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.

 

[Ewing]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Sydney
Date: 23 Feb - 24 Feb
Booked: 2x Twin Hilton Deluxe
Received: 1x Twin Hilton Deluxe, 1x King Hilton Deluxe
Rate: $339 per night per room

Executive lounge and breakfast benefits extended across both rooms, but was annoyed the bedding preferences weren't honoured. Other than that no complaints about the staff. I hate the new executive lounge, so I'm glad I won't be staying at Sydney often.

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton South Wharf
Date: 28 Feb - 3 Mar
Booked: Queen Family Room
Received: Queen Family Room
Rate: $217.50 per night

Received exactly as booked (plus executive lounge). Water not replenished. Not my favourite stay, but I spent minimal time in the hotel so wasn't too fussed.

 

[jetlagger]

Forgot this one. Jan 2013

Conrad Tokyo
Booked King City
Points plus pay 25k+~11000Jpy a night
Received King City Exec
Also received some choccies in the room I think.

Nice hotel but the lobby is way too smoky for my liking. Don't think I could eat in the main restaurants at all unless they are air-isolated.

Found the lounge small but adequate. Not sure why the Conrads I've been to don't have champagne. Also, seems diamonds only get continental at the main breakfast, and unsure if it can be upgraded (translation issues).

I feel this hotel offer the benefits of status as documented but you are lucky to get anything more.

IIRC, When I stayed at Conrad last year, the lounge did have some french variety of Champagne.
Breakfast in the lounge was also quite adequate, as there was a chef on hand who made a lovely mushroom omelette.
I still prefer the Hilton Shinjuku

 

[Daver6]

Apologies for that. Specifically Hilton Shinjuku (Tokyo) and Hilton Munich City.

Was not given access to the Conrad Executive Lounge sadly

Yes. You beat me to it, straitman. Maybe Daver6 was comparing Australia to some properties in Asia (Conrads, maybe). Certainly not in the US which has the majority of the Hiltons. If, and it's a big if, USA Hilton's have an EL, there's no free booze anyway. If there's booze, then you pay for it.




I agree. Adelaide EL is quite okay, I thought. Yes, it closes on weekends/PH from 11.00am-5.00pm but the drinks (6.00-8.00pm are self serve ). Wine, beer, spirits (and also Pimms, which I don't recall seeing in an EL, except in the UK).

 

[Ausbt]

I don't think we'll be heading back before trying HotP as an alternative.

HSW is far superior to HoTP (and I'm writing this from the EL @ HoTP right this minute). The EL is far bigger, has a much better selection of canapes etc and better drink selection. The view over the MCG, however, is rather nice.

 

[muppet]

HSW is far superior to HoTP (and I'm writing this from the EL @ HoTP right this minute). The EL is far bigger, has a much better selection of canapes etc and better drink selection. The view over the MCG, however, is rather nice.

Marginally better selection on canapes (although reports are it's been downhill), however the drinks selection is virtually the same? What's so special at HSW?

 

[Moopere]

Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Millenium Bangkok
Date: 27 FEB - 5 MAR
Booked: Deluxe room (one up from base)
Received: Exec room upgrade to the 27th floor
Rate: about $170 AUD a night

Another great stay at this Hilton. Upgrades and all the status trappings without argument and some nice hotel specifics (like free clothes pressing). Staff all great, facilities good though showing signs of high traffic and age, but not really a concern.

With a new hilton and a DT opening in Sukhumvit over the next few months I'll probably shift my stays there just because its more central but if they are not up to scratch I'll be back to the Millenium in a heartbeat.

 

[Ausbt]

however the drinks selection is virtually the same? What's so special at HSW?

Drink selection is wider at HSW, although we might be talking 4 reds and 4 whites versus the 2 and 2 I saw last night. Beers: HoTP had Boags Premium, Heniken & Crown whereas HSW had Boags, something else and some sort of German boutique beer (gee, with that memory clearly I had a few of 'em!). Hot food for brekky whereas as none at HoTP this morning, though brekky was better than the canapes I had last night.

And just the size of the lounge, the 'bar' tables which I prefer rather than seated tables, the outdoor terrace. It's much better. Oh and the gym. I couldn't car less for a pool (though I love the Crown Metropol's pool) but I want a gym with wall-to-wall Precor gear and lot's of it. HSW wins.

 

[Formal Hall]

Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Garden Inn Venice Mestre
Date: 23 February
Booked: King evolution room.
Received: Same, 5th floor corner.
Rate: 44EUR (booked through 3rd party)

First time in a Garden Inn. Very impressed, nicer bathroom amenities than a Hilton, new build, substantial breakfast (given full breakfast voucher as gold). 10 minutes by public bus to Venice (1.30EUR each way) and you can buy bus tickets at reception and charge to your room. An excellent idea and should be replicated everywhere (would make myki in Melbourne more bearable). Small but functional gym. Only downside of winter visit was outdoor pool was closed.

 

[simongr]

Back at HOTP upgraded to relaxation suite and note from the GM.

 

[smdoherty]

Status: Gold
Property: HOTP
Date: 12 - 13 Mar
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Received: King Hilton Deluxe Room Plus
Rate: $155 Govt Rate

Arrived after 10pm so wasn't disappointed that I didn't get an executive room.
Received two free waters and generic letter from GM.

 

[Flashback]

Status: Gold
Property: DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park
Date: 10 March
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Guest Room (then King Deluxe)
Rate: £55

Yet another stay here... and yet another time I had to request my upgrade! Every single room type was bookable 10 minutes before I arrived so don't know what the issue was. Anyway, upon asking I was promptly upgraded. Decided to have dinner in the Piano Bar restaurant - as a gold was offered the 3 course menu of the day for £17.95 instead of £21.95. Being a Sunday I had the Turkey Thyme roast which was absolutely delicious and found the food in general to be of very good quality. Another good stay here and will most likely book in again when up next week.

That being said I'm tempted to try the Sheffield Hilton (which can sometimes be had for £65) just to compare.

 

[mella2007]

Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Sydney
Date: 11 March
2 Rooms booked
Booked: King Guest Room for both
Received: King Relaxation Suite and King Executive Room, 6 bottles of water, executive lounge or Glass for breakfast, chocolates and card from GM, pre arrival email to ensure I'd be happy with my stay
Rate: $229 and $249

Excellent overall stay yet again at one of my fav Hiltons. Management know me now, so they generally contact me before and after to ensure my stay was pleasant (which is was). Enjoyed afternoon tea and evening canapes in the lounge as well as the usual excellent breakfast at glass.

 

[Fifa]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Surfers Paradise
Date: 14 - 17 March
Booked: 1 bedroom residence
Received: 2 bedroom ocean view residence
Rate: $194.25 per night (any weekend anywhere)

Checked in quickly and welcomed back. Welcome card, fruit and 2 x bottles of water (one still, one sparkling) were waiting in our room.
We are in the back tower with a view up the north coast - last time we were in the tower closer to the beach with uninterrupted views of the surf.

 

[TonyHancock]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Birmingham Metropole
Date: 10 March 2013
Booked: Double Room
Received: Queen Executive
Rate: GBP99.00 per night (Best Flexible)

Usual bottles of water.

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Bromsgrove
Date: 12 March 2013
Booked: Queen Guest Room
Received: Queen Deluxe
Rate: GBP80.00 per night (Best Flexible)

187ml of red wine, two bottles of water and a bar of chocolate.

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Birmingham Metropole
Date: 12 March 2013
Booked: Double Room
Received: Junior King Suite
Rate: GBP69.00 per night (Advance Purchase)

My first suite upgrade at the Birmingham Metropole. Very nice. Two large bottle of water too.

 

[kermatu]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Cairns
Date: 10, 11 March 2013
Booked: King Exec
Received: King Exec - corner room
Rate: $210 per night.

Received letter and OK welcome. No upgrade - disappointing as the suite and spa rooms were empty both nights. Corner room may be considered as such, but not to me. Small chocolate gift on arrival. Plenty of water every day. Full breakfast downstairs plus extras in the lounge. Good service everywhere, especially in the lounge.

All up, pretty good but not what I'd hoped for as a return customer and Diamond.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Property: Hilton Cairns
Date: 10, 11 March 2013

We would have seen you in the lounge on the 11th then! We were there 9th and 11th March 2013.

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Cairns
Date: 9 and 11 March 2013
Booked: King guest
Received: King Exec
Rate: $153 per night.

Received plenty of waters, choc coated coffee beans, newspaper each morning, full breakfast, early check-in (9am first stay) and late checkout (3pm second stay), other check-in and checkout suited normal times.

The only thing I was annoyed about, was me forgetting to change my preference from points and variable miles to points and fixed miles so with the double miles promo, that cost me about 2300 VS miles . Bummer!

 

[Mollycram]

Status: Diamond
Property: Millenium Bangkok
Date: 2-5th March
Booked: King Guest and Twin Guest
Received: King Guest and Twin Guest

Received no upgrade on either room which was disappointing but did get Executive Lounge access for both rooms after a lengthy discussion. Not that this was of much use given a no alcohol directive from the Bangkok governor due to the election. A welcome back card, bowl of fruit and water daily. No HHonors points posted at this stage so am going to have to chase them. Not my favourite stay.


Property: Hilton Hua Hin
Date: 5th -10th March
Booked: King Guest and Twin Guest
Received: Executive King and Executive Twin

Much better experience than the Millenium all round. Fruit bowl and water that were replenished daily and on two occasions received a dessert sampler plate delivered to our rooms. Probably wouldn't go back here but that is more to do with not loving Hua Hin than the hotel.

 

[DeKa]

Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Brisbane
Date: 15-17 March 2013
Booked: King guest
Received: King Exec
Rate: $279 first night, $202 second night (separate bookings)

Have received free water each day. Even though we have two bookings, they said at check in it was no problem to stay in the upgraded room (as I would have hoped).

The exec lounge staff here are great!

 

[Toddkurnski]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Cairns
Date: 10, 11 March 2013
Booked: King Exec
Received: King Exec - corner room
Rate: $210 per night.

Received letter and OK welcome. No upgrade - disappointing as the suite and spa rooms were empty both nights. Corner room may be considered as such, but not to me. Small chocolate gift on arrival. Plenty of water every day. Full breakfast downstairs plus extras in the lounge. Good service everywhere, especially in the lounge.

All up, pretty good but not what I'd hoped for as a return customer and Diamond.

Been here a dozen times in the last twelve months as a diamond member, never had a suite or spa room. No complaints about the service either though.

 

[Moopere]

Property: Millenium Bangkok
Date: 2-5th March

...Not that this was of much use given a no alcohol directive from the Bangkok governor due to the election. A welcome back card, bowl of fruit and water daily. No HHonors points posted at this stage so am going to have to chase them. Not my favourite stay.

Ahh - if I'd known you were there I'd have said g'day. I was at the Millenium over this period too. Probably we saw each other in the lounge and didn't even know. I can't remember exactly the date, but huge crowds started to arrive at the hotel for a Honeywell and Exxon conference of some type. Before this the hotel was almost empty, the lounge was full of tumbleweeds hehe.

I snagged an exec room upgrade from a base room and actually had a really great stay overall. It always puts me in a good mood to have status properly recognised and they did a great job for me.

I'm off to Hua Hin at the end of the month - never been before, so glad you liked the hotel, that gives me some confidence. The city itself not so great though huh?