HOP or HSW? - not as easy a choice as one would think

[simongr]

Hi all

This year will see me traveling to MEL almost fortnightly for one night generally. Our preferred hotels are not pleasant and not part of a chain so I am consistently trying to find a similar rate to our preferred hotel rate (factoring in free breakfast/reduced taxi cost) by staying at the HOP. This week I was able to book HSW for a similar price to HOP (I have both hotels booked currently) and am looking for advice on where to stay this week and as part of my ongoing strategy to maintain diamond with Hilton (virtually impossible but I can at least try).

Now I expect most people would advise to stay at HSW as a "better" hotel but for I am not sure how much better it actually is so I am looking for some thoughts on the topic. But first a bit of background as to why I might stay at the HOP rather than HSW:

- Getting to know you, getting to know all about you: On the bookings I have looked at HOP is generally much cheaper than HSW so it is more likely that I can frequently stay at HOP rather than HSW. The benefit of that is that the staff at the Exec Lounge will get to know me (they already welcomed me back after only three stays and commented that I wasn't wearing my glasses the last time I came so it wasn't a generic welcome back). Bizarrely based other stuff I have posted here about not wanting staff to become too familiar - when I stay at a hotel I actually like that.

- The unknown quantity: I know what the rooms at the HOP are like. They are ok. Having only stayed at HSW once and having been upgraded to a suite I am not sure what the stand rooms are like and whether I would get the exec floor (generally get the exec floor at HOP).

- Hacking the TV: I know I can hack the TV so I can play my iPad through the TV using the composite (RCA) cable - not sure if that is possible at HSW

- Cold hard personal cash: On of the rationales for staying at HOP is that it is about $8 cheaper in a cab each way than the preferred hotel - this is a direct offset to the standard $7 per night extra that the HOP is at the moment. If I stay at HSW the cab ride will likely be about $8 more so I will either have to get a train or pay the excess myself.

So is HSW really worth it?

Any thoughts?

Am I over thinking this?

[serfty]

If working near Exhibition/Spring/Russell Streets I'd go the HOP; Spencer/William/King Streets for HSW.

I won't comment on Cabs - I'd use Public transport at a flat rate in any case.

[simongr]

My office is a $20+ cab ride out of the cbd.

[serfty]

My office is a $20+ cab ride out of the cbd.

Ouch! Whatever is the most efficient then ...

I presume to the East.

[TonyHancock]

- Hacking the TV: I know I can hack the TV so I can play my iPad through the TV using the composite (RCA) cable - not sure if that is possible at HSW

Out of interest have you tried the HDMI connector with the iPad, I must admit it has been working well for me. (It does mean that I travel with two lots of cables though...just incase!)

[simongr]

Nope I haven't - originally I bought the cable to connect the iPod touch/iPhone to show photos when travelling to the UK. I then left a cable in Jeddah and by default bought the composite cable. Also the composite works well with the new CX J IFE. Wouldnt I need an adapter as well?

[TonyHancock]

Wouldnt I need an adapter as well?

Yep, one of these, and obviously an HDMI cable. I find it takes up less space than my composite cable though, however no good for Cathay and new BA F.

I use the HDMI on my Optoma mini projector, works a treat when I can't get the TV to work. I'm just praying for the day when the IFE conks out and I can charge QF/VA for the use of my iPad and project to entertain the Pax!!!!

[drron]

Much better to pick one and stay with that.When i was in Hhonors actively there basically was no choice and seeing it was coming down to the tennis HOP it was-the more we stayed the better the treatment.We enjoyed our stays there-another benefit was that only a short walk to our favourite Vietnamese restaurants.

[docjames]

HOP FTW.

The staff are generally excellent, that more than makes up for the tiredness of the hotel overall, and the location is a bonus. Never mind the few $$, it's the shorter travel time that's a win too.

[straitman]

Hi all

........ and as part of my ongoing strategy to maintain diamond with Hilton (virtually impossible but I can at least try).

You have to try

I expect most people would advise to stay at HSW as a "better" hotel but for I am not sure how much better it actually is so I am looking for some thoughts on the topic. But first a bit of background as to why I might stay at the HOP rather than HSW:

- Getting to know you, getting to know all about you: On the bookings I have looked at HOP is generally much cheaper than HSW so it is more likely that I can frequently stay at HOP rather than HSW. The benefit of that is that the staff at the Exec Lounge will get to know me (they already welcomed me back after only three stays and commented that I wasn't wearing my glasses the last time I came so it wasn't a generic welcome back). Bizarrely based other stuff I have posted here about not wanting staff to become too familiar - when I stay at a hotel I actually like that.

This one leads me toward HSW. The lounge staff are a little friendlier, they will remember you but there are a few more of them, due to the size, so they are less likely to become too familiar.

- The unknown quantity: I know what the rooms at the HOP are like. They are ok. Having only stayed at HSW once and having been upgraded to a suite I am not sure what the stand rooms are like and whether I would get the exec floor (generally get the exec floor at HOP).

As a Diamond you will always get Exec lounge as HSW. (in fact gold always seem to get lounge access) The rooms at HSW are more modern and more comfortable.

- Hacking the TV: I know I can hack the TV so I can play my iPad through the TV using the composite (RCA) cable - not sure if that is possible at HSW

Can't help with thats one.

- Cold hard personal cash: On of the rationales for staying at HOP is that it is about $8 cheaper in a cab each way than the preferred hotel - this is a direct offset to the standard $7 per night extra that the HOP is at the moment. If I stay at HSW the cab ride will likely be about $8 more so I will either have to get a train or pay the excess myself.

So is HSW really worth it?

HSW is worth in excess of $10 extra IMHO.

Any thoughts?

Am I over thinking this?

No over thinking IMHO but actually a good discussion.

If a full breakfast is important to you then HSW will allow you to have breakfast in the main dining room if you wish, rather than just in the lounge or charging extra for the dining room.