Hilton/ DT Cairns

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Re: Cairns Holiday Inn to become Doubletree

Anybody with a TR on the new property yet - other than the ones posted in the Hilton "how do they treat you" thread?

Wait until next week and I may....if I can't con H-CNS into a better price! ;)
 
Re: Cairns Holiday Inn to become Doubletree

Wait until next week and I may....if I can't con H-CNS into a better price! ;)
I won't be able to help With this. H-CNS have been very obliging with rates ;), so I'll be staying there. (It's next week too, not this week....almost went to the wrong town again!)
 
Re: Cairns Holiday Inn to become Doubletree

Anybody with a TR on the new property yet - other than the ones posted in the Hilton "how do they treat you" thread?

Dropped in there today, just for you QF WP!

The décor update has not actually removed that "tour group special" kind of feeling and there is no EL.

Double tree Cairns 2.jpgDouble tree Cairns 1.jpg


Whereas I have a King Executive upgrade at the Hilton for AU25 more than Doubletree........
Hilton Cairns 9th Floor view.jpg

And currently enjoying lunch (tax deduction charged to room ;)) at Mondos..........
Lunch at Mondos.jpg

Sorry, but unless a mattress run is needed, my choice will remain the Hilton. Chalk and cheese in my estimation! Now where's that waiter gone?
 
Re: Cairns Holiday Inn to become Doubletree

Could have caught up at Mondo's was there for lunch too :)
 
Re: Cairns Holiday Inn to become Doubletree

Could have caught up at Mondo's was there for lunch too :)

Bugger. There's always tomorrow! It was perfect today with the high tide and lovely breeze. Pity I had to go back to work. :(

It did occur to me though, just how much that setting for lunch would set me back if it was in Sydney at, say Doyles. My lunch with glass of wine was I think about $30. What else could one ask for?
 
I've noticed a fair few comments about great elite recognition at HCNS, but I was wondering what the general opinion was of the hotel and DT CNS.
I am looking at booking a few nights there in June for a quick birthday getaway and usually I would stay at Pullman Palm Cove like I've done for the last few years but since this will only be 2 or 3 nights, Cairns is much better for ease.

I've not visited HCNS for almost 10 years ( certainly not an elite, and actually mid teens) and I remember the rooms being a bit so and so.. Any more recent reviews or recommendations would be ideal...
Best room type to pick? They don't seem to be the general King Deluxe/ King Guestroom/King exec.

If I've started a new thread, please merge them mods, just couldn't find a recent thread.
 
I routinely stay at the Hilton Cairns, know the staff very well. I pay for a basic cheap room and as a Diamond always get a corner exec suite. Seems ok, the property is not new by any standard, but the rooms are nice, clean and modern. especially the corner suite with a nice spa bath and ceiling head type shower.
 
I remember the rooms being a bit so and so..

I can't comment on DT as I see no benefit in staying there over the Hilton as the extra cost is more than made up by the complementary lounge access and breakfast.

For the H-CNS, the rooms are OK. Not on the huge side but not as small as H-SYD (IMHO). I just like the place because it has a certain feel about it that many hotels can't manage. The status recognition is subjective. It's not huge but it is consistent. I always get an upgrade to the exec floor (unlike WethereX though, it's rarely a suite). There is always a welcome card from the GM, which it seems many Hiltons have done away with. They give a nice gift of local product, whether it be chocolate (dark or milk), honey, choc coated coffee beans or designer sugar (I kid you not....haven't really worked that out yet) plus the two bottles of water (replenished whenever needed) and a bottle or two of sparkling water and occasionally a bottle of wine.

I usually book the base King Guest room and usually get a King exec room. I'm not sure how good gold recognition is though.

Remember it's not Sydney or Melbourne.....it's Cairns and many of the hotels are not the flashiest in the world so the rooms may not grab you, but they are far from horrid (and in fact, I quite like them). I also like the location of H-CNS. An easy walk into town, the pools, the wharf etc and if you're into grubby casinos, it's right across the road. Parking is also reasonable at $10 (I think) self park but for the little extra of $15, I just use the valet option.
 
Jeez,,, I feel kinda odd now. I wonder if its just because I am a frequent guest.
Don't feel odd....lap it up! Why not!

How frequent? I stay there at least once a fortnight and sometimes for a week at a time. Mind you, I'm not a fan of the relaxation suites. I like them, but find them dark and odd. I don't mind the normal exec rooms and I quite like the premier suite.
 
depends, but sometimes fortnightly for Thursday / Friday through Sunday. Mabye ill hit you back for a chat next time i'm headed there. Looks as though for the next two months though I am in the southern states and out 'bush'.
 
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I've noticed a fair few comments about great elite recognition at HCNS, but I was wondering what the general opinion was of the hotel and DT CNS.
I am looking at booking a few nights there in June for a quick birthday getaway and usually I would stay at Pullman Palm Cove like I've done for the last few years but since this will only be 2 or 3 nights, Cairns is much better for ease.

I've not visited HCNS for almost 10 years ( certainly not an elite, and actually mid teens) and I remember the rooms being a bit so and so.. Any more recent reviews or recommendations would be ideal...
Best room type to pick? They don't seem to be the general King Deluxe/ King Guestroom/King exec.

If I've started a new thread, please merge them mods, just couldn't find a recent thread.

I like the Hilton and get great recognition as a gold. Will be there in a couple of weeks - first time as a diamond. Will see if there's any difference due to status. also interesting comments on the How do Hilton treat elite status thread, about cairns ,with what suites are best.
 
I see a booking I have there tomorrow night has been given an exec king. No suite again, but I'm not fussed actually. The lounge for watching TV is about the only benefit I could see in the relaxation suite.

WethereX, do know what code they give your booking? As we're both regular stayers, I'd be interested in comparing.
 
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No clue. Occasionally I see the corporate partner code PR13CB. But otherwise its full rate. Its different for me though. I get a set tax free allowance added to my wage weekly, and I can spend it as i see fit to fit my accommodation needs. Be that either I book a place directly or my office admin assistant does. Works great for points stacking,,, I use my VA high flyer card for all expenditures, use europcar and thrifty for places where EC isnt (when anyone in the company books the points link back to me for thrifty) and fill up at BP now.
 
Stayed at DT Cairns last week for an overnight transit as the rate was great and I was only in for about 10 hours total - overall not much to ring home about at all. The rooms are ok, they do recognise HH members and a welcome card and a packet of chocloate coated nuts and with their own special HH floor but the bathrooms are old, tiny and horrible, the breakfast was average and the hotel it is very much at the lower end of the DT standards I have stayed in around the world.

They seemed genuinely shocked however when I said no thanks to the signature cookie.
 
They seemed genuinely shocked however when I said no thanks to the signature cookie.

I'm a little shocked as well. I've said before I'm not a DT convert, but the cookie is pretty good. More useful than the Conrad toy!
 
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