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.

 

[ALH]

Property: The Adelaide Hilton
Booked: 1 King Bed Standard
Received: 1 Junior Suite
Rate: $ 384 for 4 nights, after $ 120 Amex Cash Back

Complementary water
Executive Lounge and Breakfast included as Diamond Guest

NB. Could be noisy next to the Elevators

 

[mel-world]

A pleasant surprise - and a bit of a disappointment.

Property: Hilton - Denver City Center
Booked: 1 King Bed Standard
Received: Executive King with Lounge benefits

A modern room on the 31st level with normal Diamond benefits, including a reasonable (well, good by NA standards) breakfast and an honor bar with some canapes in the evening. It looked as though the room had been recently updated. The air conditioning was loud and the walk-in shower (good) was impossible to turn on without getting covered in cold water (not so good). Centrally located 1 block from the 16th Street pedestrian mall and copious shops. I would also recommend the train to the airport for $9 as you can then use the free Mall bus to get to the hotel.

Property: The Elara Vacation Resort Hilton - Las Vegas
Booked: 1 King Standard Suite
Received: 1 King Standard Suite - 51st Floor - great for plane spotting as overlooked LAS airport

Don't expect a single Diamond benefit at this property. It is only a block of the middle of the Strip and was a lot more modern than I had been led to believe having read some reports. However, the rate was low for a weekend and lower when I re-booked it a week out. However, no welcome or water offered and the first thing was a Diamond offer to upgrade for a 50% discount. Then an offer to attend a seminar on Hilton Vacations in return for a show ticket and dinner. I was happy to refuse bot offers. No restaurant in the property (if you discount the ubiquitous Starbucks).

Asked for a late check-out as 1000 seemed early - was initially offered 1100!! but did manage to get 1200. Not sure what you do if you have a late flight. The room did have facilities to cook, a combined shower and spa bath and there was a guest laundry if you have an extended stay. It was connected to a large shopping centre so no shortage of places to eat. I would recommend 'O' at the Bellagio across the road - the best Cirque show I have ever seen and simply amazing.

 

[boomy]

Property: Grand Wailea (Waldorf Astoria) Maui
Booked: King Terrace View
Received: King Ocean View

Back to this property after exactly 1 year, this time for 7 nights stay. Had a few issues getting ocean view upgrade for such a long stay because it’s technically a double upgrade and WA properties rarely offer more than one level, especially for long stays. Initially they offered the additional upgrade at discounted rate of $100 per night but eventually I managed to convince them to drop it because we are returning guests, loyal to WA, celebrating special occasion blah blah blah...
It’s important to say that rooms are the same size - 60sqm - but the view from balcony can be very different. Terrace view face the “wrong side”, basically to the car park and Four Seasons resort next door. Garden views are better but located on lower floors hence not the most private. Ocean view rooms on high floors are the best in terms of views and privacy, that’s why I’ve insisted on getting one of them.

Breakfast was not free but Gold and Diamond members get $15 vouchers per person per day to spend anywhere in the resort. We used these vouchers every day for a-la-carte breakfast and only once chose the full buffet ($35).
Tried some of the in-house restaurants for lunch and dinner, all nice but overpriced. We had car so most days ate outside.

There is separate swimming pool for adults which is very nice and quiet. The other pools (located on different levels) have some cool features like a brand new super fast water slide, water sports bar and the world’s only water elevator.

After missing on it last year this time +1 booked a treatment in their famous and outrageously expensive spa (top 10 in US or something like that). She said it was phenomenal.

After trying a few resorts in Maui over the years, including FS which considered to be the best, I find WA to be the most impressive. Very hard to find something negative to say about this amazing place. The only thing that bothered me was lack of shade in the adults pool. There were plenty seats but not enough umbrellas which seemed to be done on purpose to encourage guests to rent private cabanas. Apart from that everything else about this resort was perfect!

 

[liamsal]

Hilton Surfers Paradise Residences
1 night (June 2018)
Diamond
Booked/Received: 2 Bedroom Sky Residence
Rate: $280/night (after $120 Amex offer)

Early check in of 9am, offered late check out of 4pm but wasn't needed, complimentary valet parking, third guest stayed free and they comp'd buffet breakfast for the third guest as well. Small touches like being personally greeted by name on the driveway by staff and check in staff were great (again making it very personal). First time staying at this property and was absolutely blown away by the level of service offered.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Hilton Surfers Paradise Residences
1 night (June 2018)
Diamond
Booked/Received: 2 Bedroom Sky Residence
Rate: $280/night (after $120 Amex offer)

Early check in of 9am, offered late check out of 4pm but wasn't needed, complimentary valet parking, third guest stayed free and they comp'd buffet breakfast for the third guest as well. Small touches like being personally greeted by name on the driveway by staff and check in staff were great (again making it very personal). First time staying at this property and was absolutely blown away by the level of service offered.

What do you mean by driveway? Have they bolstered the 2 car roadway space to include an actual check in driveway? How did the staff greet you by name? By rego?

Great to hear HSP may at last be starting to act like a worldwide hotel property rather than a local backpacker joint. Did you get the tall tower (closer the beach - the Orchid Tower) or the short tower (Boulevard Tower)? As diamond, did they offer you exec. lounge access?

 

[liamsal]

I received a text message from the hotel on the morning of the day I was checking in and they asked me to let them know when I was 10 minutes away. They also asked for the make and model of my car - not rego. When I pulled onto the driveway just before you head down into the carpark, one of their staff members walked over to the car and greeted me by name and offered to valet park our car.

They gave us exec lounge access but I didn't use it.

I was under the impression one tower is all residential (Orchid tower) and the other is purely the hotel rooms. Either way we stayed in the Orchid Ave tower,

 

[kermatu]

Property: Hilton Auckland
Date: Early June, two nights.
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Harbour View
Rate: Late booking so was almost $400 per night - though eased by the AMEX cashback which was a pleasant surprise as I didn't know it applied more than once.
Received: Bow Suite Floor 5.
Benefits: Full breakfast; 4 drink vouchers, two waters plus turndown service (including more waters and chocs). No wine.

Very happy with the upgrade (views from the bow suite are really superb but not worth paying for outright), and room was available on check-in at 1:30pm which was handy as I had an appointment in town an hour later. Some building work was being done so quite a bit of noise during the day but I barely heard it when in the room. Being at the end of the hotel probably helped a bit. Was noisy outside and in the lift area.

Staff terrific as usual and lots of warm handshakes and welcomes-back from familiar faces. Doormen, room service and breakfast crew in particular.

Bar service better than previous stays but they are still quite lax on table service. Hotel still could do with an EL. At minimum, some food should be given in the bar, even if a small plate a la Perth. I've given this feedback every stay - so don't expect it will change. I guess a mixed blessing as the bar refurb has made it a really comfortable and pleasant place, the slightly indifferent service / amenity probably keeps it a bit quieter and more peaceful after 7pm - which I like.

Room service still very good and very reasonably priced for the offerings and given the location.

The breakfast team were great as always BUT I was very sad to hear Ana-Marie has moved on. She looked after me so well, never imposed a charge (for extra breakfast on a 6am arrival; items off the menu; coffee tax) and gave instructions to the rest of her team to look after me if she wouldn't be working any particular day - but most of all was just the most cheerful and lovely person. Gather she is now in the front office at the MEL DT (I have never stayed there - if anyone comes across her please post!). Still enough familiar faces that I got exactly the same treatment and no charges imposed for coffee or anything off the menu. (There is now a very clear card that specifies coffees are extra and only certain types of eggs are free for diamonds - and I heard this enforced on other diamonds).

Nice stay. Likely to lose my Diamond status next year so possibly only a couple more visits there unless prices drop dramatically (highly unlikely) to make it competitive with my other regular, the Pullman.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I received a text message from the hotel on the morning of the day I was checking in and they asked me to let them know when I was 10 minutes away. They also asked for the make and model of my car - not rego. When I pulled onto the driveway just before you head down into the carpark, one of their staff members walked over to the car and greeted me by name and offered to valet park our car.

They gave us exec lounge access but I didn't use it.

I was under the impression one tower is all residential (Orchid tower) and the other is purely the hotel rooms. Either way we stayed in the Orchid Ave tower,

Goog to hear of some positive improvements. The valet offer is the first I've heard of, but admittedly, the parking spots you speak of are often full and I usually head straight to the basement. Mind you, if I was offered valet, I'd take it.

Both towers have residences. The hotel is only in the Orchid Tower, which is also (IMHO) the better tower for the residences.

 

[tgh]

I have two problems, one is a free night expiring and two is a wedding anniversary…..
Due to our peculiar circumstances, it is very difficult to go interstate, even overnight.
Sooooo.. Hilton BrisVegas or Hilton Gold Coast ?

 

[kermatu]

I have two problems, one is a free night expiring and two is a wedding anniversary…..
Due to our peculiar circumstances, it is very difficult to go interstate, even overnight.
Sooooo.. Hilton BrisVegas or Hilton Gold Coast ?

I think Brisbane is a safer bet.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'd say it depends upon what you want to do. If it's just mill around the hotel, then I think both options will disappoint. Neither are what I'd call anything more than a place to sleep.

HSP in the hotel, generally has the better rooms (I do actually enjoy an upgrade to the relaxation room, which is fairly common for me, from a base booking, but I'm not sure if they upgrade a free night). If you'd enjoy Surfers (like BrisVegas, Surfers has come a long way over the years) and lounging on the beaches, than HSP (in a hotel room) would tick the boxes IMHO.

 

[puppysparkes]

Club member at the time of the stay.

Property: Hilton - Bandung, West Java
Booked: King Deluxe
Received: King Deluxe

Ten days was an ample period to review this property.

Excellent gym, pool/cabanas, spa and sauna facilities. The beauty spa was closed as per ramadan requirement. The Fresco and Purnawarman Restaurants offered both local and international foods or a reasonable quality. All the staff at this property were super friendly and always smiling and happy to help with anything. The room itself was far better than I expected and at 45msq, spacious! Fortunately the room faced the airport so I managed to do some plane spotting while sitting in the comfort of the air con. The property is centrally located with only a five minute walk to the Pascal mall and street foods near the train station. Depending on traffic, other malls are 10-20 minutes ride in a car, faster on a motorcycle. The only down vote is much like any other property, the wifi speeds. As usual throughout the day downloads were 3.90 - 4.00 Mbps and uploads 4.75 - 4.86 Mbps. This improved significantly once everyone had gone to bed.

I managed to meet and greet the GM (actually it was the other way around) who handed me his card, which is impressive as a pleb. I'm now SG but aside from a potential room upgrade - I'm not sure how they could improve on my return trip in the coming weeks.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I thought this Hilton was gone from the stable? Great to hear the experience. May I ask about some more.... like how you got there? Was it worth the effort?

 

[Virgin Bart]

Hilton - Bandung

Great review. One of my favourite Hiltons. Get the suite.

 

[puppysparkes]

I thought this Hilton was gone from the stable? Great to hear the experience. May I ask about some more.... like how you got there? Was it worth the effort?

From BNE i took me 24 hours to check in! BNE - SYD - CGK. Then 3 trains to Bandung! The MTR is super clean and has been operational for 2-3 months.

 

[QF WP]

Property: Hilton Parmelia Perth

Breakfast buffet was good, with Jono in fine form and looking after me very well. He really is outstanding.

Jono has never failed to look after me, remembers my name (although I'm there only once or twice a year and remembers that I drink Earl Grey. I wonder whether Jocelyn (Guest Relations Manager) is back at work - she was off on maternity leave from July 17. Short, blonde, bubbly, has 15 year pin on her lapel.

Property: Hilton Auckland

The breakfast team were great as always BUT I was very sad to hear Ana-Marie has moved on. She looked after me so well, never imposed a charge (for extra breakfast on a 6am arrival; items off the menu; coffee tax) and gave instructions to the rest of her team to look after me if she wouldn't be working any particular day - but most of all was just the most cheerful and lovely person. Gather she is now in the front office at the MEL DT (I have never stayed there - if anyone comes across her please post!)

@straitman and @JessicaTam to the white courtesy phone (I also stay there but only a couple times per year - but I'll look out for you)

 

[JessicaTam]

@straitman and @JessicaTam to the white courtesy phone

Thanks for the nudge @QF WP. I don't think I have met Jocelyn yet, but I will ask after her when I am there next.

 

[kermatu]

Jono has never failed to look after me, remembers my name (although I'm there only once or twice a year and remembers that I drink Earl Grey. I wonder whether Jocelyn (Guest Relations Manager) is back at work - she was off on maternity leave from July 17. Short, blonde, bubbly, has 15 year pin on her lapel.


@straitman and @JessicaTam to the white courtesy phone (I also stay there but only a couple times per year - but I'll look out for you)

Don't know Jocelyn but don't recall anyone of that description either. I'm likely there again briefly next month so will ask.

And thanks re Ana-Marie. Would be great if she knows H-AKL regulars miss her. I never know if front office = front desk. Next time in Melb I might just wander in and ask after her (even if not staying)!

 

[QF WP]

Thanks for the nudge @QF WP. I don't think I have met Jocelyn yet, but I will ask after her when I am there next.

The nudge was for you to see if you can find Ana-Marie next time you’re at Mel DT, you’re a regular there still, aren’t you??

 

[JessicaTam]

The nudge was for you to see if you can find Ana-Marie next time you’re at Mel DT, you’re a regular there still, aren’t you??

Ah got it. Ana-Marie it is!

And 'regular' is one way of putting it.