D
How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?
- Thread starter QF WP
- Start date
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A bit of a simplification but the relaxation suite is 2/3rds the size of this.
The bathroom is off the bedroom and the bedroom and lounge are open plan ( can close off with sliding doors)
D
Deleted member 29185
Guest
Thanks, so the king suite is a better deal provided you don't want a spa bath?
D
Deleted member 29185
Guest
I hate those baths at Sydney where you have to be a gymnast to get in and out.
I rarely have a bath but when I do I'd rather step in from the side.
Hey......given I booked a King Guest Room, who am I to look the proverbial gift horse in the mouth :mrgreen: !
I must say though, I ran a nice full bath (with the salts) put on a movie to watch, did the gymnastic thing to get in the bath, only to find it near impossible to watch the TV with the window behind :shock:.
I couldn't be that energetic twice in the same 1/2 hour period to get out of the bath to drop the blind so I listened to spiderman instead
.
jetlagger
Established Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2011
- Posts
- 2,241
It's nice.. Not so palatial. Though exceedingly better than that joke of a 'Coffin" Suite at HOTP. :evil:
coolumbla
Active Member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2006
- Posts
- 594
Hilton gold
Thursday night Hilton Sydney booked standard king got exec room ( always happens when i have meetings from 1700-2000!
weekend
HSW
HSW "weve upgrsded you to an executive room
C Isnt that what i booked?
HSW Looking "yes it seems so but it says you've been upgraded
C "maybe its a higher floor"
HSW "yes maybe!
otherwise standard stay at HSW
I dont thinks its like it was last year
I'll check again next week and if my yarra suite gets "upgraded" to a 2 room suite i'll be cranky again!
C
Thursday night Hilton Sydney booked standard king got exec room ( always happens when i have meetings from 1700-2000!
weekend
HSW
HSW "weve upgrsded you to an executive room
C Isnt that what i booked?
HSW Looking "yes it seems so but it says you've been upgraded
C "maybe its a higher floor"
HSW "yes maybe!
otherwise standard stay at HSW
I dont thinks its like it was last year
I'll check again next week and if my yarra suite gets "upgraded" to a 2 room suite i'll be cranky again!
C
markis10
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2004
- Posts
- 30,392
One of the rooms I stayed at in Hilton Sydney some time ago had a TV in the shower .. nice touch
I killed two remotes at the Stamford Crest Singapore in two stays because I dropped them in the bath trying to change the TV which was in the bathroom, the fact mini bar was free had nothing to do with it, perhaps.
anat0l
Enthusiast
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- Dec 30, 2006
- Posts
- 11,666
Lucky you dropped the remotes in the bath and you were not in the water! The results may have been shocking...
Fifa
Established Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2006
- Posts
- 2,124
Status: Diamond
Property: Conrad Centennial Singapore
Date: 7 - 8 June
Booked: King Classic Room
Received: King Executive Room
Rate: 24,000 points + S$122++ per night
We were escorted to the Exec Lounge on the 31st floor for check-in.
Water, fruit and chocolates in room.
Great view of the Singapore Flyer and glimpses of the Marina Bay Sands from our corner room. Room has a Nespresso coffee machine. Complimentary CD and DVD library which we did not use.
The service from all staff was exceptional.
Executive Lounge: staff in the lounge were very attentive. Food selection was great and I loved the dessert choices in the evening. Afternoon tea was also fantastic. Open bar all day and staff could not do enough for us.
We chose to have breakfast at Oscars which has an extensive selection including the usual egg station, made to order smoothies & fresh juices, a machine that automatically cut oranges in half and juiced them, and of course there is the ice cream bar.
The #36 bus from the airport took 40 mins, dropped us right outside the hotel and only cost S$2.10 each. When we arrived at SIN I withdrew some cash at an ATM and purchased a chocolate bar at the supermarket on the same level as the bus stop to get some change, as the exact fare is required for the bus.
I love the Conrad Singapore and will definitely be returning.
Property: Conrad Centennial Singapore
Date: 7 - 8 June
Booked: King Classic Room
Received: King Executive Room
Rate: 24,000 points + S$122++ per night
We were escorted to the Exec Lounge on the 31st floor for check-in.
Water, fruit and chocolates in room.
Great view of the Singapore Flyer and glimpses of the Marina Bay Sands from our corner room. Room has a Nespresso coffee machine. Complimentary CD and DVD library which we did not use.
The service from all staff was exceptional.
Executive Lounge: staff in the lounge were very attentive. Food selection was great and I loved the dessert choices in the evening. Afternoon tea was also fantastic. Open bar all day and staff could not do enough for us.
We chose to have breakfast at Oscars which has an extensive selection including the usual egg station, made to order smoothies & fresh juices, a machine that automatically cut oranges in half and juiced them, and of course there is the ice cream bar
.The #36 bus from the airport took 40 mins, dropped us right outside the hotel and only cost S$2.10 each. When we arrived at SIN I withdrew some cash at an ATM and purchased a chocolate bar at the supermarket on the same level as the bus stop to get some change, as the exact fare is required for the bus.
I love the Conrad Singapore and will definitely be returning.
Major
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Interesting that you should mention the Flyer. A couple of weeks ago we were near the top of the Flyer cycle and I thought what a great view of the Conrad.
Moopere
Established Member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2010
- Posts
- 2,653
Status: Gold
Property: Doubletree KL
Date: Late May
Booked: Base room
Received: King Executive Room
I like this property. Was my first Doubletree stay ever and it really provided me with a better experience than my first stay at Hilton KL a couple of months ago. Location, for me at least, was far far better. Property is very well maintained and even given thats its a conversion from a previous hotel (about 3 years ago I'm told) its been done well and really feels in many ways like a full blown Hilton.
Service was absolutely impeccable. Extremely focussed on elite treatment. The day of checkin was extremely busy for the hotel, and I lined up in the HH check-in line, and there really was a line, pulled my gold card and was immediately whisked away by attentive staff to the top floor exec lounge for checkin. Exec staff remembered my name throughout the stay and did everything in their power to ensure I was looked after.
If there is a downside to this hotel its probably the pool area. Whilst nice enough, and certainly clean, its positioned between two enormous accommodation towers and a smaller but still substantial tower meaning that its essentially shaded from any sun for most of the day. Because of its position its also the centre focus for all the inwards facing rooms and the conference/meeting rooms and a restaurant. This didn't bother me really, but my girlfriend felt a lot like she was in a fishbowl. Really though, its a minor thing in my view.
Breakfast area is enormous and the selection equally varied.
Elite treatment included the standard free breakfast and although continental was mentioned at check-in there was no problem in providing a full breaky in the main restaurant each day. Liberal supply of water, cookies seemed to be everywhere, free internet, though WIFI areas where a bit limited. Elites received three laundry items per day too which was a nice touch that I appreciated and used.
Exec lounge is big and had a good selection of nibbles throughout the day.
Property: Doubletree KL
Date: Late May
Booked: Base room
Received: King Executive Room
I like this property. Was my first Doubletree stay ever and it really provided me with a better experience than my first stay at Hilton KL a couple of months ago. Location, for me at least, was far far better. Property is very well maintained and even given thats its a conversion from a previous hotel (about 3 years ago I'm told) its been done well and really feels in many ways like a full blown Hilton.
Service was absolutely impeccable. Extremely focussed on elite treatment. The day of checkin was extremely busy for the hotel, and I lined up in the HH check-in line, and there really was a line, pulled my gold card and was immediately whisked away by attentive staff to the top floor exec lounge for checkin. Exec staff remembered my name throughout the stay and did everything in their power to ensure I was looked after.
If there is a downside to this hotel its probably the pool area. Whilst nice enough, and certainly clean, its positioned between two enormous accommodation towers and a smaller but still substantial tower meaning that its essentially shaded from any sun for most of the day. Because of its position its also the centre focus for all the inwards facing rooms and the conference/meeting rooms and a restaurant. This didn't bother me really, but my girlfriend felt a lot like she was in a fishbowl. Really though, its a minor thing in my view.
Breakfast area is enormous and the selection equally varied.
Elite treatment included the standard free breakfast and although continental was mentioned at check-in there was no problem in providing a full breaky in the main restaurant each day. Liberal supply of water, cookies seemed to be everywhere, free internet, though WIFI areas where a bit limited. Elites received three laundry items per day too which was a nice touch that I appreciated and used.
Exec lounge is big and had a good selection of nibbles throughout the day.
Flashback
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- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
- Posts
- 12,901
Status: Gold
Property: Hilton London Olympia
Rate: £128 AAA rate
Date: 09 Jun - 10 Jun
Booked: Double Hilton Guest Room
Received: Hilton Double Executive
I wasn't sure whether I should book here given the reviews on room sizes - but between a choice of this, London Metropole and London Kensington they all looked much of a muchness. This one provided breakfast at 6am (rather than 6.30) so it won out as I need to get to the office early. Surprised upon check-in to get an Exec Room, which is very spacious so no issues with size! The Exec Lounge has hot food from 6-8... hopefully should be half decent.
Property: Hilton London Olympia
Rate: £128 AAA rate
Date: 09 Jun - 10 Jun
Booked: Double Hilton Guest Room
Received: Hilton Double Executive
I wasn't sure whether I should book here given the reviews on room sizes - but between a choice of this, London Metropole and London Kensington they all looked much of a muchness. This one provided breakfast at 6am (rather than 6.30) so it won out as I need to get to the office early. Surprised upon check-in to get an Exec Room, which is very spacious so no issues with size! The Exec Lounge has hot food from 6-8... hopefully should be half decent.
Moopere
Established Member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2010
- Posts
- 2,653
Status: Gold
Property: Doubletree BKK
Date: Late May/Early June
Booked: Base room
Received: King Room (high floor / 21)
I was told I got an upgrade at DT BKK and I'm pretty sure I did, though the range of rooms is not large here so its somewhat difficult to tell. There is _no_ executive lounge at this property, so the obvious upgrade to an exec room as other properties wasn't easy to discern. Personally, I love lounges at DT/Hilton and use them a lot, they add a lot of tangible and intangible value to my stays - the lack of one at this property will probably be the thing that stops me retuning.
This hotel is a refurb, previously being the Imperial Tara for many many years.
The good:
- The room refurbs are good, beds are the standard high quality hilton type, bathrooms look to me to be completely new - small, but adequate (no bath though).
- The staff try really hard and generally do well. There are some teething problems as the hotel is new to the brand, but they do work hard to keep you happy.
- Common areas of the hotel are clean and well put together. Pool area is pretty nice, though deserted
- Gym is small but usable.
- Location - unbeatable, at least until the new Hilton on Soi 24 opens in August. Far more convenient than the Millennium.
The bad:
- WIFI internet in the public areas like the pool or lobby are limited to 15 minutes connections. It makes its basically unusable as one has to keep fiddling about to maintain a connection.
- Breakfast area, whilst physically huge, isn't laid out properly and struggles to cope with even low levels of hotel customer numbers. The staff struggle a bit to keep the food flowing in the mornings as well. Many of the bain maries are empty a lot of the time and to get a decent breaky usually required several trips to and fro.
- The lift area and corridors to rooms surely haven't been refurbed ... if they have then they have chosen to use 'manky old hotel' as their theme.
- Its apparently law in Thailand to separate smoking areas from non smoking, though I don't really see this enforced anywhere. In the BKK DT though it is, and the smokers 'lounge' if you like, is outside near the breakfast area on the ground floor. Its closed off by doors and I didn't see any evidence of smoke entering the food areas, but what I did notice was large numbers of people always filling up the smoking lounge, and then trotting up and down the lifts to get drinks from the pool area. Its annoying, frankly, and the Millenium BKK does a better job of it.
- No ala carte restaurant. Perhaps this is common with DT, I'm not a frequent customer, but I was unimpressed with the selection provided in the (only) restaurant which is smorgasbord style.
I don't know why, but I constantly had the feeling I was being nickel and dimed at DT BKK. Perhaps it was no more than the lack of a lounge where everything from coffees to little snacks are usually provided free. With a few beers, coffees and snacks consumed in the main lobby area over several days for a couple of people I ended up spending more than an equivalent stay at the Millennium where, given the usual elite upgrades, lounge access is provided along with other benefits which have to be paid for at the DT.
Overall, it was a good stay, and if the Hilton wasn't arriving on the next street within a few months I'd probably go back - the location more than anything being the determining factor. Don't expect a whole lot of elite love here, there simply isn't that much because there isn't much in the design of the hotel for the staff to "give" to elites.
My next stay in BKK will almost certainly be the Hilton Sukhumvit, providing they keep to their August opening schedule.
Property: Doubletree BKK
Date: Late May/Early June
Booked: Base room
Received: King Room (high floor / 21)
I was told I got an upgrade at DT BKK and I'm pretty sure I did, though the range of rooms is not large here so its somewhat difficult to tell. There is _no_ executive lounge at this property, so the obvious upgrade to an exec room as other properties wasn't easy to discern. Personally, I love lounges at DT/Hilton and use them a lot, they add a lot of tangible and intangible value to my stays - the lack of one at this property will probably be the thing that stops me retuning.
This hotel is a refurb, previously being the Imperial Tara for many many years.
The good:
- The room refurbs are good, beds are the standard high quality hilton type, bathrooms look to me to be completely new - small, but adequate (no bath though).
- The staff try really hard and generally do well. There are some teething problems as the hotel is new to the brand, but they do work hard to keep you happy.
- Common areas of the hotel are clean and well put together. Pool area is pretty nice, though deserted
- Gym is small but usable.
- Location - unbeatable, at least until the new Hilton on Soi 24 opens in August. Far more convenient than the Millennium.
The bad:
- WIFI internet in the public areas like the pool or lobby are limited to 15 minutes connections. It makes its basically unusable as one has to keep fiddling about to maintain a connection.
- Breakfast area, whilst physically huge, isn't laid out properly and struggles to cope with even low levels of hotel customer numbers. The staff struggle a bit to keep the food flowing in the mornings as well. Many of the bain maries are empty a lot of the time and to get a decent breaky usually required several trips to and fro.
- The lift area and corridors to rooms surely haven't been refurbed ... if they have then they have chosen to use 'manky old hotel' as their theme.
- Its apparently law in Thailand to separate smoking areas from non smoking, though I don't really see this enforced anywhere. In the BKK DT though it is, and the smokers 'lounge' if you like, is outside near the breakfast area on the ground floor. Its closed off by doors and I didn't see any evidence of smoke entering the food areas, but what I did notice was large numbers of people always filling up the smoking lounge, and then trotting up and down the lifts to get drinks from the pool area. Its annoying, frankly, and the Millenium BKK does a better job of it.
- No ala carte restaurant. Perhaps this is common with DT, I'm not a frequent customer, but I was unimpressed with the selection provided in the (only) restaurant which is smorgasbord style.
I don't know why, but I constantly had the feeling I was being nickel and dimed at DT BKK. Perhaps it was no more than the lack of a lounge where everything from coffees to little snacks are usually provided free. With a few beers, coffees and snacks consumed in the main lobby area over several days for a couple of people I ended up spending more than an equivalent stay at the Millennium where, given the usual elite upgrades, lounge access is provided along with other benefits which have to be paid for at the DT.
Overall, it was a good stay, and if the Hilton wasn't arriving on the next street within a few months I'd probably go back - the location more than anything being the determining factor. Don't expect a whole lot of elite love here, there simply isn't that much because there isn't much in the design of the hotel for the staff to "give" to elites.
My next stay in BKK will almost certainly be the Hilton Sukhumvit, providing they keep to their August opening schedule.
Flashback
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
- Posts
- 12,901
Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Sheffield
Rate: £113 AAA rate
Date: 11 Jun - 12 Jun
Booked: Twin Hilton Guest Room
Received: Twin Hilton Guest Room
Sheffield and surrounds are absolutely chockers this week - I left it a little late to book (no choice) and on Saturday night all I could manage was 1 night here, tonight. Even the Ibis (read: cough hotels) were booked solid, so I was lucky to get this. Stay seems OK so far, internet worked.... that was my main bugbear. The GM did advise that I should receive the manual wifi password each time I check-in, in case the room/surname lookup isn't working, but that didn't happen.
Check-in was about 30 people deep when I arrived. Now, I don't like being a DYKWIA... but I did kindly ask if anyone in the line was Gold/Diamond and upon being told no I strolled on past and checked in. If looks could kill!! I saved myself 30 minutes by doing so, but this is where status really pays IMHO.
Received the usual 2 bottles of water and this time a jar of nuts instead of jellybeans (same brand), which I believe is to be the standard here anyway.
Property: Hilton Sheffield
Rate: £113 AAA rate
Date: 11 Jun - 12 Jun
Booked: Twin Hilton Guest Room
Received: Twin Hilton Guest Room
Sheffield and surrounds are absolutely chockers this week - I left it a little late to book (no choice) and on Saturday night all I could manage was 1 night here, tonight. Even the Ibis (read: cough hotels) were booked solid, so I was lucky to get this. Stay seems OK so far, internet worked.... that was my main bugbear. The GM did advise that I should receive the manual wifi password each time I check-in, in case the room/surname lookup isn't working, but that didn't happen.
Check-in was about 30 people deep when I arrived. Now, I don't like being a DYKWIA... but I did kindly ask if anyone in the line was Gold/Diamond and upon being told no I strolled on past and checked in. If looks could kill!! I saved myself 30 minutes by doing so, but this is where status really pays IMHO.
Received the usual 2 bottles of water and this time a jar of nuts instead of jellybeans (same brand), which I believe is to be the standard here anyway.
jukebox333
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2011
- Posts
- 689
- Qantas
- Platinum
- Virgin
- Red
Status: Gold
Property: Hampton Inn & Suites Chesapeake-Battlefield Blvd. VA
Date: Early May
Rate: USD $152.53 Advance purchase
Booked: 2QNS STUDIO SOFABED NOSMOK High Floor
Received: 2QNS STUDIO SOFABED NOSMOK High Floor
Email confirmation sent approx 1 week before arrival. Breakfast is comp'd at HI&S anyway, so just got the regulation bottle of water and choice of snack from the display. Front desk phoned up after 20 mins asking if the room was satisfactory.
Chose this HI&S after reading the reviews in TA. IMO HI&S are excellent value for five people when you consider there was sleeping room for six, and a good choice hot and cold food for breakfast. Worth booking if you are in the Norfolk VA area.
***
Status: Gold
Property: Hampton Inn & Suites Durham/North I-85 NC
Date: Early May
Rate: USD $157.31 Advance purchase
Booked: 2 QN STUDIO STE NONSMOKING Two Beds; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Received: 2 QN STUDIO STE NONSMOKING Two Beds; High Floor
Email confirmation sent approx 1 week before arrival. Breakfast is comp'd at HI&S anyway, so just got the regulation bottle of water and choice of snack from the display. Again, Front desk phoned up after 20 mins asking if the room was satisfactory.
Another HI&S with plenty of room. Breakfast as above.
***
Status: Gold
Property: Hampton Inn Christiansburg/Blacksburg NC
Date: May
Rate: USD $138.51 Advance purchase
Booked: 2 DOUBLE BEDS NONSMOKING; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Received: 2 DOUBLE BEDS NONSMOKING; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Email confirmation sent approx 1 week before arrival. Breakfast is comp'd at HI&S anyway, so just got the regulation bottle of water and choice of snack from the display.
Front desk asked me as I was returning to my car if room was satisfactory. It was, but was a 2 queen doubles + trundle bed for 6 year old format - not a sofa bed. This was the first non-suite room at a HI we'd had, so I asked if they had any rooms with more space - the duty manager apologised and explained the queen double was the biggest they had.
NB: This wasn't a failing of the hotel - the room given was what I booked; it was my own inexperience at not recognising the 2 bed + sofa option meant twice as much room, and selecting the properties accordingly...
Breakfast as above.
***
Status: Gold
Property: Hampton Inn & Suites Ephrata - Mountain Springs PA
Date: Late May
Rate:USD $308.58/2 nights
Booked: 2 QUEEN BEDS NONSMOKING, Two Beds; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Received: 2 QUEEN BEDS NONSMOKING, Two Beds; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Curiously, no recognition of Gold status on arrival - despite the gent checking in in-front of me who was questioning his rate being acknowledged as Diamond... so no water or treat. But they did have a large tray of cookies at reception, Double Tree style, for the taking.
Staff here very friendly - especially on our second morning, when I gather word had been passed around that we were a family on holiday from Australia.
Breakfast as above.
***
Status: Gold
Property: Double Tree Suites - Times Square, NYC
Date: Mid May
Rate: USD $604/504 night (6 night stay - total inc. taxes USD $4076.79)
Booked: 2 DBL SUITE PREM NONSMOKIN, Two Beds; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Received: 2 DBL SUITE PREM NONSMOKIN, Two Beds; 39th Floor; Away From Elevator
Our booking here was actually part of a prize from a "25 words or less contest" (!), that included accommodation for a family of four. So we were only up for the difference in accommodation charges - an extra £440, paid to the promotion agency, plus an extra breakfast out of our own pocket... except the latter was taken care of by virtue of HH Gold privileges.
We certainly got a high floor - 39/42 - and were at the very end of the corridor - miles away from the elevator, but also with not such a good view of Times Square (although that also meant it had less street noise, so that was fine).
At breakfast the first morning, I was asked to sign for the full price on an extra adult. The next day it was an extra child. By day three the accounts dept. must have sorted it out, as the girl on the door at the restaurant still gave me the chits to sign (no way to collect a gratuity, otherwise) and told me I "just needed to sign, there was no charge". Indeed this was all sorted out on our final account, which just had the six sets of gratuities.
I requested a late check out on our 2nd last day, but was only able to be given an extra 60 minutes beyond the big standard 12 noon time, owing to "housekeeping schedules". Not much use when the flight out was 11pm, but the alternative was to cough up $300 to have the room till 4pm, or another full night's tarrif.
On line, people seem entranced by this place: Honestly, apart from the breakfast - which was great, and the staff in the restaurant were brilliant (did I mention our kids were given two tins of "The Cookie" over the course of the week?) - the room had no more space than a Hampton Inn Suite Room, only a slightly larger bathroom. I'm used to shoebox hotels in Asia, but my own philosophy is you are only in a hotel to sleep and shower. With the caveat that I have not seen inside it, I'd save my money and use the Hampton Inn over on 8th Ave if I were paying out of my own pocket to stay in Midtown.
YMMV!
Property: Hampton Inn & Suites Chesapeake-Battlefield Blvd. VA
Date: Early May
Rate: USD $152.53 Advance purchase
Booked: 2QNS STUDIO SOFABED NOSMOK High Floor
Received: 2QNS STUDIO SOFABED NOSMOK High Floor
Email confirmation sent approx 1 week before arrival. Breakfast is comp'd at HI&S anyway, so just got the regulation bottle of water and choice of snack from the display. Front desk phoned up after 20 mins asking if the room was satisfactory.
Chose this HI&S after reading the reviews in TA. IMO HI&S are excellent value for five people when you consider there was sleeping room for six, and a good choice hot and cold food for breakfast. Worth booking if you are in the Norfolk VA area.
***
Status: Gold
Property: Hampton Inn & Suites Durham/North I-85 NC
Date: Early May
Rate: USD $157.31 Advance purchase
Booked: 2 QN STUDIO STE NONSMOKING Two Beds; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Received: 2 QN STUDIO STE NONSMOKING Two Beds; High Floor
Email confirmation sent approx 1 week before arrival. Breakfast is comp'd at HI&S anyway, so just got the regulation bottle of water and choice of snack from the display. Again, Front desk phoned up after 20 mins asking if the room was satisfactory.
Another HI&S with plenty of room. Breakfast as above.
***
Status: Gold
Property: Hampton Inn Christiansburg/Blacksburg NC
Date: May
Rate: USD $138.51 Advance purchase
Booked: 2 DOUBLE BEDS NONSMOKING; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Received: 2 DOUBLE BEDS NONSMOKING; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Email confirmation sent approx 1 week before arrival. Breakfast is comp'd at HI&S anyway, so just got the regulation bottle of water and choice of snack from the display.
Front desk asked me as I was returning to my car if room was satisfactory. It was, but was a 2 queen doubles + trundle bed for 6 year old format - not a sofa bed. This was the first non-suite room at a HI we'd had, so I asked if they had any rooms with more space - the duty manager apologised and explained the queen double was the biggest they had.
NB: This wasn't a failing of the hotel - the room given was what I booked; it was my own inexperience at not recognising the 2 bed + sofa option meant twice as much room, and selecting the properties accordingly...
Breakfast as above.
***
Status: Gold
Property: Hampton Inn & Suites Ephrata - Mountain Springs PA
Date: Late May
Rate:USD $308.58/2 nights
Booked: 2 QUEEN BEDS NONSMOKING, Two Beds; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Received: 2 QUEEN BEDS NONSMOKING, Two Beds; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Curiously, no recognition of Gold status on arrival - despite the gent checking in in-front of me who was questioning his rate being acknowledged as Diamond... so no water or treat. But they did have a large tray of cookies at reception, Double Tree style, for the taking.
Staff here very friendly - especially on our second morning, when I gather word had been passed around that we were a family on holiday from Australia.
Breakfast as above.
***
Status: Gold
Property: Double Tree Suites - Times Square, NYC
Date: Mid May
Rate: USD $604/504 night (6 night stay - total inc. taxes USD $4076.79)
Booked: 2 DBL SUITE PREM NONSMOKIN, Two Beds; High Floor; Away From Elevator
Received: 2 DBL SUITE PREM NONSMOKIN, Two Beds; 39th Floor; Away From Elevator
Our booking here was actually part of a prize from a "25 words or less contest" (!), that included accommodation for a family of four. So we were only up for the difference in accommodation charges - an extra £440, paid to the promotion agency, plus an extra breakfast out of our own pocket... except the latter was taken care of by virtue of HH Gold privileges.
We certainly got a high floor - 39/42 - and were at the very end of the corridor - miles away from the elevator, but also with not such a good view of Times Square (although that also meant it had less street noise, so that was fine).
At breakfast the first morning, I was asked to sign for the full price on an extra adult. The next day it was an extra child. By day three the accounts dept. must have sorted it out, as the girl on the door at the restaurant still gave me the chits to sign (no way to collect a gratuity, otherwise) and told me I "just needed to sign, there was no charge". Indeed this was all sorted out on our final account, which just had the six sets of gratuities.
I requested a late check out on our 2nd last day, but was only able to be given an extra 60 minutes beyond the big standard 12 noon time, owing to "housekeeping schedules". Not much use when the flight out was 11pm, but the alternative was to cough up $300 to have the room till 4pm, or another full night's tarrif.
On line, people seem entranced by this place: Honestly, apart from the breakfast - which was great, and the staff in the restaurant were brilliant (did I mention our kids were given two tins of "The Cookie" over the course of the week?) - the room had no more space than a Hampton Inn Suite Room, only a slightly larger bathroom. I'm used to shoebox hotels in Asia, but my own philosophy is you are only in a hotel to sleep and shower. With the caveat that I have not seen inside it, I'd save my money and use the Hampton Inn over on 8th Ave if I were paying out of my own pocket to stay in Midtown.
YMMV!
Last edited:
Property: Hilton Sydney
Room booked: King Guest Room
Rate: $239 (one night only)
Received: Upgrade to King Exec Room, no letter from GM, 2 waters, Exec Lounge access.
This was my first stay as HH Gold. I was really surprised by the food options in the lounge.
Breakfast was nice with pastries, a variety breads/crackers, cheeses, salads, cereals and a big bowl of cold hard boiled eggs. Nespresso machines, tea coffee etc.
Afternoon tea had lemon cakes and scones with jam/cream but evening 'canapes' was the real surprise. A large spread of large cooked prawns on ice, chicken skewers and vege spring rolls as well as the large array of bits and bobs, crackers, bread and cheeses etc. It was a busy long weekend so the queue for the bar was quite long at times and they seemed a bit short staffed, but still a great perk!
Room booked: King Guest Room
Rate: $239 (one night only)
Received: Upgrade to King Exec Room, no letter from GM, 2 waters, Exec Lounge access.
This was my first stay as HH Gold. I was really surprised by the food options in the lounge.
Breakfast was nice with pastries, a variety breads/crackers, cheeses, salads, cereals and a big bowl of cold hard boiled eggs. Nespresso machines, tea coffee etc.
Afternoon tea had lemon cakes and scones with jam/cream but evening 'canapes' was the real surprise. A large spread of large cooked prawns on ice, chicken skewers and vege spring rolls as well as the large array of bits and bobs, crackers, bread and cheeses etc. It was a busy long weekend so the queue for the bar was quite long at times and they seemed a bit short staffed, but still a great perk!
D
Deleted member 29185
Guest
Yes, I fully agree. The lounge is a bit, umm, ordinary, but the F&B offering is easily the best in Australisia.
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