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.

 

[JessicaTam]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Brisbane
Date: 11 May
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Received: King Hilton Exec Room

Being Mother's Day Eve the exec lounge was almost standing room only. Similarly for breakfast. Service was excellent at both, except there was very little vego food in the lounge. Biscuits and cheese was about it, with quite a selection for the carnivores.

Like my last stay the shower ran hot and (very) cold. Whilst it was noted when I checked out, there was nothing further said or offered. I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had the same problem.

 

[Danger]

. . . They fill a minibar fridge for you each day insubstiution but very basic beers, waters and snacks. . .

Are you saying that in lieu of the food and drink a lounge normally provides, you had a complimenary minibar, restocked each day? I was there in January and got the suite upgrade but no mention of a minibar special. In fact, kind of the opposite. Very early one morning (about 12.30am) I couldn't sleep and was quite hungry so I ordered the smallest thing I could find remotely apetising and that was a basic pizza. It was delivered and I only ate maybe a third of it. I left it under the stainless lid on the plate on the tray on the coffee table. Went out the next morning, returned about lunchtime ready to eat the leftovers only to find the whole try removed. And it wasn't housekeeping because my room was untouched. Disappointing.

 

[kamchatsky]

Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Adelaide
Date: 25-28 April
Booked rate: AAA Rate ($151)
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Received: King Hilton Exec Room + Exec Lounge Access + Free Buffet Breakfast

I have to say that Hilton Adelaide has been very consistent giving me Exec Floor access + free 2 * full buffet breakfast downstairs. I have always been treated very well there. Too bad I am not Diamond otherwise I may score myself a Junior Suite (I could pay $99 per night extra on NOR1 but I didn't bothered).

 

[doubleplatinum]

Are you saying that in lieu of the food and drink a lounge normally provides, you had a complimenary minibar, restocked each day? I was there in January and got the suite upgrade but no mention of a minibar special. In fact, kind of the opposite. Very early one morning (about 12.30am) I couldn't sleep and was quite hungry so I ordered the smallest thing I could find remotely apetising and that was a basic pizza. It was delivered and I only ate maybe a third of it. I left it under the stainless lid on the plate on the tray on the coffee table. Went out the next morning, returned about lunchtime ready to eat the leftovers only to find the whole try removed. And it wasn't housekeeping because my room was untouched. Disappointing.

Hi Danger sorry to hear doesnt sounds impressive at all, yes there is a minibar but would much rather a lounge, the food is a chocolate and a biscuit and for drinks water and heineken

 

[Princess Fiona]

Status: Diamond
Property :Hilton Sydney
Date: 12-13th May
Rate: Not sure booked last week ~$240
Booked: King Hilton Deluxe
Received: King Hilton Deluxe on 34th floor

Very weird and on reflection sub-par check-in experience. Booked by Shrek ( Diamond courtesy of VA with several stays at other Hilton's this year).
Advised him on check-in that his Hilton Honors number was registered in the booking. No mention of Diamond status, no mention of upgrade, given normal blue room keys ( normally say Exec Lounge at this Hotel). No mention of Exec Lounge or other Diamond benefits, no letter given.
I think the staff member failed to recognise the status at all
We dropped our stuff off in the room and headed upstairs to the Lounge, unsurprisingly our room number was not on the list of eligible guests.
The Lounge attendant looked up the reservation on her PC and waved us in.
Prior to going to dinner I called up for extra towels and complimentary water as the room had neither. When we got back later the towels and water had been delivered but the wet towels on the bathroom floor were still there :!:

A pretty so-so stay and if Shrek didn't get easily embarrassed at complaining I would have given them a bit of feedback on the spot.
He is going to send an email to the GM and Hilton Honors.

 

[Fifa]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Sydney
Date: 12 May 2013
Booked: King Hilton Plus Guest Room
Received: King Deluxe Guest Room (On check-in I asked what the difference between the King Hilton/King Hilton Plus and Deluxe was and was told the Deluxe had a bathtub :shock:. Some upgrade!). Last stay on the 9th May I also received a Deluxe.
Rate: $140.20

We didn't use the lounge in the evening (over-indulged during Mother's Day lunch) but breakfast in Glass this morning was, as usual, very enjoyable.
Sorry we missed you Princess Fiona and Shrek.

 

[mel-world]

Just finishing a vacation trip using Hilton properties of different levels of comfort in the US and Eastern Canada including San Francisco, Bangor, Toronto, Quebec City, Halifax, Saint John and a smaller town (Moncton). The properties included Hilton, Garden Inns and Hampton Suites. They all treated a Diamond member differently. Honestly, I think we got better treatment at the Garden Inns than at the Hilton Hotels - except in Quebec City (see earlier post), where they gave us a good room with a view of the old town and the lounge delivered what a lounge should - good evening snacks and a reasonable breakfast. The concierge in the lounge booked us some tickets and recommended some activities. Despite the hotel being full with a conference, the service was excellent - unlike SFO.

Both of the Garden Inns we used - Bangor and Halifax were new properties and although they do not have Lounges, we got upgraded rooms or a suite and cookies, water and breakfast. The atmosphere was friendly and you could park for free - a real advantage compared with city centre Hiltons. The Hampton Suites do not have much to offer but friendly service and a very average breakfast.

All helps to maintain Diamond though given the extra nights you now need.

BTW, we drove from Quebec City to Halifax over 5 days - really picturesque country. Not as dramatic as the Rockies in the west but worth an adventure nevertheless.

 

[doubleplatinum]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Auckland
Date: 13-16 May 2013
Booked: King Deluxe Harbour View plus
Received: King Deluxe Harbour View plus (The check in agent assured me I had an upgrade, tried telling her twice it was not an upgrade as that is what I booked but gave up talking after that!)
Rate: NZ$450.20

Ordinary service, wake up call 30 minutes late, pepper sauce with room service steak took 40 minutes to deliver after they provided chili sauce when pepper requested? Avoid

 

[jetlagger]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Auckland
Date: 13-16 May 2013
Booked: King Deluxe Harbour View plus
Received: King Deluxe Harbour View plus (The check in agent assured me I had an upgrade, tried telling her twice it was not an upgrade as that is what I booked but gave up talking after that!)
Rate: NZ$450.20

Ordinary service, wake up call 30 minutes late, pepper sauce with room service steak took 40 minutes to deliver after they provided chili sauce when pepper requested? Avoid

At that very rate & for Diamond, I would have expected better. :evil:

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Both of the Garden Inns we used - Bangor and Halifax were new properties and although they do not have Lounges, we got upgraded rooms or a suite and cookies, water and breakfast. The atmosphere was friendly and you could park for free

As far as specified benefits go, I'd much prefer what you received than a lounge. In a lounge, we get a few canapes (of varying degees) and possibly a bottle of wine if we both guzzle. I often pay circa $50 a night for parking so when we can sneak off for a nice sunset canape and drinks at a local bar and save the parking.....all the better! The big benefit of Aussie Hiltons just now, is that most (if not all) are lateral thinkers when it comes to exceding the gazetted benefits! :mrgreen:

 

[esquire]

• Status: Diamond
  Property: Hilton Darwin
  Date: 15-17 May
  Booked: King harbour View
  Received: Executive Room (non-harbour view but on same floor as lounge, with some refurbishment)
  Rate: AU$265 p/n
  
  Provided water, lounge access, turn down service and breakfast downstairs (free for Diamonds only). No printed information available on much at all yet- have to ask about everything. Obviously transitioning still. Staff seems genuinely excited about the move over and 'upwards'.
  Hotel still looking rather tired from CP days in parts but new lounge was excellent - great member of staff and very good selection of wine and beer (not the usual Hilton entry level booze) and hot food (crispy calamari, prawns etc).
  
  
  
  ​
  
  
  
  

 

[jetlagger]

• Status: Diamond
  Property: Hilton Darwin
  Date: 15-17 May
  Booked: King harbour View
  Received: Executive Room (non-harbour view but on same floor as lounge, with some refurbishment)
  Rate: AU$265 p/n
  
  Provided water, lounge access, turn down service and breakfast downstairs (free for Diamonds only). No printed information available on much at all yet- have to ask about everything. Obviously transitioning still. Staff seems genuinely excited about the move over and 'upwards'.
  Hotel still looking rather tired from CP days in parts but new lounge was excellent - great member of staff and very good selection of wine and beer (not the usual Hilton entry level booze) and hot food (crispy calamari, prawns etc).
  
  
  
  ​

Thanks for report on this newly acquired property.
Look forward to a visit.. Those lounge offerings sound pleasant.

 

[Daver6]

No free breakfast for Golds? Even though it's a state Gold benefit?

• Status: Diamond
  Property: Hilton Darwin
  Date: 15-17 May
  Booked: King harbour View
  Received: Executive Room (non-harbour view but on same floor as lounge, with some refurbishment)
  Rate: AU$265 p/n
  
  Provided water, lounge access, turn down service and breakfast downstairs (free for Diamonds only). No printed information available on much at all yet- have to ask about everything. Obviously transitioning still. Staff seems genuinely excited about the move over and 'upwards'.
  Hotel still looking rather tired from CP days in parts but new lounge was excellent - great member of staff and very good selection of wine and beer (not the usual Hilton entry level booze) and hot food (crispy calamari, prawns etc).
  
  
  
  ​

 

[markis10]

No free breakfast for Golds? Even though it's a state Gold benefit?

Breakfast in the lounge vs downstairs are two different things.

 

[Moopere]

I'd formed the impression that lounge only breakfasts are really an executive room benefit and separate again from status based breakfasts. I tend to quiz staff about it these days as I've had some grey area type staff confusion about this. As a gold I often get an executive room upgrade, so, with that upgrade there is usually breaky in the lounge availability. But being a gold, means free breakfast regardless .... if I didn't get an exec room upgrade I'd still be up for a free breaky in the main restaurant of most properties.

 

[jetlagger]

I'd formed the impression that lounge only breakfasts are really an executive room benefit and separate again from status based breakfasts. I tend to quiz staff about it these days as I've had some grey area type staff confusion about this. As a gold I often get an executive room upgrade, so, with that upgrade there is usually breaky in the lounge availability. But being a gold, means free breakfast regardless .... if I didn't get an exec room upgrade I'd still be up for a free breaky in the main restaurant of most properties.

Some properties appear to be of differing opinions when it comes to complimentary breakfast for HH Gold, such appears to also be the effect of Hilton property franchise operations.

 

[turtlemichael]

Some properties appear to be of differing opinions when it comes to complimentary breakfast for HH Gold, such appears to also be the effect of Hilton property franchise operations.

Clearly there are some liberal interpretations (eg a Starbucks and a doughnut at some US properties) but does not the principle still apply that they have to provide a breakfast to golds?

 

[jetlagger]

Clearly there are some liberal interpretations (eg a Starbucks and a doughnut at some US properties) but does not the principle still apply that they have to provide a breakfast to golds?

I believe so, though it appears the breakfast location, lounge or main restaurant option & also whether it is full or continental breakfast is the varying common denominator.

 

[serfty]

The HHonors T&C's specify "Complimentary Continental breakfast" for Diamond and Gold, anything above that is up to the property.

http://hhonors3.hilton.com/en/explore/benefits/index.html

 

[jetlagger]

The HHonors T&C's specify "Continental breakfast" for Diamond and Gold, anything above that is up to the property.

Thanks for clarification serfty.