Sometimes, loyalty really does pay off. On a recent overnight trip to Falls Church, Virginia, I was booked into the Hilton Garden Inn by my company — nothing fancy, just a Two Queen room for a quick stay before heading to the next stop.
But here’s the thing: when you’ve logged enough miles, you learn to always ask the question. At check-in, I smiled, passed over my ID and credit card, and asked the front desk, “Are there any upgrades available tonight?”
The clerk gave me a grin and said, “Let’s see what we can do.” Then came the magic words: “Thank you for being a Diamond member.” After confirming I didn’t actually need two beds for this trip, he offered me an Executive King — more space to stretch out, a desk for the day job, and a cozy little blogging nook by the couch. Exactly what I needed.
The hotel itself? Inviting, clean, and fresh. Not ostentatious, but comfortable. There’s a small but well-equipped gym (two treadmills, two ellipticals, and free weights), a compact indoor pool for lounging, and even a hot tub — which I sadly didn’t have time to enjoy. Parking was easy in the garage out back, complete with a pair of free Tesla Destination Chargers for guests.
Location-wise, the hotel is tucked into a nice little pocket of Falls Church — a mix of residential streets, small businesses, and restaurants, with essentials like a Patient First urgent care right around the corner.
Roamwell’s Tip:
- Always sign up for the loyalty program before you stay — even if you think it’s a one-off.
- If you have status, ask about upgrades (nicely).
- If you don’t have status yet, ask anyway. The worst they can say is “no,” but you might be surprised how often they’ll say “yes.”
In this case, one friendly question turned a standard work trip into a much more comfortable night’s stay. And that’s the value of loyalty.
Travel Tip: This visit was part of a short stay in Falls Church. If you’re here overnight, I highly recommend heading to Godfrey’s Bakery & Café for dinner and dessert. Trust me — you’ll want to save room for the Bombe Vanille cake.
— Roamwell
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