in the night before. It's literarily just a two connecting rooms w/ one real bed and one pull out bed. I honestly wouldn't pay extra for this "suite."
Honestly, there's nothing spectacular about this hotel. We will opt for a different hotel when we are back in town again. The distance to SNA is probably the only plus here. Being a Hilton member doesn't give you any perks like some other hotels. And as much as I love chocolate chip cookies, they're not enough to make me want to come back.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC