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.

 

[Aeolus]

Property: Conrad Macau
Booked: King Deluxe on points (45K)
Received: King Deluxe Suite
I didn't spend too much time at the hotel but great service as usual. Enquired about the larger suite (with media room) but unfortunately only smoking suite available so I declined. Decided to try out the Sofitel Macau on the old town area for a night which was a nice change as it's closer to the tourist attractions.

 

[Sojourner]

With the refurbishment of Glass, what's the deal for HH gold these days?

 

[Aeolus]

With the refurbishment of Glass, what's the deal for HH gold these days?

Glass’ reno is completed. Not sure about the breakfast privileges for Gold, at one stage it’s restricted to the lounge but no idea what’s the deal these days.

 

[hydrabyss]

Glass’ reno is completed. Not sure about the breakfast privileges for Gold, at one stage it’s restricted to the lounge but no idea what’s the deal these days.

No change that I know of. On my last stay they had a possible 138 diamonds for breakfast and about 80 golds which I gathered would all be in the lounge. I was surprised by the number of diamonds and shows how hard upgrades are to get.

Not sure if you are aware a few of the long term lounge staff left and another moved down stairs to a higher position.

 

[earlyriser]

No change that I know of. On my last stay they had a possible 138 diamonds for breakfast and about 80 golds which I gathered would all be in the lounge.

That is nuts. May I ask how you found that out?

 

[Aeolus]

Not sure if you are aware a few of the long term lounge staff left and another moved down stairs to a higher position.

Yep, not good. Way too frequent, just when they get to know your preferences etc, they’re gone. I supposed it’s also to do with the industry they’re in and their age group. I used to get customised coughtail made without asking but I don’t bother anymore as there’re way too many new faces to train.

 

[hydrabyss]

That is nuts. May I ask how you found that out?

I asked someone who has been there along time. 3-4 years ago I would hear 100 plus numbers some nights.

 

[Cynicor]

Conrad Sin now apparently has an EL on the 4th floor for diamonds, and the good EL is reserved for ?purchased EL rooms? or some other guests.

 

[hydrabyss]

Conrad Sin now apparently has an EL on the 4th floor for diamonds, and the good EL is reserved for ?purchased EL rooms? or some other guests.

With the ability to purchase diamond in some countries and regular status matches I feel long term this may have some negative effects especially at popular hotels.

 

[mel-world]

Conrad Sin now apparently has an EL on the 4th floor for diamonds, and the good EL is reserved for ?purchased EL rooms? or some other guests.

This is not exactly true. The EL is presently on the 4th Floor while the 31st Floor EL is being refurbished - it is nearly finished. I know this as I had a room on the 31st recently but had to have breakfast on the 4th. This lounge overlooks the Pool but not as good as the old lounge. It appears the new lounge will be bigger with less of the crowded small rooms that were previously on the 31st. Gold members had been sent to the 4th Fl before the refurbishment for breakfast but no indication this will extend to Diamond - I would be very disappointed if this happens.

The refurbished bedrooms are tastefully done but nothing too special. The room size has not changed.

 

[mel-world]

Property: West Hotel, Curio by Hilton
Diamond
Booked: King Standard on points and cash ($100 + some points)
Received: King Deluxe Room on top floor - limited view of harbour

I liked this hotel and the location. Considerably cheaper than the Hilton Sydney and a good location near Wynyard and Barangaroo. Plenty of bars and restaurants nearby on Darling Harbour and an easy run/walk around the harbour nearby. The hotel is not large and the rooms seem to all be the same size so upgrade options rare but did get special attention, a personal welcome throughout the stay and a free welcome drink in the Bar (included high end spirits). Only comments - room was a little stuffy overnight as no windows open and the hot breakfast only average. I would stay there again.

 

[boomy]

Property: Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King One Bedroom Suite - Nanhai Wing

Big property with two separate buildings, the original Hilton and the newly opened suites wing last year (used to be another hotel). I was lucky to be upgraded to one of the new suites, which had different decor than what I’m used to in China. Instead of heavy use of cold marble, there was a lot of wood, including wooden floors which gave much warmer atmosphere. The suite had two balconies with views to Shekou port and the ferry terminal.

Executive lounge very modern and comfortable with decent drinks and canapés. Breakfast at suites wing restaurant has large section including two chefs who made to order Chinese and Western dishes.

Service was outstanding by all the staff. Everyone constantly smiling and in good mood. Most knew enough English to communicate and seemed very proud to work there.

Location is in the prestige area of Shenzhen, very close to Sea World and the ferry terminal, just 30 minutes from HKG airport.

Haven’t seen other reports of this hotel so here are few pictures:

The suite


Executive lounge


The main hotel building


Nanhai wing

 

[mel-world]

Excellent and useful post, thanks

 

[JessicaTam]

This is not exactly true. The EL is presently on the 4th Floor while the 31st Floor EL is being refurbished - it is nearly finished. I know this as I had a room on the 31st recently but had to have breakfast on the 4th. This lounge overlooks the Pool but not as good as the old lounge. It appears the new lounge will be bigger with less of the crowded small rooms that were previously on the 31st. Gold members had been sent to the 4th Fl before the refurbishment for breakfast but no indication this will extend to Diamond - I would be very disappointed if this happens.

The refurbished bedrooms are tastefully done but nothing too special. The room size has not changed.

There is quite a bit of discussion on FT, and the strong feeling is that this *is* happening. That is based on conversations with staff. There is apparently a new room type to avoid upgrading Diamonds to 'Exec' rooms.

So the 31st floor for exec room guests, and the 4th floor for diamonds.

As a BiB Diamond for the last 5 years it is pretty poor I reckon.

 

[Cynicor]

It is true, your information is accurate for 2 weeks ago, but the new lounges have reopened and I have explicitly asked the hotel, since. 31st is only for those who purchased exec floor. So now you can be disappointed, along with the rest of us.

This is not exactly true. The EL is presently on the 4th Floor while the 31st Floor EL is being refurbished - it is nearly finished. I know this as I had a room on the 31st recently but had to have breakfast on the 4th. This lounge overlooks the Pool but not as good as the old lounge. It appears the new lounge will be bigger with less of the crowded small rooms that were previously on the 31st. Gold members had been sent to the 4th Fl before the refurbishment for breakfast but no indication this will extend to Diamond - I would be very disappointed if this happens.

The refurbished bedrooms are tastefully done but nothing too special. The room size has not changed.

 

[mel-world]

Yes, I will be dissappointed but I still think this is a better property than the Orchard Rd. Hilton. The prices are often very similar so, I guess, my wallet will determine my booking decision going forward. The lounge on the 31st is excellent but was very often overcrowded.

 

[kermatu]

While I too think the lounge was often overcrowded and accordingly a bit uncomfortable, I'm mainly concerned at the trend and further encouragement this offers to other hotels.

 

[Haplo]

HH have been giving away diamond like candies and it is no surprise the EL packed. I actually complained this to Conrad HK EL staff and they said there is just way too many diamond these days, since you can acquire diamond via 8 nights status match.

 

[boomy]

HH have been giving away diamond like candies and it is no surprise the EL packed. I actually complained this to Conrad HK EL staff and they said there is just way too many diamond these days, since you can acquire diamond via 8 nights status match.

You are not wrong but I hear that excuse of “too many diamonds” for years. Regardless, this is not a valid excuse for Conrad HK, which has way too small exec lounge compared to the size of the property, poorly divided into tiny rooms with too many 4-seat tables that often occupied by one person. The service is excellent but it’s one of the worst designed exec lounges I’ve seen.

 

[turtlemichael]

I've done a review of our extended stay at Hilton Cape Town City Centre in my travel report thread if its of interest.
South Africa, Mauritius and Italy.