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.

 

[drross]

HSW wins for me. Only a lowly gold but always been looked after at both hotels. Much prefer the lounge and staff at HSW.

 

[Andyc]

Hi all

- 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

I only have experience with HSW, but I've found that RCA cable is the only way to go. While there is a spare DVI port on the TV, without the manufacturer's remote I couldn't work out a way to get the TV to switch to the DVI signal. Best bet is to switch the TV to DVD mode and and use RCA cables. THe back up is laptop VGA cable.

In the suite's, use the audio line in on the stereo for sound.

 

[simongr]

As an update I chose HSW this time. The room was nicer than at HOP - bigger definitely and a better arrangement - the full window over the river was a bit of a double edged sword - great for light in the early evening and morning but it did mean that I could hardly read my computer screen this morning during a conference call.

Despite not having a SHUB the shower was rubbish - low power and kept swinging to the left so I didnt have a great shower.

The Exec lounge was ok - the food selection was not much better than HSW and although it is nice and big and airy I think because it is so big it loses a little sense of specialness. Also I thought there was a dress code in the lounge? I didn't think running gear was normal (hasn't been in any other Exec lounge I have been in - not that many really though). There were also a few large and loud (and some not large but certainly loud) groups - I couldn't actually here what I was watching on the ipad (via bluetooth headphones) over their guffawing and cackling.

The team working there were great though - sorted out my bill this morning whilst I had breakfast and said "Bye mrssimongr" as I left which is a nice little touch (obviously remembered from my bill).

However I think I will stick with the HOP - generally easier to get a decent rate (next potential trip HSW was $333 and HOP was $265 so I will be staying out our preferred hotel ).

 

[straitman]

simongr,

Have you read this FT thread?

Hilton on the Park.

 

[simongr]

I hadn't read that - I used to do FT but found it too moderated (esp the QF forum).

I will give HOP another couple of goes (though not getting the $199 rates I got last year ) and see how we go.

 

[straitman]

I hadn't read that - I used to do FT but found it too moderated (esp the QF forum).

I will give HOP another couple of goes (though not getting the $199 rates I got last year ) and see how we go.

I will take up their offer of the upgrade at some point but it is actually quite hard to get my wife to go there art all.

 

[simongr]

I was really thrown by the groups and noise in the Exec lounge and that really put me off. Also the steak and fries wasn't that great for room service.

 

[Moopere]

As an update I chose HSW this time. The room was nicer than at HOP - bigger definitely and a better arrangement

This is the major reason I choose HSW if all other things are equal. HOTP is the 'old style' hilton format with tiny rooms. I've not noticed any difference in "executive" rooms versus non executive either ... its been surmised by others on different threads that HOTP considers any room that they give you exec lounge access with is therefore an executive room ... I can't confirm this idea but it smells likely given my experience.

I also find the sound proofing in the HSW far superior to the HOTP. If I get a room facing Wellington Parade I invariably have a bad night due to traffic and train noise.

Also I thought there was a dress code in the lounge? I didn't think running gear was normal (hasn't been in any other Exec lounge I have been in - not that many really though).

This seems to be an ongoing problem for HSW that I only rarely see elsewhere. Sweaty spandex clad gym rats in the lounge, both men and women. Not a good look and really doesn't add to the ambience of what is a fairly lifeless lounge to begin with.

However I think I will stick with the HOP - generally easier to get a decent rate (next potential trip HSW was $333 and HOP was $265 so I will be staying out our preferred hotel)

I stay at the HOTP when its more convenient location wise. HSW, despite in my mind being the hands-down better hotel sometimes does seem to be out in the sticks a bit. The direct factory outlet thing doesn't ring my bell and the western end of South Wharf doesn't seem to really be developing much.

Like you, I factor in taxi fares when choosing hotel locations and sometimes, when there are likely to be multiple trips per day, it just doesn't make sense to stay at HSW.

Strangely, in my mind anyway, I struggle to get decent per night pricing at HOTP. HSW is almost invariably cheaper for my travel dates. It usually comes down to the differential cost of taxi's

 

[Deleted member 29185]

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

A bit OT, but if I could just suggest another way. Hire a car. I guess it depends on your start time, but I find I can hire from the airport, drop off family/luggage at hotel and drop car back to Southern Cross station (Europcar and Avis is there). That way I don't have to pay the $20 parking fee and each day hire then counts separately toward the Privelege status level as well. I haven't yet stayed at HSW but they assure me Southern Cross station is just a 5 minute walk, so no real burden and you'd get a days car hire for the $40+ cab fare you currently pay and have the use of a car for touristy/dining outings as well.

 

[straitman]

A bit OT, but if I could just suggest another way. Hire a car. I guess it depends on your start time, but I find I can hire from the airport, drop off family/luggage at hotel and drop car back to Southern Cross station (Europcar and Avis is there). That way I don't have to pay the $20 parking fee and each day hire then counts separately toward the Privelege status level as well. I haven't yet stayed at HSW but they assure me Southern Cross station is just a 5 minute walk, so no real burden and you'd get a days car hire for the $40+ cab fare you currently pay and have the use of a car for touristy/dining outings as well.

Agreed.

If you walk really slow then HSW is about 10 min away but 5 min would be about normal.