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.

 

[anat0l]

My chocolates weren't Roses, they were much nicer - Lindt? They were round, soft middles and in a red wrapper.

Whoops - you're right. We got Lindt - not Roses - too, in fact, one was yellow, one was blue and the other red.

I just remember chocolates...although I was wrong about the value (i.e. Lindt ain't cheap)

 

[drross]

have found Melb airport Hilton great. staff always well trained and receptive to requests. the suites are huge. usually get a complementary bottle of wine in the room (with the chocs and mentos) - though i think this started after my 5thor 10th stay at that hotel

 

[hgwells01]

Hilton on the Park nights of 6 & 7 Jan, 4 bottles of water, letter of welcome, no exec floor access - it was closed and was under refurb, thought they might have given me a free drink voucher to have in the lobby but nope, will see how they go when back 11/12 Feb, anyone seen the new lounge?

 

[straitman]

Hilton Sydney Friday 28th January 2011.

For those who do not know the Exec lounge is on the 36th floor of this hotel.

I stayed there last Friday night and went straight to the exec lounge for check-in. This was accomplished without any hassle and I mentioned that I would be back in 30-60 min for the evening drinks. On arriving back at the lounge the same staff member ushered me to, in his words, the best table in the house and made sure I was comfortable. The food, drinks and service in the lounge was very good.

Did I get an upgrade? Well on paper it was an upgrade I'm not sure if that I can tell the difference as from my experience the rooms are all very small but functional. My room was on the 27th floor so no where near the lounge on floor levels but no different from what I can see. (Executive rooms were still being sold as I used the free internet to check) One bottle of water was provided.

My comments card reflected all this so I'll be interested to see if I get a response.

In the morning I had breakfast downstairs at Glass Brasserie. The only issue was that they need to organise their seating a little better. I was ushered to a table, got some orange juice and put it on the table and went to get food only to find someone else had taken over the table. A staff member seated me a few tables further along only to have someone come back with their breakfast to say I was at their table!! It was all sorted out easily so no major issues.

The hotel is easy to get to as it is only about a 100m walk from the Town Hall rail station.

Comparing this hotel to South Wharf on Melbourne.
South Wharf always treats us better and if you do not get a suite upgrade the room is big enough to swing a cat unlike the Sydney rooms. I've had a suite upgrade about half the time in Melbourne and never in Sydney.

Having said all that at $A166.50 minus 20% Hilton Premium Club discount ($A133.20) it was excellent value.

 

[DC3]

Hilton on the Park nights of 6 & 7 Jan, 4 bottles of water, letter of welcome, no exec floor access - it was closed and was under refurb, thought they might have given me a free drink voucher to have in the lobby but nope, will see how they go when back 11/12 Feb, anyone seen the new lounge?

I stayed in the last week of December. The Executive Lounge was closed (for 2 weeks acccording to reception) but complimentary drinks and finger food were provided in the lobby bar from 6.00 to 8.00pm. Waiter service by the bar staff.

 

[hgwells01]

hmmm I sat in the downstairs bar and bought my own, none on offer when I was there during those times, as I said maybe a couple of vouchers for gold/diamond/exec floor people would have been nice to compensate for it being closed. But still have another 3 trips booked there in the next couple of months, will be interesting to see what has changed in the lounge.

 

[straitman]

hmmm I sat in the downstairs bar and bought my own, none on offer when I was there during those times, as I said maybe a couple of vouchers for gold/diamond/exec floor people would have been nice to compensate for it being closed. But still have another 3 trips booked there in the next couple of months, will be interesting to see what has changed in the lounge.

I have not stayed at Hilton on the Park since the poor treatment we received at Oz Fest nearly 4 years ago. I'll be there on Tuesday night so will be interested to see how they treat us then.

 

[DC3]

hmmm I sat in the downstairs bar and bought my own, none on offer when I was there during those times, as I said maybe a couple of vouchers for gold/diamond/exec floor people would have been nice to compensate for it being closed.

There was no need for vouchers when I was last at Hilton on the Park. The lounge bar staff brought the complimentary food and drinks to the table. No limit, just one round at a time and no self-service. There were several others in the lounge receiving these also, but not everyone.

The drinks and food weren't on display, but were brought to the table from behind the bar once I had told them my room number and shown them the letter from the GM explaining the temporary arrangements (free food and drinks in the bar from 6.00pm to 8.00pm, and afternoon tea) while the Executive Lounge was closed. The food wasn't substantial, just some finger food.

I also went to the Executive floor just to have a look at the lounge 'refurbishment'. The Executive Lounge was locked and I couln't see any changes in there, at that time. That was in late December.

 

[straitman]

Fiji Beach Resort and Spa Managed by Hilton.

The Resort located on Denarau Island and is approx a 20 min Taxi ride from Nadi International Airport which costs approx $FJ35. (Approx $A19) Fiji roads are pretty ordinary but who cares.

At the entrance to the island there is a security barrier and it all changes from pretty ordinary (but interesting) to pretty nice. The greeting at the hotel was well done and very professional. The staff literally fall over themselves in an effort to look after you. I had booked a Studio Beachfront as part of the AP Bed and Breakfast promo and we were upgraded to One Bedroom Beachfront. We were very near the office but my concerns about noise were ill founded. We also got three welcome letters in the room which were all hand written and from different people.

Three large separate rooms and it was all great. Bathroom etc at one end, Bedroom in the middle and a Kitchen Lounge room facing the water. The kitchen part was fully appointed with everything you could imagine. Outside on the verandah was a large, (immaculately clean) BBQ. Internet was cable (ie not wireless) but was very fast and without issue.

We wandered and found a nice looking little restaurant and had a great meal. I had a Chinese dish and my wife had Mud Crab. She was very impressed! Cost incl drinks was $FJ98 ($A53) minus 20% for the Hilton Premium Club discount. ($A44.44) Excellent value.

On site there was a bakery, a small general store and several restaurants. One of the restaurants was used for breakfast which was a full on service with everything. The only disappointing part with this was that regular coffee as Americans like it was free but real coffee as we Australians like it was $5.50 a cup ($A3).

We organised a midday checkout without issue and when our pick-up was a little late the concierge went off and got us some extra water without having to be asked.

In summary. The locals refer to Fiji Beach Resort and Spa Managed by Hilton as the best there is and I cannot disagree at all. Excellent at all levels. We are looking forward to going back their next Friday night.

 

[kpc]

We wandered and found a nice looking little restaurant and had a great meal. I had a Chinese dish and my wife had Mud Crab. She was very impressed! Cost incl drinks was $FJ98 ($A53) minus 20% for the Hilton Premium Club discount. ($A44.44) Excellent value.

Thanks for the above review Bill. We are staying there for 2 nights in the last weekend in March. I redeemed a point stretcher award for 21K per night (instead of the normal 35K). I didn't realise the Hilton Premium Card is valid for Fiji as I still have a couple of "Member for Stay" cards. Might have a look at the daily rate again. Can you remember the name of the restaurant where you had the mud crab - we both love mud crab!!

 

[straitman]

Thanks for the above review Bill. We are staying there for 2 nights in the last weekend in March. I redeemed a point stretcher award for 21K per night (instead of the normal 35K). I didn't realise the Hilton Premium Card is valid for Fiji as I still have a couple of "Member for Stay" cards. Might have a look at the daily rate again. Can you remember the name of the restaurant where you had the mud crab - we both love mud crab!!

The restaurant was 'Maravu.' From reception take the walkway past the accommodation blocks and it is just to the left as you approach the beach.

 

[Moopere]

Fiji Beach Resort and Spa Managed by Hilton.

Thanks for the hotel report Straitman. I've been thinking about a short trip in the Sth Pacific.

 

[japansuki]

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

I've just become a HHG member and staying for the first time as a Gold member at the Hilton Cairns. I have booked 4 nights over Easter with HH points - wonder if I will get an upgrade to the Kind suite as well? Would be brilliant!

 

[drross]

you'll like cairns hilton. staff are excellent and very friendly.

 

[reductionist]

Saturday, 12 to Sunday 13 February

Property: Hilton Sydney
Room booked: KING HILTON DELUXE ROOM
Rate: Advance Purchase $342
Received: No Upgrade but offered Executive Lounge access (evening drinks/canape's & breakfast).

This was my first ever stay at at Hilton Hotel. I signed up to HHonors a few months back. I have 7 additional upcoming stays in the US booked and paid for so I guess they wanted to make a good first impression? Lounge was busy during the breakfast rush but the staff were lovely (and did a good job of remembering my name).

 

[straitman]

Thanks for the above review Bill. We are staying there for 2 nights in the last weekend in March. I redeemed a point stretcher award for 21K per night (instead of the normal 35K). I didn't realise the Hilton Premium Card is valid for Fiji as I still have a couple of "Member for Stay" cards. Might have a look at the daily rate again. Can you remember the name of the restaurant where you had the mud crab - we both love mud crab!!

A few observations about these stays.

1. We got the same great upgrade on our return visit.
2. The food at Maravu was really great the second time also.
3. We looked at the menu at Nuku and were not impressed with either price or options.
4. Nuku Restaurant will be closed for refurbishment for 2 weeks from the 16th February 2011.
5. If you make a prepaid booking make sure of your rates as I don't believe my HPC discount has been applied. -- I will work this out today and get back to them if necessary or apologise to them on this thread.
6. The normal cabs from the airport are 'very ordinary' (being really polite here). The concierge organised the cab back and it was quite a different experience at the same price. I have the guys phone number if anyone wants it.

 

[serfty]

Some posts relevant to point 5 moved to their own thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ount-application-issues-28246.html#post405492

 

[hgwells01]

Nights 12 & 13 Feb upgraded to Exec Floor at Hilton on the Park Melb, 2 bottles of water per day and welcome letter. Looked at the "refurbishment" of the lounge, couldn't see any difference! So not sure why it was closed for 2 weeks over Xmas, maybe it was behind the scenes. Back again for 4 nights in Mar, then the Conrad Bali here I come a few days later

 

[GCC]

Hi

Thanks Straitman for the review of Fiji Resort operated by Hilton. I am sold and about to book 7 nights in May.
Has anyone seen inside the studio deluxe / plus rooms? We have a one year old so need a separate bedroom/living area. On the web site the "studio deluxe / studio plus" rooms are large (60sqm) & described as having separate living / dining areas, but I'm not sure if that means actual separate rooms.
While I'm be hoping for an upgrade to the 1br as HH Gold, nothing is guaranteed so want to be sure the actual room we book would be OK for 7 nights with a baby.
I'm also assuming that the property honors the free b'fast amenity for HH gold & spouse so we can book room only?

 

[Moopere]

If no-one here knows you might get a few indicative photos on tripadvisor.com I usually go there first as the travellers photos are far more honest than many hotel promotion photos tend to be.