21 in 90 for Hilton Diamond

[DC3]

... The exec lounge was reasonably busy with only occasional top ups being provided ...

But the drinks are self serve. Or they were two weeks ago.

 

[JessicaTam]

But the drinks are self serve. Or they were two weeks ago.

I believe the drinks in each Hilton lounge are self serve. Sometimes the staff are proactive and offer top ups. It was purely a comment on the level of customer service, not a critisism.

 

[straitman]

But the drinks are self serve. Or they were two weeks ago.

I believe the drinks in each Hilton lounge are self serve. Sometimes the staff are proactive and offer top ups. It was purely a comment on the level of customer service, not a critisism.

From my experience HSW, HOTP, H Brisbane and H Adelaide offer service though it is as a supplement to help your self.

 

[MissBurrill]

Jess would you like us to organise dinner and drinks in Brisbane so you can book a night up here?

 

[JessicaTam]

Jess would you like us to organise dinner and drinks in Brisbane so you can book a night up here?

That would be delightful. I can see it now - "the diamond challenge drinks".

*scurries off to check social calendar*

 

[MissBurrill]

That would be delightful. I can see it now - "the diamond challenge drinks".

*scurries off to check social calendar*

Let me know which nights have potential for you. I can't easily meet on a Tuesday.

 

[markis10]

Unless you want to pay upwards of $300 plus per night, week nights in BNE should be avoided, with Sundays offering the best value.

 

[JessicaTam]

Unless you want to pay upwards of $300 plus per night, week nights in BNE should be avoided, with Sundays offering the best value.

Thanks for the advice. Sounds a bit like Perth as well.

 

[MissBurrill]

Thanks for the advice. Sounds a bit like Perth as well.

Sunday lunch which might flow on to dinner?

 

[markis10]

As a data point BNE can be had for $67 + 20000HH points on a Sunday.

 

[Deewhy]

As a data point BNE can be had for $67 + 20000HH points on a Sunday.

As another point, Got a room on sunday with b/fast rate for $157 2 weeks ago. It was booked one week out. Monday jumped to $300. Split the booking, as the 2 night rate was close to $300.

 

[JessicaTam]

Stay 6/21
9th Mar
Hilton on the Park
Booked: King guest room
Received: King exec room
Upgrades 6/6

Two bottles of water, welcome note from GM

The stay was enjoyable again. I arrived this time to find my room not quite ready (1545) so I waited in the exec lounge for maybe 5 minutes. I dropped off my bags and visited straitman at HSW. When I returned I asked at the desk for some soy milk as I have done each visit. The attendant said it was already in my room as she had put a note on my file last time. This followed through to the exec lounge that evening, where I was greeted and told to take a seat and my drink would be brought to me.

Breakfast was the clincher though. It was a Sunday morning and at 0930 the dining room was full. To the extent that I offered to share a table. I was soon seated and coffee brought (in quicker time than I thought it needed to be made). I ordered an omelette and it was ready just as my toast was. There was no sense of rushing, and the staff did not look busy themselves. They just got on with the job and did it well. I was told later they did 250 that morning, which if you know HOTP's dining room was at least 2 sittings, if not 3. A dramatic contrast to HSW a week earlier.

 

[Shanye2233]

As another point, Got a room on sunday with b/fast rate for $157 2 weeks ago. It was booked one week out. Monday jumped to $300. Split the booking, as the 2 night rate was close to $300.

I rarely stay with Hilton and I'm a diamond . IMO unless your staying there anyway it's not something I recommend doing. Markis10 is correct all properties usually have Sundays as the cheapest , However I'm booked in Bne for a two night stay for $140 per night for two nights Friday and Saturday night . After so many Brg with hotels I found with Hilton if its close enought they usually match it without a issue. So if the total Is $400 for two nights and you submit a Brg for $387 they usually match it for $337 without a issue. But this is inside information.

Also to add I think I did a Marriott platinum challenge and then rang Hilton to status match and they gave me diamond. Funny thing is I also requlified this year.

 

[drewbles]

Is it just me or is that a ridiculous challenge, that's around $3000 in hotel charges, wonder how much DJ WP could be had as an alternative??

Agreed considering Hyatt diamond challenge is 12 in 90 and cheap to do in the USA!

 

[JessicaTam]

Agreed considering Hyatt diamond challenge is 12 in 90 and cheap to do in the USA!

Trouble is I am not going to be in the States anytime soon. Hilton have the spread of locations that work for me, hence deciding to take up the challenge.

 

[JessicaTam]

I know I have yet to post stays 7 and 8, which I will do later tonight, however I thought I would write about the situation in the HOTP lounge as we speak (stay 9). It just goes to show that it is the staff who make the hotel, not the bricks and mortar.

There are 10 people in the lounge with two attendants - so not busy at all - and they are standing at the reception desk chatting. I wish the regular lounge staffer was here as she was attentive and proactive. Drinks topped up, tables cleared, a pleasant word as well. Not tonight. Chatting is the order of the day (but not with the guests), and service is out it seems - you want a drink, get it yourself!

I am limited in my diet so I chose the vego spring rolls; soggy (yes soggy!) and luke warm. I.e. NOT COOKED. I commented on them and the attendant tried one and agreed with me. They are still sitting in the food warmer and no replacements are coming. I asked if there was any other vego hot food tonight and the answer was no.

Lacking hot food I tried the cold selection. Good grief! The same selection as usual, however it hasn't even been cut up. Strips of cucumber, slices of pumpkin and whole artichokes. For the first time in recorded history canapés have required a knife and fork!

I may be having a DYKWIA moment, but I have come to expect better than this from HOTP.

Hopefully breakfast will redeem my stay.

Fail, Hilton on the Park, Fail!

 

[mella2007]

Enjoying the journey!
A couple of questions for you...

Is there a reason why Diamond is so important for you? Do you normally travel a lot that the status is worthwhile and you will continue to reap the benefits over the next year? (considering the changes being made to the program in a week's time)

Would it have not been more cost effective (and of course depending on time if you could take 3 weeks or so annual leave off) to plan a trip to the US...fly Y (shock!) and stay in a different Hilton every night (Garden Inns can be extremely cheap)

 

[JessicaTam]

Enjoying the journey!
A couple of questions for you...

Is there a reason why Diamond is so important for you? Do you normally travel a lot that the status is worthwhile and you will continue to reap the benefits over the next year? (considering the changes being made to the program in a week's time)

Would it have not been more cost effective (and of course depending on time if you could take 3 weeks or so annual leave off) to plan a trip to the US...fly Y (shock!) and stay in a different Hilton every night (Garden Inns can be extremely cheap)

Diamond is not overly important. If I don't make the challenge then I won't be far off gold which will be good enough. Just at the moment I can have diamond for the price of gold, so to speak. As per the challenge, the status will last until March 2015 so two years is pretty good. I travel enough to be able to take advantage of it.

My annual leave is rostered, and I have no leave until July, so a quick trip to the land of the restrained and the paranoid is, unfortunately, out of the question.

 

[JessicaTam]

Stay 7
22nd Mar
Hilton on the Park
Booked: King guest room
Received: King exec room
Upgrades 7/7

Two bottles of water, turndown, mints (no welcome letter)

The only standout with this stay was my coffee at breakfast took about 15 minutes to arrive. The breakfast room was not busy, so I have no explanation.

 

[JessicaTam]

Stay 8
24th Mar
Hilton South Wharf
Booked: King guest room
Received: King exec room
Upgrades 8/8

Two bottles of water, turndown, chocolates (no welcome letter)

A pleasant stay catching up with Fifa, Mr Fifa and Staitman. I had an early start and breakfast was super quick - it was 0630 and there was only one other guest in the breakfast room.