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.

 

[liamsal]

All stays as Diamond

Westley Calgary Tapestry Collection
1 night
$225 Govt
Booked Corner King Room
Received Corner King Room (better rooms available at check in but didn’t query an upgrade)

Received 2 x bottles of water at check in, plus 2 x vouchers for breakfast (basically allows you to create your own breakfast by selecting 3 hot options or can use as $10 voucher towards a la carte menu).

Early check in / late check out not required

Room was pretty spacious and modern. No lounge or drink vouchers etc - but didn’t spend much time at the hotel apart from sleep.



DoubleTree Calgary North
1 night
$152 Govt
Booked King Room
Received 2 x Queen Room (I requested to swap at check in)

Arrived at the hotel just after a cancelled AC flight got there so waited for 30 or so minutes to check in. Digital check in available but unfortunately couldn’t get my digital key until front desk verified my ID. Seems like a pointless system if you still have to stop by the front desk. Ordered bottle of white wine from room service and it arrived on a tray, no ice which I thought was odd. AC didn’t work in the room and the staff were unable to get it going. Continental breakfast was complimentary for Diamonds, $10 pp to upgrade to the full buffet. We agreed to this and then had a look at the spread and honestly was probably the worst breakfast I’ve seen at a hotel - the hot food looked like it had been there from the day before, very dry and lots of trays were empty. There wasn’t much of a selection to start with so it was surprising to see so much of it empty and waiting to be restocked (there wasn’t many people there so don’t know what was going on). We ended up going to Denny's next door instead. Was asked at check out how my stay was and gave them honest feedback. I was offered 5000 points for the inconvenience but declined as I said I’d send in feedback to the GM. A few days later 5k points landed in my account. Sigh



Westley Calgary Tapestry Collection
1 night
$225 Govt
Booked Corner King Room
Received Corner King Room (hotel was sold out)

Nil bottles of water at check in but asked for several during the stay and was not charged, only 1 x voucher for breakfast received though. Asked for another the next morning which was promptly given.

Checked in digitally and room was ready at 12p. Late check out not required.

Used the gym this time (twice, mustn’t have had enough wine the night before). It was actually a pretty decent gym for a hotel, had everything you needed to work off that holiday bod. I had an incorrect charge on my receipt after I checked out and send off a quick email to have it checked. Received a reply minutes later apologising and removing it which was great. Would definitely recommend this hotel if looking for somewhere to stay in Calgary.


Hilton Vancouver Downtown
1 night
$550 Govt
Booked 1 King Balcony 2 Room Suite
Received 1 King Balcony 2 Room Suite

Digitally checked in and room was ready at 12pm. Late check out of 1pm received but felt like it was an inconvenience that I asked, really had to push for anything past 11am.

No lounge at this hotel surprisingly but was told by reception that Diamonds are offered 20% all food and drink to compensate this (I’ve just checked my receipt and I never received the discount so will have to follow this up). Had a few coughtails at the in house Hendricks bar which was awesome. Complimentary continental breakfast for Diamonds, $14 pp to upgrade to full buffet. Decent enough breakfast with great service from staff.


TLDR: 4 nights in Canada, great service but no upgrades.

 

[Daver6]

Anyone stayed at the Hilton Metropole in London? Any comparisons to the Hilton Paddington?

 

[exceladdict]

Anyone stayed at the Hilton Metropole in London? Any comparisons to the Hilton Paddington?

I stayed at the Hilton london metropole in may. Altogether an okay stay but will look elsewhere next time I am in london.

 

[Daver6]

I stayed at the Hilton london metropole in may. Altogether an okay stay but will look elsewhere next time I am in london.

What didn't you like about it?

I've stayed at the Paddington one previously. Location wise it's perfect for me. Off the HEX and into the hotel. Office is across the road. However, the bathrooms haven't had a refurb since I'd say the 1980s with the dreaded shub. Breakfast was a bit average. Metropole location isn't as convenient but it seems like they have refurb'ed rooms and potentially a decent EL? On the other hand, it looks massive and potentially a zoo.

 

[exceladdict]

What didn't you like about it?

I've stayed at the Paddington one previously. Location wise it's perfect for me. Off the HEX and into the hotel. Office is across the road. However, the bathrooms haven't had a refurb since I'd say the 1980s with the dreaded shub. Breakfast was a bit average. Metropole location isn't as convenient but it seems like they have refurb'ed rooms and potentially a decent EL? On the other hand, it looks massive and potentially a zoo.

Was planning to do a TR on this adventure but never got the time! Didn't have lounge access as I wasn't yet diamond.

Upsides: about a 10 minute walk from Paddington station - not the easiest with a big suitcase but still possible for Elizabeth line and the airport. Decent location for tube access, M&S across the road. Staff were friendly, I recall the service being good including when I requested the room switch.

However, I had to move rooms due to an issue with the first room. The second room was not yet refurbished, and had some issues in itself (including with its shub). The lobby was also under renovation at the time; and yes, it felt a bit busy. I didn't eat at the lobby restaurant due to price.

 

[Flashback]

Was planning to do a TR on this adventure but never got the time! Didn't have lounge access as I wasn't yet diamond.

Upsides: about a 10 minute walk from Paddington station - not the easiest with a big suitcase but still possible for Elizabeth line and the airport. Decent location for tube access, M&S across the road. Staff were friendly, I recall the service being good including when I requested the room switch.

However, I had to move rooms due to an issue with the first room. The second room was not yet refurbished, and had some issues in itself (including with its shub). The lobby was also under renovation at the time; and yes, it felt a bit busy. I didn't eat at the lobby restaurant due to price.

Every time I've been there (meeting rooms only) the lobby has always been a bit chaotic!

 

[justinbrett]

Anyone stayed at the Hilton Metropole in London? Any comparisons to the Hilton Paddington?

No but I'm trying out Hilton Park Lane in a few weeks, was almost same with points as Hilton Paddington.

I didn't mind Paddington (great for Heathrow Express and tube connections) but found the rooms a bit dated. The lounge was good though.

 

[boomy]

No but I'm trying out Hilton Park Lane in a few weeks, was almost same with points as Hilton Paddington.

I didn't mind Paddington (great for Heathrow Express and tube connections) but found the rooms a bit dated. The lounge was good though.

I’ll there too in few weeks. It’s a much better hotel than Paddington. Park Lane is proper 5* hotel, particularly after the refurb, with great exec lounge.

 

[Daver6]

I didn't mind Paddington (great for Heathrow Express and tube connections) but found the rooms a bit dated. The lounge was good though.

I agree about the rooms being dated. Really, it's the location that ticks the boxes for my needs on this one. Last time I was there I was gold but diamond now. So looking forward to breakfast in the lounge. The main restaurant was a little average for breakfast.

I’ll there too in few weeks. It’s a much better hotel than Paddington. Park Lane is proper 5* hotel, particularly after the refurb, with great exec lounge.

Damn...if only the location was closer to my office

 

[I love to travel]

Anyone stayed at the Hilton Metropole in London? Any comparisons to the Hilton Paddington?

The London Conrad is pricey but worth it if you have access to lounge being HH Diamond. Am having a great stay atm, complete with cute dog instead of bear

 

[kyle]

So this is my second stay here at Hilton LQS during my current mattress run. Strange that during check in on the first stay, the agent says welcome back, then on this second stay, agent goes, have you stayed with us before.

First time upgraded to the premium heritage room. Quite a bit of tram noise.

 

[Daver6]

The London Conrad is pricey but worth it if you have access to lounge being HH Diamond. Am having a great stay atm, complete with cute dog instead of bear

Location isn't where I need to be. This time around, proximity to Paddington Station is paramount. Otherwise I'd probably also consider the Sofitel. Having said that, pricing for the days I need to be there is stratospheric in general!

 

[boomy]

Location isn't where I need to be. This time around, proximity to Paddington Station is paramount. Otherwise I'd probably also consider the Sofitel. Having said that, pricing for the days I need to be there is stratospheric in general!

London is a one of those super expensive cities where it’s often best to use points for hotel stays.

 

[Daver6]

London is a one of those super expensive cities where it’s often best to use points for hotel stays.

Agreed....but this time round it's even more expensive than usual. Points aren't an option though when work is paying for travel.

 

[SYD]

London is a one of those super expensive cities where it’s often best to use points for hotel stays.

My points balance is still very much depleted from last years 8 night stay in London!

OT but we tend to do AirBnB now…

 

[dairyfloss]

Agreed....but this time round it's even more expensive than usual. Points aren't an option though when work is paying for travel.

Given the reasonable transport links, I wonder if London might be getting some of the fan accommodation overflow from Paris and elsewhere in France during the Rugby World Cup, which runs Fri, 8 Sept – Sat, 28 Oct. Could base yourself in London, and then travel in and out for matches, possibly just paying a single night here and there in FR. That said - there's probably better cities to do this from...

 

[Flashback]

Location isn't where I need to be. This time around, proximity to Paddington Station is paramount. Otherwise I'd probably also consider the Sofitel. Having said that, pricing for the days I need to be there is stratospheric in general!

Given the reasonable transport links, I wonder if London might be getting some of the fan accommodation overflow from Paris and elsewhere in France during the Rugby World Cup, which runs Fri, 8 Sept – Sat, 28 Oct. Could base yourself in London, and then travel in and out for matches, possibly just paying a single night here and there in FR. That said - there's probably better cities to do this from...

I think everyone has rushed here for the weather. High 20s (even low 30s) over the course of this week and possibly into next. Thanks goodness I'm out of here in just under 24 hours

 

[kyle]

The London Conrad is pricey but worth it if you have access to lounge being HH Diamond. Am having a great stay atm, complete with cute dog instead of bear

I still feel that this hotel is haunted during my stay last year.

Did you get the dog without asking? I had to ask.

 

[Aeolus]

I still feel that this hotel is haunted during my stay last year.

Did you get the dog without asking? I had to ask.

Haunted?

 

[I love to travel]

9 stays as Diamond in the last 3 weeks in US, Europe and UK. 2 minor upgrades before check in and one at check in. My experience the cheaper the hotel, the more likely the upgrade.