First time as a Hilton Elite

[N860CR]

As part of Virgin's generous Hilton status upgrade, I'll be making my first big trip next year as a hotel program elite (I've never bothered with hotel programs before as I generally just pick the best option through Hotel Club, Expedia etc).

I'll be at least Gold, but possibly Diamond depending on how the next few months go.

I'll be staying in the following cities:

• Bangkok (Millenium Hilton)
• Paris
• London - will be one of the cheaper Hiltons like Hyde Park.
• Budapest
• New York
• Los Angeles
• Las Vegas

The Hilton's are likely to be a bit more expensive than what I usually pick... so are the benefits of Gold/Diamond worth paying a bit more for? How likely are the upgrades to actually happen? Am I able to check anywhere what the quality of the lounges at each hotel are like at each hotel (Hilton.com lacks info). How are the lounges in general? QP style or don't they have bars?

Other option would be the IHG status, however it doesn't seem as generous.

 

[simongr]

I always got put on the Executive floor where there was one - the Conrad in HKG was my most regular Hilton.

I have been to the Hilton Arc De Triopmhe but not accessed the lounge there (before I was l33t) - it is a nice hotel - very art deco.
I had a Suite at the Millenium Hilton and thus had lounge access - the lounge is great - probably as good as the Conrad (although I didnt access it in the evening)
New York is interesting given the number/volume of Hiltons in NY you will most likely need to narrow down the choice for people to opine on the lounges etc. I know I didn't get a room upgrade or lounge access at the Waldorf but did get a room upgrade at the Double Tree (although the lounge there is shocking).

Personally it would depend on how much of your personal cash you are laying down and how many nights you are staying - I will happily pay the extra for short personal trips if it is reasonable as it keeps the Hilton points alive (currently on about 200K) and if I could maintain status through work travel I would be very happy.

 

[straitman]

danielribo,

As a Hilton Diamond I normally book the cheapest room. Look at all the rate options though. i.e. the AAA rate discounts the best available rate to be similar to the advance purchase rate without the associated limitations. To get the benefits you (normally) need to book via Hilton.

With Hilton you can go into your own profile and select your benefit with lounge access as the best IMHO. There is a different set of options for each type/group of hotel;s in the chain. i.e. Embassy Suites, Hilton hampton Inn etc.

A Diamond will always get Executive Lounge access, free internet, breakfast and an upgrade (if that is your selection). They say no suites but about 1:3 times a suite upgrade happens. The lounge is normally open all day but there is a window of about 2-3 hours in the evening when drinks and canapés are served. Like everywhere else the lounges vary between very good to OK but I cannot say I've ever seen a bad one. Not all hotels have lounges. The details of what's available is under the details for the individual hotels.

Remember that the chain has a variety of different standard hotels so not all are in the expensive group. In the USA you can often get some very good prices.

Hilton also have the double dip as normal. You can get Hilton points and airline points for the same stay. With Qantas you get a flat 1000 points as a better option than points per dollar spend. I have not looked up how it relates to Virgin Australia as yet.

 

[serfty]

A diamond HHonors member is supposed to be guaranteed Exec lounge access where a lounge exists for eligible stays and 'continental' breakfast as well/otherwise.

Most there are reports some individual hotels definition of a continental breakfast may not be in line with yours, although many provide a full breakfast.

Also, there are some reports of a Hilton in London refusing to provide lounge access unless upgraded.

I suggest you check out the FlyerTalk Hilton HHonors forum for information/reviews/threads on individual properties.

Hilton HHonors - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[nate89]

I have been to the exec. lounge at LAX Hilton. It was fine; nothing special I think, but comfortable, clean and not too busy when I went.

Regarding free internet - some Hilton's have a log in where you use your hilton # + password to get free internet, but some still don't. In the case of the latter you can generally just have it billed to your room, but make sure to have it cleared from your bill when you check out. It's a bit of a pain if you want to fast check out, but given the extraordinary prices you pay for internet I think it is worth it.

They should really fix that though...

 

[sparoz]

Regarding free internet - some Hilton's have a log in where you use your hilton # + password to get free internet, but some still don't. In the case of the latter you can generally just have it billed to your room, but make sure to have it cleared from your bill when you check out. It's a bit of a pain if you want to fast check out, but given the extraordinary prices you pay for internet I think it is worth it.

They should really fix that though...

Just really hate to agree to pay for the net and try to get it clear from the bill. Do you just pick the week?

 

[JohnK]

I had 2 stays recently as a HH Diamond and the treatment is great.

- Millenium Hilton Bangkok was taken to a partitioned area away from reception for check-in and given there were no rooms available on executive floor, check-in agent apologised and was allocated a deluxe room on 20th floor. A fruit bowl was sent to toom and had executive lounge access. Drinks and canapes was OK but breakfast in morning for 2 people was very nice. Still love the views from this hotel.
- Hilton Hua Hin was taken to executive lounge on 17th floor for check-in and allocated executive bayview room on 16th floor. Drinks and canapes were great with some very nice choices available and was able to make a meal of it not needing dinner. Breakfast had option of continental on 17th floor or full buffet on ground floor. Chose the full buffet breakfast on ground floor and the food selection was unbelievable. While we were at coughtails hotel staff had entered our room and replaced the 2 complimentary bottles of water we had finished with another 2 bottles of water. Didn't ask for it. The views from this hotel are stunning and will try and go back again in future.

So even though HH Diamond status is great it will be one status I am not going to try and maintain when it expires.

 

[munitalP]

If you look at the HH thread re"how you are treated" you will find lots of handy info. Im connected to the Internet at the LAX Hilton ATM, just returned from LAS Hilton, and will be at STL Hilton next week, and AKL Hilton the week after.

LAX exec lounge is a user pays lounge - no benefit at all except for a couple of small food items on offer. Drinks are EXPENSIVE however the view is OK. I am getting free valet parking which is great as well as exec lounge breakfast - cereal, fruit, toast (adequate for me) however well short of the full buffet at LAS!

I would suggest that a phone call or email to the respective Hiltons asking their hotel policy on HH Diamond / Gold and choose your hotel from there. I drove past the Bev Hills Hilton today, looked very dated, but I believe it is V nice inside however quite inexpensive.

 

[Moopere]

The Hilton's are likely to be a bit more expensive than what I usually pick...

As others have noted already, not all Hilton hotels are the same price/quality wise. As a rule of thumb I use the Hhonors Reward category as a guide. For instance, in hotel details (of your selected hotel):

HHonors Reward Category

4

This indicates to me a probable 4 star experience and sets my expectation accordingly. Of course, such hotels are usually a -lot- cheaper per night then the Category 7 Hiltons which, generally, are at the top end of 5 star. I've found the low end Hilton and med-high end Doubletree hotels are roughly similar in hard/soft product, though they have a different look and feel of course.