Elite treatment at Hilton Surfers Paradise

[Daver6]

A bit off topic, but I noticed in the AFR today that the property is for sale.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Following on a bit from the post above, I heard a little whisper today that Hilton were pulling out of Surfers Paradise.

I have no idea if there is any substance in it or not, but I would not be overly surprised. The hotel seems to be somewhat of a joke (still) and has not really managed to ever get over the myriad of problems in the early years.

 

[Deleted member]

I can vouch for that. HSP are woeful. Sitting in Hilton BNE. Chalk and cheese. !!! There is a saying that you never get a second chance yo make a first impression ! The checkin process in BNE today was amazing. ( in comparison). But not over done. Polite, efficient and smooth.

 

[Happy Dude]

I'm a blue nothing and just had 5 nights there. We had a 2BR apartment. There was a big stain in the middle of the lounge area which had seating for 3 adults only, no robes, and we had to request more plates/cutlery/glasses etc as there wasn't enough despite our 4 adult 2 children booking. We were affected by niteclub noise on the Friday and Saturday night.

Whilst everything went fairly smoothly, I don't think I'd return, especially as Surfers Paradise is such a low brow dump. Chock full of hoons and various d!ckheads hell bent on ensuring they're noticed. Most relieved that none of our group were hit by an electric bike/scooter being ridden on the footpath.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Most relieved that none of our group were hit by an electric bike/scooter being ridden on the footpath.

It absolutely amazes me this stupid practice is not being clamped down on by police. It's unlawful, dangerous and a general PITA for anyone except the clowns riding them. We've noticed it on a number of occasions.

+1 and teenage +1 had a couple of nights there and said the breakfast (since the reno's and changes) has gone downhill a lot, although no coffee tax was levied. Seems HSP is a classic example of how a fairly reputable brand can still have blatantly failing properties.

 

[samh004]

It absolutely amazes me this stupid practice is not being clamped down on by police. It's unlawful, dangerous and a general PITA for anyone except the clowns riding them. We've noticed it on a number of occasions.

+1 and teenage +1 had a couple of nights there and said the breakfast (since the reno's and changes) has gone downhill a lot, although no coffee tax was levied. Seems HSP is a classic example of how a fairly reputable brand can still have blatantly failing properties.

Same same but different, I was in Surfers the other night and a cyclist shot down the path and across an intersection whilst on red in front of 4 police officers. One yelled stop, he didn't. But none gave chase. Instead they crossed the other way into Cavill. Priorities and all.

 

[fromheretothere]

Hi al just back from 3 nights in the residences. Couldn't agree more with the comments above, this property cannot compare to other Hiltons. The street it is on is a joke, I didn't feel safe walking back to the hotel any time of the day with the drugged or drunked idiots even loitering in the lobby of the hotel! FYI I was given the worst 2 bed room apartment in the place as a diamond member, could not have been worse. When I complained I was told that the diamond upgrades do not apply in the residences.
If I had known that I may not have booked here but will be certain to never book there again. Sadly nothing can save this place

 

[samh004]

Hi al just back from 3 nights in the residences. Couldn't agree more with the comments above, this property cannot compare to other Hiltons. The street it is on is a joke, I didn't feel safe walking back to the hotel any time of the day with the drugged or drunked idiots even loitering in the lobby of the hotel!

But did you see the new public urinal that rises from the ground?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

FYI I was given the worst 2 bed room apartment in the place as a diamond member,

It's very hit and miss. Another problem with the place is that the rooms are not all the same. We've had 3 bedroom apartments that are quite big in Orchid Tower whereas the 3 bedroom apartments in Boulevard Tower are small and pokey. They both sell for the same rate and staff are reluctant to tell you pre-check-in, as to which tower they're sending you. Once I rocked up and before the check-in lady spoke, I said to her "if you intend to put us in a Boulevard Tower room, then just cancel the booking and we'll go to Sheraton instead". She was intended that (I'm also diamond) but a few quick taps later we were given the Orchid Tower. The other problem with the Boulevard Tower is that there are simply not enough lifts for the number of guests. I've waited there for 1/2 an hour for a lift and each one that arrived were chocker block full ... often with cleaners, bin carts and laundry hamper carts, and they would refuse to move.

It's an absolute shambles and to be honest, my recommendation to anyone unfortunate enough to have to stay at this Hilton, is don't book the residences, book the hotel rooms which are far better with furniture quality, soft furnishings, room type and there are enough elevators for the hotel.

 

[repete]

It's very hit and miss. Another problem with the place is that the rooms are not all the same. We've had 3 bedroom apartments that are quite big in Orchid Tower whereas the 3 bedroom apartments in Boulevard Tower are small and pokey. They both sell for the same rate and staff are reluctant to tell you pre-check-in, as to which tower they're sending you. Once I rocked up and before the check-in lady spoke, I said to her "if you intend to put us in a Boulevard Tower room, then just cancel the booking and we'll go to Sheraton instead". She was intended that (I'm also diamond) but a few quick taps later we were given the Orchid Tower. The other problem with the Boulevard Tower is that there are simply not enough lifts for the number of guests. I've waited there for 1/2 an hour for a lift and each one that arrived were chocker block full ... often with cleaners, bin carts and laundry hamper carts, and they would refuse to move.

It's an absolute shambles and to be honest, my recommendation to anyone unfortunate enough to have to stay at this Hilton, is don't book the residences, book the hotel rooms which are far better with furniture quality, soft furnishings, room type and there are enough elevators for the hotel.

Interesting to read this thread and these insights, although it's now post-booking for me :-|!? I am taking the family up there from a purchase during the 40% off sale - based on the price we paid compared to what it's going for now, we will get our value for money! Any current tips though as a Diamond as to what I should try and nicely request upon check-in? No.1 above seems to ask for the Orchid Tower, beyond that we'll see. Also, any insights as to what benefits might be provided for the family based on my status? (main one I'm wondering is if we'll all get breakfast somewhere?) Thanks all.

 

[basso]

I read this thread. I read the threads about the Sydney Hilton. And I wonder why you guys keep doing it to yourselves? Just find another hotel....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

any insights as to what benefits might be provided for the family based on my status? (main one I'm wondering is if we'll all get breakfast somewhere?) Thanks all.

In my (not recent) experience, HSP actually do pretty well at allowing all the family to enjoy breakfast and lounge access. If you are staying in one of the residences, as opposed to a hotel room, I'd suggest if the exec lounge card key is not forthcoming, you ask for one. The lounge has a different card to the room and not all residence guests are given lounge access. Hotel guests don't have the same problem.

 

[repete]

In my (not recent) experience, HSP actually do pretty well at allowing all the family to enjoy breakfast and lounge access. If you are staying in one of the residences, as opposed to a hotel room, I'd suggest if the exec lounge card key is not forthcoming, you ask for one. The lounge has a different card to the room and not all residence guests are given lounge access. Hotel guests don't have the same problem.

Thank you swanning_it, appreciate the input.

 

[kamchatsky]

Oh dear, I have just booked HSPR 2 bedroom suites because I have 2 small children, and now I am reading this. Should I expect the worst? Or have things been improved there?

 

[repete]

It can't have been too bad - I've paid up to go back this year
Don't think we really got an upgrade on our 2BR place we had... it was also in the Boulevard Tower with lift challenges etc as mentioned. However, we did get breakfast and lounge access which was a great benefit to us and made it very worthwhile. When are you due to go? You'll have to keep us posted!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

They've told me in the past that they don't upgrade on residences. Having said that, I have received upgrades on residences, so it's pure luck I think.

Pretty hard to fix the lift issues in Boulevard Tower. There just aren't enough of them for guests and cleaners. Ask for Orchard Tower as it is a bit better. Orchard Tower also has better rooms IMHO. Certainly the 3 bedroom apartments are bigger in Orchard than Boulevard, but I can't remember if the 2 bedders are the same or not.

In all, forget the issues and enjoy your stay. Hopefully it will be excellent with nothing too problematic!

 

[futaris]

No Cookies | Gold Coast Bulletin

LUXURY BMW CRUSHED BY SECURITY GATE AT FIVE STAR HOTEL

A LUXURY SUV — worth an estimated $100,000 — has been crushed by a security gate at a five star Gold Coast hotel today.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I can't access that story, but it's not entirely true. There are no security gates in HSP. A boom gate from memory and the security gates are into the permanent residence car parking.

 

[Spacetravel]

To add to this thread, while old this is a post from my stay a few years ago: HSP - A Schoolies Sell Out

Its the security on the front door, they are so rude to me because I look young, refusing to let me in the front door (to the tower I am in) sending me around the back. I addressed this with management a number of times who said they talked to the security guard. After attempted again after each time they told me they talked to him he has become increasingly ruder. When I asked to explain why I am sent around to the back entrance when other guests are not as I am not a schoolie he refused to tell me. I asked to speak with his manager, he said if I don't go now he will call the police on me. Note: I was not being rude or agressive in anyway, I said "can you please explain to me why I have to go around the side".
Its the security on the front door, they are so rude to me because I look young, refusing to let me in the front door (to the tower I am in) sending me around the back. I addressed this with management a number of times who said they talked to the security guard. After attempted again after each time they told me they talked to him he has become increasingly ruder. When I asked to explain why I am sent around to the back entrance when other guests are not as I am not a schoolie he refused to tell me. I asked to speak with his manager, he said if I don't go now he will call the police on me. Note: I was not being rude or aggressive in anyway, I said "can you please explain to me why I have to go around the side".

Now I have been back several times since, as recent as last month. The same security guard is still there surprisingly but has toned down on the macho since. Still not very friendly though, but has at least dropped the " new security guard" ego.

To restate what has already been said before, you MUST stay in the Orchard tower, the other one is a cough hole in comparison. Every time I book I put it in the additional requests on the booking to put me in the Orchard tower and I request it at check in too. One time even after all that they STILL put me in the other one but they let me change when I pushed.

A bit of background I heard on the grapevine, the Orchard Tower was designed and built by Hilton. The boulevard tower was another project under construction at the same time by another company that went bankrupt in the final stages which Hilton decided to take over. This would explain why the other place is cheap all round from the lack of lifts, thin walls, small rooms and lower quality built ins.

Honestly IMH besides the security issue mentioned before the Hilton Hotel section (not residence) is on par with other properties. I've stayed in some considerably worse Hilton properties in other parts of the world. Even the residence in the Orchard tower are pretty sufficient, especially if you book outside of school holidays you can get some very good rates.

 

[kyle]

I can't access that story, but it's not entirely true. There are no security gates in HSP. A boom gate from memory and the security gates are into the permanent residence car parking.

Normally that gate at the front would be down late evening. But looks like it happened during the day.