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.

 

[SponsorSFC]

Property: Hilton Adelaide
Date: 1/12/17
Status: Diamond
Booked: Hilton King
Received: Hilton King
Benefits: Nothing

Really disappointed with our treatment so far.

The Honors App had no room options for self check in.

There was a Christmas function going on so the lobby was packed, we asked to check in at the lounge (this was about 7pm so during canape service in the lounge). No lounge staff to be seen for quite a while. We waited at the desk while i tried the front desk on the lounge phone with no answer.

Once someone appeared they apologised that the hotel was full and no upgrades were available. That was fine you have to be prepared to get what you book and the Ashes and a few other things are on so they are at capacity.

Received Room 305, which has to be close to the worst room in the hotel. On the same level as the tennis court so no privacy and a lovely view of the air conditioner exhausts. The toilet was running and the carpet was stained.The mind boggles why any status holding guest would have received that room.

I went straight back to the front desk and they said this is the only standard room available, standard rooms are only on level 3 and there is nothing they can do. I also didn't appreciate being lied to saying that he standard rooms are only on level 3. This is clearly not true.

Only after I persisted saying surely there is another room somewhere in any location better than what we received. did he manage to find a twin on the floor above that at least looked out over the park across the road so offered some privacy.

We ended up ordering room service due to lack of time which was also horrible soggy undercooked pizza and chips so heavily salted they were inedible. We ate the pizza but could't eat the chips so called to let them know and to take them away. They did at least offer to send another bowl up but we declined so they have offered to remove it from our bill.

 

[mel-world]

Property: Hilton Park Munich
Date: 3/12/17
Status: Gold
Booked: Hilton King
Received: Executive Park View King
Benefits: Water, Executive Lounge

Very busy hotel on Sunday due to Christmas Markets nearby and in the city. I was early but received a room within a reasonable wait. They were working very hard to service all the rooms as there were a number waiting in reception for a room to become available. I think everyone checks out at the last moment on a Sunday.

Good location near the Park but better for summer than winter. Not really handy if you don't have a car as some distance from the Main Train Station (Hauptbanhof) and only one public bus in front of the hotel to the U-Bahn and a Tram 8 mins walk away.

The EL was not too busy and had a good selection of food and beverages in the early evening. A major fail with the F&B though in the public areas. I ordered a Wrap while waiting for the room - it took 40 mins to be delivered and then it was really uneatable when it arrived. Even worse at dinner when my order did not get to the kitchen. After 45 mins, I asked how long my fish would be. It then took 10 mins before they admitted it had not been ordered. When it finally arrived, it was fine and the Manager did waive the bill (only fish and a water) so good service recovery but you would have thought someone would have noticed me sitting there as other meals came out (albeit slowly).

 

[moa999]

Property: Hilton Sydney
Date: 3/12/17
Status: Gold
Booked: Guestroom Plus
Received: Exec Room
Benefits: Executive Lounge

Home city stay due to have others using my apartment. For some reason App check in refused to work at all.

Some new curved lobby lounges adding much needed additional Seating options.

Despite checking in at 4pm my allocated room wasn't ready so they swapped me to one on Lev 37. U/f this obviously wasnt previously allocated to an elite so no water or amenities present, nor delivered (only realised much later).

The Internet login now works - offers me Standard for $0 or Premium for +$5.
Someone has totally stuffed around with the TV channels. Nine is now on 35 and not in HD, and only 3 Fox Sports channels available, all over the place.

Exec lounge wasn't too busy, and the drinks service was good.

Food has taken a step backwards - hot options where beef mini pies or veg spring rolls, later replaced with crumbed fish -- all frozen staples.
Salads were also boring - greek salad, coleslaw or mixed greens, so also a step back.
Was fresh prawns however and the desserts were good.

Was in a room near George St which was a bad choice for the night as work went on through the night to complete the Park-King section of the light rail - pouring ashphalt at 3am which woke me up.

So in all the usual inconsistency that this property seems to suffer from.

 

[repete]

Property: Hilton Sydney
Date: 2/12/17
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: Level 35, maybe Deluxe Room?

Didn't get the relaxation room or higher that there was a suggestion I hold out for - would have been nice for an anniversary trip, but they did well acknowledging that with a balloon and chocolate in the room I requested the water the second day as it hadn't arrived. We enjoyed full breakfast in the Glass restaurant and was granted a 1pm checkout on request. A nice stay overall.

 

[kearvaigskewer]

Property: Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok
Date: 22-24/11/17
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Deluxe
Rate: SEA Sale (not sure there was any real discount though)
Received: King Executive

Arrived a little after midnight to check-in. I was told that Diamonds are usually upgraded to a suite but the hotel was full so the best they could do was an executive king. Fresh fruit in the room. Breakfast in the restaurant was very good. The lounge was quite stylish though slim food offerings.


Property: Conrad Koh Samui
Date: 24-26/11/17
Status: Diamond
Booked: 1 Bedroom Waterfront Pool Villa
Rate: 2 x Macquarie Free Night Certicates
Received: 1 Bedroom Oceanview Pool Villa

Amazing place - I wish we could have stayed longer. Fresh fruit in the room and four drink certificates for use anywhere in the hotel. Unfortunately the boat trip was cancelled due to approaching weather on the day we went to go. Food in the restaurants was fine but very expensive for what it was. Received breakfast which was excellent.

 

[ALH]

Property: Hilton Brisbane
Date: 5/12/17
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Deluxe
Rate: $ 330
Received: King Deluxe
Diamond Benefit: Executive Lounge & Free Breakfast in the restaurant

No upgrades available as hotel fully booked for conference. Email received the night before, offering early check in. Checked in at 8am so had breakfast in the Exec Lounge before the conference started.
4 bottles of water, cookies and bottle of red wine delivered.
Remembered by name in the executive lounge even though it’s been more than 2 months since we stayed here

 

[mel-world]

Property: Hilton Garden Inn, Frankfurt Airport
Date: 4 and 5/12/17
Status: Gold
Booked: Standard Queen Guestroom
Received: Standard Queen Guestroom

Two Waters at Check-in. Return visit and Gold status acknowledged. 'Baby' sister to full Hilton next door. I believe all rooms are the same so the best they can do for recognition is a high floor. I just wish that they had given me a view of the arriving aircraft rather than an Atrium view room. I heard they get many status customers so maybe I was just unlucky. So convenient to the airport and local and long distance railway station. Modern, clean and functional plus the best omelette I have had at any hotel for a very long time. I arrived by train and will leave by plane so all good - not cheap though as you pay for the convenience.

 

[Milboo]

Hilton Vienna Plaza
Diamond
Booked - Standard Twin
Received - Executive Twin

Lovely hotel overall but no upgrade was applied until I asked after they'd already cut the first key. Upgraded room was very nice - full size beds, large room and bathroom. One of those awful weighted minibars.

Executive lounge was fine but could never find any staff (other than F&B) there even at peak times.

Received full breakfast in restaurant which was generally good.

There was no real dedicated service or concierge desk which was frustrating - especially given there was no lounge host either.

No welcome letter or gift.

Randomly they only ever left one water glass in the room alongside the complimentary large water - despite it being a twin room and occupied as such.

 

[Milboo]

Hilton Prague Old Town
Diamond
Booked - standard twin
Received - standard twin (initially)

Received welcome email in advance. No upgrade and only when pushed did they explain they were busy. They didn't explain that this was because a number of rooms were not available due to renovations.

Initial room was very average. Looked in on internal courtyard, noisy AC, unrenovated and adjacent to housekeeping storage so that noise started earlier.

Was moved after two nights to an Executive Level Twin which had a street view and was renovated.

Executive lounge was dated but host staff were excellent and assisted with ideas, maps etc

GM assistant was a gem too.

Received full breakfast in restaurant but found it pretty average - hot food was generally just warm and any egg orders took forever.

Welcome gift of a jar of coated peanuts and water.

 

[Milboo]

Hilton Zurich Airport
Diamond
Booked - twin room
Received - twin room (no upgrade)

Not a great experience here - airport shuttle failed to show on schedule leaving a few of us waiting 45 mins in minus 2 degree temps and wasn't handled well by reception on complaint.

No upgrade and rooms are dated and musty/ stale smoke smelling. Bizarrely too the smoking room down in reception has no doors so smell infiltrates whole foyer.

No welcome gift on arrival but some fruit and macaroon appeared later.

Lounge - no host seen, only a waitress. No service desk/ concierge either.

Received full breakfast which was the usual fare.

 

[Buzzard]

Garden Inn Long Island
Diamond
Booked King Bed
Received King Bed

I stayed 7 nights. 3 of those booked direct, 4 via QF.
To be fair I was given free breakfast for the entire stay to which they could have said no to the QF stay.
Other than the property being almost opposite a subway station with 3 lines, there is nothing to get excited about.

 

[JessicaTam]

Hilton Prague Old Town
Diamond
Booked - standard twin
Received - standard twin (initially)

Received welcome email in advance. No upgrade and only when pushed did they explain they were busy. They didn't explain that this was because a number of rooms were not available due to renovations.

Initial room was very average. Looked in on internal courtyard, noisy AC, unrenovated and adjacent to housekeeping storage so that noise started earlier.

Was moved after two nights to an Executive Level Twin which had a street view and was renovated.

Executive lounge was dated but host staff were excellent and assisted with ideas, maps etc

GM assistant was a gem too.

Received full breakfast in restaurant but found it pretty average - hot food was generally just warm and any egg orders took forever.

Welcome gift of a jar of coated peanuts and water.

I liked the Old Town HH over the newer one. I was fortunate to be upgraded to a top floor suite, so it's a pity they weren't able to do that for you initially.

 

[boomy]

Property: Hilton London Heathrow Terminal 5
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Executive Room


First of all I must say the name is VERY deceiving. This property is not located at terminal 5 nor is it anywhere in Heathrow. It’s located about 10 min drive from the airport in another town. There is a shuttle bus from T4 & T5 which cost £5 one way or £9 return.

The hotel itself is quite nice and modern. Staff all very friendly and helpful. Received an upgrade to exec room on the exec lounge floor. Room is typical Hilton in a good way, large modern looking with separate shower and bathtub.

Exec lounge is decent, again typical Hilton style. On the day I got there they received a brand new Nespresso machine (similar to the one at HSYD lounge).

There is a gym and Hydro-pool, perfect for refreshing after long flight.

Didn’t try the breakfast as I had an early flight and ate in the F lounge.

Overall it’s good property, I’ll stay there again if it’s significantly cheaper than Sofitel and the other Heathrow Hilton (HT5 was less then half price).

 

[Buzzard]

Property: Capital Hilton Washington
Booked: King Bed Deluxe
Received: King Executive
Status: Diamond

IMHO, the upgrade you get when not getting an upgrade. The room is supposed to come with bath robes and and a pouffe apparently but it didn't. I rang about the robe and it arrived. Breakfast is either in Exec Lounge with a hot option or the restaurant where you pay $5 to upgrade from continental to hot. The charge was waived for me because I had poached eggs and not an omelet. Compared to an Aussie Hilton, well there just is no compromise is there.

 

[serfty]

The best Hilton I have found in the WAS area is the Hilton BWI - no charge for drinks Exec lounge and a decent lounge breakfast buffet having 4 hot options (that was two years ago).

 

[foggy]

I'll be staying in ;
Hilton osaka 5 nights
hilton tokyo 3 nights
conrad tokyo 7 nights
hilton niseko 7 nights
Has anyone experienced good upgrades with these hotels as diamond? given the length of the stays, I'm guessing suite upgrades would be out of the question.. fingers crossed though!

 

[boomy]

I'll be staying in ;
Hilton osaka 5 nights
hilton tokyo 3 nights
conrad tokyo 7 nights
hilton niseko 7 nights
Has anyone experienced good upgrades with these hotels as diamond? given the length of the stays, I'm guessing suite upgrades would be out of the question.. fingers crossed though!

Here are my experiences:

Hilton Osaka - Very generous with upgrades, got suites for stays up to 5 nights.

Hilton Tokyo - Very stingy with upgrades, never got a proper suite, maximum Junior Suite.

Conrad Tokyo - Very generous with upgrades, got suites every time as diamond regardless of length of stay.

 

[Buzzard]

Property: Homewood Suites Savannah
Booked: Riverview Studio
Received: Riverview Studio
Status: Diamond

I actually liked this property. Simple yet functional in a great location on the river/historic district.
The studio was quite spacious, 75 TV stations to watch and I could also plug in my USB to watch stuff I brought with me.
Breakfast whilst basic was plentiful. 3 hot options; changed daily, a range of cereals, breads and pastries. Help yourself to as much as you like.
Monday to Thursday there is a free evening social for all guests, with beer, red and white wine as well as hot and cold snacks.
Between 7pm and 10pm there is entertainment at the rooftop bar. Reasonably priced drinks and snacks/light meals are available. I actually preferred this property to the Hilton Washington. YMMV.

 

[boomy]

Property: Hilton Brussels Grand Place
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Junior Suite

By far the best feature about this property is the location - opposite Central station, just 16 min from the airport and close to almost all major attractions, unbeatable!

Was lucky to get nice upgrade at check-in (person next to me enquired about one and was told hotel is full). My room was on the top floor (6th). Rooms on that floor are attic type which is quite common in Europe. While unique and some may say romantic these type of rooms are challenging for tall people. I liked the size, very specious with sitting area and separate desk for work but the decor was simple, almost boring.

Executive lounge located inside the (very elegant) bar on ground level. Evening canapés and alcohol selection were better than most Hiltons I’ve staid at. Instead of the usual oily and greasy canapés here they served baked salmon with veggies. There were additional 3 types of salads, 4 types of desserts (small cakes) and good selection of local beers.

Breakfast at restaurant was typical Hilton which was bit disappointing as I was expecting more European flavours but it was ok. Staff were very nice, proactively offering barista coffee plus refills. No coffee tax here.

Overall I liked this property, mostly for the location but all the rest was good enough for me to return.

 

[Cynicor]

I'll be staying in ;
Hilton osaka 5 nights
hilton tokyo 3 nights
conrad tokyo 7 nights
hilton niseko 7 nights
Has anyone experienced good upgrades with these hotels as diamond? given the length of the stays, I'm guessing suite upgrades would be out of the question.. fingers crossed though!

Hilton Osaka- basic upgrade, one stay
Hilton Tokyo- junior suite from base normally, 3 stays
Conrad Tokyo- Nothing?- 2 stays
Hilton Niseko- What season? If peak snow, it's always full so be lucky to get 1 cat. If not, possibly panorama room. 10 stays? Maybe 12ish.