We used some of our Hilton reward points on a free stay at a brand new Hilton Garden Inn in Wausau when visiting relatives this month. We usually stay at budget hotels so this was quite an experience for us. They didn’t have rooms large enough for our XL family so we got two rooms. I didn’t take pictures but the rooms are really modern and clean. The showers were walk in rather than a tub and they had wire basket style closet systems rather than dresser drawers.

The pools were amazing down to the plush pool towels (you can see it doesn’t take much to impress me, lol). Being a random Saturday in January, we almost had the pool and hotel to ourselves too. With our Hilton card we also got free breakfast which was the most amazing hotel breakfast ever with freshly made pancakes and French toast and thick cut bacon.

We only stayed one night so I had each kid throw a change of clothes into their YMCA bag (small drawstring bag). Packing up to head home was super easy. Now if I can get them to pack as light for France that would be great!

We were definitely spoiled by this experience and the next time I stay at a budget hotel, you may hear me say, “It’s no Hilton, that’s for sure…”

Our next Hilton points usage will be at a DoubleTree in London in July.