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.

 

[moa999]

And the carpet is very poor making the space evene less useful.

I would have thought the best option for the space would be a wall in line with the pillar and longitudinal seating - protects the space and would look much better than IKEA outdoor furniture

 

[rse43]

Hilton Sydney
Date: 27th Jan 1 night
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Hilton Deluxe Plus Room
Rate: $300/n
Received: King Hilton Deluxe Room
Asked about why the room type downgrade and was told I can either choose from high level room that's close to the elevator or low level corner room due to availability. Didn't get the wine promised in the room description neither. Can' t be bothered to argue about it with the hotel but will likely to choose Marriott instead next time.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

And the carpet is very poor making the space evene less useful.

I would have thought the best option for the space would be a wall in line with the pillar and longitudinal seating - protects the space and would look much better than IKEA outdoor furniture

Carpet?
Come now, carpet would have been almost normal. It was faux grass ... much more tacky, just to be in character. I did actually ask about the thought process involved in the choice and was informed it was for the Christmas/New Year period to, quote "give the beachy feel" unquote.

 

[hydrabyss]

Hilton Sydney
Date: 27th Jan 1 night
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Hilton Deluxe Plus Room
Rate: $300/n
Received: King Hilton Deluxe Room
Asked about why the room type downgrade and was told I can either choose from high level room that's close to the elevator or low level corner room due to availability. Didn't get the wine promised in the room description neither. Can' t be bothered to argue about it with the hotel but will likely to choose Marriott instead next time.

Stayed on the 26th and I am not surprised by the treatment they gave you but atleast I did not go backwards. I did not get upgraded in the system and when I checked in at the lounge the best they would give me was a deluxe on the 30th floor, plus the usual if you would like a suite it would be extra when I went downstairs to enquire is a deluxe the best room you can offer me.

 

[moa999]

Asked about why the room type downgrade and was told I can either choose from high level room that's close to the elevator or low level corner room due to availability. Didn't get the wine promised in the room description neither. .

Wow. That's poor.
Would definitely be complaining more.

 

[kevinkhchan]

Kevin, I'm staying at the same Hilton shortly.
Would you recommend the breakfast or the vouchers? (I do know you can use vouchers for anything at the deli, inc alcohol).

Hey oh_lol, apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Been busy running around and the SO copped a bout of food poisoning after dining at Kobeyaki nearby.

I would probably opt for the deli voucher - it is for Sunac Fancy Food around the corner on 6th between W26th and W27th. Nice place open 24 hours with a good range of food and drinks. You get the vouchers valued at $12.50 (incorrectly indicated by the reception on the night) and it is dated valid until your departure date so you can group the vouchers together if you need a big night

Breakfast in the hotel is standard fare of cereals, hot oatmeal, scrambled eggs (apparently), bacon, pork sausages, some potato dish and French toast on the hot side. Fruits and smoked salmon on the cold side. Some bagels and bread. Not much to write home about.

 

[foggy]

Just came back from 3 conrads in asia

Property: Conrad Seoul
Status: Diamond
Date: 17-20 dec
Room booked: King executive
Rate: AUD$300 per night (270,000krw including tax/service charge)
Received: King executive river view (valued about $30 more so $330 per night)

Honestly I was disappointed with this stay because I booked an executive room hoping to be upgrade to a suite. They wouldn't budge saying no suite avail, i didnt check which was my mistake, had a long day and checked in around 7pm. Chocolates in room for first night only. The bear/duck at this property is not free, so i did no purchase. Breakfast downstairs and at the lounge were pretty good, asian and western choices. Close to the station so I guess it is pretty easy getting around. Google maps doesn't work properly which made things a little more difficult.

Property: Conrad Macao
Status: Diamond
Date: 26-28 jan
Room booked: King Deluxe (base room)
Rate: AUD$200 per night (HKD$1194.6 including tax/service charge)
Received: King Deluxe Suite (added about $100AUD more value than booked room)

Rooms are big, shower was huge and could definitely do other activities in there.. they even had a wooden bench/chair. Service is A++, received red bears/ducks and also was given the duck with the dice inside when I mentioned I was a collector. Walking distance to Studio city, venetian hotel, parisian(fake Eiffel tower) and city of dreams. Basically this hotel is in the middle of everything interesting in macao. I would definitely stay here again when I am in Macao. I stayed at Galaxy hotel and JW last time, while the complex is huge and has many places to eat and free transportation, I'd rather be at Cotai.

Property: Conrad Hong Kong
Status: Diamond
Date: 28-30 jan
Room booked: King Superior (base room) and twin accessible room (free certificate booking)
Rate: AUD$400 per night (HKD$2288 including tax/service charge)
Received: Harbour View King Deluxe Suite (about added $300AUD value more than booked room)

My 2nd stay here and 2nd time being upgraded to a harbour suite room. The rooms are small and last time I was here, there was a mouldy smell which now they have replaced with adding some type of fragrance in the hallways. All of this is overlooked by being upgraded to a suite for the fireworks on the 29th although the weather (cloudy / rain) did hamper our enjoyment. I had come in to the hotel around 12pm and requested to be upgrade to a suite with a view for the fireworks and was given a fantastic room. Received fruit platter as well as some chocolate coins for the lunar new year and fancier chocolates in a jewellery box . They replaced the fruits on the 2nd night too. I am honestly torn as to whether or not to stay at this hotel again next time, while I can't fault its service and diamond recognition, I do hate paying $400 per night for dated rooms.

 

[emef]

Currently at the Hilton at Munich airport. I am Honours Diamond. They upgraded me to a suite, ensured I knew about the free breakfast and free WiFi. As the lounge is closed for a refurbishment, they advised the entire mini bar in the room is available free of charge. They asked if I was leaving early and advised if I do and can't have breakfast they would credit 1,000 points. Plus, as well as the usual still water and fruit in the room, they gave me a small bottle of red.

While not amazing, this hotel is very good for an airport hotel.

 

[boomy]

Currently at the Hilton at Munich airport. I am Honours Diamond. They upgraded me to a suite, ensured I knew about the free breakfast and free WiFi. As the lounge is closed for a refurbishment, they advised the entire mini bar in the room is available free of charge. They asked if I was leaving early and advised if I do and can't have breakfast they would credit 1,000 points. Plus, as well as the usual still water and fruit in the room, they gave me a small bottle of red.

While not amazing, this hotel is very good for an airport hotel.

Normally airport hotels are not amazing but the treatment you got was outstanding! Based on your review I'll definitely stay there on my next layover.

 

[Moopere]

Date: 25th -28th Jan
Property: HH SYD
Status: Gold
Booked: King Hilton Deluxe / across two bookings, one was HH discount unchangeable, the other changeable.
Rate: $223-234
Received: King Exec room 43rd Floor / half bottle of shiraz

Asked about why the room type downgrade and was told I can either choose from high level room that's close to the elevator or low level corner room due to availability. Didn't get the wine promised in the room description neither. Can' t be bothered to argue about it with the hotel but will likely to choose Marriott instead next time.

Mmm.

I come to this hotel nowadays with low or _no_ expectations. In fact I only booked it because the price difference compared to HI china town was about $10 and the Hilton is a far superior hotel even without any status perks.

Given the pricing just prior to arrival, I figured the hotel would be busy and prepared myself for no upgrades - so was very pleased to be put up on the top floor in an exec room as I covet lounge access and am only a gold. For mine, they did everything right, from prompt and friendly check-in via the hhonors line (other line was very busy) through to the room upgrade (from base) and keeping me up high. I've previously received an Exec 'upgrade' on a relatively low floor, can't remember, level 24-26? Extremely noisy because of the basement disco or whatever it is (Zeta?).

The lounge was an absolute zoo the whole time we were there. Packed to beyond capacity frankly. The staff however, managed it with efficiency and still found time to be helpful as I made several enquiries with them over the course of a few days.

Talking of the lounge. I had a chance to chat with one of the staff there and was enlightened to learn of the reason for the 'bar service' thing that goes on there - no self serve. Its apparently got to do with NSW liquor licencing laws. The 'bar' staff need an opportunity to judge the inebriation of the customers before proving them with alcohol.. There you go - I'm not a resident of NSW and had no idea. This also, apparently, has some bearing on why the lounge closes at 9pm and not later. All Aussie hilton lounges seem to close relatively early and I've often wondered why ... Asian lounges are generally open until at least 11pm or even later sometimes.

Anyway, for a AU Hilton, this stay turned out to be one of my better ones - and its been a long long time since I've stayed at HH SYD because I had formed a fairly negative view of them.

One thing did annoy me though. What happened to breakfast in the Glass restaurant downstairs? I had heard a few reports quite a bit earlier on that this had been stopped, then resumed ... so was quite disappointed to go downstairs and be told that as a Gold in an exec room I was eligible for a 'discounted' breakfast in Glass at $29/pp or go up to the lounge for a 'free' breaky. I thought this was pretty funny so asked what would happen if I wasn't in an exec room? As a gold I don't get automatic access to the lounge, how would I have my status entitled breakfast in the lounge if I couldn't get in? Was informed that -all- golds have access to the lounge for breakfast (but not at other times).


sigh ....

This sounds a lot like Glass and HH have had an argument about compensation or something to me. Anyway, just to rub it in, the breakfast in the lounge is _strictly_ continental in style. Boiled eggs, chicken sausages and some salad and toast, at least the coffee is decent and free Its been a long time since I've not seen at least scrambled eggs and bacon in an Aussie continental lounge breakfast offering.

 

[Moopere]

Wow. That's poor.
Would definitely be complaining more.

Yes, indeed. Getting a room downgrade? Hmm. It goes to show that there is virtually no difference at all between the various <exec rooms. The "plus" version of the basic room did sell for several dollars more than base, I remember watching this closely before my stay began. I actually cancelled the second leg of my original booking to take advantage of a price drop just a day before I arrived. The base rooms had dropped to just below $200 at that time, from mid 200$ earlier, so, to pay $300 for a 'plus' room and then end up in a base room sounds a lot like around $100 compensation is due ... at the very least ... and not even considering that the OP was a diamond.

 

[RoMambai]

Date: 29 - 31 January
Hotel: Hilton Brussels Grand Palace
Status: Gold
Booked: Standard queen
Received: King delux and buffet breakfast

Nice and central hotel, right in front of Central station and a block away from the old square. Service was typically European, as were the rooms. Would definitely stay again.

 

[Moopere]

Property: Hilton KL
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Deluxe Plus room + rollaway
Rate: 26,373 HH points - one night
Received: Lifestyle Suite + rollaway


Excellent redemption, very handy location. Initially assigned room we booked, which they assumed was already upgraded - fixed up instantly on querying, with a very nice upgrade. Very comfortable, well designed suite. Breakfast in the restaurant was easily the top pick of our whole Malaysia trip (see Hyatt reviews too). Great staff. Sad to leave after just one night, would definitely stay again.

I've been here and its an excellent hotel, liked it a lot and the staff were great. But, I found the location to be very meh .... Have you looked at the DT in the centre of KL? It has a very HH feel to it, location is fabulous (if you're a tourist), only thing is that the entry, with the shopping thing on the bottom two floors is a bit agricultural.

Property: Hilton Kuching
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King guest room + rollaway
Rate: 10K HH points per night - two nights
Received: King Executive Plus City View + rollaway (almost a junior suite, although initially hotel claimed upgrades on reward stays weren’t possible without paying more points - bit odd).


Bit of a crusty old building and room was musty. Good value on points though and lounge breakfast/canapes were pretty good considering - including some divine spicy hot dishes. Staff friendly and trying their best, but maybe not getting a lot of training? Kuching itself was utterly delightful - loved it! Would definitely return, and spend a couple of weeks based at a trendy little guesthouse & restaurant we spotted (instead of the Hilton). PM me for the guesthouse details if interested, and also have the phone number of an excellent taxi driver who used to be a mountain guide.

I haven't been here for years, but really enjoyed my stay when I went. The whole Kuching area is serious wet jungle eh? Everyone is constantly fighting back the plant growth, mould, mildew, etc, its a constant and ultimately unwinnable battle.

The style of the building is classic old school hilton, I'd guess at seventies or early eighties. Kuching takes some getting to, being in Borneo, and my feeling was that because of this its slightly divergent from the main tourist routes. Pricing reflects this I think - always excellent and sometimes unbelievable. I seem to remember seeing this hotel available at 4000HH points/night (!!). In my world thats equivalent to about $20 of folding money. The rooms are all massive, suite sized ... they struggle to fill them with enough furniture they are so big haha. Older in feel, certainly, significantly so, but comfortable, and the staff were absolutely fantastic.

Thanks for your post - its reminded me that I definitely have to get back there, and soon.

 

[QF WP]

Moopere, which property was this?

Date: 25th -28th Jan
Status: Gold
Booked: King Hilton Deluxe / across two bookings, one was HH discount unchangeable, the other changeable.
Rate: $223-234
Received: King Exec room 43rd Floor / half bottle of shiraz

 

[moa999]

Moopere, which property was this?

Obviously H SYD.

 

[Danger]

Currently at the Hilton at Munich airport. I am Honours Diamond. They upgraded me to a suite, ensured I knew about the free breakfast and free WiFi. As the lounge is closed for a refurbishment, they advised the entire mini bar in the room is available free of charge. They asked if I was leaving early and advised if I do and can't have breakfast they would credit 1,000 points. Plus, as well as the usual still water and fruit in the room, they gave me a small bottle of red.

While not amazing, this hotel is very good for an airport hotel.

This does not sound like a Hilton hotel.

. . . Talking of the lounge. I had a chance to chat with one of the staff there and was enlightened to learn of the reason for the 'bar service' thing that goes on there - no self serve. Its apparently got to do with NSW liquor licencing laws. The 'bar' staff need an opportunity to judge the inebriation of the customers before proving them with alcohol.. There you go - I'm not a resident of NSW and had no idea. This also, apparently, has some bearing on why the lounge closes at 9pm and not later. All Aussie hilton lounges seem to close relatively early and I've often wondered why ... Asian lounges are generally open until at least 11pm or even later sometimes . . .

I'm always perplexed when explanations like this are given. How does the Sydney Chairmans lounge get away self-serve alcohol then? And being open later than 9pm? My guess there are other hotels in the city that have lounges offering self-serve.

The Qantas domestic J lounge in Perth has signs saying that due to WA liquor control laws alcohol is not self-serve. Go a few hundred metres across to the international terminal, however, and bring your esky for some takeaways.

 

[DC3]

... My guess there are other hotels in the city that have lounges offering self-serve...

Well, The Pullman on Hyde Park certainly had self-serve alcohol in the EL (6-8pm, or so) when I was there last year.

 

[hydrabyss]

Date: 25th -28th Jan
Status: Gold
Booked: King Hilton Deluxe / across two bookings, one was HH discount unchangeable, the other changeable.
Rate: $223-234
Received: King Exec room 43rd Floor / half bottle of shiraz


The lounge was an absolute zoo the whole time we were there. Packed to beyond capacity frankly. The staff however, managed it with efficiency and still found time to be helpful as I made several enquiries with them over the course of a few days.

I made the mistake of staying on the 26th. My partner and I walked into the lounge just after 6pm, no seats could be found anywhere. As we were on the 36th floor I was almost tempted to take food back to our room.But then decided to head off to Myer for some peace and quiet and come back later.

When we came back the lounge was slightly better, but I was surprised to see a service cart being used to collect the mountain of dishes in the area with the 3 large tables. Staff did a great job as usual but I feel management over sell the exec rooms and leave it to the lounge staff to work out the numbers later.

 

[moa999]

H SYD was equally bad in early Jan, but have also seen the Asian properties crazy over Xmas.

Move from a Diamond business (wo)man who's our to dinner and doesn't use the lounge to a family of four/five. Multiply that 10 times over and things get busy quickly

 

[Moopere]

Moopere, which property was this?

Oh sorry - SYD HH. I've corrected my post