Hilton Garden Inn Durham/University Medical Center

This Hilton Garden Inn is a wildly popular mid-range option that has a sharp, modern style. In fact, during Duke games and peak college times, it can be difficult to book a room here, so make your reservations far in advance. Location aside, it's also pleasantly stylish. The lobby is open and spacious, and coffee, tea, and water are available 24/7. Fresh cookies are served in the afternoon, and numerous seating areas provide places where guests can hang out. It's a laid-back, casual hotel for guests visiting the medical center or parents settling their students in at school. Businesspeople are also well taken care of at this Hilton Garden, with a business center, remote printing, and meeting spaces all available.

This hotel is conveniently located between Duke University's East and West campuses, about a 13-minute walk from Duke Medical Center (or short shuttle ride). The Ninth Street Shopping District -- packed with restaurants, shops, and nightlife -- can be reached in 10 minutes on foot. Downtown Durham is six minutes away by car, and attractions there include the Brightleaf Square District, a renovated tobacco warehouse area that now houses restaurants and shops. The Durham Bulls Athletic Park also is a six-minute drive from the hotel. Art enthusiasts can be at the Nasher Museum of Art on the Duke campus in five minutes by car. Plan on 20 to 30 minutes to reach Raleigh-Durham International Airport by car, depending on traffic. The hotel provides free shuttle service to the medical center and other local areas. 

Rooms and suites are modern, but typical of this chain, with moss green accent walls behind the beds, patterned carpeting, white bed linens, and red upholstered arm chairs with leather ottomans. The attractive furniture is medium-toned wood with granite tops on the dressers. Desks have ergonomic chairs and task lighting, plus convenient outlets and free remote printing. Simple black-and-white art hangs on the walls, adding a touch of class. Amenities are plentiful and include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, microwaves, Keurig coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are basic, with granite countertops, subtly striped wallpaper, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, sparkling clean shower/tub combos, and toiletries. Suites add separate sitting and dining areas with sofa beds and dining tables. 

This hotel nicely covers an array of features for a wide spread of guests, punching above its three-pearl weight class. The Garden Grille & Bar serves a cooked-to-order breakfast (fee) and dinner daily. The dining room is a sunny space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a TV mounted above a fireplace. There's also a bar and a 24/7 convenience store selling snacks and beverages. Room service is available.  

The indoor pool is small, but has floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides for plenty of natural light. It's surrounded by a tiled deck with a couple of potted plants and a few chairs. Towels are provided. The small fitness center offers a few cardio machines, plus basic free weights and exercise balls. Towels and water are provided. Adjacent to the pool is an outdoor patio with cushy wicker seating and a fire pit -- it's a popular spot for hanging out in the evenings. 

Business travelers are also frequent guests here, and the hotel has a 24/7 business center with three computers and printers. A nearly 1,500-square-foot events area can accommodate up to 150 guests in four rooms. On-site parking is free, as is Wi-Fi. The laundry room has a self-serve coin-operated washer and dryer that's convenient for travelers with small, accident-prone kids.