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.

 

[froggerADL]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Newport
Rate: 49GBP AP (includes parking & breakfast)
Booked: Double Guestroom
Received: Double Deluxe



Dated hotel, but for 49 GBP didn't really expect much! Received the jar of jelly beans, jar of nuts and a drink voucher (should have been 2 as I booked for 2....), the day's newspaper was also left sitting next to the TV for reading purposes, I guess. Have just received the bill and the 30% off dinner we were told we'd get, hasn't been deducted; also the parking charge is on there, so will be a fun checkout methinks

What, they didn't charge you for breakfast. Lucky you

 

[Flashback]

What, they didn't charge you for breakfast.

Haha, that would have been awkward - especially being Diamond

Checking out now then going to check out some Roman ruins and a history museum that has working houses throughout the ages - should be interesting!

 

[cgoh]

18 stays and 30 nights around Asia since 1 Feb


Conrad HK
Conrad Macau
Conrad Sin
Hilton Sin
DT KL
Hilton KL


Except for Conrad Macao I have never been given a suite, and they keep struggling to get my preferred room correct. Cancelled my booking with DT KL for the rest of the year as I was told by the check in chic that they are always running at high occupancy and it's ok if I don't stay with them. I took it literally.


On a side note. Patiently waiting to be served to be checked out at a certain Hilton Hotel listed above which was really busy, a guy tried to cut queue and when he was stopped by the hotel staff, he yelled "but I'm a HHonors gold'..............


Gold must be the new diamond......

 

[jetlagger]

18 stays and 30 nights around Asia since 1 Feb


Conrad HK
Conrad Macau
Conrad Sin
Hilton Sin
DT KL
Hilton KL


Except for Conrad Macao I have never been given a suite, and they keep struggling to get my preferred room correct. Cancelled my booking with DT KL for the rest of the year as I was told by the check in chic that they are always running at high occupancy and it's ok if I don't stay with them. I took it literally.


On a side note. Patiently waiting to be served to be checked out at a certain Hilton Hotel listed above which was really busy, a guy tried to cut queue and when he was stopped by the hotel staff, he yelled "but I'm a HHonors gold'..............


Gold must be the new diamond......

Sounds disappointing.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

18 stays and 30 nights around Asia since 1 Feb.........
was told by the check in chic that they are always running at high occupancy and it's ok if I don't stay with them. I took it literally.

Really? WOW! I think the H chain needs to address that situation. Sounds like a staff member who just doesn't like to busy. A similar concept was relayed to me recently where a librarian gave away all the books in the library to "friends" because she didn't like to be pestered during her day.......true story and I can reveal the library, but due to me wanting to stay alive for a few more days yet, I hope you'll choose not to ask!

 

[drross]

sounds disappointing.

unbelievable.

 

[boomy]

18 stays and 30 nights around Asia since 1 Feb


Conrad HK
Conrad Macau
Conrad Sin
Hilton Sin
DT KL
Hilton KL


Except for Conrad Macao I have never been given a suite, and they keep struggling to get my preferred room correct. Cancelled my booking with DT KL for the rest of the year as I was told by the check in chic that they are always running at high occupancy and it's ok if I don't stay with them. I took it literally.

Only 1 suite out of 18 stays, that's very poor.
You may want to look at SPG, with the amount of stays you do, you will reach platinum in no time and they are much more generous with suite upgrades.

 

[cgoh]

Only 1 suite out of 18 stays, that's very poor.
You may want to look at SPG, with the amount of stays you do, you will reach platinum in no time and they are much more generous with suite upgrades.

SPG?? Don't get me talking about them. I have stays in Westin, Sheraton, St Regis, Four Points and Aloft with them. The only one who got it right was Aloft, yes the cheapest and lowest category of them all!

last night at the Le Meredien

me: I'm checking in
LM: yes sir your room is ready, classic, non smoking, king
me: no. I booked a classic, smoking, king
LM: yes sir. I have a classic, non smoking, king for you
me: you didn't hear me. Classic, smoking, king
LM: yes sir, classic, smoking, twin
me: give me what I want or a refund, your choice.
LM: sorry sir, I only have classic, smoking, twin
me: give me a cash refund
LM: I think I found you a room but it's not ready do you mind waiting for half an hour <- this is at 10PM

St Regis, even worse. I won't post it public but the email from the director of room was purely insulting. In the end I was compensated. But I was never looking for compensation. I only wanted a good night sleep!

 

[boomy]

SPG?? Don't get me talking about them. I have stays in Westin, Sheraton, St Regis, Four Points and Aloft with them. The only one who got it right was Aloft, yes the cheapest and lowest category of them all!

last night at the Le Meredien

me: I'm checking in
LM: yes sir your room is ready, classic, non smoking, king
me: no. I booked a classic, smoking, king
LM: yes sir. I have a classic, non smoking, king for you
me: you didn't hear me. Classic, smoking, king
LM: yes sir, classic, smoking, twin
me: give me what I want or a refund, your choice.
LM: sorry sir, I only have classic, smoking, twin
me: give me a cash refund
LM: I think I found you a room but it's not ready do you mind waiting for half an hour <- this is at 10PM

St Regis, even worse. I won't post it public but the email from the director of room was purely insulting. In the end I was compensated. But I was never looking for compensation. I only wanted a good night sleep!

WOW looks you got very unlucky with hotel stays recently. I hope things will improve for you soon. It doesn't make sense to pay so much for 5* hotels and get cough service.
I recommended SPG because I usually have good experience with their properties, but I don't stay at hotels as much as you obviously do so my experience may be limited compared to yours.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I only wanted a good night sleep!

And presumably, a smoke!

 

[anat0l]

last night at the Le Meredien

me: I'm checking in
LM: yes sir your room is ready, classic, non smoking, king
me: no. I booked a classic, smoking, king
LM: yes sir. I have a classic, non smoking, king for you
me: you didn't hear me. Classic, smoking, king
LM: yes sir, classic, smoking, twin
me: give me what I want or a refund, your choice.
LM: sorry sir, I only have classic, smoking, twin
me: give me a cash refund
LM: I think I found you a room but it's not ready do you mind waiting for half an hour <- this is at 10PM

And presumably, a smoke!

I was going to say... getting a smoking room these days must be like finding hen's teeth.

 

[N860CR]

I must try the Conrad next time I am in SIN although all properties in Singapore seem to be getting more expensive every trip, rather than once or twice a year.

Can you please tell me how you find out about an upgrade before you arrive? I have often pre-requested an upgrade as a Diamond but have never known the outcome until check-in. Can you find it in your booking on the HHonors site?

A few days after booking I noticed my room changed to executive rather than the standard.

 

[cgoh]

WOW looks you got very unlucky with hotel stays recently. I hope things will improve for you soon. It doesn't make sense to pay so much for 5* hotels and get cough service.
I recommended SPG because I usually have good experience with their properties, but I don't stay at hotels as much as you obviously do so my experience may be limited compared to yours.

Thanks,

I guess I was off to a very good start with Hiltons around Asia that my expectation was set far too high. Before 1 Feb I was almost certainly given a suite, except for NYE where it is understandable. After 1 Feb everything just went down hill from there, and I have learnt to just book any hotel at the best available rate. Other HHonors diamond benefits just doesn't interest me - I'm never around for their coughtail hours, hardly have breakfast in hotel, and late checkout is non-existent anyway!.

One thing about SPG that I do like, late check out is always 4PM, guaranteed!.

 

[cgoh]

I was going to say... getting a smoking room these days must be like finding hen's teeth.

It most certainly is, and always a good excuse for the hotel denying you an upgrade. Most common line I get from Hotel is, "I have a suite for you, but it is non-smoking. If you want smoking then it will have to be executive.

I took up the challenge once and said, yes, give me a non-smoking suite.

Answer: It will be a 2 hour wait, is that ok with you?

 

[boomy]

One thing about SPG that I do like, late check out is always 4PM, guaranteed!.

Agree! Hilton are very stingy with late checkouts, 1pm maybe 2pm max.

 

[markis10]

Agree! Hilton are very stingy with late checkouts, 1pm maybe 2pm max.

Maybe cgoh should be looking at IHG Ambassador and it's guaranteed 4PM checkouts, and for RAs, 8AM checkin, pity they stay in KL, the IC is hardly inviting with its service levels.

 

[boomy]

Status: Diamond
Property: Conrad Maldives
Nights: 5 nights
Rate: 380,000 points
Booked: King Beach Villa
Received: King Beach Villa
After landing at MLE, we were taken to the Conrad lounge at the airport and offered complementary 15 minutes head & shoulder massage, a great start to the holiday. 45 minutes later we boarded the seaplane who took us on a scenic flight above all the nice resorts and after 30 minutes we finally arrived at the Conrad.
This property is exempted from the free upgrade policy for diamonds, so I had to add US$380 per night for a King Water Villa upgrade for the last 2 nights.
The Beach Villa is very spacious, with a large outdoor bath & shower and a direct beach access.
The Water Villa is a bit smaller but still specious enough for a couple. It has an outdoor plunge pool.
The resort is spread on 2 Islands. The bigger one holds all the beach villas and some of the premium water villas. It also has a large coral reef, restaurants, bars and a pool. The small island holds only over water villas and also has restaurants, bars and an adults only "quiet zone" area with a nice over water pool. The 2 Islands are connected by a long bridge and there is a boat service which runs every 10 minutes and a buggy service on call.
Diamond benefits:
Daily breakfast with a choice of 2 restaurants: one is buffet in the main island and the other is a la carte on the second island.
Daily happy hour between 5-6pm.
In the room we got a bowl of fruits, a box of chocolates, 2 bottles of water, a bottle of Bordeaux wine and a stuffed Nemo
There was an interesting mix of guests in the resort: couples and families, Aussie, Europeans, Canadians, Chinese, Japanese. But there was one thing everyone had in common - a constant smile on their faces
This resort is on the expensive side but considering everything is imported, including the coconuts (!), the prices are reasonable, especially when compared to the quality on offer. The wine cellar is impressive and the cheese selection is the best I've seen in any hotel so far. All the seafood I ate was fresh and the meat was of the highest quality.
There are some very interesting dining options: The most famous one is Ithaa undersea restaurant (the first in the world). We had drinks there in the morning (yes, it's ok to drink champagne at 11am when you're on holiday ) and even managed to get a private tour in the evening (there are different fish swimming there at night). I recommend to go in the morning as visibility is better and the photos will be much nicer.
Another great experience is the wine cellar dinner. It's a very informative night hosted but the hotel's sommelier. He selects a variety if wines to match the special 5 course dinner. It was an intimate event for only 8 people (4 couples). We had very interesting discussions about wine and off course drank a lot of it
There are 2 spa options, one in each island. We did the couples massage in the over water spa with glass floor, It was amazing.
There are plenty of tours who will take you snorkelling, fishing, diving and plenty of water sports as well. I think we were a bit more active then most people there, who chose to stay at the resort and snorkel in the local reef, sit by the pool or just relax their villas.
In conclusion, if you have a taste for the finer things in life and enough HH points to spend, Conrad Maldives is one of the best options points can buy.

 

[markis10]

I have moved specific comments re the Maldives property to its own thread which is already in existence.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ldives-any-experiences-questions-56297-2.html

 

[boomy]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Adelaide
Nights: 1 night
Booked: King Guest
Received: King Executive
Positives:
- Although I haven't stayed in ADL for a while (since last year) the staff, both at reception and in the lounge, remembered my name. Very nice!
- The exec lounge was not too crowded and the wine on offer a bit better then in other Australian Hiltons.
- Good breakfast at the restaurant, loved the eggs Benedict
Negatives:
- Only 2 small bottles of water in the room, no Diamond recognition at all.
- No evening turndown in exec room.
- Water pressure in rain shower very low. It actually reminded me of that famous Seinfeld episode...
This is my favourite hotel in ADL but this stay was very average. I hope my next stay will be more memorable.

 

[cgoh]

Either I have Boomy's blessing or the hotel god is now finally showing me some love.


My best rate of the day policy brought me to DT KL and whilst initially told that they now only upgrade to the next level, I was given the key to a suite. Was expecting nothing and I guess that worked. Lol