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.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I'm scoping this property if good runs ex-DPS become available again so thanks for the review. I drove past it a few weeks ago and the location looked good. I'd definitely go for the 5k/night option... outstanding value.

Great value for a brief transit indeed. The free shuttle leaves every 30 mins which is also very handy otherwise they can get a taxi there in 10. If you did have to stay the pool looks quite nice and taxis are cheap enough to get you anywhere you need to be.

 

[SponsorSFC]

Property: Parmelia Hilton Perth
Date: Fri Nov 16
Status: Diamond
Rate: Advance Purchase
Room Booked: King Deluxe
Room provided: King Suite.

A great one night stay here, pre-upgraded the night before to a King Suite. Granted 2pm late checkout.

We were going to opening night of the ballet so had an early dinner and drink at Adelphi (also meant we would hit the Amex credit threshold) our waitress Amy was delightful.

Will definitely be considering staying again instead of getting a cab home next time we are out int he city.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Property: West Hotel Sydney
Date: Mon Nov 19th
Status: Diamond
Rate: Standard Reward Redemption
Room Booked: King Acacia Room
Room provided: King Waratah Premium

Lady Lenny and I had tickets to a show at the Opera House on Monday night so instead of schlepping back up the mountains or using my parent's spare room we decided to cash in one of my free night certificates and stay in town. Booking was annoying as it had to be done over the phone and for some reason they weren't seeing any standard redemption availability at Hilton Sydney even though I was sure there was on the website. At any rate we got a redemption for West Hotel, and I've wanted to try it out anyway so it worked out.

We only spent a small amount of time there so I only really got an impression of it, but I liked it. Upgrade was available so I checked in on the app, a printed letter welcoming me as a diamond and listing the benefits was given with the key along with 2 drink vouchers good for house wine, beer and spirits. Room was a little small, but quite adequate, comfortable bed, good shower and I liked the dark wood theme. We were on lvl 8 looking over Barangaroo and the freeway, but almost no noise when the curtains were drawn and only a faint noise when they were open.

I like the bar and the interior courtyard, it was a lovely place for a gin before we headed out to dinner and the show. Only real complaint was the breakfast. Fairly limited offerings, they forgot our coffee request and there didn't seem to be any milk or sugar pre-set on our table (unlike all the others). The yoghurt pots were nice though, and the pastry selections whilst limited, were tasty. Seemed to have the usual eggs, bacon, tomato and pancakes as a hot option, although I don't tend to go for that if I'm heading to work from a hotel. But the service was quite indifferent and seemed both a bit shambolic yet also uninterested.

Overall I was quite happy, but I think if I had paid the room rate or had been staying there whilst on holiday I would have been a little underwhelmed with the experience, largely down to the breakfast service/options. I would have no issues redeeming points/certificates for a stay, and the menu at the restaurant looked quite good. But for Lady Lenny and I, the Hilton Sydney is still our preference.

 

[Aeolus]

How many stays per year do you need in a single hotel to get consistent upgrades you may ask?
This much!!

Doing a sweep of all the Hilton amenities that I have hauled each year which goes to charity. Those in ADL who may want to donate, happy to collect them on your behalf as I only need to drop them off at my work and they come and collect in 2 week’s time.

 

[foggy]

How many stays per year do you need in a single hotel to get consistent upgrades you may ask?
This much!!
View attachment 144963
Doing a sweep of all the Hilton amenities that I have hauled each year which goes to charity. Those in ADL who may want to donate, happy to collect them on your behalf as I only need to drop them off at my work and they come and collect in 2 week’s time.

View attachment 144964

impressive

 

[kermatu]

How many stays per year do you need in a single hotel to get consistent upgrades you may ask?
This much!!
View attachment 144963
Doing a sweep of all the Hilton amenities that I have hauled each year which goes to charity. Those in ADL who may want to donate, happy to collect them on your behalf as I only need to drop them off at my work and they come and collect in 2 week’s time.

View attachment 144964

Hotel security need to frisk you on departure.

Nice work!

 

[Aeolus]

Hotel security need to frisk you on departure.

Nice work!

I have a confession to make...still got a stash in the hotel itself in my big bag that lives there!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

And here I am, feeling guilty if I break open a toothbrush pack when I've forgotten mine!

 

[Aeolus]

And here I am, feeling guilty if I break open a toothbrush pack when I've forgotten mine!

You shouldn’t feel guilty, I get requests to collect these every year. If it’s not for a good cause I wouldn’t have bothered as they can get quite heavy! The charity packs them into individual sets and give them as stocking fillers to those that don’t have much. Believe it or not, Crabtree & Evelyn considered luxury in their eyes.

 

[earlyriser]

Have just been to the US and Singapore, will order from best to worst. Very little by the way of upgrades in the US.
Diamond Member

Conrad Singapore
Points stay
Booked: King Deluxe
Received: Centennial King Suite
Flawless stay. Were even given a King Deluxe room for a 6 pm checkout as they needed the suite back.

DoubleTree Youngstown
Booked: King
Received: King Junior Suite
I don't know if anyone here has a need to go to Youngstown, but this hotel is wonderful and a newly updated historic building. The staff are incredibly friendly and there is a nice restaurant downstairs. However, I only received the upgrade by asking after checking in as the king was very small.

Millennium New York
Booked and received: King Junior Suite ($160 US - right before Thanksgiving)
Was not offered upgrade. Still, one of the bigger rooms I have ever stayed in NYC.

Hilton Boston/Dedham
Booked and received: King
Was told could not have an upgrade due to staying five nights, but did receive some special treatment and was allowed to browse rooms in person before choosing. Great location next to commuter rail if you need to save money compared to downtown Boston. Also, free shuttle bus to and from the nearby Legacy Place shopping which has a whole foods.

Hilton Indianapolis
Booked and received: King
Nice spacious room, but no upgrade offered (busy Saturday night). Service was horrible. Made to pay $4 for a hot breakfast privilege.

Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Dublin, Embassy Suites Hilton Cincinnati Blue Ash, Hilton Garden Inn Greenwood Indianapolis
Booked and received: King
Nothing noteworthy here.

 

[QF WP]

I have a similar stash of toiletries that I gather up and donate every year. Currently at Hilton Perth and started my collection which will last 3 nights.

Jono at breakfast must have given me 20 Earl Grey individual sachets this morning, knowing it’s my drink of choice. He was rapt to see me (as I was him - much nicer with a friendly welcome). Also met Paola from Brazil.

Actually the count was 12 (I’ve already had one). Diamond status has its benefits



Just checked my bathroom and Housekeeping left me double of everything. Gone straight in my bag

 

[QF WP]

Property: Parmelia Hilton Perth
Date: Nov 2018 for 3 nights
Status: Diamond
Rate: AAA Stay & Save ($639 for 3 nights)
Room Booked: Queen Guestroom
Room provided: King Deluxe

Check-in after a transcontinental flight was underwhelming. No mention of status until he got out the paperwork (even after he’d checked the booking onscreen). Not much of an upgrade. Had already checked in via App. Diamond amenities offered and received (3 x complimentary drink voucher & tapas, plus bag with 2 waters). 20% off dinner at Adelphi plugged and card received. Amenity in room received (3 chocolates and additional 2 waters)



Actually don’t mind this room type, my second choice behind Queen Suite



Amex discount taking away some of the disappointment of not receiving Queen Suite (is in my profile), given I could see they were still for sale and another Diamond checking in beside me received one (albeit he was staying 5 nights)...



The other benefit of being Diamond is always my biggest benefit



Plus having good servers who recognise and remember personal preferences and make sure I have enough for my stay

 

[kermatu]

Check-in after a transcontinental flight was underwhelming. No mention of status until he got out the paperwork (even after he’d checked the booking onscreen). Not much of an upgrade. Had already checked in via App. Diamond amenities offered and received (3 x complimentary drink voucher & tapas, plus bag with 2 waters). 20% off dinner at Adelphi plugged and card received. Amenity in room received (3 chocolates and additional 2 waters)

Bit of a disappointing upgrade. But I hope you get to see Jocelyn. From memory I was told she works Tuesdays.

I may be back in Perth briefly in January and might return to the Parmelia just to see what happens after my recent issues.

 

[QF WP]

Thought I’d spend my $50 Amex credit for dinner. Forgot to get a photo of the menu, too busy with AFF

My free Diamond amenity tapas



Crusted lamp rack with black olive compote, potato and vegetables



Did end up having a glass of Noble One with this coconut ice cream ball with lime & passion fruit. OMG, seriously do yourself a favour and get it next time you’re here @kermatu . I might even have another one tomorrow night



Server of the night - Amy (Vietnamese). Always smiling, funny and deserving of the tip I gave her

Dinner cost $22 so thanks Amex

 

[QF WP]

Bit of a disappointing upgrade. But I hope you get to see Jocelyn. From memory I was told she works Tuesdays.

I may be back in Perth briefly in January and might return to the Parmelia just to see what happens after my recent issues.

Correct - Tuesday’s and Fridays, so hoping to see her tomorrow morning.

Oh, you need to come back. I’ll let Jocelyn know when you’re coming!

 

[kermatu]

Correct - Tuesday’s and Fridays, so hoping to see her tomorrow morning.

Oh, you need to come back. I’ll let Jocelyn know when you’re coming!

Was planning tomorrow to email Oswaldo and Stephanie (front desk) who I spoke with / emailed last time, about possible stay. I have never met Jocelyn. But I'll PM you my dates anyway - can't hurt!

 

[kermatu]

Did end up having a glass of Noble One with this coconut ice cream ball with lime & passion fruit. OMG, seriously do yourself a favour and get it next time you’re here @kermatu . I might even have another one tomorrow night

Rarely have anything like this as I'm not a sweet tooth. But does look and sound good!

 

[QF WP]

Probably not want you want to find in the corner of your bathroom during a stay (I put it onto the bath mat for easier viewing). Certainly not my hair - wrong color and length ...

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Probably not want you want to find in the corner of your bathroom during a stay (I put it onto the bath mat for easier viewing). Certainly not my hair - wrong color and length ...

That is ..... not good

 

[kermatu]

Certainly not my hair - wrong color and length ...

I hope Mrs QF WP doesn't read this thread.