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

[beardoc]

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 think Hilton Sandton (near JNB, South Africa) makes a valiant attempt. Even going so far as to have hot steak in the EL!

For the question about Sydney EL vs Glass, the cold options are much the same - Glass offers additional cold cuts (they had sliced pork pies today!), but the cereals/yoghurts/etc. are the same. In Glass you also get:

* Honeycomb for your toast
* Larger range of pastries
* Hot Chinese Options (Congee, Fried Rice)
* Hot Breakfast Items (the usuals, plus dim sims/spring rolls)
* Made-to-Order eggs and Pancakes
* If you have coeliac disease, then a number of gluten free made-to-order options are available from the counter too.
* Broader range of juices

Downside is that coffee is brewed coffee, vs the Nespresso Gemini coffee machine.

Overall, I would go for Glass Breakfast.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

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

Downside is that coffee is brewed coffee, vs the Nespresso Gemini coffee machine.

Given we had 3 x complementary breakfasts, I had no qualms about paying for a decent cup of coffee, which as you point out, is the only real benefit of the EL over Glass. Just yesterday, I checked the folio to find we were not charged for the coffee or the pot of green tea. Perhaps it was a mistake or perhaps they are showing some "discretion" toward diamonds.....I don't know.

 

[Cynicor]

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

I think in general, ELs that allow access to al a carte breakfasts can be better than the buffet, at least in terms of quality.

One example is the Conrad Bali. The "club" breakfast is served in a restaurant that is only open for the Conrad suites and is a la carte. The selection is very decent and the quality is superior as many things are cooked fresh, but there is still a buffet. If you are Diamond you have access to this breakfast as part of the club privileges.

Baan Thai in the Khao Lak Le Meridien is similar for SPG plats, and Vilu at Conrad Maldives.

But I can't think of any proper lounges that are superior. Conrad Tokyo comes close, but the selection is very narrow.

 

[Hvr]

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

I've only ever used the Conrad BKK lounge for breakfast. The range of food there is excellent.

No need to even consider the restaurant.

 

[Moopere]

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

Likewise the Hilton Millennium BKK - the EL breakfast is very very good. Downstairs is good also, and probably a larger selection, but not by much ...mainly quantity I think.

 

[hummel]

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

Had breakfast in the restarunt at hilton bne this morning...nice meal great service very happy. Did notice this though. ..

 

[serfty]

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

...

But I can't think of any proper lounges that are superior. Conrad Tokyo comes close, but the selection is very narrow.

So is the buffet selection in the restaurant narrow - you want eggs? Pay extra!

After that experience I ate upstairs in the lounge.

 

[drdpr]

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

Noted that the British Colonial Hilton in Bahamas is now doing a $4 charge for wait for it..... push button capuccino that tastes like S**T. Not sure of this philosophy when I can press the similar machine in exce lounge for free for same lousy coffee Ohh but I forgot I am getting some poor $3/hr paid waitress to do that now form me plus there is an additional 15% service surcharge just in case the service exceeded your expectations - not. Only reason I found out as the continental service is pushed down into main breakfast area on weekends. Just love how how Nth America Hilton service = absolute pits. Diamond is not worth the paper it is written on frankly over here. Enjoy Australia why the resemblance of "service" lasts. We unfortunately follow USA to much on many fronts, ....... time will tell with the slippery slope of hilton and $$$ for the corporate masters at MIB

 

[ash.1111]

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

Had breakfast in the restarunt at hilton bne this morning...nice meal great service very happy. Did notice this though. ..

Melbourne SW also has this up-charge menu card now for the restaurant breakfast.

 

[mushypeas]

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

I'm sitting in Adelaide lounge and the staff were explaining difference in breakfast with them vs downstairs restaurant.

Interestingly she mentioned espresso coffee is now $5 and only filter coffee is complimentary.

In saying that, no charge for gold/diamond but still 5 bucks for what is arguably a pretty ordinary cup of coffee.

 

[DC3]

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

So the nickel-and-diming has spread to Adelaide now. I was there four weeks ago and no coffee charge.

 

[wonky1]

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

It is definitely in place in BNE now...

 

[boomy]

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

I can confirm HSP doesn't charge diamonds for coffee when having breakfast at the restaurant.

 

[JMFK]

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

ASP DT, Hilton Perth and Hilton Sydney all charged recently. In Sydney I opted to just walk 30 seconds down the road to Workshop Espresso. I have no problem paying for it, but I want it to be good. And in my experience. It's never really that good at a hotel breakfast.

The manager at Glass in Sydney shared my frustration over the coffee, saying 'I know, I know, don't get me started'

 

[markis10]

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

I can confirm HSP doesn't charge diamonds for coffee when heaving breakfast at the restaurant.

I know the service is poor at HSP but is the food that bad??

 

[boomy]

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

I know the service is poor at HSP but is the food that bad??

Fixed that and yes, breakfast, like the service could be better... Though the steak I had for dinner at Salt was excellent.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

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

The manager at Glass in Sydney shared my frustration over the coffee, saying 'I know, I know, don't get me started'

His name wasn't Basil was it?

"You think I don't know? I mean, you only have to eat here. We have to live with it. I had to pay his fare all the way from Barcelona, but you can't get the staff, you see. It's a nightmare."

 

[DeKa]

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

As a Diamond, at Hilton Adelaide, do you get free breakfast downstairs, or is it lounge only?
What's the latest on coffee?

 

[boomy]

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

As a Diamond, at Hilton Adelaide, do you get free breakfast downstairs, or is it lounge only?
What's the latest on coffee?

You get complementary full breakfast in the restaurant and barista coffee was still free last time I was there a few weeks ago.

 

[DeKa]

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

You get complementary full breakfast in the restaurant and barista coffee was still free last time I was there a few weeks ago.

Confirmed this is still the case as of this morning. Thanks for letting me know.