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.

 

[austgap]

Property: Doubletree Melbourne
Status: Platinum
Room Booked: Queen guest room
Rate : $190/night
Received: King Flinders St station view
Standard: 2xbottles of water + cookie.
No drink vouchers and as other posts have said that Diamond's now only get continental ($10 upgrade for full) and coffee tax (unless you're happy with machine coffee)

 

[Tlee]

Property: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Melbourne
Status: Diamond
Room booked: Queen Guest Room
Rate: $185/night
Received: King Flinders Street Station View

A two-night stay. I got the upgrade on the date of arrival.

The front desk said that this specific type of room was quite limited. Hence, I didn't have many options but stayed on the low floor. They mentioned that the only difference between Room 401 and 402 was the location of the TV.

Overall, with my previous experience with Hilton Melbourne in mind, this stay is far from ideal.

• My room was unlocked when I arrived. (A gentle pull/push is sometimes needed to make the door of my room closed completely)
• No complimentary drinks or snacks for Diamond members. There are cookies for all guests and two bottles of water for members. Only ‘Like A Member’ offer applies (25% off for Gold and Diamond members)
• Extra $10 for hot breakfast.
• Bath robe, shower caps, dental kits etc. are available upon request.
• The traffic/train noise at night might be unbearable for some. (Low floor)
• The server at the restaurant only knew the name of ‘Curry of the day’ (Jamaican curry). After she checked with the chef three times, the additional information we got is ‘the curry is creamy’.

The manager on duty was quite responsive. Unfortunately, apart from apologies and asking the maintenance team to check the door, nothing substantial had been done. I was just glad it was only a two-night stay.

---

Property: Hilton Adelaide
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Rate: $185/night
Received: King Hilton Executive

A 4-night stay. Got the automatic upgrade before arrival.

Similar to the previous stay in late April 2021, the hotel provides the diamond members with the vouchers for drinks and canapés (5 - 7 PM). I wasn't given the vouchers and bottled water during the check-in. I had to ask for it.

Nothing really changed. The deco was still quite old-fashioned.

The only thing I want to mention is the king bed. It actually consists of two single beds. I found this ‘king bed’ a bit uncomfortable. I was told that all king beds on the executive level can be split into two singles. According to the GM of property, king split beds are commonly used in hotels so the hotel is able to accommodate large groups and their different bedding configuration requirements.

Freebie: I got four drink vouchers left, which are valid for House Wine, Local Beer, Soft Drink or Tea/Coffee. If someone is in Brisbane and planing to visit Adelaide, feel free to grab them from me. (The bar staff didn't ask if I stayed at the hotel when I used a voucher.)

 

[SYD]

Property: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Melbourne
Status: Diamond
Room booked: Queen Guest Room
Rate: $185/night
Received: King Flinders Street Station View

A two-night stay. I got the upgrade on the date of arrival.

The front desk said that this specific type of room was quite limited. Hence, I didn't have many options but stayed on the low floor. They mentioned that the only difference between Room 401 and 402 was the location of the TV.

Overall, with my previous experience with Hilton Melbourne in mind, this stay is far from ideal.

• My room was unlocked when I arrived. (A gentle pull/push is sometimes needed to make the door of my room closed completely)
• No complimentary drinks or snacks for Diamond members. There are cookies for all guests and two bottles of water for members. Only ‘Like A Member’ offer applies (25% off for Gold and Diamond members)
• Extra $10 for hot breakfast.
• Bath robe, shower caps, dental kits etc. are available upon request.
• The traffic/train noise at night might be unbearable for some. (Low floor)
• The server at the restaurant only knew the name of ‘Curry of the day’ (Jamaican curry). After checking with the chef for three times, the additional information we got is ‘the curry is creamy’.

The manager on duty was quite responsive. Unfortunately, apart from apologies and asking the maintenance team to check the door, nothing substantial had been done. I was just glad it was only a two-night stay.

I probably would have asked for a “City View“ room (high floor / rear).

Two bathrobes we’re hanging in my room just the other day but we didn’t dine in house (other than comp b’fast buffet).

 

[bits]

Property: Hilton Sydney
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Guest, 18 Feb
Rate: $161/night for 1 night
Received: City Suite

Evening canapes/drinks has relocated back to the level 36 executive lounge.

 

[Berlin]

The only thing I want to mention is the king bed. It actually consists of two single beds. I found this ‘king bed’ a bit uncomfortable. I was told that all king beds on the executive level can be split into two singles. According to the GM of property, king split beds are commonly used in hotels so the hotel is able to accommodate large groups and their different bedding configuration requirements.

My absolute pet hate when hotels do this! Two singles are never as comfortable as a nice big King bed where you can stretch out in all directions. What I hate the most about it that a.) hotels seems to think that their guests are just plain stupid and don't notice and b.) that they have the audacity to advertise/ book these false Kings as "King room" which is simply misleading advertising in my eyes.

And there are hotels that bother replacing the mattress types depending on the types of guests they have. It's just a matter of cost/ effort so not good enough if you encounter two singles.

Rant over. My heart rate went up just writing this

 

[drross]

Hilton Brisbane last weekend for 2 nights.
Status - Diamond
Upgraded to a high floor. Government rate here was less than half the Sofitel’s rate!
Lounge still not open. Drinks and canapes downstairs free for ‘elites’ from 6-7 each evening. Good snacks. Vintaged wasn’t open Monday night.
Breakfast - in Vintaged - buffet and omelette station. Good service. Everyone friendly and helpful
The recent floods had effected the Queen st mall elevators and all 3 we’re out of action for my entire stay. Elizabeth street entrance was locked and only accessible via your room key - hadn’t checked in but luckily another guest turned up and let me in. I think it was only locked while the Bellhop was parking customer’s cars. It wasn’t a problem again during the stay.

 

[DC3]

Hilton Brisbane: 4-12/3/22 (8 nights)

The EL, L25, was open on Fri 4th and Sat 5th, 5.30-7.00pm. Also on Fri 11th (and planned for Sat 12th, but that was my check-out day). Advised by sms about EL opening. Limited to one plate of canapés, self-serve drinks, spirits to order. Pretty full.

Vintaged Restaurant is only open for breakfast. Not for lunch or dinner, until further notice.

 

[bits]

Property: Hilton Sydney
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Guest, 13 March
Rate: $161/night for 1 night
Received: Junior Suite

 

[austgap]

Property: Hilton Brisbane
Status: Diamond
Room Booked: King guest room
Rate : $240/night
Received: King Executive room (Level 25)
Standard: 2xbottles of water (replaced each night)
Pretty generic Hilton experience, didn't partake in the canapé hour as had evening plans both nights but the bar area was packed at 6pm when I was walking out. No coffee tax.

 

[drross]

I was there Sunday and Monday nights. How was the lounge? Busy?

Hilton Brisbane: 4-12/3/22 (8 nights)

The EL, L25, was open on Fri 4th and Sat 5th, 5.30-7.00pm. Also on Fri 11th (and planned for Sat 12th, but that was my check-out day). Advised by sms about EL opening. Limited to one plate of canapés, self-serve drinks, spirits to order. Pretty full.

Vintaged Restaurant is only open for breakfast. Not for lunch or dinner, until further notice.

 

[DC3]

I was there Sunday and Monday nights. How was the lounge? Busy?

The EL was at about 90%-plus capacity on the Fri/Sat nights with not much turn-over. I was told that it’s been opening on some nights in order to make room for the expected crowd at the Lobby Bar area.

Edit: On a couple of nights that I stayed, the hotel ended up being booked out

 

[http_x92]

The 2 Hiltons in Melbourne sold out for the F1 weekend and I heard the Queen Street one has an executive lounge that has not been opened yet. Maybe that will be the time.

Haven't experienced the executive lounge in any Hilton yet. Looking forward to the stay.

 

[mhossen]

The 2 Hiltons in Melbourne sold out for the F1 weekend and I heard the Queen Street one has an executive lounge that has not been opened yet. Maybe that will be the time.

Haven't experienced the executive lounge in any Hilton yet. Looking forward to the stay.

I emailed the GM last week and queried this. No ETA on the EL. In fact at my last stay most of the staff pretended it doesn’t exist (it shows on the map in the app)

 

[Daver6]

I emailed the GM last week and queried this. No ETA on the EL. In fact at my last stay most of the staff pretended it doesn’t exist (it shows on the map in the app)

We really need the emoji for message reactions.

 

[http_x92]

Interesting story after I tried to redeem recently - I think I got transferred to the HGV promotions team. Told me I was eligible for the Orlando or Vegas packages which came in at $199 for 3 nights. I said it was quite far and politely declined it.

Did some research and I guess the only catch is you need to attend a persuasive timeshare presentation but other than that it is a deal.

Seems like this is what can be done every 6 months if you want to ring them up. I think if I was offered the Hawaii package (like the 5 nights/$649 one) I might have been more persuaded, since its closer. Anyone take up this sort of deal in the past?

 

[glasszon]

Interesting story after I tried to redeem recently - I think I got transferred to the HGV promotions team. Told me I was eligible for the Orlando or Vegas packages which came in at $199 for 3 nights. I said it was quite far and politely declined it.

Did some research and I guess the only catch is you need to attend a persuasive timeshare presentation but other than that it is a deal.

Seems like this is what can be done every 6 months if you want to ring them up. I think if I was offered the Hawaii package (like the 5 nights/$649 one) I might have been more persuaded, since its closer. Anyone take up this sort of deal in the past?

I took up this option for Marriott. They have a timeshare property in Gold Coast and it's much easier and cheaper to get to than the US.

From what I heard, Vegas timeshare presentation for Hilton could be a bit aggressive. When I went to the Marriott Gold Coast property the presentation is really low key and the salesperson didn't push me as soon as she realised timeshare doesn't make sense for me.

No matter what they promise you, don't sign anything on the day. Even if you want to buy into timeshare, it's much cheaper to buy on the resale market than from the developer.

 

[drross]

I took up this option for Marriott. They have a timeshare property in Gold Coast and it's much easier and cheaper to get to than the US.

From what I heard, Vegas timeshare presentation for Hilton could be a bit aggressive. When I went to the Marriott Gold Coast property the presentation is really low key and the salesperson didn't push me as soon as she realised timeshare doesn't make sense for me.

No matter what they promise you, don't sign anything on the day. Even if you want to buy into timeshare, it's much cheaper to buy on the resale market than from the developer.

Totally agree glasszon

 

[DC3]

Timeshare is quite a thing in the US of course, as some on here know.

Some US Hyatt timeshare properties/hotels would have the Timeshare Man lurking near reception. Although, once he heard the Oz accent, usually lost interest pretty fast.

I’ve had the Timeshare presentation offer from Hilton on occasions, but have never accepted the invitation. No use to me in any case. Reports about some presentations (practically being held ‘hostage’) haven’t sounded too appealing.

 

[http_x92]

I took up this option for Marriott. They have a timeshare property in Gold Coast and it's much easier and cheaper to get to than the US.

From what I heard, Vegas timeshare presentation for Hilton could be a bit aggressive. When I went to the Marriott Gold Coast property the presentation is really low key and the salesperson didn't push me as soon as she realised timeshare doesn't make sense for me.

No matter what they promise you, don't sign anything on the day. Even if you want to buy into timeshare, it's much cheaper to buy on the resale market than from the developer.

I have looked up some HGV experiences and guides over saying no to the timeshare offers during the presentations. Few good ones out there. Some are high pressure and some are pretty chill.

I guess for a solo trip it might be okay as I don't get persuaded easily if I do my research on a product.

 

[Spacetravel]

Interesting story after I tried to redeem recently - I think I got transferred to the HGV promotions team. Told me I was eligible for the Orlando or Vegas packages which came in at $199 for 3 nights. I said it was quite far and politely declined it.

Did some research and I guess the only catch is you need to attend a persuasive timeshare presentation but other than that it is a deal.

Seems like this is what can be done every 6 months if you want to ring them up. I think if I was offered the Hawaii package (like the 5 nights/$649 one) I might have been more persuaded, since its closer. Anyone take up this sort of deal in the past?

Was offered this late last year when changing an upcoming booking. As I already had plans to go to Vegas, already was booked to stay at HGV Elara. I cancelled that booking and took them up on the offer which is for the same hotel. Will be staying in May. Will report back on my stay in a seperate thread after.