Hilton Garden Inn West Palm Beach Airport

Thanks to a 2016 renovation, the hotel feels like a full step above its dozens of area competitors. While the exterior looks like any mid-range chain hotel, the interior has been thoroughly redesigned with a bright, airy, contemporary aesthetic. Tasteful pops of color, boldly patterned Transitional-style seating, and an open-concept lobby provide a great first impression of a design that carries through to every guest room and common area. The large lobby blends seamlessly into a lounge/bar to create a single communal space where guests gather throughout the day to work and conduct meetings. A heated pool with a shaded lounge area provides extra space for guests to relax outdoors. As an airport hotel, the clientele is a mix of delayed leisure travelers, businesspeople, and airline staff all waiting for the next morning’s shuttle back to PBI.

Given its proximity to the airport (one mile away), it’s no surprise the surrounding area is a charmless sea of concrete and commercial buildings. The neighborhood is dotted with mid-range airport hotels, car rental offices, and other nondescript buildings. There’s little of interest within walking distance, except a handful of grab-and-go restaurants. Free shuttle service is provided to take guests to PBI airport and CityPlace -- a downtown lifestyle center with dozens of restaurants, high-end shopping, and services. A number of world-class golf courses and some of the best beaches on the Gold Coast are reachable in 10 minutes by car.

A full renovation in 2016 brought room decor up to date with a fresh, contemporary look. Hardwood laminate flooring, granite countertops, and a warm color palette all feel a step above mid-range. Rooms are similar in every category but differ in bed configuration and size. Standard Rooms feature studio-style floor plans that can feel a bit cramped, while Suites upgrade to roomier floor plans with separate living and sleeping areas, plus optional dining areas with full dining tables. Every room features almost identical amenities including flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges. The free Wi-Fi is reliable and extremely fast. Bathrooms are tight, but fit and finish -- hardwood laminate floors, quartz countertops, and large walk-in shower stalls -- is excellent. Neutrogena brand bath amenities are standard.

Features include most everything short-stay guests might expect in an airport hotel. The open-concept lobby blends seamlessly into the airy The Garden Grille & Bar. A free, hot breakfast buffet is served daily. By late afternoon, the space serves a la carte dinner and includes a bar with a full cocktail menu. Dinner-only room service is also available for a fee. Microwave dinners, packaged snacks, and cold drinks can also be purchased from the small a la carte pantry adjacent the front desk.The heated outdoor pool is well-maintained, though a little bland. A wall of dense palm trees and two fountains near the deep end help add sophistication and privacy. Ample seating is provided via a row of lounge chairs, outdoor dining sets, and a wide, shaded lounge area with ceiling fans.The gym is small, bordering on cramped. But, the cardio machines are modern and include individual TVs. Free weights, a workout bench, and basic yoga equipment are all provided. The list of business amenities includes 800 square feet (74 square meters) of meeting/event space and a small, 24-hour business center with a printer. Wi-Fi is fast and free throughout the property. Free self-parking is available in a large lot.