Hampton Inn Bartow

We were so disappointed in our experience recently having stayed at this property several times in the past. Our past stays were very enjoyable but not this time. Upon arrival, we noticed that the grounds were kept up and beautiful and the desk clerk welcoming. It went down hill from there. The hotel is in dire need of a deep cleaning. The carpet in the hallways and in our room were heavily stained and appeared to have not been vacuumed in some time. Only one of the two elevators worked and the floor of the elevator as well as the floor of the breakfast area in need of mopping. In our room, we found that the pump for the bath gel did not work nor was there any conditioner in the dispenser in the shower. Again, a reflection on the housekeeping. Particularly bothersome was we were given a note upon checking in around 2:00 PM that the water was not safe to drink. When we returned to the lobby around 3:00, we were told that the water was now safe. I asked about the ice in the ice makers and was told not to use it since it was made with unsafe water. I asked if the ice makers would be purged and was told there was no one with maintenance on the property on Sunday but was assured the machines would be purged first thing Monday morning. Of course this did not happen and when we checked out late Monday morning, there was still no ice for consumption purposes. As further indication of the overall attitude, when asked about ice, the clerk told us we could go to a gas station and buy a bag of ice. I don't think hotel guests should have to do so. I don't blame the hotel for the water problem but do for their failure to take care of their guests. On the subject of "guests", I noticed a car in the parking lot in which an individual was seated for an extended period of time when we checked in Sunday afternoon. On Monday morning, several young men came into the breakfast room and proceeded to pack their pockets with food and piled food onto plates. They walked straight out of the hotel to the car which was parked in the same place and sat down on the ground in the parking lot with their backpacks and ate their food while discarding their trash making a mess. One left walking with his backpack and the other got into the front seat of the same car where he remained for an extended time. As a retired **** prosecutor with over 35 years of experience, I was very suspicious of this activity and brought this activity to attention of the front desk clerk who walked outside and then returned and told me the driver was a "guest" at the hotel. I was able to watch this activity from our room window and well as from the parking lot and it is certainly of concern for my family's wellbeing if allowed to go on, "guest" or not. The clerk was honest with me in saying they have to "no trespass" people all the time. I hate that this property is in the condition it is in since it is much closer to family than the other Hilton properties in South Lakeland but we will make the short d

I have just made a reservation to stay for a week at the Hampton Bartow. (this will be the week following the big aviation convention called "SUN & FUN". I was quite surprised to see, in looking at the review summary, it got only two stars. I find it hard to understand that - going thru other guests reviews confirms they shared my experience; simply an outstanding place in every respect.Certainly not the cheapest in the area. But in this part of Florida, it is certainly true "you get what you pay for".