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.

 

[moa999]

I'll be checking into the Conrad DXB tonight. Wonder if my onQ profile has been updated with my requirements? :mrgreen:

What's your preferred brand and size?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Property : Conrad Dubai
Status : Diamond
Booked: Standard King Govt Rate
Received: Executive Suite

Holy carp !!! This property really knows how to look after Diamonds. Room upgrade was showing at online check-in. Absolutely amazing suite, massive with big picture windows. Really rather big for little old me to rattle around in!!
Just arrived so will try to post some photos and an Exec lounge update later in the trip.

EDIT: And there was only water and slippers with the turn down :mrgreen:

 

[coolumbla]

feeling the diamond love at HSW

4 nights
booked a standard room at Govt rate

Online checkin at 2am Monday had a choice of 7 yarra suites !
Took the highest one which i wa still in when i actually checked in

Lounge shut at 7 last night ( damn public holidays ) but everyone was told and getting a couple of beers was tolerated

Breakfast downstairs
Mr C as you are a valued diamond member your breakfast is free including coffee
Ill have a double shot latte!

haven't checked teh bill yet to see if it turned up on it yet

Late Edit
chocolates only on turndown

Seems to be the honda mclaren team hotel!

 

[Katie]

How would you rate this WA compared to other similar category hotels in NYC?

It's the most luxurious NYC hotel I've ever stayed in.

Our last two stays (1999 and 2003), we stayed at the Sheraton Times Square. So I have not stayed in any hotels of a similar category in NYC, and can't compare it to any others.

 

[boomy]

It's the most luxurious NYC hotel I've ever stayed in.

Our last two stays (1999 and 2003), we stayed at the Sheraton Times Square. So I have not stayed in any hotels of a similar category in NYC, and can't compare it to any others.

It does look very nice! The one thing worries me a bit are mixed reviews on basic rooms.
I'm planing 5 nights stay and tossing between the iconic WA or the modern style Conrad.

 

[Princess Fiona]

It does look very nice! The one thing worries me a bit are mixed reviews on basic rooms.
I'm planing 5 nights stay and tossing between the iconic WA or the modern style Conrad.

Not stayed in WA but have stayed quite a few times at Conrad. It is a superb hotel with no risk of getting a poor room.

 

[Ewing]

Not stayed in WA but have stayed quite a few times at Conrad. It is a superb hotel with no risk of getting a poor room.

Agreed. Even when you don't get an upgrade at Conrad the base rooms are fabulous.

I haven't stayed at the WA yet either - I keep going back to Conrad.

 

[boomy]

Not stayed in WA but have stayed quite a few times at Conrad. It is a superb hotel with no risk of getting a poor room.

Agreed. Even when you don't get an upgrade at Conrad the base rooms are fabulous.

I haven't stayed at the WA yet either - I keep going back to Conrad.

Good to know! I guess when the base room is names 'deluxe suite' it does sounds quite promising

Being similar amount of points as WA for redemption it may be a "safer" bet, especially for long stay where upgrade is not guaranteed.

 

[Ewing]

Good to know! I guess when the base room is names 'deluxe suite' it does sounds quite promising

Being similar amount of points as WA for redemption it may be a "safer" bet, especially for long stay where upgrade is not guaranteed.

True!

This is a base room at Conrad NY: https://goo.gl/photos/e7abZ9uxEbvjWEhdA

I've been very happy there.

 

[Cynicor]

Good to know! I guess when the base room is names 'deluxe suite' it does sounds quite promising

Being similar amount of points as WA for redemption it may be a "safer" bet, especially for long stay where upgrade is not guaranteed.

And if they have a lounge you are guaranteed access, and breakfast if diamond. WA has few tangible benefits for diamonds so I tend to not stay at them.

 

[boomy]

And if they have a lounge you are guaranteed access, and breakfast if diamond. WA has few tangible benefits for diamonds so I tend to not stay at them.

Yes that's true. Each WA has it's own set of rules which usually don't benefit loyal members.
I have a few coming stays at WA Rome, Paris and Dubai. Will report back diamond treatment.

 

[coolumbla]

HSW coffee tax update
Handed teh bill this am to sign for coffee

"i didnt pay for it yesterday as a diamond , has something changed?"
"sorry sir , thats wrong ,"
bill whisked away

coffee is actually proper double shot too!

 

[drross]

HSW coffee tax update
Handed teh bill this am to sign for coffee

"i didnt pay for it yesterday as a diamond , has something changed?"
"sorry sir , thats wrong ,"
bill whisked away

coffee is actually proper double shot too!

can confirm no coffee tax at HSW. Also breakfast in the lounge or downstairs in Dock 37. My experience over the w/e was - Presented with bill; raised eyebrows; "Oh you're a diamond. I'll have that back and very sorry sir. Can I get the table more coffees(6 of us)? " . only happened the once.

 

[kermatu]

In the past 10 days I've been at Hilton Adelaide (coffee tax advised, confirmed even for a Diamond - I declined); HSW (no coffee tax); Auckland (no coffee tax); and Brisbane (no coffee tax).

I'll be dropping to Gold soon. My guess is Auckland is the only place that will still give the full free buffet / off the card / free coffees.

 

[Gonetroppo]

In the past 10 days I've been at Hilton Adelaide (coffee tax advised, confirmed even for a Diamond - I declined); HSW (no coffee tax); Auckland (no coffee tax); and Brisbane (no coffee tax).

I'll be dropping to Gold soon. My guess is Auckland is the only place that will still give the full free buffet / off the card / free coffees.

Hi Kermatu - Nice little run before your diamond cutoff! Interested to know your thoughts on diamond treatment at Auckland Hilton - maybe as the thread rubric or any comments you may have, please? Will be there next week and hoping it's better than the Taupo Hilton (woeful).

 

[jackthomas]

Hi Kermatu - Nice little run before your diamond cutoff! Interested to know your thoughts on diamond treatment at Auckland Hilton - maybe as the thread rubric or any comments you may have, please? Will be there next week and hoping it's better than the Taupo Hilton (woeful).

I'll cut in there if you don't mind. I think Hilton Auckland is fabulous..One of my favourites for location alone. They don't have one executive lounge but the drink vouchers they give to elites somehow make up for this..Full buffet breakfast which is quite good, some nice suites and I find even the Deluxe Plus room is enough for me, was upgraded to that last time. Lovely staff.

 

[Gonetroppo]

I'll cut in there if you don't mind. I think Hilton Auckland is fabulous..One of my favourites for location alone. They don't have one executive lounge but the drink vouchers they give to elites somehow make up for this..Full buffet breakfast which is quite good, some nice suites and I find even the Deluxe Plus room is enough for me, was upgraded to that last time. Lovely staff.

Good to know, thanks Jackthomas!

 

[kermatu]

Despite being so rudely cut-off by jackthomas...

I completely agree. It is a very good hotel. Staff are exceptional, from front desk, concierge guys (who I now all know), breakfast team (among the best I've encountered), housekeeping, room service etc. Staff at the bar are either exceptional or a bit off-hand, in my experience. As HH Diamond you get drink vouchers as jackthomas mentions - there is a list of what is allowable from the vouchers, but most of the time I've been able to get their best reds or even once a coughtail. This week I was shown the list, after being served my preferred pinot noir - I then went with the list for my remaining 3 drinks (I get 4 for my usual 2 night stays - but never use on my first night as I usually arrive well after midnight). They don't mind the vouchers being used at once.

Full breakfast buffet, plus a la carte options, unlimited and good coffee (inc take-away) - even nice iced coffee on warmer late-morning brunches! Room service very reasonable prices and good variety. Better value than the restaurant for dinner.

I've had some decent upgrades (to the Bow Suite) but only maybe 1 in every 3 visits. When not upgraded I've always received a bottle of wine as a welcome gift. Pre-selected rooms tend to stick.

Some negatives though - it gets full regularly so unless you book early the prices can be ridiculous. Rooms on lower floors facing in have no view whatsoever. And it is essential to check the cruise ship schedule and where they berth - absolutely no point booking a harbour view room if there's a ship literally a stone's throw alongside.

 

[kermatu]

Hi Kermatu - Nice little run before your diamond cutoff! Interested to know your thoughts on diamond treatment at Auckland Hilton - maybe as the thread rubric or any comments you may have, please? Will be there next week and hoping it's better than the Taupo Hilton (woeful).

Sadly most of this run was for work and fast in and out stays.

 

[Gonetroppo]

Despite being so rudely cut-off by jackthomas...

I completely agree. It is a very good hotel. Staff are exceptional, from front desk, concierge guys (who I now all know), breakfast team (among the best I've encountered), housekeeping, room service etc. Staff at the bar are either exceptional or a bit off-hand, in my experience. As HH Diamond you get drink vouchers as jackthomas mentions - there is a list of what is allowable from the vouchers, but most of the time I've been able to get their best reds or even once a coughtail. This week I was shown the list, after being served my preferred pinot noir - I then went with the list for my remaining 3 drinks (I get 4 for my usual 2 night stays - but never use on my first night as I usually arrive well after midnight). They don't mind the vouchers being used at once.

Full breakfast buffet, plus a la carte options, unlimited and good coffee (inc take-away) - even nice iced coffee on warmer late-morning brunches! Room service very reasonable prices and good variety. Better value than the restaurant for dinner.

I've had some decent upgrades (to the Bow Suite) but only maybe 1 in every 3 visits. When not upgraded I've always received a bottle of wine as a welcome gift. Pre-selected rooms tend to stick.

Some negatives though - it gets full regularly so unless you book early the prices can be ridiculous. Rooms on lower floors facing in have no view whatsoever. And it is essential to check the cruise ship schedule and where they berth - absolutely no point booking a harbour view room if there's a ship literally a stone's throw alongside.

Excellent, thanks especially for the room service tip - a good dinner option if we get a nice view.

...aaaand back to the usual programming, sorry folks....