Review: Doubletree Hotel Grand Junction, Colorado

Can a known business hotel be family-friendly too?  We recently stayed at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton in Grand Junction, Colorado for one night during a very hot first weekend of August.  This was part of a 4-day weekend getaway before my kids started school that included visits to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks (2 hours away) and Colorado National Monument nearby.

We’ve always been a little leery of staying at hotels mostly known to cater to business traveleres based on previous stays elsewhere.  Don’t let the hotel’s brown, a bit drab, simple looking building detract you from staying here though.  Our first impression quickly changed when we stepped inside.

The lobby was bright with modern, colorful, clean line furnishings that reminded us a lot of a Scandinavian hotel lobby we stayed in a couple of months ago.  It was open and welcoming with the receptionists in stand alone station desks instead of behind a long counter. Definitely different.

I loved all their black and white canvas prints of the local scenic landscapes that were displayed throughout the first floor.  My kids loved the living room area with relaxed seating, books and games.

Hotel Room

Our room was on the 8th floor overlooking the more scenic view.  We were happy with our views of the golf course, the pool and the lovely mountains.  It was definitely a step-up from the other side which would be the freeway.  I’m not sure how the noise level may have been so ask for rooms on this side.

We don’t require much in our hotel room stays – clean and bed-bug free are the top two and thankfully, this room met that.  Our two queen beds were comfortable to sleep in which was essential after hiking for miles the past couple of days.  The modern decor was in warm tones of orange and red – shades of the rocks found around the area.

My kids were more than happy to see a wide, flat-screen TV.  They rate hotel rooms based on their TV channels and the amount of free food and freebies they are given.  In this case, their biggest gripe was that there was no Disney Channel in addition to Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Channel.  It didn’t matter that night since my husband and I took over to watch the Olympics’ closing ceremonies but I thought I should mention it for any Disney fanatics checking in.

The bathroom was clean and well-laid out.  Crabtree & Evelyn amenities were provided. The shower had good water pressure and most importantly, warm water readily flowed when necessary.

We hoped for a mini-refrigerator or even a small microwave but those only came in their junior suites.  These items would be very helpful especially for those traveling with kids.  Many hotels have them in standard rooms nowadays (including the two hotels we stayed during the weekend) so we’ve gotten used to them .

We opened the windows to feel the temperature in the morning and admire the scenery and to our surprise, found no screen.  I know there may not be a reason that many of the guests open windows but for those who may want some fresh air, be sure not to let the kids near the opened windows for safety reasons.

Location

Grand Junction wasn’t a very big city but this hotel was situated at a wonderful location.  About a mile from the Grand Junction Regional Airport, they also provide shuttle service.  We had a rental car so distances didn’t matter very much.  It was right off the Interstate 70 (I-70) between Denver and Utah which provided easy access to many places.

Colorado National Monument with its canyons and beautiful red rock formations and plenty of hiking trails was also nearby.  Grand Junction was also home to many vineyards (who knew?) which we didn’t get a chance to visit.

There were plenty of outdoor, free parking spaces and the area was pretty well lit.  The hotel was located along Horizon Drive which had plenty of restaurants and gas stations.  Safeway the Supermarket was down the street if you need essentials.  It was also located 10 minutes from the downtown area with more restaurants and shopping.

Hotel Amenities

One of the fantastic things about this hotel was the various amenities it offered that gave it a resort feeling.  It was no wonder we saw quite a few families around during our weekend stay.  The outdoor pool was well-maintained and clean with plenty of seating.  Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to use it which disappointed my kids greatly considering we had 90 degree temperatures during the day.

There was a golf course adjacent to the hotel which provided a good backdrop.  The green spaces on this property was put to good use with a putting green and a park area for the kids to run around including a sandbox and playground set.  This put family-friendly to a whole new level.  If that wasn’t enough, there was also a tennis/basketball court with a sand volleyball court and even a gazebo.

We came in at night and already had plans for most of the following day.  We regretted not staying longer and not checking in earlier to fully enjoy and take advantage of the outdoor spaces.

The indoors weren’t bad either with a 24-hour fitness and a small business center with computers and printers which my husband used to print our boarding passes with no issues.  Last but certainly not the least…the Cookies!  We’ve stayed at Doubletree Hotels before and one of the best things we look forward to is getting our warm chocolate chip cookie which they are known for.  The friendly receptionist gave us four delicious cookies we thoroughy enjoyed.

Hotel Dining

There were two restaurants on site – the Lounge and the Bistro.  My husband is a Gold Hilton HHonors member so we got two complimentary buffets at the Bistro 743.  We just had to pay $6 each for the kids.  Their buffet items were pretty varied and all appealing.  There was an open kitchen where the chef was available for made to order items like waffles and omelets.  Most of the food was stored in cast iron Dutch oven pots on individual stovetops.

Buffet items included smoked salmon, roasted potatoes, sausage links, apple wood smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, pastries and freshly baked biscuits.  The refrigerator was well-stocked with milk and yogurt.  It was spacious with plenty of seats.  Like the other staff members we met at the front desk, the staff at the buffet were all nice, courteous and helpful.

The Doubletree Hotel Grand Junction was a pleasant surprise to us.  Its location, amenities and vast outdoor facilities make it an ideal place to stay in this area for both business professionals and families.  The hotel did a wonderful job in combining and meeting  the needs of people attending conferences and those looking for a nice weekend getaway with or without the kids.

Tips When Staying

• Request for the side with pool and golf course views for some good scenery and a bit of silence from the highway.
• Wi-fi is free for Hilton Honors members.  It’s not usually free but should be widely available since most hotels have them now.
• Check their website for package deals and specials that start at $99/night.
• Ask for the breakfast buffet voucher if you’re a Hilton Gold (or higher status) Honors member.
• Allocate time to enjoy the extensive outdoor facilities.

Doubletree Grand Junction Basics

Address:  743 Horizon Drive Grand Junction, CO 81506

Phone: (970) 241-8888    |

My family and I were guests of the hotel. We were not financially compensated for this review.  All opinions and photos of Doubletree Grand Junction are my own based on our stay.

*Have you visited Grand Junction or stayed at this Doubletree Hotel?  Please share your experience below.

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