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.

 

[cbourl]

I've had this at Hilton SFO Union Square a few years ago - Gold upgraded get US$12 to spend at the inlobbly starrbucks or bread and kitchen - as Diamond it was full Bfast in restaurant -Hilton SFo Financial had full breakfast in restaurant in 2019 -this is a step backwards - in EU/IL its a full breakfast - recently at Hilton Perth BF for Diamonds if not included in rate was Bfast in lounge

 

[jase05]

Pure cost cutting rubbish IMO.
As a elite member you need something to make it worth the effort to stay loyal.
I they upped the room rate by $15 a night and still offered free breakfast most people wouldn’t even notice

 

[Steady]

Executive lounge closed at the Adelaide Hilton. 1 plate of canapés and 2 drink vouchers for use downstairs

 

[justinbrett]

I've had this at Hilton SFO Union Square a few years ago - Gold upgraded get US$12 to spend at the inlobbly starrbucks or bread and kitchen - as Diamond it was full Bfast in restaurant -Hilton SFo Financial had full breakfast in restaurant in 2019 -this is a step backwards - in EU/IL its a full breakfast - recently at Hilton Perth BF for Diamonds if not included in rate was Bfast in lounge

When I was at Hilton SFO Union Square in 2018 I was only Gold, but it was free continental breakfast, $5 upgrade fee to full.

Pardon the vent, but it's a horrible change.

Except when the hotels were only offering horrible continental breakfasts - which in the US, was a lot of them.

It would be nice if you had the option. There's certainly times I'd rather the credit if I know I'm going to be sleeping late or have plans to go elsewhere. But other times in a hotel that does a good breakfast, I'd still like the option.

 

[cbourl]

Yes the free breeky was $12 to spend at Starbucks I cant remeber exactly becasue I stopped staying there after multiple toxic experiences, moved my stays to Hilton SF Financial where there is also a lounge

 

[Matt_01]

Booked cheapest room in the MEL Hilton (solo trip) was upgraded one room type (higher floor). I was arriving outside of lounge opening times but after checking in arrived to this.

Then in the fridge noticed this plate of canapés.

Not being sure if the wine and food was comped (I assumed food was) I asked reception and was advised everything (food and wine) was free. This was the final haul and cannot complain.

 

[dairyfloss]

This was the final haul and cannot complain.

It’s OK; you can complain about James Boags Premium Light. We’d all understand.

 

[Berlin]

Property: Hilton Sydney
Status: Gold
Room booked: King Room
Rate: 229$ a night (long term stay for 13 nights total)
Received: Upgrade to a large Deluxe room on the highest floor (43) and a free bottle of wine on arrival

We greatly appreciated the room upgrade, especially the bigger size. Amazing views from up there and free Continental breakfast as Golf Status members. Will be Diamond by the end of this long stay, yay

 

[straitman]

Date: 7 December 2021
Property: Hilton Melbourne
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Guest Room
Upgrade: King Junior Suite (UG came through about 3 days prior to stay.)
Rate: $265

 

[austgap]

Property: Hilton Melbourne
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Room
Rate: 221$ a night (christmas special)
Received: Upgrade to a King Superior room. No exec lounge, however was given a tasting plate, two beers and a bottle of white and red wine (refreshed daily). No bottled water was provided.

 

[boomy]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Sydney
Booked: King Guest Room
Received:
King Executive (first night)
King Junior Suite (rest of stay)

First night of my stay hotel was 100% fully booked. Best upgrade I could get was top floor King Room, which is being sold as Exec room but it’s the same size as Guest rooms.

On the second night was moved to Junior Suite on the same floor (43) for the rest of my stay. This is basically the old relaxation room slightly refurbished. Clearly they chose to drop the word ‘room’ and add ‘suite’ for marketing purposes. Whatever they choose to call it, this was always my favourite room when staying solo

 

[austgap]

Property: Hilton Adelaide
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Room
Rate: $227
Received: King Executive.

As others have said, Exec lounge is still closed so drink vouchers (3x night) plus canapés are offered downstairs. Canapés were meh (all served at room temp).
If like me and you use the digital card to check-in and skip the check-in queue, you'll need to head back to reception for the vouchers and water.

 

[Andrew Curran]

Property: Hilton Sydney
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Room
Rate: Points
Received: King Executive.

The hotel is pretty full. The lobby is buzzing. Diamond breakfasts are still in Glass and staff are now enforcing the $5 coffee tax. Have heard a few diamonds over the last couple of mornings querying this but breakfast servers have clearly been told no more free flat whites.

The lounge is open & doing drinks five evenings a week (Mon & Tue evenings snacks and drinks are in Glass). Self-serve cold food (including ample Sydney rock oysters) with lounge staff circulating and offering small plates of hot bites.

 

[justinbrett]

Looks like breakfast is on its way out with its removal from the US (replaced by a F&B credit).

Smart option if travelling solo would be to ensure you book a +1 so you get double the credits - making it $22-$30 a day and should pay for breakfast if you still wanted it (I'm probably prefer to just use it at the bar).

Wonder if they'll still do breakfast in the ELs?

At some hotels (looking at you Hawaiian Village) you're better off with the credit.

As expected this has now been extended indefinitely, although the middle tier (including Hiltons) has gone up to $15 instead of $12, and $18 in select markets, instead of $15.

Sounds like the way of the future.

 

[austgap]

Property: Doubletree Melbourne - Flinders Street
Status: Diamond
Room booked: Queen room - interior view
Rate: $189 (Christmas special)
Received: King Skyline River View + drink voucher

No digital key at the DT. Served by a trainee, so a tad awkward start however supervisor jumped in and remembered me from a previous stay, he kindly increased the vouchers (2 additions).

No coffee tax unlike Hiltons in MEL + ADL.

 

[mel-world]

Property: Hilton Melbourne
Status: Gold
Room booked: King Deluxe
Rate: $88 + Points
Received: King Premium - not sure what the upgrade was - maybe a higher floor. But no view really.

After reading Matt's report above I had some expectations of a pleasant stay. As a positive, we were offered water on check-in and an upgrade a few days before our arrival. I also liked the Chromecast option on the TV.

Check-in was long as only one person attending to guests. Another person (trainee) spent the entire time on the phone. I was given a different room than the one I selected on-line but told they were the same quality - I guess I'll never know. Nothing in the minibar at all - had to ask for milk and tea bags. No lounge or any on-site bar was offered (only open Wednesday to Sunday apparently). The limited options in this buisiness area of the city were all closed or closing by the time we were looking for to a drink. Even room service ended at 10PM at this 5-star hotel. I'm not even sure the front desk was occupied after 10 as no-one answered. The ability to get hospitality staff must really be affecting this property.

As a positive, the free continental breakfast was fresh and quite comprehensive. Just be aware that the location is quite hidden in a quiet part of town (at night).

 

[Tlee]

Property: Hilton Melbourne
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Guest Room
Rate: Points
Received: King Premier Room

A 5-night stay over Christmas. The actual room differs from the one I could see from the online check-in. From a standard room to a corner one.

Checked in by a trainee and had a slightly awkward conversation (as he wasn’t sure the answers to my questions)

Wanted to made a booking in the restaurant but was advised it is only open between Wednesday and Sunday.

I had to ask to find out what the benefits for diamond members are. Dine-in at the restaurant (25%, was told no discount at first), two bottles of water (one-off), and refreshment between 5 PM and 7 PM (someone with a trolley will show up and replenish alcohol drinks on a daily basis).

No breakfast for takeaway. It seems that you can have cereal if you need to leave before 6:30 AM (weekdays) or 7 AM (weekends). Coffee costs extra 5 dollar.

If someone is currently staying at the property and wants extra bottle of wine, please feel free to reach out.

 

[VPS]

Property: Hilton Melbourne
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Guest Room
Rate: Points
Received: King Premier Room

A 5-night stay over Christmas. The actual room differs from the one I could see from the online check-in. From a standard room to a corner one.

Checked in by a trainee and had a slightly awkward conversation (as he wasn’t sure the answers to my questions)

Wanted to made a booking in the restaurant but was advised it is only open between Wednesday and Sunday.

I had to ask to find out what the benefits for diamond members are. Dine-in at the restaurant (25%, was told no discount at first), two bottles of water (one-off), refreshment between 5 PM and 7 PM (the guests have to stay at their room and wait for someone with a trolley to show up during the timeframe), and a bottle of wine (seems to be replenished daily through the stay).

No breakfast for takeaway. It seems that you can have cereal if you need to leave before 6:30 AM (weekdays) or 7 AM (weekends). Coffee costs extra 5 dollar.

If someone is currently staying at the property and wants extra bottle of wine, please feel free to reach out.

Welcome to AFF and nice gesture

 

[drross]

Welcome to AFF. It’s a fun place

Property: Hilton Melbourne
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Guest Room
Rate: Points
Received: King Premier Room

A 5-night stay over Christmas. The actual room differs from the one I could see from the online check-in. From a standard room to a corner one.

Checked in by a trainee and had a slightly awkward conversation (as he wasn’t sure the answers to my questions)

Wanted to made a booking in the restaurant but was advised it is only open between Wednesday and Sunday.

I had to ask to find out what the benefits for diamond members are. Dine-in at the restaurant (25%, was told no discount at first), two bottles of water (one-off), refreshment between 5 PM and 7 PM (the guests have to stay at their room and wait for someone with a trolley to show up during the timeframe), and a bottle of wine (seems to be replenished daily through the stay).

No breakfast for takeaway. It seems that you can have cereal if you need to leave before 6:30 AM (weekdays) or 7 AM (weekends). Coffee costs extra 5 dollar.

If someone is currently staying at the property and wants extra bottle of wine, please feel free to reach out.

 

[airly]

Property: Hilton Surfers Paradise
Status: Gold
Room booked: King Deluxe Room
Rate: $999 for 5 nights (Luxury Escape deal but via Hilton website)
Received: King Deluxe Room

As expected, due to special rate no room upgrade. Also strictly enforce $5 coffee tax.
Location is great, but the quality of the bed/mattress is pretty bad.