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.

 

[Moopere]

(I don't get why people complain about small hotel rooms in cities such as SYD and HKG when you should be out enjoying the actual city - but that's another thread I guess)

It probably depends on your own personal needs and wants. I like a bit of room myself. Its why I stop living in an apartment years ago and live in a house now ... though I might be tempted back to a large enough apartment

The thing with space for me is that sure, I'm probably out and about for the better part of most days, but when I come back after mooching about it can be quite nice to lounge about in ones room with your partner/friend or whatever. Exec lounge at most hiltons are usually pretty nice, but can be noisy so not always what you want, and a lot of hotels don't really have a quieter place to just chill ... so, nice room, with a lounge even better (suite), watch a bit of TV or a movie or something.

 

[coolumbla]

well id tell you about the lounge and my upgrade to a suite but my omni driver has 2 flat tyres and I'm sitting waiting for a solution!

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I was taking to some people working at Hilton (not SYD) the other day and was told they struggle with too many people getting drink in the lounge.

I can understand that in an EL such as Adelaide where it's all free pour.

 

[boomy]

well id tell you about the lounge and my upgrade to a suite but my omni driver has 2 flat tyres and I'm sitting waiting for a solution!

I think you definitely deserve a few drinks once you finally get there, hopefully the lounge will still be open.

 

[jojen]

well id tell you about the lounge and my upgrade to a suite but my omni driver has 2 flat tyres and I'm sitting waiting for a solution!

Sorry to you are held up but. Mr jojen & I are in the lounge now and can report that obtaining two drinks was no problem at all

We were also upgraded from a Hilton guest room to a relaxation room. Pity we are leaving at 6.30 am on our way to Amsterdam !!!

Must also mention the new staff uniforms, the girls look very smart and elegant in the new outfits complete with necklace !

jojen

 

[Princess Fiona]

At this stage, it looks as though Shrek and I will be there on Sat evening. Hopefully not in a shoe box and hopefully not subject to the one drink limit at the Exec Lounge. I like to hide in a corner and send Shrek up for the drinks

 

[Clivem]

I experienced some truly out standing service from a staff member at the Hilton Cairns this morning who really did go above and beyond the call of duty ........ I would like to send an e-mail to the GM of the property to personally advise him of the outstanding service I received ....I think the GM is possibly a Mr. John Lucas ...... just wondering if anyone would know his e-mail address? Cheers.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

At this stage, it looks as though Shrek and I will be there on Sat evening. Hopefully not in a shoe box and hopefully not subject to the one drink limit at the Exec Lounge. I like to hide in a corner and send Shrek up for the drinks

We hid in the corner too. Mrs 340 also sent me for drinks. Hmmm I sense a trend.

 

[ash.1111]

HH Gold here. Staying at New York Midtown in 2 weeks for 8 nights. We've booked the Deluxe Room but hoping for an upgrade seeing as it's our first time to NYC and we're paying over $3,600USD.

Should I e-mail the manager? I know HH Gold in the US is a bit "meh"... so not sure what to do to better our chances. I was thinking of basically saying "first time in NYC, happy to check-in later if we can get a better room".

 

[boomy]

HH Gold here. Staying at New York Midtown in 2 weeks for 8 nights. We've booked the Deluxe Room but hoping for an upgrade seeing as it's our first time to NYC and we're paying over $3,600USD.

Should I e-mail the manager? I know HH Gold in the US is a bit "meh"... so not sure what to do to better our chances. I was thinking of basically saying "first time in NYC, happy to check-in later if we can get a better room".

8 nights is a long stay. It's hard to get a good upgrade even as diamond but you should definitely try, you have nothing to loose.
When I really want to secure a better then usual upgrade I just call the hotel and say we are celebrating a "special occasion" on the day. It usually works well for short stays.

 

[boomy]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Sydney
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: King Executive
After securing platinum with SPG for another year it was time to check out Hilton Sydney again. I tried to lower my expectations as much as possible to avoid disappointment.
When checked in I asked if there are any relaxation rooms available and was told there are but an upgrade will involve additional cost. I thought it's strange because I got them for free before but at least they didn't lie to me this time saying all are fully booked. The room we got was on the top floor so at least had a nice view of the city.
In the room I found a nice bottle of Shiraz. A big improvement from the previous wine they used to gift Diamonds.

The staff in the exec lounge were all very nice and attentive. After reading some mixed reports I had to try the alcohol service. While I waited in the queue one guy ordered 2 scotch and the other 3 beers. I ordered 2 glasses of Shiraz (not Bay of Stones thanks god!) and everyone got what they asked for. Jasmine, you're a champion!
At first we planned to have a few drinks in the lounge and go out for dinner but after we had some prawns, and then some more and a few bowls of very good onion soup we decided to end the night with pepper cheddar cheese and a few more drinks.
The breakfast buffet is probably the best I've seen in any Australian Hilton and all the staff there are very nice and professional.
The overall service improved a lot since the last time I've been there, just too bad the rooms are so tiny and ordinary looking, otherwise it could be a great hotel.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Sydney
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: King Executive
After securing platinum with SPG for another year it was time to check out Hilton Sydney again. I tried to lower my expectations as much as possible to avoid disappointment.
When checked in I asked if there are any relaxation rooms available and was told there are but an upgrade will involve additional cost. I thought it's strange because I got them for free before but at least they didn't lie to me this time saying all are fully booked. The room we got was on the top floor so at least had a nice view of the city.
In the room I found a nice bottle of Shiraz. A big improvement from the previous wine they used to gift Diamonds.
View attachment 34588
The staff in the exec lounge were all very nice and attentive. After reading some mixed reports I had to try the alcohol service. While I waited in the queue one guy ordered 2 scotch and the other 3 beers. I ordered 2 glasses of Shiraz (not Bay of Stones thanks god!) and everyone got what they asked for. Jasmine, you're a champion!
At first we planned to have a few drinks in the lounge and go out for dinner but after we had some prawns, and then some more and a few bowls of very good onion soup we decided to end the night with pepper cheddar cheese and a few more drinks.
The breakfast buffet is probably the best I've seen in any Australian Hilton and all the staff there are very nice and professional.
The overall service improved a lot since the last time I've been there, just too bad the rooms are so tiny and ordinary looking, otherwise it could be a great hotel.

I agree about the breakfast buffet, it's excellent.
I never had any luck with upgrades at Hilton Sydney so I always tick the NOR1 upgrades on booking. I've never received anything less than a Relaxation Room this way.
If others are doing this it may be a self-fulfilling prophecy mind you.

 

[turtlemichael]

I agree about the breakfast buffet, it's excellent.
I never had any luck with upgrades at Hilton Sydney so I always tick the NOR1 upgrades on booking. I've never received anything less than a Relaxation Room this way.
If others are doing this it may be a self-fulfilling prophecy mind you.

PF, is there a going rate for a NOR1 ugrade to a suite? Or does it vary with the booking base rate?

 

[Princess Fiona]

PF, is there a going rate for a NOR1 ugrade to a suite? Or does it vary with the booking base rate?

Haven't fully tested it out but I think it varies more with the room type booked than the base rate.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

When checked in I asked if there are any relaxation rooms available and was told there are but an upgrade will involve additional cost.

I agree it is good that at least you are not lied to point blank, but I find this pay for upgrade a bit at odds with HH which includes suites if available.

Did they say how much the upgrade would be?

 

[Danger]

I agree it is good that at least you are not lied to point blank, but I find this pay for upgrade a bit at odds with HH which includes suites if available.

Did they say how much the upgrade would be?

I don't think HHonors Diamond upgrades include suites as a matter of policy. Sure you can get them but about three or so years ago they diluted the premium spirit that was the upgrade benefit down to a cheap goon bag with the addition of "preferred room".

 

[straitman]

I experienced some truly out standing service from a staff member at the Hilton Cairns this morning who really did go above and beyond the call of duty ........ I would like to send an e-mail to the GM of the property to personally advise him of the outstanding service I received ....I think the GM is possibly a Mr. John Lucas ...... just wondering if anyone would know his e-mail address? Cheers.

From memory it is [email protected]
I should still have his card and will look when I get home.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I don't think HHonors Diamond upgrades include suites as a matter of policy.

They certainly include them as policy, but each individual hotel has the final decision on what they give. The problem with HSYD is that it's only the suites that are genuine upgrades and now they seem to be charging for that privilege.

Upgrades may also be rooms with desirable views, corner rooms, rooms on high floors, rooms with special amenities, rooms on Executive Floors, or suites, as identified by each property.

 

[boomy]

I agree it is good that at least you are not lied to point blank, but I find this pay for upgrade a bit at odds with HH which includes suites if available.

Did they say how much the upgrade would be?

I didn't bother asking as I had not intention to pay extra for an upgrade.
I think they should give it for free to diamonds if there are available rooms. I didn't even ask for a suite upgrade, just a better room.
No worries, plenty of hotels in SYD offer bigger rooms and better upgrades.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I didn't bother asking

:shock: I think your FFer guru status has just suffered a hit. How could you NOT ask, knowing full well that we'd ask you?