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.

 

[turtlemichael]

Property: Hilton Perth
Status: Diamond
...
I went to order an omelette at breakfast but was told that would cost extra. I didn't push it but queried it at check-out - cooked to order eggs should have been included, so worth pursuing if you are knocked back.

Although that is the practice in most hotels how can you argue with it when the guarantee is only continental? I have to say though that I have never seen that "surcharge" anywhere else where they allow full breakfast.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Although that is the practice in most hotels how can you argue with it when the guarantee is only continental? I have to say though that I have never seen that "surcharge" anywhere else where they allow full breakfast.

My last stay at DT-CNS saw me receive an upgrade card to a full breakfast. DT and Hilton in Cairns have been only giving continental and at this stage, I have no idea if the upgrade cards are for all diamonds, or gold and diamond, or for regular stayers, or a "once off" gesture, or something else. I was glad of it, as breakfast in the VA lounge was woeful, to say the least. The coffee machine at DT-CNS has packed it in and management have decided not to replace it, so the choice is barista coffee ($4.50 tax applied) or that mud in a plunger. The coffee tax doesn't particularly bother me as I reckon getting a full breakie more than makes up for it.

The rest of the stay was good also. Welcome pack on arrival, including 2 waters, a newspaper, a welcome card from the GM, choc coated macadamias, two warm cookies and two vouchers for snacks and drinks in the bar! I was also upgraded to a HH floor ocean view with balcony and the feather pillows replaced with the firmer ones (which was a request I made some time back and they remembered ... or I should say, OnQ remembered )!

Oh, and I had best make mention of the bar staff (especially Giovanni). They are welcoming, friendly, attentive and a pleasure to deal with. It makes such a huge difference in having pleasant conversation after travelling, rather than grumpy people who don't want to be there. The DT-CNS bar staff are superb and remember my drinks and bar snacks I tend to order.

 

[earlyriser]

Property: Hilton Sydney
Status: Diamond
Booked: King room
Received: King relaxation room

Busy on Sunday evening in the lounge but breakfast in Glass on Monday was quiet.

Do you visit often? I am still waiting for my first relaxation room upgrade, and I mostly visit on Sunday nights as well.

 

[kermatu]

Although that is the practice in most hotels how can you argue with it when the guarantee is only continental? I have to say though that I have never seen that "surcharge" anywhere else where they allow full breakfast.

The Perth Hilton specifically advises that Diamonds get a full buffet breakfast (in lieu of an executive lounge). So JT was right to assume an omelette could be provided without additional charge, in my opinion.

That said I just got surprised at the Pullman in Auckland where rather than have the buffet I ordered a lighter healthier breakfast option (egg white scramble, smoked salmon, avocado mushrooms) - half the cost of the price of the buffet but they wanted to charge me for it at the end, without advising me in advance. Got it waived as I pointed out I'd done the same thing at least four times and never been charged. Do it regularly at the Hilton Auckland, used to do it at HSW all the time too. Can no longer do it in H-CNS - there is now a charge for anything fancy, but omelettes are still free.

Who knew breakfast could be so complicated.

 

[QF WP]

Property: Hilton Perth
Status: Diamond
Rate: gubment
Booked: King room
Received: Queen suite

Water at checkin as well as a couple in the room. Little jar of honey and some sweet bites. Soy in the fridge. Drinks and snack vouchers.

I went to order an omelette at breakfast but was told that would cost extra. I didn't push it but queried it at check-out - cooked to order eggs should have been included, so worth pursuing if you are knocked back.

Queen suite has now been recorded as my 'preferred room'. No coffee tax.

Now back to being my favourite Hilton in which I stay. Queen Suite has been in my profile as well for a couple of years

Unless it's changed from when I was last there, you were fed A-Grade bull**** by the server (there were a couple of new ones last time). Was Jono (the Asian waiter) there at breakfast?

 

[kermatu]

My last stay at DT-CNS saw me receive an upgrade card to a full breakfast. DT and Hilton in Cairns have been only giving continental and at this stage, I have no idea if the upgrade cards are for all diamonds, or gold and diamond, or for regular stayers, or a "once off" gesture, or something else...

I got the "full breakfast" card at H-CNS the other day. Diamond was specifically written on it too. The team at breakfast never looked at it once. Marked my room off their usual long list (plus recognised me). I had booked the Exec Spa room which does not include breakfast downstairs so I suspect Diamonds still get the full buffet here for free minus the special extras (like French toast or eggs benny) that used to be free, as noted above.

 

[kermatu]

Now back to being my favourite Hilton in which I stay. Queen Suite has been in my profile as well for a couple of years

Unless it's changed from when I was last there, you were fed A-Grade bull**** by the server (there were a couple of new ones last time). Was Jono (the Asian waiter) there at breakfast?

Jono was there yesterday. Looked after me very well. Wouldn't let me carry my own plate back to my table. Made me two coffees and a fresh juice with no fuss.

 

[QF WP]

Yes, he's a champion - remembers my name, tea order and looks after me (taken on organising my omelette order) - but I'm only a twice/year guest there. I must have made an impression . Deirdre was the same (long timer who left last year, dark hair).

kermatu, I trust you have a favourite Suite in your profile

 

[kermatu]

Yes, he's a champion - remembers my name, tea order and looks after me (taken on organising my omelette order) - but I'm only a twice/year guest there. I must have made an impression . Deirdre was the same (long timer who left last year, dark hair).

kermatu, I trust you have a favourite Suite in your profile

He seemed very good, and put a premium on service.

Actually I'm a nobody there. Aside from being Diamond. I've only stayed there twice in maybe four years. Tend to stay the Hyatt Regency when in Perth, which isn't that often to be honest. Especially now they've been refurbishing their suites. But it too is pricey and I've been well looked after at the Mercure which is less of a hit to the wallet (mine or work), so am quite happy there.

The Parmelia desperately needs a refurb. Place felt very tired and had a bad smell. To be fair they seem to have had a lot of rain there this week.

I booked and received a King Suite. Will post more about all my recent and upcoming Hilton stays shortly.

 

[QF WP]

kermatu, you don't need to be too much of a regular to have a favourite room/Suite in your profile for any property, but I suggest meeting the Customer Experience Manager of any property in which you stay regularly and they should be able to easily arrange (used to be Jocelyn at Perth, but she's now on maternity leave until end June 2018).

 

[Fifa]

Do you visit often? I am still waiting for my first relaxation room upgrade, and I mostly visit on Sunday nights as well.

I probably stay at the Hilton Sydney 3 or 4 times a year.
I have received a relaxation once and this is the second time I have received a relaxation room so it was a nice surprise.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I got the "full breakfast" card at H-CNS the other day. Diamond was specifically written on it too. The team at breakfast never looked at it once. Marked my room off their usual long list (plus recognised me). I had booked the Exec Spa room which does not include breakfast downstairs so I suspect Diamonds still get the full buffet here for free minus the special extras (like French toast or eggs benny) that used to be free, as noted above.

I have to admit, I've not been charged for the Hilton "full" breakie even though I've seen the stapled slip on the room key wallet stating continental for 1! I have a bit of a system and Hilton often misses the pleasure of my company () for breakfast as I fly out before it opens, but when I have been there for it, Brendan is an absolute champion and after a lengthy chat we have about just about anything topical (and lot's that's not), it seems full breakie is fine. I have the family joining me in a few weeks and I was miffed the Premier Suite was taken, but I did get the only suite at the DT as a consolation prize!

 

[turtlemichael]

I have to admit, I've not been charged for the Hilton "full" breakie even though I've seen the stapled slip on the room key wallet stating continental for 1!....

Interesting system in the restaurant at the Stockholm Slussen Hilton where I am currently. Your name, as a Diamond or a Gold in a different colour from the rest, is crossed off the list when you arrive. You are then seated in a part of the restaurant where the tables have Hilton Honors signs on them. I thought this was going to be a way of identifying those who could only have continental but no, it was open slather for everything including the excellent omelettes. Who knows why? Maybe to make us feel special?

 

[Aeolus]

Staying at H-PER this Sun. Which room number is the Queen Suite? I find it more subtle to ask for a particular room than request for suite so thought I'll give that a go if OLCI shows standard room.
By the way, whoever that is managing the HSYD's yield should go for more training on yield management. Earlier this week, rates for Wed-Fri were over $1k/night! Now it's dropped to mid $300, madness! Wonder how many bookings they've lost out as a result, I'm one of them!

 

[kermatu]

Staying at H-PER this Sun. Which room number is the Queen Suite? I find it more subtle to ask for a particular room than request for suite so thought I'll give that a go if OLCI shows standard room.
By the way, whoever that is managing the HSYD's yield should go for more training on yield management. Earlier this week, rates for Wed-Fri were over $1k/night! Now it's dropped to mid $300, madness! Wonder how many bookings they've lost out as a result, I'm one of them!

I can tell you 819 is a King Suite. I was in it a day or two ago. Large corner suite with several rooms / zones, wrap around balcony (with glorious view of office workers and concrete), old, pretty dark, but comfortable nonetheless.

 

[Aeolus]

I can tell you 819 is a King Suite. I was in it a day or two ago. Large corner suite with several rooms / zones, wrap around balcony (with glorious view of office workers and concrete), old, pretty dark, but comfortable nonetheless.

Thanks, I've tried that one but not yet the Queen Suite so thought I'll subtly ask if that room number is available. I suppose one could take a guess from the floor layout but thought it'll be easier to ask those who had stayed in that suite before.

 

[kermatu]

kermatu, you don't need to be too much of a regular to have a favourite room/Suite in your profile for any property, but I suggest meeting the Customer Experience Manager of any property in which you stay regularly and they should be able to easily arrange (used to be Jocelyn at Perth, but she's now on maternity leave until end June 2018).

Thanks QF WP. I only occasionally contact managers and only when I've stayed a few times as you suggest. Just my style. Several hotels do know my preferences -- Cairns Hilton does and the now ex-HSW sure did. The three Sofitels in Oz do too (though largely because I value a room with a walk-in shower over most other things and these are a premium in all three and my EA hammers them for the right room whenever she books one for me through work). The Pullman and Hilton in Auckland, and the Conrad in Singapore are the others where I now have established preferences.

 

[JessicaTam]

kermatu, you don't need to be too much of a regular to have a favourite room/Suite in your profile for any property, but I suggest meeting the Customer Experience Manager of any property in which you stay regularly and they should be able to easily arrange (used to be Jocelyn at Perth, but she's now on maternity leave until end June 2018).

I only stay 2 nights a year max as well, but they were more than happy to add the queen suite to my profile. Jono wasn't on the Saturday I was there.

Thanks, I've tried that one but not yet the Queen Suite so thought I'll subtly ask if that room number is available. I suppose one could take a guess from the floor layout but thought it'll be easier to ask those who had stayed in that suite before.

I prefer the queen to the king as it was not quite so spread out. I think I was in 1005 or 6. For once I didn't take a photo of the card holder. Oops.

 

[hydrabyss]

By the way, whoever that is managing the HSYD's yield should go for more training on yield management. Earlier this week, rates for Wed-Fri were over $1k/night! Now it's dropped to mid $300, madness! Wonder how many bookings they've lost out as a result, I'm one of them!

I had intended to stay Monday night but due to the rate decided not to. Then around midday noticed it had dropped to under $200 and had the same thought how many bookings do they loose if they get it wrong.

 

[Economy_Gold]

Interesting system in the restaurant at the Stockholm Slussen Hilton where I am currently. Your name, as a Diamond or a Gold in a different colour from the rest, is crossed off the list when you arrive. You are then seated in a part of the restaurant where the tables have Hilton Honors signs on them. I thought this was going to be a way of identifying those who could only have continental but no, it was open slather for everything including the excellent omelettes. Who knows why? Maybe to make us feel special?

I have experienced that at several Hilton properties worldwide (just not in AU). Ofter a special (in their view best) section of the restaurant is reserved for the status guests, sometimes this results in particularly good service in this section.
Other chains do the same, for example the Crowne Plaza Singapore Changi had it when I still had status with IHG.