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.

 

[Simo]

Just had 4 night at DT ASP.

As a diamond member I was a little lacking in recognition but glad as I was travelling with friends.

DT ASP is a poorer Hilton branded hotel as there is portage service or door staff.

 

[ash.1111]

Status: Gold
Property: Conrad Singapore
Dates: Early October
Booked: Exec King
Received: 1 night Exec King / 3 nights Exec Premier (Mini Suite?)

Service was/is (still here) amazing. Friendly, fast, polished and genuine. Was given an upgrade to the mini suite (Premier Exec) for last 3 nights of my stay. Access to our upgraded room was given nice and early, allowing us to go out without the hassle of changing rooms afterwards. A porter assisted us with changing rooms.

Free DVD hire is a nice touch. Only downside is the hotel is starting to get on in years. Still, I'd stay here again in a heartbeat.

Compared to Marina Bay Sands:

/topic. MBS (Club Room) was big and flashy but the service was horrible. It feels like a giant Las Vegas tourist attraction. 1pm check out was the latest possible; although lucky we later confirmed as this actually wasn't entered into the system. Exec Lounge very nice but food quality lacking. Service in there was hit and miss. TBH, this hotel was a bucket list item; I wouldn't be in a rush to return simply because I didn't feel like my $810/night SGD room rate meant anything to them. Everything was a hassle.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Status: Gold
Property: Conrad Singapore
Dates: Early October
Booked: Exec King
Received: 1 night Exec King / 3 nights Exec Premier (Mini Suite?)

Service was/is (still here) amazing. Friendly, fast, polished and genuine. Was given an upgrade to the mini suite (Premier Exec) for last 3 nights of my stay. Access to our upgraded room was given nice and early, allowing us to go out without the hassle of changing rooms afterwards. A porter assisted us with changing rooms.

Free DVD hire is a nice touch. Only downside is the hotel is starting to get on in years. Still, I'd stay here again in a heartbeat.

Compared to Marina Bay Sands:

/topic. MBS (Club Room) was big and flashy but the service was horrible. It feels like a giant Las Vegas tourist attraction. 1pm check out was the latest possible; although lucky we later confirmed as this actually wasn't entered into the system. Exec Lounge very nice but food quality lacking. Service in there was hit and miss. TBH, this hotel was a bucket list item; I wouldn't be in a rush to return simply because I didn't feel like my $810/night SGD room rate meant anything to them. Everything was a hassle.

That's quite unusual for Singapore. Interesting to hear other MBS stories and see if there is a pattern here.

 

[boomy]

That's quite unusual for Singapore. Interesting to hear other MBS stories and see if there is a pattern here.

I had a very positive experience in MBS earlier this year. I remember we were escorted to our room and given a detailed explanation about the facilities and services of the hotel. The concierge was very helpful in recommending some good restaurants (he actually told us not to bother dining in the hotel as there are much better options outside).

This property does have a more Vegas casino hotel feeling rather then a polished business hotel such as Conrad. It's mostly due to its enormous size that some ppl find cold and not inviting.

This hotel was on my bucket list as well but I had a very pleasant stay and would be happy to stay there again in the future.
The problem for me is the price. I can understand that 800$ per night may be no more then pocket change to many of the rich Asians stay there (we were told the hotel was fully booked when we checked in) but for me it means 4 nights at the Sheraton Towers

 

[QF WP]

Status: Diamond
Property: Perth Parmelia
Date: 6 Oct in, 7 Oct out
Rate: $144.50 Great Getaway (prepaid) [before 20% HPC discount)
Booked: King Hilton Guestroom
Received: Queen Suite
Status benefits: Welcome letter at reception advising Diamond benefits, Diamond amenities with card signed by GM, 2 bottles water

I arrived at 12.15pm after the night flight across from BNE - my expected arrival time was in the booking notes. The CSA noted the upgrade to Queen Suite and I advised the next nights booking in the system, so she could link them (allowing me to stay in the same room).

Status: Diamond
Property: Perth Parmelia
Date: 7 Oct in, 8 Oct out
Rate: $279.65 Great Getaway (prepaid) [before 20% HPC discount]
Booked: Queen Hilton Guestroom
Received: Queen Suite
Status benefits: Diamond amenities with card signed by GM, 2 bottles water

I was surprised to receive the Diamond Amenities pack again but gratefully received by both me and an AFF'er to whom I gave some of my booty . Lovely dinner in Adelphi Grill with v8Statesman, cove and Bundy Bear.

Saw Jocelyn (Senior Guest Services Agent) at Reception after breakfast and we sorted the 20% discount across the 2 bills. bit complex given the prepaid rate and what the original CSA had done the previous night, but we nutted it out together.

Also saw Deirdre this morning at breakfast - surprised she remembered me, asked how was my wife and remembered I drank Earl Grey. Last time I saw her was end May, so a great memory.

 

[robd]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Paris CDG Airport
Date: 6-7th Oct. (1 night)
Rate: The Great Getaway €110.70
Booked: Twin Hilton Guestroom
Received: Twin Executive Room Plus

Fantastic big room with view to airport runway. Exec Lounge was nice, although the offerings in the afternoon and breakfast were few and average IMO.

Complimentary hotel shuttle took us directly to Terminal 1 (apparently it usually only goes to Terminal 2 ?), which was very helpful and much appreciated.

 

[jetlagger]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Paris CDG Airport
Date: 6-7th Oct. (1 night)
Rate: The Great Getaway €110.70
Booked: Twin Hilton Guestroom
Received: Twin Executive Room Plus

Fantastic big room with view to airport runway. Exec Lounge was nice, although the offerings in the afternoon and breakfast were few and average IMO.

Complimentary hotel shuttle took us directly to Terminal 1 (apparently it usually only goes to Terminal 2 ?), which was very helpful and much appreciated.

Sounds reasonable.. Though, as for the EL... sans fine french fare to enjoy ??

 

[ash.1111]

Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Sydney
Dates: Early October
Booked: Deluxe King
Received: Executive King?

Not sure if I received a room upgrade. Was given a room on level 32 (seems a bit low for an Executive Room?) and was told as a Gold that I receive lounge access. I didn't know if I was given a room upgrade or if she was new and didn't know Golds receive lounge access only with an upgrade to that room type?

Stay otherwise fine. Don't like the SYD Hilton rooms though, feel like I am on a cruise ship... the rooms are just too small! Oh and now $5 for breakfast hot drinks...

 

[boomy]

Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Singapore
Dates: Early October
Booked: Deluxe King
Received: Executive King?

Not sure if I received a room upgrade. Was given a room on level 32 (seems a bit low for an Executive Room?) and was told as a Gold that I receive lounge access. I didn't know if I was given a room upgrade or if she was new and didn't know Golds receive lounge access only with an upgrade to that room type?

Stay otherwise fine. Don't like the SYD Hilton rooms though, feel like I am on a cruise ship... the rooms are just too small! Oh and now $5 for breakfast hot drinks...

Did you stay in Singapore or in Sydney?

Edit: just read your other post about the stay in SYD. Agree with you that rooms are small. Their deluxe and exec rooms are the same size, the only difference is higher floor and lounge access.
When I used to stay there as gold and not been upgraded to relaxation room, I used to ask for a corner room. It's slightly bigger and gives a bit more space to move around.

 

[robd]

Status: Diamond
Property: Millennium Hilton Bangkok
Date: 8-10 Oct.
Rate: Points & Money Reward (30,000pts & THB 3,615.16)
Booked: Twin Hilton Deluxe
Received: Twin Hilton Deluxe

Received Exec. Lounge access, comp. bottled water x 2 daily, turndown service, comp. newspaper & breakfast in EL, early arrival (8am) & late checkout (3pm).

A stunning hotel and the best Exec. Lounge so far, with great coughtail hours and an impressive breakfast spread. The pool area was great and we ate at Flow Restaurant twice (OMG - The Cheese Room!).

 

[JessicaTam]

I am staying at DT KUL next month and asked for an early checkin as I am arriving on EK at 0830 and was looking to check-in about 1000. I was offered a pre-book at the cost of one night's room charge instead. I politely declined.

I will head to the hotel and ask if the room is ready in any case, and leave my bag if it isn't.

Has anyone had a similar response?

 

[MartinO]

Has anyone had a similar response?

The problem is that while late check-out is a feature of the HHonors program, early check-in tends to be at the hotel's discretion (as it is not part of the program). It has long been my experience that a late check-out is much easier to organise than an early check-in. (Accor recently added an early check-in option for elites, but it is not clear to me how you organise it!)

 

[anat0l]

The problem is that while late check-out is a feature of the HHonors program, early check-in tends to be at the hotel's discretion (as it is not part of the program). It has long been my experience that a late check-out is much easier to organise than an early check-in. (Accor recently added an early check-in option for elites, but it is not clear to me how you organise it!)

Agree with you on this one.

I've hardly ever tried to organise an early check-in at Hiltons in advance. There's an option during booking to give the predicted check-in time (and it also exists if you choose to pre-order extra items on arrival - towels, pillows, etc.), but naturally I don't rely on it at all. I usually just rock up and see if the room is ready or not. The response from the Hilton if the room isn't ready when I arrive has varied from allowing me to leave my bags with concierge, to letting me basically use everything else (gym, included breakfast, business centre) except the room.

 

[JessicaTam]

Thanks for the info. I will suck it and see when I get there.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The response from the Hilton if the room isn't ready when I arrive has varied from allowing me to leave my bags with concierge, to letting me basically use everything else (gym, included breakfast, business centre) except the room.

+1.

Worse case scenario is leave the lugguge with concierge. We've never needed to do this though. It's always been either available, or available within a short time frame. Once (in BNE) I was asked to have a drink on the house while we waited for our room to become available, but as they said, it was only because they "wanted" to give us a suite.....hey who can argue with that logic!

I have rung many times in the morning to check when we can gain access. The reply varies with "oh you can come anytimes as your room is ready" to "it's not ready yet but we'll give you a call when it is" (although that particular time never received a call back and when we did arrive, it was indeed ready).

Good luck JT, hope it works out well for you!

 

[ash.1111]

Yes, said the wrong hotel by mistake. Meant Hilton Sydney. Thanks for the tip, I'll ask for a corner room from now on.

Did you stay in Singapore or in Sydney?

Edit: just read your other post about the stay in SYD. Agree with you that rooms are small. Their deluxe and exec rooms are the same size, the only difference is higher floor and lounge access.
When I used to stay there as gold and not been upgraded to relaxation room, I used to ask for a corner room. It's slightly bigger and gives a bit more space to move around.

 

[ash.1111]

Has anyone had a similar response?

Yes, for Hilton at Universal Studios Hollywood. I didn't end up purchasing an extra night's stay and instead decided to try my luck. Upon arriving at check in at around 9:30am the check in agent said, "It'll be an extra charge". However, once he opened the booking and saw that I was Gold, he dropped the charge and got me a room on the spot.

 

[Austman]

I am staying at DT KUL next month and asked for an early checkin as I am arriving on EK at 0830 and was looking to check-in about 1000. I was offered a pre-book at the cost of one night's room charge instead. I politely declined.

I will head to the hotel and ask if the room is ready in any case, and leave my bag if it isn't.

Has anyone had a similar response?

I stayed there a few weeks ago. Checked-in at around 2:30pm and the room was not ready. But you get to check-in at the executive lounge and they will mind your luggage and invite you to use the lounge. Turned out that the room was ready even before 1 cup of coffee was finished! Keith and and staff in the lounge are excellent!

I did have an early check-in upgrade offer, but for the 30mins (check-in is 3pm) I might have needed it, it would have been silly to even try for it.

 

[Moopere]

Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Sydney
Dates: Early October
Booked: Deluxe King
Received: Executive King?

Not sure if I received a room upgrade. Was given a room on level 32 (seems a bit low for an Executive Room?) and was told as a Gold that I receive lounge access. I didn't know if I was given a room upgrade or if she was new and didn't know Golds receive lounge access only with an upgrade to that room type?

SYD is a weird one for sure. I am fairly certain that they make great use of the fact that almost all their rooms are exactly the same and punters like me struggle to tell the difference. I was once upgraded to an "executive" room on the 27th floor .. that didn't feel right at all. But, ultimately, I still got executive benefits, like lounge and whatnot so all was ok. It would make me _very_ wary of really booking and paying for an executive room at full rate however as I'm certain a fair bit of gaming goes on.

I generally stay at SYD over weekends, and low floors in my experience suffer badly from a lot of 'doof doof' noise from the zeta bar downstairs. Last stay a month ago I got upped to exec on the 42nd and it was perfect ... but still the tiny rooms

Stay otherwise fine. Don't like the SYD Hilton rooms though, feel like I am on a cruise ship... the rooms are just too small! Oh and now $5 for breakfast hot drinks...

What now? $5 for hot drinks (coffee???) at breakfast? Really? I missed breaky at glass completely during my last stay, managed to sneak into the lounge a couple of times in the morning before everything was cleared away, no charge up there. Is this some differentiation sneaking in for full breakfast versus continental perhaps? I've not been hit with that at SYD before.

 

[JessicaTam]

Have a look here.