Checked-in on a Saturday night at 9pm (after an 18hr flight) and thankfully was greeted with no queue; the check-in process, as expected, only took a few minutes.
Confirmed at check-in that I had requested a non-smoking king bed room; when I got to the room on the 2nd floor alas it was a twin queen room. Given my degree of lethargy I made a decision to accept it rather than fuss with trying to get a room change.
Overall the room was of a reasonable size, although first (and last) impressions are that the room was 'tired', a 'bit knocked around' and definitely due a refurbishment - pronto! Whilst none of the furniture was broken, the majority was marked, grubby, slightly outdated, and in need of a good clean or replacement. Carpets were again dull and lifeless with well worn track marks from the door and around the beds. The clock radio was visibly broken, which given this can be easily replaced in seconds by anyone servicing the room, begs the question as to why it had not been.
Beds and pillows had a good comfort level for my taste, although no pillow choice you seem to get nowadays in a lot of hotels in this price range.
TV's had been upgraded with what looks like a 42"-45" flat screen and had a good selection of true HD channels.
Bathroom was OK - although it was obvious the previous occupant had long black hair; apparent from it washing down the tiled walls into the bath whilst taking a shower. Therefore a strong recommendation that cleaning standards should be a little higher as well.
I was on the second floor at the back of the hotel - absolutely no view apart from a salmon pink wall and scrub land, but was grateful that it was very quiet to catch up on some much needed sleep.
The rate included breakfast which operates on a Sunday from 6am till 11pm. This is great for people who wake up early, particularly from jet lag on the weekend. Selection was average/good between hot and cold choices, but nothing particularly unique or 'extra tasty'. Service was mediocre, i.e. have to request refills of juice and coffee as opposed to them being offered.
On departing the restaurant was offered a $0 bill, which showed the $13 cost, and negated by the voucher I gave them (and which you obtain on check in). My only thought was that for the cost I should have probably negotiated a 'room only' rate to obtain a much better price and paid the $13 for the breakfast buffet.
If you want internet - this per the very poorly photocopied and tatty 'room directory' is $9.95 per 24hrs. Although if you're on the 2nd floor as I was, you may be able to pick up free internet that is offered in the meeting rooms around/underneath the room.
The one renouncing feature was the gym - probably half a dozen pieces of cardio equipment and an area for free weights, but all new and working. I didn't check out any of the other facilities as was only here one night.
My overall view was that the hotel is lack-lustre and due refurbishment. Needless to say, the Mission Valley Hilton is far from delivering what can be expected of the Hilton brand (probably more akin to a lower-end Doubletree). Would I try this hotel again? - Probably not as I think it would easily be worth the gamble of trying another 'branded' hotel in the area, and for the price, more likely to receive a better cared for experience.
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