How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[QF WP]

Just thought I'd create a thread for this - looking back over the last year, I thought I'd done a thread here as well as on Priority Club.

I'm a Gold member.

Friday, 22 May to Sunday, 31 May (yes, 9 nights)
Property: Hilton Cairns
Room booked: King Room
Rate: Travelzoo $135 package rate (included bottle of red wine)
Received: Upgrade to King Suite, card from GM and the wine, obligatory 2 free water bottles per day

Wednesday, 8 July
Property: Hilton Parmelia Perth
Room booked: King Room
Rate: Award room
Received: Upgrade to King Suite, card from GM and the obligatory 2 free water bottles

Thursday, 9 July
Property: Hilton Adelaide
Room booked: King Room
Rate: Award room
Received: Upgrade to Exec Floor, card from GM and the obligatory 2 free water bottles

Saturday, 11 July
Property: Hilton Brisbane
Room booked: King Room
Rate: Met Package (birthday present for Mrs LW, included 2 buffet breakfasts at Atrium Cafe & 2 tickets to Qld Art Gallery for Impressionists Showing from Metropolitan Museum New York - to get some culture)
Received: Upgrade to Exec Floor, card from GM and the obligatory 2 free water bottles

Got some more travel to do to Melbourne this Friday, so hoping to fly down Thursday night to sample the new Hilton.

 

[aqued87]

Has anyone actually been into an EL in Oz lately, or seen one that’s open?

The new EL on the 2nd floor, HSP is now open. To my understanding it has only been open a few days.

 

[boomy]

The new EL on the 2nd floor, HSP is now open. To my understanding it has only been open a few days.

Actually the EL moved to 2nd floor sometime pre-Covid to allow more cost effective use of the original EL space. Presumably they moved it to 1st floor ballroom during Covid restrictions to allow better social distancing.

 

[aqued87]

Actually the EL moved to 2nd floor sometime pre-Covid to allow more cost effective use of the original EL space. Presumably they moved it to 1st floor ballroom during Covid restrictions to allow better social distancing.

Yes, what I mean is the full EL on 2nd floor has now opened after the Covid temporary locations in the restaurant and ballroom.

 

[spif8888]

Yes, what I mean is the full EL on 2nd floor has now opened after the Covid temporary locations in the restaurant and ballroom.

Yes, the new EL has opened on the 2nd floor.

I was there the 1st night it opened - 25 January. In celebration of the opening there was free flowing Moet instead of the standard sparkling wine.

The canapés are pre plated and served to the table unlike pre covid when there was an open buffet.

 

[sudoer]

Date: 10 Feb 2021
Hotel: DT Melbourne
Rate: $185
Booked: Queen Guest Room
Received : King City View Room (two categories higher, $25 rate difference)
Status: Gold

First time staying at the DT Melbourne and was quite happy. Thought this was a surprisingly competitive rate, there were quite a few 3 stars in the CBD charging around $160, and the Mercure was $180. Seemed a steal given the AO is on.

The room was quite spacious, far from the elevators (my preference) and being in the north-east corner it only shared one wall with another room. All the amenities had been removed including tea & coffee, which were available on request via room service.



They made a point of mentioning breakfast in the restaurant is currently a la carte due to covid, assume it's usually buffet? Menu below, Golds entitled to one food dish, one hot drink, and a juice.



Ordered the Avo & Eggs on sourdough which came with a healthy serving of rocket. Very satisfied for a complimentary breakfast, but $17 felt a little excessive if I were a paying. Coffee was good. Ordered an OJ which still hadn't arrived by the time I finished the food and coffee so assume they forgot. Didn't bother chasing as I didn't really need it...



All in all a good stay.

 

[JessicaTam]

Date: 10 Feb 2021
Hotel: DT Melbourne
Rate: $185
Booked: Queen Guest Room
Received : King City View Room (two categories higher, $25 rate difference)
Status: Gold

<snip>

They made a point of mentioning breakfast in the restaurant is currently a la carte due to covid, assume it's usually buffet? Menu below, Golds entitled to one food dish, one hot drink, and a juice.

Yes it is usually a pretty average buffet. From the breakfasts I have had so far, the a la carte is a world away from the buffet. Long may it remain.

 

[chowda85]

This is my first stay as a Diamond member and at the Darwin Hilton.

Saturday, 13 Feb 2021
Property: Hilton Darwin
Room booked: King Guest Room
Rate: Hilton Honore Discount $203
Received: Upgraded to Exec Harbour View, card from management and the obligatory 2 free water bottles

Some brief thoughts on my stay:

Lobby is nice and has a modern and elegant vibe to it. I recognise it is covid time so may be short staffed compared to normal but check-in experience could have been better, and expected a dedicated counter for gold and diamond members. Whilst friendly enough, no acknowledgement of elite status. No suite upgrade offered despite being available on the app, but I would have preferred exec room with harbour view vs a suite with city view. Exec lounge closed unfortunately but able to have two items per person per day from mini bar. Room on top floor with nice view of esplanade, too bad the rain spoilt the view. Wallpaper on room peeling in one corner, but other than that was overall satisifed with the size and comfort of the room. I will reiterate that staff are friendly! Will see what their breakfast is like tomorrow morning!

 

[jakeseven7]

Date: 10 Feb 2021
Hotel: DT Melbourne
Rate: $185
Booked: Queen Guest Room
Received : King City View Room (two categories higher, $25 rate difference)
Status: Gold

First time staying at the DT Melbourne and was quite happy. Thought this was a surprisingly competitive rate, there were quite a few 3 stars in the CBD charging around $160, and the Mercure was $180. Seemed a steal given the AO is on.

The room was quite spacious, far from the elevators (my preference) and being in the north-east corner it only shared one wall with another room. All the amenities had been removed including tea & coffee, which were available on request via room service.

View attachment 240880

They made a point of mentioning breakfast in the restaurant is currently a la carte due to covid, assume it's usually buffet? Menu below, Golds entitled to one food dish, one hot drink, and a juice.

View attachment 240889

Ordered the Avo & Eggs on sourdough which came with a healthy serving of rocket. Very satisfied for a complimentary breakfast, but $17 felt a little excessive if I were a paying. Coffee was good. Ordered an OJ which still hadn't arrived by the time I finished the food and coffee so assume they forgot. Didn't bother chasing as I didn't really need it...

View attachment 240891

All in all a good stay.

Lol looks like a very sad corporate attempt at replicating a Melbourne staple... I’d just go to a real cafe and support them

 

[jbmemories]

Has anyone been inside the refurbished HH Parmelia?

I must admit I thought they were mad upgrading the old building when you have two new DT within walking distance of the old Parmelia. However, as previous posts from me about DT Northbridge and my rant above re: DT Waterfront, I wonder if they've either internally organised a niche of distinction with the DT's, or, more likely imho, they already knew exactly what was coming and felt they could still grab market share by offering a proper HH experience? Time will tell I suppose.

Anyway, I think they're taking bookings already, and certainly the official line appears to be that by 1st Feb they'll definitely be taking guests. Together with the loudly trumpeted WA government 'subsidy' of Perth hotels which is starting on the 29th JAN (I think??), I thought I'd wander over to their website to test the waters.

I'm underwhelmed by their marketing so far, via the web site. People who are not familiar with the Parmelia already, but maybe _do_ know about the existence of the two DT's, will be coming to the HH site to see why they should choose this hotel when, on the face of it, its not in either a convenient or picturesque environment ... and the web site gives you nothing.

The gallery is made up of 2-3 dozen uncaptioned photos .. so you largely don't know what you're looking at. No entry photo ... no loud and clear promotion of the new executive lounge ... theres a photo in the gallery that _might_ be the lounge, but how would you know?

Has the pool gone? The new web site doesn't mention it and there are no photos.

What about the 'fitness centre' - no photos, no explanation of what this might be. Is it a mini gym? A couple of walkers? what?

The new web site is done in the new hilton style thats been insidiously overtaking all the old and useful sites that were in the old style. It looks fresh sure, full of white space and big bold graphics and buttons as is the current fashion - but, as per the current fashion, tells you almost nothing that you really want to know, nor provide you a reason to choose the products/services over the competition.

sigh ... its like they still think they're the only Hilton property in town.

Just stayed there for the last 2 nights
Status: Gold
Booked: King Guest Room (Re-opening offer) - not the Stay & Play package
Upgraded to: King Guest Suite (Re-opening offer)

The place has been nicely renovated and the Gym & Pool were closed for maintenance when I arrived. However, looks like it is well equipped to be considered a 'mini-gym' I guess? Didn't see the pool unfortunately.

I was not charge any 'coffee-tax' like some here has been (but then again I did not get EL access).

There are still issues door accesses with the new digital key as there were some IT issues today.

If you plan to book for the Perth Stay & Play promotion - make sure its between Sunday - Thursday (Friday checkout) only! Otherwise it won't be subsidised by the promotion (you can get room booking merged and just pay repeatedly for each booking).

Also make sure you are booking via the Stay & Play's "BOOK NOW" link rather than from Hilton (and not to take any other package than the "Stay & Play Parmelia Hilton" King Guest Room)

 

[Sapz]

Property: Hilton Adelaide
Room booked: King Guest Room.
Rate: $143 per night
Received: Upgrade to Junior Suite
Date: 25/01/2021 to 31/01/2021(week)
Status: Diamond
Participants: Sapz, Mrs Sapz and junior(infant)

This was my first visit as a Diamond. I had many stays with HA as a Gold. In contrast, they have been pretty generous with STE upgrade for shorter stays, not so much for longer once. So I was keen to experience the difference as a Diamond.
We arrived late, around half past midnight, and was offered King Executive for the first night and Junior Suite from the second night onwards ( I think this is rarely going to happen with Gold ). Especially with junior, we really needed that space, so pretty impressed.
We were offered an envelope full of vouchers as the EL had been close due to covid.
The room was nice as their Junior suite are slightly modern to superior or executive suites. There were no water bottles in the room but quickly followed by a quick phone call to reception. The High chair and the baby cot also quickly arranged.

We were offered a full breakfast in the morning, which will cost you $10 as Gold. However, they are still charging you $5 for barista coffee which I always thought something poor even as a Gold. The breakfast was not so fancy but good. It was a buffet but served by the chef or staff.
The room service is marginal, with a minimal menu, only offered till 11 pm.
The valet car parking is no longer available but offered $20 a night self-parking nearby.

Overall, it was a nice stay with fair Diamond recognition, perhaps somewhat limited due to covid.

 

[Flashback]

Property: Hilton Adelaide
Room booked: King Guest Room.
Rate: $143 per night
Received: Upgrade to Junior Suite
Date: 25/01/2021 to 31/01/2021(week)
Status: Diamond
Participants: Sapz, Mrs Sapz and junior(infant)

This was my first visit as a Diamond. I had many stays with HA as a Gold. In contrast, they have been pretty generous with STE upgrade for shorter stays, not so much for longer once. So I was keen to experience the difference as a Diamond.
We arrived late, around half past midnight, and was offered King Executive for the first night and Junior Suite from the second night onwards ( I think this is rarely going to happen with Gold ). Especially with junior, we really needed that space, so pretty impressed.
We were offered an envelope full of vouchers as the EL had been close due to covid.
The room was nice as their Junior suite are slightly modern to superior or executive suites. There were no water bottles in the room but quickly followed by a quick phone call to reception. The Hight chair and the baby cot also quickly arranged.

We were offered a full breakfast in the morning, which will cost you $10 as Gold. However, they are still charging you $5 for barista coffee which I always thought something poor even as a Gold. The breakfast was not so fancy but good. It was a buffet but served by the chef or staff.
The room service is marginal, with a minimal menu, only offered till 11 pm.
The valet car parking is no longer available but offered $20 a night self-parking nearby.

Overall, it was a nice stay with fair Diamond recognition and may be somewhat limited due to covid.

I've had not great recognition there as Diamond, so you did well. Having mini Sapz with you may have helped in getting the junior suite!

 

[Sapz]

Having mini Sapz with you may have helped in getting the junior suite!

Maybe you are right. However, as a Gold, I had many Suites, if not Executive floor upgrade over the past few years, without MINI. But mostly on single night or weekend stays.

 

[Toula92122]

I had a points stay at Hilton Adelaide last month as a Diamond. I did not get an upgrade, but then again I did not ask either as it was only an overnight stay. I did get a nice corner room on the same floor as the executive lounge (closed) which I was more than satisfied with.

Overall I was pleased with the status recognition. I was given vouchers for breakfast but never made it so can't comment. As the lounge was closed I was given vouchers for 4 drinks in the bar as well as vouchers for plates of tapas like snacks. I enjoyed a couple of gin and tonics for free. The snacks were ok as well. I felt the hotel was doing the best they can do in the environment. It did not feel particularly busy and I was pleased that they did not opt out of providing any benefits based on the CV excuse as others have.

 

[Sapz]

I felt the hotel was doing the best they can do in the environment.

I second that. Also, I do nicely ask when not offered. Even on my above stay, I asked them about suites when they offered me a KE first, " Sorry, Sir, all the suites were sold out for the night, but I'm happy to get you one from tomorrow" Given the time, I have checked in, I had no reason to doubt. We were moved to a JS from the next day morning. So I think one should always ask. Nothing to lose, Hey!

 

[Flyer 777]

Have a upcoming Cairns Hilton stay as a diamond and wondering if anyone has recent experience re exec lounge benefits/breakfast etc?

Thanks in advance

 

[JessicaTam]

Maybe you are right. However, as a Gold, I had many Suites, if not Executive floor upgrade over the past few years, without MINI. But mostly on single night or weekend stays.

As a diamond I think I have only ever had one junior suite upgrade. Don't even know what a full suite looks like!

 

[Flashback]

As a diamond I think I have only ever had one junior suite upgrade. Don't even know what a full suite looks like!

I had a 2 bedroom suite in Lima, a corner suite (think it was the top or 2nd top room category) in Venice. Had quite a few, but you tend to only get them on 1-2 night stays I find.

 

[JessicaTam]

I had a 2 bedroom suite in Lima, a corner suite (think it was the top or 2nd top room category) in Venice. Had quite a few, but you tend to only get them on 1-2 night stays I find.

My comment was in reference to ADL. I have had better upgrades in SYD - and that is saying something!

 

[Sapz]

As a diamond I think I have only ever had one junior suite upgrade. Don't even know what a full suite looks like!

Not a clue what's going on there. Their full suites are not something one should looking forward to anyway IMO unless you need more space. I think I had a chance to experience all of it. They are way too outdated didn't like the vibe at all. Bathrooms are fancier with all marble looking tiles(Maybee actually marbles, I'm no expert), spaces and all. I think that's about it. I would rather prefer the open atmosphere of JSuites on any day

 

[DC3]

... I would rather prefer the open atmosphere of JSuites on any day

Generally, I find that to work when travelling alone, at any hotel. However, when there’s two of us, the separate bedroom can have it’s advantages if one wants to go to sleep while the other wants to watch TV for awhile.