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.

 

[justinbrett]

Property: Hilton Austin
Room booked: King Bed
Room Received: 1 Bedroom Suite

Got sick of not being upgraded so asked directly through the app the day before, and it worked.

Nice hotel, but needs a bigger pool especially on days like today (34 with humidity)



Executive lounge doesn’t include free alcohol.

 

[muppet]

<snip>Executive lounge doesn’t include free alcohol. </snip>

At least it still has a lounge. They pretty much no longer exist in the US anymore.

I find the lounge a nice place to chill at the end of the day or early morning for a more peaceful breakfast - I hardly stayed at any Hiltons this trip to the US. No brekkie for Diamonds, no lounge - may as well chose a cheaper alternatives and I did.

 

[justinbrett]

At least it still has a lounge. They pretty much no longer exist in the US anymore.

I find the lounge a nice place to chill at the end of the day or early morning for a more peaceful breakfast - I hardly stayed at any Hiltons this trip to the US. No brekkie for Diamonds, no lounge - may as well chose a cheaper alternatives and I did.

The breakfast was very ordinary. I didn’t finish it. No afternoon snacks.

Kansas city was the reverse - free wine and beer and packaged snacks but no breakfast.

I don’t really see the value in being diamond for US travel. I’ll requalify this year but after that I think I’ll be happy with gold. I really like the food and beverage credit system - maybe they should give Diamonds more than Golds.

 

[snabbu]

Property: Hilton New York Midtown
Room Booked: Urban Room Queen Bed
Room Received: Urban Room Queen Bed
Status: Gold

Nice enough property. The Herb n' Kitchen Grab n' Go outlet was substantial with decent hot options, a great use of the F&B credits. Not being a huge breakfast person it was easy to grab a granola / yoghurt / fruit cup after returning from a run through central park each morning, along with a coffee and juice, perfect.

I found it quite annoying to have to call down for the two comp water bottles each day. I asked the reception if I could just grab them on my return each evening to which she replied that wasn't possible and I needed to call each time and they would be delivered.

Outstanding location just five blocks south of central park, easy access to the subway, etc.

 

[justinbrett]

Property: Hilton New York Midtown
Room Booked: Urban Room Queen Bed
Room Received: Urban Room Queen Bed
Status: Gold

Nice enough property. The Herb n' Kitchen Grab n' Go outlet was substantial with decent hot options, a great use of the F&B credits. Not being a huge breakfast person it was easy to grab a granola / yoghurt / fruit cup after returning from a run through central park each morning, along with a coffee and juice, perfect.

I found it quite annoying to have to call down for the two comp water bottles each day. I asked the reception if I could just grab them on my return each evening to which she replied that wasn't possible and I needed to call each time and they would be delivered.

Outstanding location just five blocks south of central park, easy access to the subway, etc.

I stayed there late last year also (and not my first stay). The lounge also doesn’t include alcohol.

Apparently Hilton Times Square is reopening (I have stayed there too) and it’s a much better hotel.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Property : Motto by Hilton New York Chelsea
Booked : King Landmark City View
Received : King Landmark City View

I’m a bit hesitant at posting this as I really don’t want anyone else to discover this hotel.
My regular go to in NY is the Conrad Downtown, back up Conrad Midtown.
I decided on this stay to get out of my comfort zone.

The location is absolutely superb, it’s in the Flatiron district, multiple Subway stations nearby and can walk to almost everything.
The rooms are small at 170 sqm but everything is brilliantly designed, cut outs under the bed for suitcases etc and the room doesn’t feel squishy at all.

Views to die for

 

[SYD]

Property : Motto by Hilton New York Chelsea
Booked : King Landmark City View
Received : King Landmark City View

I’m a bit hesitant at posting this as I really don’t want anyone else to discover this hotel.
My regular go to in NY is the Conrad Downtown, back up Conrad Midtown.
I decided on this stay to get out of my comfort zone.

The location is absolutely superb, it’s in the Flatiron district, multiple Subway stations nearby and can walk to almost everything.
The rooms are small at 170 sqm but everything is brilliantly designed, cut outs under the bed for suitcases etc and the room doesn’t feel squishy at all.

Views to die for
View attachment 334702

Great location! Note to self to get a shed load more pts for next NYC visit!

 

[liamsal]

Hilton Brisbane
Diamond
Booked Guest Room
Received Executive Room
1 night
Two small bottles of sparkling water + an unknown dessert was waiting for us in the room upon check in.
Nil charge for full buffet or barista coffee

I only share stays with something significant to keep things interesting and thought this was worth mentioning. We had 2 guests who weren’t staying at the hotel join us in the executive lounge and I asked one of the lovely lounge ladies to add the charge to my room. She said normally there’s a charge but not for me. She also brought our drinks out first before service started after remembering our order from last time. We spoke about how we were going out for dinner and drinks and she offered to put some extra waters in our room. Came home after a night of too many wines to find 10 bottles waiting for us. The service here cannot be faulted.

 

[Daver6]

Property : Motto by Hilton New York Chelsea
Booked : King Landmark City View
Received : King Landmark City View

I’m a bit hesitant at posting this as I really don’t want anyone else to discover this hotel.
My regular go to in NY is the Conrad Downtown, back up Conrad Midtown.
I decided on this stay to get out of my comfort zone.

The location is absolutely superb, it’s in the Flatiron district, multiple Subway stations nearby and can walk to almost everything.
The rooms are small at 170 sqm but everything is brilliantly designed, cut outs under the bed for suitcases etc and the room doesn’t feel squishy at all.

Views to die for
View attachment 334702

I know you're a princess (it's in the name) but 170 sqm is hardly a small room I suspect typo though and you meant 17sqm?

 

[Princess Fiona]

I know you're a princess (it's in the name) but 170 sqm is hardly a small room I suspect typo though and you meant 17sqm?

Oops typo. It’s 170 sq ft

 

[Daver6]

Oops typo. It’s 170 sq ft

Even smaller than 17sqm then

 

[boomy]

Property: Conrad Hong Kong
Booked: King Bed Deluxe Room
Received: King Exec Harbour View

Last stop on the Asian tour is Conrad HK, which used be my home away from home before covid.

Always used to get suite upgrades here but this time they had none left. I’ve checked online and indeed, fully booked during my stay. Best they could do was high floor harbour view room which was perfectly fine since this part of the trip is more business than pleasure and I’m here solo.

The rooms needed refurb for a while even before covid and I thought management will use the lockdown time to do just that but alas, they didn’t refurbish anything. When I mentioned the refurbished suite I stayed in during my last visit late 2019 was told this is still the one and only refurbished suite in the hotel

Wish I could report only good things as I really do love this hotel but unfortunately there are some negatives. First thing guests will notice when going up to their rooms is the musty smell. They tried to make it better by placing air purifiers all over the hallways and rooms but they don’t help much. Then inside the rooms the decor is dated, particularly compared to other Asian Conrads. I will add, to be fair, that my room was clean and the view is amazing

Would love to report about the breakfast at restaurant but unfortunately didn’t get to experience it as the queues every morning were insane. Tried to come at different times each day but it made no difference. Thankfully the exec lounge was an island of serenity with only few guests going up there for breakfast. Was great to catch up with the crew in lounge and see familiar faces that thankfully kept their jobs during the hard times.

Dinner canapés and drinks in the lounge seemed decent although didn’t try any as I had dinner plans.

Lastly, few things I’ve noticed at Conrad and HK in general. The airport, city, hotels all super busy again but the demographic changed. There are far less foreigners and far more mainlanders. Conversations with local friends confirmed that tourism to HK is now more leisure orientated than business. Times have changed after more companies moved their business offshore, to more politically stable countries such as Singapore. On the positive side it seems that HK hospitality is doing ok in terms of guest numbers

 

[snabbu]

Apparently Hilton Times Square is reopening (I have stayed there too) and it’s a much better hotel.

Yes it is a much better hotel imho (other than the grab n go), I'm currently at this property. Completely different experience compared to Midtown. TS has been fantastic, nice large rooms with great views. Staff are upbeat and personable whereas at Midtown everyone was robotic.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes it is a much better hotel imho (other than the grab n go), I'm currently at this property. Completely different experience compared to Midtown. TS has been fantastic, nice large rooms with great views. Staff are upbeat and personable whereas at Midtown everyone was robotic.

Ah, I didn't know it had already reopened - they work quick!

I had a fantastic view of the Empire State Building when I last stayed there, and it was 4th of July so was lit up red, white and blue.

 

[VPS]

Property : Motto by Hilton New York Chelsea
Booked : King Landmark City View
Received : King Landmark City View

I’m a bit hesitant at posting this as I really don’t want anyone else to discover this hotel.
My regular go to in NY is the Conrad Downtown, back up Conrad Midtown.
I decided on this stay to get out of my comfort zone.

The location is absolutely superb, it’s in the Flatiron district, multiple Subway stations nearby and can walk to almost everything.
The rooms are small at 170 sqm but everything is brilliantly designed, cut outs under the bed for suitcases etc and the room doesn’t feel squishy at all.

Views to die for
View attachment 334702

I stayed there for 5 nights in December last year. Great location. How did you go with the lifts - I think I was on the 37th floor and lifts took ages.

 

[straitman]

Hilton DoubleTree Sonaisali Island Fiji
Diamond
Booked Double Queen Guest Room
Received Double King Ocean View Bure
Rate 160,000 HH points for 5 nights

Like everywhere else this hotel has become expensive though pro rata no more expensive than others in the area. The staff go out of their way to look after everyone and as a Diamond we got extra care. It's not all perfect but if something is wrong they certainly come up with the best possible solution.
The GM is very responsive and organised and had High Tea for us

I recommend the DT over any hotels that I have stayed at on Denarau.

 

[snabbu]

Property: Doubletree by Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Avenue
Booked: Queen Bed
Received: Queen Bed Studio Suite

A great location, four minute walk from Hilton Midtown. Check in experience was horrible with the agent barking at the guest in front of me for trying to check in early, saying they should have known check in was 3pm and not to come to the hotel earlier (it was 12 noon). I recieved the same treatment. Went for a wander up to central park and by the time I sat down and checked my phone the digital key was ready, it was about 1pm . Headed back to the hotel and the same agent was there, cranky as ever. Handed me a cookie with a grunt on the side, wonderful.

The room itself was actually quite well equipped, decent size and seemed to have been recently renovated. Views down 51st past Radio City towards 6th Ave.

 

[justinbrett]

Property: Doubletree by Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Avenue
Booked: Queen Bed
Received: Queen Bed Studio Suite

A great location, four minute walk from Hilton Midtown. Check in experience was horrible with the agent barking at the guest in front of me for trying to check in early, saying they should have known check in was 3pm and not to come to the hotel earlier (it was 12 noon). I recieved the same treatment. Went for a wander up to central park and by the time I sat down and checked my phone the digital key was ready, it was about 1pm . Headed back to the hotel and the same agent was there, cranky as ever. Handed me a cookie with a grunt on the side, wonderful.

The room itself was actually quite well equipped, decent size and seemed to have been recently renovated. Views down 51st past Radio City towards 6th Ave.

View attachment 335086

Do you have status? I would put a complaint to HHonors over that interaction.

 

[DC3]

The room itself was actually quite well equipped, decent size and seemed to have been recently renovated. Views down 51st past Radio City towards 6th Ave.

Seems like a good spot. I’ll keep it in mind for the future

 

[snabbu]

Do you have status? I would put a complaint to HHonors over that interaction.

Gold. I can deal with useless front office staff it's generally not a big deal to me.

I had a one night stay and was hoping for a late check out of an hour or so. I did not want to ask the nasty agent at check in so thought I would ask the next shift early the next day. Got up and headed for a run through central park around six, thinking I would hit up the front desk for a late check out and what do you know, the same nasty front desk agent was there. Kept walking and went for a run.

Came back to the hotel an hour or so later and she was still there so I asked anyway...

Me: "Hi! Would there be any possibility of a late check out?" In my best tourist foreign aussie accent.
Nasty Agent: "NO!! We don't do late check out."

I mean it's not the end of the world and my day went on without a hitch but this agent seriously needs a reality check.