GT Tested
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
January 05, 2012
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol CenterArrival/Check-in: Although we drove to the city, the hotel does provide a complimentary shuttle for guests arriving by air. Despite our early arrival, we found our room ready; a member of the staff reviewed a few amenities. We planned to meet a colleague at the hotel restaurant but learned it is closed between 2 and 5:30 p.m. Luckily, our room included Executive Concierge Level privileges, enabling the relocation of our meeting to the fourth floor.
Guest Quarters: Our spacious king-size room on the sixth floor had an equally impressive bathroom. The room’s 14-foot-long windows provided a panoramic view of the Mississippi River. On the evening of our stay, a thunderstorm rolled in and lightning illuminated a passing tugboat. Every room in the hotel looks out on either the river or downtown. Originally built in 1927 and once home to Huey P. Long, one of Louisiana’s legendary politicians, the historic property recently underwent a $70 million renovation. The staff gave us a tour of the Huey P. Long Presidential Suite, a 650-square-foot space with separate living and dining rooms, decorated with reproduction pieces and memorabilia from the Long family. It is where “The Kingfish” lived while ruling over Louisiana politics. Long secretly visited his mistress using a tunnel running between the Hilton and a nearby hotel.
Services/Amenities: Unfortunately, during our visit the spa was closed. However, appointments can be made at a spa less than two blocks from the hotel. The Executive Concierge Level is staffed with attentive professionals. The complimentary breakfast was advertised as Continental but included much more than expected. The staff served a hot breakfast of eggs, bacon, grits, biscuits and toast. Guests who stay Thursday through Sunday can schedule a cooking class at the Viking Cooking School Outdoors. Located on the deck beside the outdoor pool, classes change weekly and include Barbecue Basics, Backyard Entertaining, Gumbo Basics and the one we’d like to take, Southern Specialties from the hit movie The Help. The school is the first outdoor concept for the Viking Range Corp. and a popular venue for meeting planners.
The Experience: The hotel’s location in downtown Baton Rouge is near two of the most important institutions in the city — the Capitol and Louisiana State University. The Shaw Performing Arts Center and the River Center Convention Center are adjacent to the property.
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
201 Lafayette St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
tel 225 344 5866
http://www.hilton.com
