How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[turtlemichael]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Sydney
Date: Dec 6-11
Rate: Various between $227.00 and $285.00. Picked the best on offer between AAA and Govt.
Room Booked: King Hilton
Room Received: Executive King Hilton

Didn't expect much of an upgrade, if any, for a 5 night stay. First stay there since July and noticed some changes. EL was so totally busy on Saturday. Seemed like a lot of people were on a big night out. No food at all at 6.30pm and when we left and 6.50pm it had not been replenished. 10 minute queue to get a drink and there were a lot of very drunk people lining up the glasses. Totally unpleasant experience but probably normal for a Saturday night. It was better on other nights when the locals had gone home. Glass has declined for breakfast. The pay for coffee saga is not new but a pain. Must hurt when you pay for breakfast as well. Decline in standards in fruit juices and cut fruit. Still pleasant staff however. All up, ok stay I guess msily because of the staff, some of whom have amazing memories, but getting near time to try somewhere else at these prices. There again in January for 8 nights so that will test our loyalty.

 

[Princess Fiona]

It may have been $30 cash for the three nights!?

I was gently reminded that at HGVC properties there is no upgrade for HH Elites beyond the room booked but after some typing on the terminal the 53rd floor suddenly opened up for $10 a night extra. Asked to sign a waiver to that effect.

 

[jetlagger]

Just back from a week in Japan.

Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Narita
Rate: C + P
Room Booked: Hilton Queen
Room Received: Deluxe Plus Queen

Status: Gold
Property: Hilton Nagoya
Rate: C + P
Room Booked: Hilton King
Room Received: Executive King

The size of the Japanese King bed is more like something between an Australian Queen and King.

How did you like the Hilton Nagoya?

 

[serfty]

I was gently reminded that at HGVC properties there is no upgrade for HH Elites beyond the room booked but after some typing on the terminal the 53rd floor suddenly opened up for $10 a night extra. Asked to sign a waiver to that effect.

My goodness ... truly non Vegas like ...

 

[kyle]

How did you like the Hilton Nagoya?

When I was checking in at the front desk, I was told to check in on the 26th floor. (And I thought, could that be an upgrade as I knew the hotel was fully booked on that Friday night?). On the 26th floor is the Executive Lounge where I was presented with a printout of the list of executive benefits. Woohoo... (Got a bit excited as I made it to Gold from the Citi promotion a while back and I have only made use of this benefit during this trip).

Hilton Nagoya was so much better compared to Hilton Narita. The room was modern and of a good size with great skyline views on the 24th floor. The bed wasn't a true king size though as mentioned but comfortable. The bathroom looked a bit 80s, which was the main disappointment compared to the rest of the hotel. I don't know why the Serenity bed in Japan felt different to the one at HSP and HSW.

Had the complimentary breakfast downstairs on the 2nd floor rather than the Lounge. There was a good selection of Western buffet items, with a smaller Japanese and Chinese selection. No eggs cooked to order (compared to other Hiltons, including Narita) as there was already a bowl of hard boiled eggs and plates of fried eggs under the heat lamp. Didn't ask if they could do an omlette though. One of the senior personnel whom I've seen walking around the lobby the day before went to a number of tables, including ours, and chatted with the guests and made sure everything was fine.

The service at both Nagoya and Narita was courteous and prompt.

I really enjoyed both Nagoya city and the hotel.

 

[Mollycram]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Sydney
Date: Dec 6-11
Rate: Various between $227.00 and $285.00. Picked the best on offer between AAA and Govt.
Room Booked: King Hilton
Room Received: Executive King Hilton

Didn't expect much of an upgrade, if any, for a 5 night stay. First stay there since July and noticed some changes. EL was so totally busy on Saturday. Seemed like a lot of people were on a big night out. No food at all at 6.30pm and when we left and 6.50pm it had not been replenished. 10 minute queue to get a drink and there were a lot of very drunk people lining up the glasses. Totally unpleasant experience but probably normal for a Saturday night. It was better on other nights when the locals had gone home. Glass has declined for breakfast. The pay for coffee saga is not new but a pain. Must hurt when you pay for breakfast as well. Decline in standards in fruit juices and cut fruit. Still pleasant staff however. All up, ok stay I guess msily because of the staff, some of whom have amazing memories, but getting near time to try somewhere else at these prices. There again in January for 8 nights so that will test our loyalty.

Well at least they didn't lose your booking! We tried checking in on Friday to be told that there was no booking. The confirmation number was recited and still no booking... A phone call to Reservations confirmed that the reservation did exist...and yes, we were at the correct property. No idea how this happened as room was booked on Hilton website. Fortunately they did manage to find us a room.

i haven't been to the Sydney Hilton in a while but noticed that it had deteriorated. Apart from the ridiculously over priced coffee and the DIY eggs Benedict at breakfast, the bathroom vanity was noticeably chipped, the shower was looking decidedly dodgy. Took two phone calls to Magic before my pillows arrived....after walking out to the lift lobby to call seeing as the phone in our room wasn't working.

 

[jetlagger]

When I was checking in at the front desk, I was told to check in on the 26th floor. (And I thought, could that be an upgrade as I knew the hotel was fully booked on that Friday night?). On the 26th floor is the Executive Lounge where I was presented with a printout of the list of executive benefits. Woohoo... (Got a bit excited as I made it to Gold from the Citi promotion a while back and I have only made use of this benefit during this trip).

Hilton Nagoya was so much better compared to Hilton Narita. The room was modern and of a good size with great skyline views on the 24th floor. The bed wasn't a true king size though as mentioned but comfortable. The bathroom looked a bit 80s, which was the main disappointment compared to the rest of the hotel. I don't know why the Serenity bed in Japan felt different to the one at HSP and HSW.

Had the complimentary breakfast downstairs on the 2nd floor rather than the Lounge. There was a good selection of Western buffet items, with a smaller Japanese and Chinese selection. No eggs cooked to order (compared to other Hiltons, including Narita) as there was already a bowl of hard boiled eggs and plates of fried eggs under the heat lamp. Didn't ask if they could do an omlette though. One of the senior personnel whom I've seen walking around the lobby the day before went to a number of tables, including ours, and chatted with the guests and made sure everything was fine.

The service at both Nagoya and Narita was courteous and prompt.

I really enjoyed both Nagoya city and the hotel.

Thanks for the update.
I enjoyed my short stay at Hilton Narita, though a very well maintained older property.
I must try the Nagoya Hilton, though my favourite is still the Hilton Shinjuku & have a few more properties to sample on my next visits to Japan

 

[jetlagger]

Well at least they didn't lose your booking! We tried checking in on Friday to be told that there was no booking. The confirmation number was recited and still no booking... A phone call to Reservations confirmed that the reservation did exist...and yes, we were at the correct property. No idea how this happened as room was booked on Hilton website. Fortunately they did manage to find us a room.

i haven't been to the Sydney Hilton in a while but noticed that it had deteriorated. Apart from the ridiculously over priced coffee and the DIY eggs Benedict at breakfast, the bathroom vanity was noticeably chipped, the shower was looking decidedly dodgy. Took two phone calls to Magic before my pillows arrived....after walking out to the lift lobby to call seeing as the phone in our room wasn't working.

Not a very nice experience by the sound of it.

 

[Hvr]

Status: Diamond
Property: HOTP
Date: Dec 11-12
Rate: Points
Room Booked: King Hilton
Room Received: King Hilton no upgrade

Check in was fairly lack lustre, had to remind the man I was entitled to a free internet code. He then reminded me I could use the Exec lounge. No letter etc.

Again the EL staff weren't interested. There were wines being shared around with their favorite guests but I was ignored. One of the staff devoted so much time to a guest her coworker had to ask her to leave him and assist her cleaning up.

The food choices weren't much, dried out noodles or some bread type things called pizza.

Breakfast in the restaurant was a constant battle to keep my seat when I went to get food. One time when getting toast everything disappeared and the waiter looked surprised I was still there. The restaurant wasn't full, lots of empty seats. Still I wasn't charged for the hot chocolate.

Upon check out (no fast check out offered) the woman checked my account and said 'all ok, bye'. No thank you for staying or anything. Still it was stay 29 for the year and number 30 is on 21 Dec to requalify Diamond for another year.

One final thing I did notice, the bathroom liquids, i.e. shampoo, conditioner etc are now half the previous size. On my recent stay (Nov) they were all 50ml, this time they were 27ml. And the soap was a small bar not the long bar.

 

[Moopere]

The pay for coffee saga is not new but a pain. Must hurt when you pay for breakfast as well.

Yes! You know I didn't think of that. Hilton charges an outrageous amount for hot breakfast in Australia, a laughably large sum ... I'd be quite speechless if I had to pay an _additional_ $5 for a coffee.


I wonder if all this penny pinching and general mumble of unhappiness lately is affecting their bookings? The reason I wonder is that both SYD and MEL properties 4-6 weeks ago where asking huge nightly charges with very few if any of the 'normal' promotional discounts. I figured business must be booming and they are simply taking advantage as all hotels do.

But I put off a MEL trip for ages and have just booked today, pricing has fallen away significantly leading up to Christmas, which I wouldn't expect ... and there are some significant discounts for pre-pay ... smells awfully like their customer numbers have fallen off.

 

[turtlemichael]

Took two phone calls to Magic before my pillows arrived....after walking out to the lift lobby to call seeing as the phone in our room wasn't working.

Oh, on arrival we had specialty pillows and extra towels, which we hadn't ordered as well as a welcome card for someone else. Ooops!

 

[Cynicor]

Conrad Maldives
Still here (me for another night, and the island, until it sinks/sea levels drown it)
HH diamond on pre-deval award stay
5 nights (originally 7 but needed to shorten it )
Hotel is exempt from upgrades.
Negotiated paid upgrade to superior over water villa.
Beautiful place
Free full breakfast at either restaurant or in villa for diamonds and (I think) golds
Also a happy hour from 5-6pm at vilu with free drinks for diamonds and golds.
That's about it for recognition as far as I know.

Everything is very expensive, almost to the point of being worse than eating out in Perth.

But the room and property are worth it. Snorkelling from my room and seeing millions of fish, then up the stairs into my private jacuzzi to watch the sunset over the reef...

Large house reef nearby, just saw a reef shark, among other things.

Not much posted on this place so please ask any questions. I'll start a new thread if I get a couple of questions.

 

[Flashback]

I wonder if all this penny pinching and general mumble of unhappiness lately is affecting their bookings?

As people don't find out about it until it happens.. probably only affecting repeat bookings!

 

[jetlagger]

Status: Diamond
Property: HOTP
Date: Dec 11-12
Rate: Points
Room Booked: King Hilton
Room Received: King Hilton no upgrade

Check in was fairly lack lustre, had to remind the man I was entitled to a free internet code. He then reminded me I could use the Exec lounge. No letter etc.

Again the EL staff weren't interested. There were wines being shared around with their favorite guests but I was ignored. One of the staff devoted so much time to a guest her coworker had to ask her to leave him and assist her cleaning up.

The food choices weren't much, dried out noodles or some bread type things called pizza.

Breakfast in the restaurant was a constant battle to keep my seat when I went to get food. One time when getting toast everything disappeared and the waiter looked surprised I was still there. The restaurant wasn't full, lots of empty seats. Still I wasn't charged for the hot chocolate.

Upon check out (no fast check out offered) the woman checked my account and said 'all ok, bye'. No thank you for staying or anything. Still it was stay 29 for the year and number 30 is on 21 Dec to requalify Diamond for another year.

One final thing I did notice, the bathroom liquids, i.e. shampoo, conditioner etc are now half the previous size. On my recent stay (Nov) they were all 50ml, this time they were 27ml. And the soap was a small bar not the long bar.

IME The only delight at the HOTP was the concierge service & the EL view.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Not much posted on this place so please ask any questions. I'll start a new thread if I get a couple of questions.

Thank you so very much, I'll be in on that offer !

Conrad Maldives
5 nights (originally 7 but needed to shorten it ).

Are you MAD? I'm assuming the shortening of the stay was not because of the place? (not meaning to pry....a correct or incorrect would more than suffice, no explanations requested)

Conrad Maldives
Negotiated paid upgrade to superior over water villa.

Please do elaborate. This is the most important part to me. I understand CR cannot offer upgrades (and the reason why not) but may I ask if the negotiations were e-upgrades, done before arrival, after arrival (standing at the check-in desk?), offered or requested, the current vacancy level of the resort and most importantly...........the upgrade price..shhh, I won't tell . Also was it negotiable or a fixed offer, take it or leave it and do you think the paid upgrade was worth it? Are you single, a couple or littlies in tow and are the over water ones still able to accommodate up to 4?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'd love to know before I get there!

 

[boomy]

Conrad Maldives
Still here (me for another night, and the island, until it sinks/sea levels drown it)
HH diamond on pre-deval award stay
5 nights (originally 7 but needed to shorten it )
Hotel is exempt from upgrades.

Always wanted to go there, may I ask how many points per night did you use? Did you book the most basic room?

Enjoy the rest of your stay

 

[Cynicor]

For those after the Maldives replies, this should be the link to a new thread on it. Please ask anything, I have 5 hours doing nothing coming up while waiting for my MH flight (got there on SQ for better timings...)

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/showthread.php?t=56297

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'll post a bit more later but we are at the Hilton Orlando and it's totally booked out with
Dogs!!!
It's the AKC National Championship this weekend and there are all breeds of the most beautiful dogs all over the hotel foyer and surrounds.
Kids are ecstatic and it's like being in the Best in Show movie

 

[jetlagger]

I'll post a bit more later but we are at the Hilton Orlando and it's totally booked out with
Dogs!!!
It's the AKC National Championship this weekend and there are all breeds of the most beautiful dogs all over the hotel foyer and surrounds.
Kids are ecstatic and it's like being in the Best in Show movie

Sounds great.. Photos of the pooches if you have a chance

 

[DC3]

Yes. Photos if possible, please,