Pros

  • 15-minute drive from San Francisco International Airport
  • Spacious rooms with coffeemakers, free HBO, microwaves, and mini-fridges
  • Small outdoor pool and whirlpool, plus pleasant patio with lounge furniture
  • Small, sunny fitness center with four machines and free weights
  • Decent on-site restaurant, room service, and 24-hour market
  • Flexible meeting space, and a 24-hour business center
  • Coin-operated laundry facilities for guest use
  • Free airport shuttle until late at night
  • Freebies include Wi-Fi, remote printing, morning coffee, and outdoor parking
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Cons

  • Some rooms are in need of an update
  • Complaints of thin walls
  • Breakfast not included in the standard rate
  • Pets not allowed (pro for some)
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Bottom Line

The 150-room Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo is a mid-range chain hotel primarily built for business travelers. It’s a 15-minute drive from San Francisco International Airport (free shuttle service is provided until late at night), and it has a number of meeting rooms, a 24-hour business center, and coin-operated washer/dryers for those on longer trips. Rooms are bland but well-equipped, with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Some, however, are in need of a few updates. The outdoor pool and whirlpool are small, as is the fitness center, but they’re all nice perks for those who need a break from work. The restaurant serves decent local and international cuisine for all three meals, and offers free Starbucks coffee every morning. Travelers on a tighter budget may want to consider the Stone Villa Inn San Mateo – San Francisco SFO.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo

Scene

Casual business hotel with generic interiors and pleasant outdoor spaces

This simple business hotel maintains the level of quality expected of a Hilton Garden Inn. Interiors are contemporary but chain-like, with striped carpets in orange and brown hues, plain off-white tiled floors, and yellow seating in the lobby. A few touches, though, make the property appealing, including wall-to-wall windows, a gas fireplace near the front desk, and bright pops of green, yellow, and chocolate-brown in the lobby. The outdoors is particularly pleasant here. A small courtyard with a pool, whirlpool, and handful of loungers is a great spot to unwind when the weather is nice, while wrought-iron benches and chairs offer plenty of space to relax on cooler days. 

Although there is nothing quite outstanding about this Hilton Garden Inn, it is still one of the most attractive options in San Mateo, with all the basics covered (comfortable rooms, a good restaurant, free on-site parking, a gym) and perks such as free shuttle service to the airport. However, it is also one of the priciest properties in town. The Best Western Coyote Point Inn is a solid alternative for travelers on a tighter budget, offering simple, clean rooms, an outdoor whirlpool, and a fitness room -- but no pool. Typically with lower rates, the Stone Villa Inn San Mateo – San Francisco SFO is more modern and stylish, and is closer to the San Mateo County Event Center. Business travelers spending longer periods in the area may want to compare rates at Extended Stay America – San Francisco – San Mateo – SFO, which features basic studios with kitchenettes and laundry facilities for guests.  

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Location

Less than a half hour to San Francisco, and only 15 minutes to the airport

Located in a safe area of San Mateo, Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo is just off the 92 freeway, close to several major shopping centers. A handful of restaurants are within walking distance, though most attractions require a car, including Bridgepoint Shopping Center, Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park, and Coyote Point Museum, all less than a 10-minute drive away. For golf lovers, Poplar Golf Course is less than 10 minutes away. Palo Alto and San Francisco are each less than a half-hour drive away, while Oakland can be reached in about 40 minutes. The hotel offers free shuttle service to San Francisco International Airport from early in the morning until late at night, and the drive takes about 15 minutes. Free outdoor parking is available on-site. 

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Rooms

Large rooms with solid amenities and straightforward bathrooms; some units could use an update

Rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo are typical for the chain, but overall warm in their design. Though they’re not stylish or overly elegant by a long stretch, mustard-colored accent walls combine with classic dark-wood furniture and plush armchairs to create rather homey spaces. Spacious desks with ergonomic chairs offer lots of space for those in town for work, and big closets with drawers allow longer-stay guests to unpack comfortably. Some guests have complained of maintenance issues, and many rooms could use an update, but most are in good shape.

All rooms are outfitted with a good array of amenities, including mini-fridges, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs with free HBO and other cable channels. Keurig coffeemakers are stocked with a few coffee and tea capsules -- replaced on request. Wi-Fi is free and reliable throughout the property, while remote printing is provided free of charge 24 hours per day. Bathrooms are simple and a tad plain, with granite counters, bland off-white floor tiles, and shallow shower/tub combos with plastic curtains. Hairdryers and Neutrogena toiletries are provided in all rooms. 

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Features

International restaurant, outdoor pool and whirlpool, gym, and meeting space

Garden Grille & Bar is the hotel’s only restaurant, serving up a decent international and local menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Although breakfast is not included in the standard rate, there is free Starbucks coffee at the restaurant every morning. Additionally, room service is provided until after dinner, and there is a 24-hour market with vending machines, microwavable meals, hot drinks, snacks, and basic over-the-counter medication. 

The courtyard is pleasant and sunny, and features a small pool, a whirlpool, and some seating. The gym is equipped with a handful of cardio and strength-training machines, as well as free weights and flat-screen TVs. The hotel features several flexible meeting rooms -- including one for up to 150 attendees -- and a 24-hour business center with free printing services. There is also a small laundry room with coin-operated washer/dryers for guest use. Pets are not allowed.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo

Scene

Casual business hotel with generic interiors and pleasant outdoor spaces

This simple business hotel maintains the level of quality expected of a Hilton Garden Inn. Interiors are contemporary but chain-like, with striped carpets in orange and brown hues, plain off-white tiled floors, and yellow seating in the lobby. A few touches, though, make the property appealing, including wall-to-wall windows, a gas fireplace near the front desk, and bright pops of green, yellow, and chocolate-brown in the lobby. The outdoors is particularly pleasant here. A small courtyard with a pool, whirlpool, and handful of loungers is a great spot to unwind when the weather is nice, while wrought-iron benches and chairs offer plenty of space to relax on cooler days. 

Although there is nothing quite outstanding about this Hilton Garden Inn, it is still one of the most attractive options in San Mateo, with all the basics covered (comfortable rooms, a good restaurant, free on-site parking, a gym) and perks such as free shuttle service to the airport. However, it is also one of the priciest properties in town. The Best Western Coyote Point Inn is a solid alternative for travelers on a tighter budget, offering simple, clean rooms, an outdoor whirlpool, and a fitness room -- but no pool. Typically with lower rates, the Stone Villa Inn San Mateo – San Francisco SFO is more modern and stylish, and is closer to the San Mateo County Event Center. Business travelers spending longer periods in the area may want to compare rates at Extended Stay America – San Francisco – San Mateo – SFO, which features basic studios with kitchenettes and laundry facilities for guests.  

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Location

Less than a half hour to San Francisco, and only 15 minutes to the airport

Located in a safe area of San Mateo, Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo is just off the 92 freeway, close to several major shopping centers. A handful of restaurants are within walking distance, though most attractions require a car, including Bridgepoint Shopping Center, Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park, and Coyote Point Museum, all less than a 10-minute drive away. For golf lovers, Poplar Golf Course is less than 10 minutes away. Palo Alto and San Francisco are each less than a half-hour drive away, while Oakland can be reached in about 40 minutes. The hotel offers free shuttle service to San Francisco International Airport from early in the morning until late at night, and the drive takes about 15 minutes. Free outdoor parking is available on-site. 

See More Location

Rooms

Large rooms with solid amenities and straightforward bathrooms; some units could use an update

Rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo are typical for the chain, but overall warm in their design. Though they’re not stylish or overly elegant by a long stretch, mustard-colored accent walls combine with classic dark-wood furniture and plush armchairs to create rather homey spaces. Spacious desks with ergonomic chairs offer lots of space for those in town for work, and big closets with drawers allow longer-stay guests to unpack comfortably. Some guests have complained of maintenance issues, and many rooms could use an update, but most are in good shape.

All rooms are outfitted with a good array of amenities, including mini-fridges, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs with free HBO and other cable channels. Keurig coffeemakers are stocked with a few coffee and tea capsules -- replaced on request. Wi-Fi is free and reliable throughout the property, while remote printing is provided free of charge 24 hours per day. Bathrooms are simple and a tad plain, with granite counters, bland off-white floor tiles, and shallow shower/tub combos with plastic curtains. Hairdryers and Neutrogena toiletries are provided in all rooms. 

See More Rooms

Features

International restaurant, outdoor pool and whirlpool, gym, and meeting space

Garden Grille & Bar is the hotel’s only restaurant, serving up a decent international and local menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Although breakfast is not included in the standard rate, there is free Starbucks coffee at the restaurant every morning. Additionally, room service is provided until after dinner, and there is a 24-hour market with vending machines, microwavable meals, hot drinks, snacks, and basic over-the-counter medication. 

The courtyard is pleasant and sunny, and features a small pool, a whirlpool, and some seating. The gym is equipped with a handful of cardio and strength-training machines, as well as free weights and flat-screen TVs. The hotel features several flexible meeting rooms -- including one for up to 150 attendees -- and a 24-hour business center with free printing services. There is also a small laundry room with coin-operated washer/dryers for guest use. Pets are not allowed.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.