70 Days Across America
Hilton Concord is a four star hotel in Concord, California. The hotel has a lobby bar, a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool. and a fitness room. Across the street from two shopping malls, it offers free shuttle service within a three-mile radius, including the Concord BART Station.
In This Post
Why I’m Here …
So what am I doing in Concord, California?
Concord is a city in Contra Costa County, California. It is about 29 miles (47 kilometers) east of San Francisco. And it is 22 miles (35 kilometers) east of Oakland.
More importantly, Concord was one of the first stops on the Northern California leg of my epic trip, 70 Days Across America.
My stay was arranged by Visit Concord. The tourism board describes Concord as a Northern California Original. And in my opinion, it is.
My previous stops included San Francisco, Los Altos, and Napa.
Getting There …
After spending two glorious days in the Napa Valley, I boarded a bus across the street from the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa.
It took me all the way to the end of the line at the El Cerrito Del Norte BART Station, where I got off the bus. I continued by train to the Concord BART Station, The entire trip took roughly two hours.
I was instructed to notify the hotel in advance of my arrival so they could deploy a driver to pick me up.
My Arrival …
A driver was dispatched to the Concord BART Station to pick me up and drive me to the hotel.
Over the next few days, I became well-acquainted with many of the drivers. In addition to picking me up and dropping me off at the station, they also shuttled me to downtown Concord and other spots within a three mile radius.
I would have to say this chatting with the drivers was one of the highlights of my stay in Concord.
When I returned to the hotel the following week, I was greeted by name.
Checking In …
The hotel had a comfortable and spacious lobby. After checking in and introducing myself, I headed to my room. In fact, there was a pleasant surprise was waiting for me!
The Welcome Package …
There was a welcome basket, which included fruit, cheese, crackers, and other yummy treats.
In addition to the yummy snacks was a travel tote from The Veranda, the upscale shopping mall across the street.
Best of all was the Concord Entertainment T-shirt. In fact, I wore it as often a possible during my stay.
What a thoughtful gift from Visit Concord! As a travel blogger, I need to take selfies. And what could be better than taking pictures of myself wearing a T-shirt with my travel destination on it?
My Room …
The hotel has 329 rooms and suites. I spent two nights in a standard hotel room.
My spacious room had an earth tones color scheme. It was beige and chocolate with blue accents.
There was a king size bed, a 42-inch flat screen television, and a mini-refrigerator.
As a travel blogger, I spend a lot of time at my computer when I travel. Therefore, I appreciated the spacious work station and the comfortable ergonomic chair.
The bathroom had a marble=top vanity. There was a combination bathtub/shower
The Coffee …
I was initially impressed by the quality of the coffee and the simplicity of the coffee maker. Unfortunately, the coffee was a bit weak.
The Breakfast Buffet …
If the coffee in the room was a disappointment, a feast was awaiting me in the coffee shop downstairs.
OMG! I was welcomed by the smell of bacon as I walked in the door and took my seat. Or was that the pork sausage? Maybe it was both …
The fried potatoes were absolutely delicious. And then there was that amazing French toast.
But what I liked best were the waffles. I love those self-serve waffle machines because waffles taste best when they are fresh off the iron.
However, where was the maple syrup? I couldn’t find a jar or a bottle or bowl of it. That’s when I lifted up a lid and discovered a whole vat of maple syrup. And it was being kept warm!
And what about the coffee? It was fine. Certainly, it was better than the coffee in the room.
The Facilities …
The hotel had a small gym. For example, there was cardio-vascular equipment such as treadmills and cross-trainers.
In addition, there a a piece of resistance training equipment, some free weights, and benches.
The swimming pool was on the small side. There were some lounge chairs by the pool. And there was a heated whirlpool.
The Neighborhood …
If Concord has long been famous for fabulous shopping malls, the newest mall has recently opened nearby.
In fact, The Veranda sits directly across the street from the hotel. And it is chock-a-block with department stores, boutiques, and all manner of eateries.
Meanwhile, the Willows Shopping Center is right next door. And the focus is on sporting goods, home decor, and beauty supplies.
Together, these two upscale shopping centers make an awesome twosome.
The Verdict …
When evaluating a hotel, one of the truest tests is this. Would the writer want to stay there again?
Well, not only would I WANT to stay there again. In fact, I DID stay there again! I returned to Concord and spent several more days at the hotel the following week.
Firstly, there was the weather. San Francisco can be quite chilly, windy, and overcast – even in summer. However, in Concord, the weather was warm and sunny throughout my stay..
Secondly, there was convenience. Even if I wanted to go to San Francisco or Oakland, it didn’t take that long to get there. And the shuttle service was very efficient.
Thirdly, there was cost. Rooms in Concord were much more reasonably priced than comparable rooms in San Francisco or Oakland.
Finally, there was Concord. The city had a very laid-back vibe. And the people were relaxed and friendly.
I couldn’t help but think that if I ever moved back to the United States, I might want to live there.
Where to Eat in Concord
- Mikuni Sushi Bar – Concord, California>>
- Lima Peruvian Restaurant – Concord, California>>
- Hop Grenade Tap House – Concord, California>>
- CREAM Concord – Concord, California>>
The Location …
Hilton Concord – 1970 Diamond Boulevard, Concord, California. Tel: (925) 826-2000.
Concord is a city in Contra Costa County, California. It is roughly 29 miles (47 kilometers) east of San Francisco. The drive takes about ## minutes. And it is roughly 22 miles (35 kilometers) east of Oakland. The drive takes about ## minutes.
If you don’t drive, the hotel can be reached by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The ride from downtown San Francisco takes about 45 minutes. The ride from downtown Oakland takes about 30 minutes.
The hotel offers a free shuttle bus service to the Concord BART Station and other nearby locations. If you call ahead, the bus can be waiting for you upon your arrival.
This review of the Hilton Concord is part of a series chronicling my epic journey, 70 Days Across America. It contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of them, I may receive a small commission that will help maintain this blog.
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