Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydney!

[Daver6]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

Wow. Aren't we the self appointed guardian of principles. Your comment is offensive as I expect that you intended them to be. This is a forum not a chat room. If your primary interest is derogatory one line remarks then I am sure there other places on the Web where you can add to the discussion in a more meaningful way than you have done here. FYI

1. As diamond status I get complimentary breakfast which on all of my 20+ stays this year at the Parmelia have included coffee without charge
2. Coffee was ordered, delivered and consumed without any mention of charge
3. A bill was subsequently placed on the table for the coffee without explanation.
4. Their change in policy was not apparent to me nor does it seem apparent to them given subsequent stays have been without charge for the same coffee
5. My interpretation - the server was not aware that my breakfast was included and therefore I was under no obligation to pay.
6. No subsequent charge came through on the CC.

Was I right to ignore the bill without questioning it - no. Were they wrong to deliver me a product without advising me of a change in policy to charge for coffee - yes.

None of which justifies your offensive remarks

You gloated in your post about being billed for something and just walking out without paying or talking to them about it. You also gloated about not feeling at all guilty about it. You can justify stealing all you want, but at the end of the day that's exactly what you did and admitted freely to it.

You had plenty of options open to yourself. You could have questioned it and had it removed from the bill. By the sounds of it, you actually were aware you would likely be charged for the coffee based on feedback on this very forum.

I'm truly sorry you find my comment to personal and offensive. You essentially admitted to being a thief and not feeling guilty about it...like that is somehow different to any other thief. I just put forward a view (or an opinion if you like), that I suspect that is how most thieves feel.

Perhaps you are so offended by my remark because I've just called it like I see it (and suspect others do too).

Regardless, I apologise for any offence caused. This was not my intention at all.

 

[knasty]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

How do hotels chase down unallocated expenses? I checked out of a hotel in London and found 6 breakfasts on the same morning allocated to my account. I never had breakfast during my stay and they credited the 180 quid without a problem but it got me thinking whether someone got 180 quid's worth for free, by design or by accident?

 

[QF WP]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

Back on the original topic, I'm forever glad none of my family are coffee drinkers. Pot of tea in the morning inroom is sufficient for me (or in the Exec Lounge).

Then again, I've only stayed at Hilton SYD once (and it was in late August).

 

[anat0l]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

How do hotels chase down unallocated expenses? I checked out of a hotel in London and found 6 breakfasts on the same morning allocated to my account. I never had breakfast during my stay and they credited the 180 quid without a problem but it got me thinking whether someone got 180 quid's worth for free, by design or by accident?

The card you left for incidentals at check-in can be charged with any expenses attributed to you that were not on your folio at checkout. I believe that's a condition on checking in / making a reservation / something else......

Whilst it's never a matter for you (most of the time), I guess if they found they credited 180 quid worth of breakfast to the wrong folio, then they'll just have to establish which folio was supposed to have it. And if they can't find it, then it's a bad debt.

It is interesting how most properties (I say "most") do rely on your honesty a fair bit, which is fine except I do know that there are a few out there who will unfairly take advantage of this.

Back on the original topic, I'm forever glad none of my family are coffee drinkers. Pot of tea in the morning inroom is sufficient for me (or in the Exec Lounge).

Then again, I've only stayed at Hilton SYD once (and it was in late August).

Well, lucky for you in the restaurant that the normal pot of Liptons (well, tastes like it, not the nicest English Breakfast) is still free.

Most of us can survive OK on brewed coffee too; it's just not as good.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

Most of us can survive OK on brewed coffee too; it's just not as good.

Perhaps this confession will expose the heathen in me, but I enjoy most a barista flat white. I'll make do with a machine "pod" style or worse case scenario (the most typical in my existence) will be a cup of instant. I find brewed tends to range from undrinkable to poison depending upon the establishment from which one drinks! Rarely is it enjoyable (IMHO)! Instant is ordinary, but at least you know the standard of ordinary will be consistent! :shock:

 

[anat0l]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

Perhaps this confession will expose the heathen in me, but I enjoy most a barista flat white. I'll make do with a machine "pod" style or worse case scenario (the most typical in my existence) will be a cup of instant. I find brewed tends to range from undrinkable to poison depending upon the establishment from which one drinks! Rarely is it enjoyable (IMHO)! Instant is ordinary, but at least you know the standard of ordinary will be consistent! :shock:

Perhaps it's a difference in our experiences. On the whole, I find brew better than instant. Instant is quite refined and starts to taste fake. Had some bad brews before - don't get me wrong! And of course, when Americans are involved, I sometimes have to reduce the amount of milk used (and that is if they provide milk; it's usually creamer!) or ask for it again to be made stronger.

Machine pods or capsules are usually quite OK. Robert Timms coffee bags are somewhat satisfactory.

None of those holds a candle to the barista espresso and a good flat white. If only it didn't cost extra money (even if only the first cup were free of charge!)

 

[boomy]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

Most of us can survive OK on brewed coffee too; it's just not as good.

Most of us can also survive a night or two at a cheap Motel but when choosing the Hilton it's all about enjoying the stay and a good cup of coffee in the morning is a part of the experience. They charge enough for the room to be able to provide at least the first cup for free.

 

[hummel]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

Having never stayed at hilton syd is breakfast in glass that much better than the EL? Staying on Saturday night as a diamond.

 

[DC3]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

I stayed last night (ninth stay this year). Glass offers a full hot (and cold) buffet breakfast which is complimentary for diamonds. Coffee and tea are served at the table from pots/jugs by the waiters. The alternative "proper" coffee and a pot of tea (2 cups?) have a $5 surcharge. This is explained by the waiter. Also, my welcome letter from the GM makes mention of the tea and coffee.

I have never had breakfast at the EL, as I prefer a full hot breakfast. So, I can't offer a first-hand comparison.

 

[hummel]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

I stayed last night (ninth stay this year). Glass offers a full hot (and cold) buffet breakfast which is complimentary for diamonds. Coffee and tea are served at the table from pots/jugs by the waiters. The alternative "proper" coffee and a pot of tea (2 cups?) have a $5 surcharge. This is explained by the waiter. Also, my welcome letter from the GM makes mention of the tea and coffee.

I have never had breakfast at the EL, as I prefer a full hot breakfast. So, I can't offer a first-hand comparison.

Great thanks for the reply. Looking forward to it.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

I stayed last night (ninth stay this year). Glass offers a full hot (and cold) buffet breakfast which is complimentary for diamonds. Coffee and tea are served at the table from pots/jugs by the waiters. The alternative "proper" coffee and a pot of tea (2 cups?) have a $5 surcharge. This is explained by the waiter. Also, my welcome letter from the GM makes mention of the tea and coffee.

I have never had breakfast at the EL, as I prefer a full hot breakfast. So, I can't offer a first-hand comparison.

I concur and as a point of info I have yet to have an exec lounge breakfast worldwide at any property which is equal to or better than the equivalent restaurant buffet breakfast at that property.

 

[markis10]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

I concur and as a point of info I have yet to have an exec lounge breakfast worldwide at any property which is equal to or better than the equivalent restaurant buffet breakfast at that property.

I have but only one, the Mariott Marquis in Dubai.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

I have but only one, the Mariott Marquis in Dubai.

This is a Hilton thread

 

[markis10]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

This is a Hilton thread

Sadly the principle holds true across the chains though, although other factors can come into play, such as the view along with the exceptional (free) barista coffee at the SYD IC.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

I have but only one, the Mariott Marquis in Dubai.

I'd say any breakfast spread where the buffet can defy gravity is worth several brownie points.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

Sadly the principle holds true across the chains though, although other factors can come into play, such as the view along with the exceptional (free) barista coffee at the SYD IC.

I too really enjoyed the club breakfast at IC SYD.......not quite as good as Glass, but better than quite a few "restaurant" breakfasts at a number of int. hotels (and the view is a very relaxing way to kick off a day).

 

[Fifa]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

I too really enjoyed the club breakfast at IC SYD.......not quite as good as Glass, but better than quite a few "restaurant" breakfasts at a number of int. hotels (and the view is a very relaxing way to kick off a day).

And all day barista coffee is included in the IC Sydney lounge

 

[anat0l]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

And all day barista coffee is included in the IC Sydney lounge

If the barista is a robot, it doesn't count.

 

[Fifa]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

If the barista is a robot, it doesn't count.

Definitely a real person making real coffees in the club lounge at the Sydney IC!
Bliss .

 

[markis10]

Re: Gold/Diamond [+anyone else][breakfast] Enhancement-coffee [now $5]-in Hilton Sydn

Definitely a real person making real coffees in the club lounge at the Sydney IC!
Bliss .

Especially on a wet day, have been known to camp out for a few hours and just watch the world, while drinking nice coffee and the off nibble of some cake etc