We visit Waterbury on a somewhat regular basis (we have family there) and had been booking our stays at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Waterbury. The latest time we needed to visit Waterbury, the Courtyard was booked solid so I decided to try the Hampton Inn, having seen it from the highway. It is located right on Route 84 westbound, but not right off any exit (it's not hard to get there, however). Be advised that it is not within walking distance of anything: restaurants, shops, etc. We booked a room at AAA rates and it was less expensive than the Courtyard.

When we checked in, the hotel receptionist gave us a first floor room next to the vending machines - what was he thinking! I looked at the room's location, quickly said it was not where we would prefer to stay. He asked our preferences and changed our room immediately to a high floor, far from vending and not facing the highway. I like that kind of quick response from a hotel. Our room was fairly typical for a Hampton Inn: quite nice, the usual amenities - the hotel is fairly new. We used the exercise room (the usual equipment, nothing special) and ate at the fairly standard one-grade-up-from-continental breakfast.

Overall, our experience was very good. In fact, we have already booked two rooms for two nights over the upcoming Christmas holiday, and my wife's sister and her family will be staying there as well (based upon our recommendation). The reason why we are staying here and not the Courtyard? It's more affordable ($20 a room a night less expensive), the location is just as convenient for us, and it has a breakfast included as well.