I recently stayed at the Hampton Inn in Barboursville, WV for several nights and, overall, had a good experience. While there were a few areas that could be improved, there were also several things the hotel did very well.

One thing I really appreciated was the technology. Even though I booked through Expedia, I was still able to check out digitally using the Hilton Honors app. The app also offered the option to check in and choose a room before arrival, which is a nice feature, even though we didn’t use it this trip.

The hotel also did a good job communicating important information. There was a sticker on the bathroom mirror explaining that housekeeping services the room every other day, so there was no confusion about when to expect service. There was also a digital guest guide that could be accessed by scanning a QR code on a sticker in front of the TV, which was convenient.

When we walked into the room, it smelled fresh and very clean, and it was already nice and cool despite the hot weather outside.

The hotel has a guest laundry room, which is a great convenience for longer stays. The front desk supplies detergent and can make change if needed, although it wasn’t clear how much the detergent costs.

Every staff member we interacted with was friendly and welcoming. We never got the feeling that we were inconveniencing anyone, which made for a pleasant stay. I also appreciated that there wasn’t a stack of paperwork to sign regarding the no-smoking policy before checking in.

Another pleasant surprise was the incidental authorization. When I called the hotel before our stay, I was told it would be a $25-per-day hold, and I had previously paid a $50-per-day hold at the nearby DoubleTree. However, both times I stayed at this Hampton Inn, they only placed a $1 authorization on my card. I realize this may vary depending on the reservation or payment method, but it was certainly appreciated.

There were, however, a few things that could be improved.

The hotel doesn’t have vending machines. There were snacks available for purchase near the front entrance, but I couldn’t find any prices displayed. It would also be helpful if those prices were included in the digital guest guide.

The room itself could use a few additional conveniences. There wasn’t a comfortable sitting chair—only the desk chair. There was also just one nightstand positioned between the two beds, so it would have been nice if each bed had its own. I was also surprised that there wasn’t an in-room safe.

The gate leading to the pool was difficult to open. We had trouble with it, and I noticed a couple of other guests struggling with it as well.

One of my biggest complaints was the temperature in the common areas. While our room stayed cool and comfortable, the lobby and hallways were consistently much warmer than they should have been. Some days were worse than others, but overall they were uncomfortable.

The complimentary coffee was another disappointment. I asked if it was available all day, and I was told it was. However, every time I got coffee after breakfast it was cold. It seemed to only be hot during breakfast hours.

Breakfast was probably the weakest part of the stay. The menu changed each day, which I appreciated, but the quality was inconsistent. Our favorite morning was when they served sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, and sausage. There was never any bacon during our stay, and the pastry selection was fairly limited.

I also rarely saw a breakfast room attendant. I’m not sure if the hotel doesn’t have someone dedicated to monitoring the breakfast area, but on our last morning they had completely run out of coffee cups. I ended up going back to our room to get one rather than waiting for someone to restock them.

Overall, I enjoyed my stay and would consider staying here again. The hotel was clean, the room was comfortable, the staff was genuinely friendly, and the digital features made the experience convenient. With a few improvements to the breakfast, common areas, and some of the room amenities, this would be an even stronger Hampton Inn experience.