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Embassy Suites suits families and groups who want a two-room suite and a free cooked breakfast, while DoubleTree suits solo travellers and couples who want a standard room and the welcome cookie. Both brands belong to Hilton. This guide compares room layout, food, price type and perks. It also helps you choose by trip type.
Quick answer
Embassy Suites and DoubleTree are both Hilton brands, so they share the same loyalty programme and a similar standard of service. They suit different trips.
Choose Embassy Suites if you want space. Every stay is a suite with a separate living area, which helps families, groups and anyone staying longer than a few nights. Choose DoubleTree if you want a simple, comfortable room and more flexibility in where you stay.
The short version
- Families and groups: Embassy Suites gives you room to spread out, with a door between sleeping and living areas.
- Longer stays: The extra space makes it easier to work, cook a light meal or unwind in the evening.
- Short stops and city breaks: DoubleTree offers a standard room that does the job without paying for space you will not use.
- Flexibility: DoubleTree hotels come in many locations and styles, from city centres to airports and resorts.
- Cost: Prices change by city, season and dates, so check current prices for both brands before you book.
Neither brand is better overall. Match the hotel to the way you travel. The sections below compare rooms, food, costs and loyalty perks in more detail, so you can make a confident choice.
Room layout and space compared
Embassy Suites sells suites as its standard product. Each room has a separate living area with a sofa bed, and a door or wall divides it from the bedroom. You get two rooms for one booking.
DoubleTree mostly offers standard rooms, with one sleeping and sitting space. Some properties also have suites, but this varies by hotel. Check the room type before you book.
How the layouts suit different needs
- Sleep: Embassy Suites works well for families or small groups, because the sofa bed adds a sleeping place. A DoubleTree standard room suits one or two adults.
- Work: The living area at Embassy Suites lets you use a desk or sofa while someone else rests. In a DoubleTree room, you work in the same space where you sleep.
- Privacy: A closing door between rooms gives Embassy Suites guests real separation. DoubleTree rooms offer none unless you book a suite.
- Light sleepers: The bedroom at Embassy Suites stays quieter when others stay up late in the lounge area.
Sofa beds suit children and short stays better than long ones. Adults who share a trip for many nights may want to ask about bed size and comfort.
If you also compare Marriott brands, Courtyard vs SpringHill Suites: Which Marriott to Pick covers a similar standard room versus suite choice.
Breakfast, evening drinks and food options
Food is where these two brands differ most. Embassy Suites is widely known for a free cooked-to-order breakfast, and many properties also run a free evening reception with drinks and light snacks. DoubleTree usually sells breakfast separately, either in a restaurant or as a paid buffet.
What to expect at each brand
At Embassy Suites, a chef often makes eggs and omelettes to order beside a buffet. The evening reception typically offers soft drinks and light bites, and some properties pour alcoholic drinks too. This can save you real money on a family trip, so compare the extras when you check current prices.
DoubleTree is best known for its warm chocolate chip cookie, handed to guests at check-in. Breakfast is normally an extra cost, though some rates and Hilton Honors status levels include it.
Check before you book
Menus and inclusions vary by property, so confirm the details first.
- Ask whether breakfast is free, paid or part of your rate.
- Check the evening reception times and whether alcohol is included.
- Confirm if the cookie is offered at check-in.
- Ask about dietary needs, such as vegetarian or gluten-free dishes.
For a hearty meal, choose chicken, fish or a vegetarian option, such as an omelette with vegetables, from the breakfast station or the restaurant menu.
Cost, value and hidden extras
A low nightly rate does not always mean a low total cost. To compare Embassy Suites and DoubleTree fairly, count what each stay includes. Then weigh that against the rate.
Start with these four checks:
- Breakfast: Embassy Suites typically includes a cooked-to-order breakfast in the rate. At DoubleTree, check whether breakfast is bundled or sold separately. Feeding a family at a restaurant adds up fast.
- Space: A separate living area can spare you a second room. Compare the cost of one suite with two standard rooms.
- Parking: Many city hotels charge for parking. Ask whether the fee applies per night or per stay.
- Destination or resort fees: Some hotels add these at checkout. They may cover Wi-Fi, pool access or shuttles, so read what they include.
Rates also change by city, season and booking date. A suburban hotel and a downtown tower can follow very different fee rules, even within the same brand.
Before you book, check current prices and each hotel's fee policy on its own page. Look at the final total, not the headline rate. If your plans also include a longer stay with a kitchen, Hampton Inn vs Home2 Suites: Which Hilton Stay Fits You? shows how another pair of Hilton brands compares.
Which brand suits your trip
Embassy Suites and DoubleTree are both Hilton brands, but they serve different trips. Use the guide below to match each one to your plans.
Who suits which brand
Families and groups. Embassy Suites usually fits best. Every stay is a suite with a separate living area, so children can sleep while adults stay up. Groups also gain from the shared space and the atrium common areas.
Long stays. Embassy Suites gives you room to spread out, work and relax. DoubleTree can work for a week or so if you plan to eat out.
Business trips. DoubleTree often suits solo travellers who want a standard room, a desk and a central location. Embassy Suites suits those who host calls or small meetings in their room.
Couples and short city breaks. DoubleTree is often the simpler choice. You get a comfortable room, and many locations sit in city centres. Embassy Suites suits couples who want extra space and a relaxed evening in.
Decide in under a minute
Answer these five questions:
- How many people are travelling, and do you need a separate sleeping area?
- Will you stay more than a few nights?
- Do you need room to work or host a call in your room?
- Do you want a cooked breakfast included, or a quick bite on the go?
- Is a central location more important than extra space?
If you answer yes to the first three, choose Embassy Suites. Check current prices for both brands before you book.
Hilton Honors perks and booking tips
Both brands belong to the Hilton family, so one Hilton Honors account covers either stay. You earn points on eligible rates, and members can often use them later for free nights. Higher status tiers may bring perks such as room upgrades or late checkout, subject to availability. Check the programme terms for the current benefits.
Book direct or through an agent
Booking on the hotel's own website or app usually gives the best chance of earning points and getting member rates. Online travel agents sometimes list lower headline rates, but points and perks may not apply. Compare the final total before you commit.
Check location and reviews
Read recent guest reviews and look at the hotel's position on a map. A hotel near your meeting, attraction or transport link saves time and taxi costs. Look for comments on noise, parking and room condition.
Cancellation and common mistakes
Read the cancellation terms before you pay. Flexible rates cost more, while prepaid rates often limit refunds.
- Booking a prepaid rate when your plans may change.
- Forgetting to add your Honors number to the reservation.
- Assuming every property offers the same facilities.
- Ignoring resort or parking fees shown at checkout.
- Not checking the room type before you confirm.
Alternatives to consider
If neither brand fits, look at other mid-range, all-suite or extended-stay chains. Our guide, Hampton Inn vs Homewood Suites: Which Should You Pick?, shows how two more Hilton options compare.
Key takeaways
Embassy Suites and DoubleTree are both Hilton brands, but they serve different trips. Embassy Suites sells space and included meals. DoubleTree sells a simpler, more traditional hotel stay, often at a lower cost.
- Layout: Embassy Suites rooms are usually two-room suites with a separate living area. DoubleTree usually offers a standard hotel room with one sleeping and sitting space.
- Food: Embassy Suites typically includes a cooked-to-order breakfast and an evening reception. DoubleTree is better known for its welcome cookie, and breakfast is often paid for separately.
- Price: Suites often cost more per night, but they can save money for families and groups who share one room and eat on site.
- Location and style: Both brands cover city centres, airports and resort areas. Many Embassy Suites properties have an atrium, while DoubleTree properties vary more.
Quick decision rule
Choose Embassy Suites if you need room to spread out, travel with children or stay several nights. Choose DoubleTree if you are travelling alone or as a couple, want a lower rate and plan to eat out.
Check before you book
Brands vary by property, so confirm three things on the hotel's own page. Check whether breakfast is included, which fees apply (such as parking or resort charges), and exactly which room type you are booking. Check current prices for your dates before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Embassy Suites better than DoubleTree?
Neither brand is better overall. Embassy Suites gives you a two-room suite and a cooked breakfast, which suits families and longer stays. DoubleTree gives you a simpler standard room, which suits short trips, solo travellers and couples. Pick the brand that matches your trip.
What is the difference between Embassy Suites and DoubleTree?
The main difference is space. Embassy Suites sells suites with a separate living area and sleeping area. DoubleTree mostly sells standard rooms with one main space. Both belong to Hilton, so they share the same loyalty programme.
Are Embassy Suites and DoubleTree both owned by Hilton?
Yes. Both brands are part of Hilton, so you can earn and use Hilton Honors points at either one. Each brand has its own style, room types and typical guest. Check the hotel page to confirm the perks at the property you choose.
Does Embassy Suites include free breakfast?
Embassy Suites is known for a free cooked-to-order breakfast for guests. Policies can differ by hotel and region, so confirm what your rate includes before you book. Check the hotel page or ask the front desk if you are unsure.
Does DoubleTree really give a free cookie at check-in?
DoubleTree is well known for its welcome cookie at check-in. Offers can vary by hotel and by country, so do not count on it everywhere. Ask at the front desk when you arrive if you want to be sure.
Which is better for a family stay, Embassy Suites or DoubleTree?
Embassy Suites usually suits families better. The separate living area with a sofa bed gives children and adults their own space, and the included breakfast helps with planning. A DoubleTree can work for small families, so check the room type and bed setup first.
