How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[JessicaTam]

Property: HH Old Town Prague (OTP)
Date: Nov 2015 (1 night)
Status: Diamond
Booked: King room
Received: King Exec Suite

Oh why didn't I stay here for three nights and one at the other HH? Curses.

I received a genuine welcome when checking in, that made me believe that they were really glad to see me. Beyond the standard "Hello and welcome to HH". I was given a suite on the top floor, that whilst an unusual design, was very comfortable. The wifi was a bit hit and miss though, dropping out from time to time. I checked in at about noon, and the room was ready. It was only after I had been out and about that the welcome card, and personalised letter explaining the hotel amenities was delivered. With some fruit and nibbles, too.



The bedroom and (my) lounge:



I forgot to ask about emptying the minibar as it was a normal small fridge without the sensors. I also forgot to ask for milk, as I was only there one night. So I can't compare the two properties in that regard.

The exec lounge was chockers that evening with a large group in before heading to the theatre. The senior attendant was on top of everything, though. Food was varied and plentiful, and the wine kept flowing as the staff circulated. The room itself was quite a bit smaller than HH PRG, but the hotel was too. About 300 rooms vs 800.

I was offered breakfast in the lounge or downstairs in the dining room. I chose the latter and had a made to order omelette. The staff were very attentive and friendly, as well.

To me the hotel comparison was much the same as HotP and HSW, where HotP and HH OTP may not be the flashest of properties, but the service made all the difference. It was if the hotels were two completely different entities, with different management focus, and training programs. I have no idea if they are connected or not, other than by name.

This will be my absolute preferred place to stay when next I am in Prague.

I wonder if it is coincidence that HotP and HH OTP have similar initials!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I've just noticed I've received an upgrade at HoTP to a relaxation suite. Much appreciated of course. Having not stayed there previously, may I ask if a relaxation suite is a "cool" upgrade (from base room booked)?

 

[slc767338]

I've just noticed I've received an upgrade at HoTP to a relaxation suite. Much appreciated of course. Having not stayed there previously, may I ask if a relaxation suite is a "cool" upgrade (from base room booked)?

Depends how you define cool. It's definitely nice to have, but it's definitely not a HSW style Relaxation suite - a nice little wood divider and spa bath but that's pretty much it

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Depends how you define cool. It's definitely nice to have, but it's definitely not a HSW style Relaxation suite - a nice little wood divider and spa bath but that's pretty much it

Well, TBH I wasn't really expecting a HSW room. Your description sounds very much like the H-BNE suite and that was better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[boomy]

Status: Diamond
Property: HOTP
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: Relaxation Suite
First stay at this property and the first impression was that it's old but well maintained. I used valet parking for a decent price of $35. I Was greeted with "welcome back to HOTP" at check in although I never stayed here before but that girl was new so it's ok. I asked her how she feels about the change in Jan and she said she doesn't know yet what will happen with her position. She was nice, I hope she won't lose her job.
The suite was decent size but felt more like an executive rather then relaxation suite. It wasn't as impressive as the suite in HSW and can't be compared to the "real" relaxation suite in HSYD. Two small bottles of water in the room and a generic welcome card. I really liked the accessible power points next to the bed. Many hotels place them too low and out of reach.
The exec lounge is small but wasn't crowded and service was excellent. I really enjoyed the food that was offered: Spicy Thai fish cakes, s&p squid, steamed dumplings, greek salad and decent cheese selection. The wines were cough but that's a problem all Aussie Hiltons have.
I went down to have breakfast at the restaurant and waited to be seated. The restaurant wasn't busy but there was no one to deal with seating so after a couple of minutes of waiting I just entered and sat at the first available table I saw. No one came to ask for my room number, that's a first. I noticed the staff there is not as attentive as the staff at HSW. Food was good and eggs Benedict were cooked to order.
What I can say from my first stays at HSW & HOTP is that so far both were generous with upgrades, HOTP wins on price but HSW wins on service, decor, lounge and also for offering cheap self parking option. I will have at least three more stays at each property in the next four weeks and that will give me an opportunity to see which property delivers the best overall experience with service being the most important factor (to me).

 

[Ausbt]

Having not stayed there previously, may I ask if a relaxation suite is a "cool" upgrade (from base room booked)?

I certainly think so, I'm enjoying that suite tonight & tomorrow:

Property: HoTP
Date: Nov 2015 (2 nights)
Status: Diamond
Booked: King room
Received: Relaxation suite
Rate: $211 (non-Hilton accomm site so no points)

Roomy, on a corner so nice views. TVs could probably be of a higher standard by I won't use them much. I like the bathroom layout. It's a long walk from the lifts though I suppose. Anyway, I'm getting a bit of time in at the HoTP given the impending takeover by Le Accor - of whom I have no status at all. Better enjoy it while I can.

 

[Ausbt]

that will give me an opportunity to see which property delivers the best overall experience with service being the most important factor (to me).

Well the service levels in the HoTP lounge tonight are certainly high - they are refreshing my Boags at a rapid rate. Personally, I'm a self-service sort of guy and I like the communal tables and island bar of HSW. Also the gym at HSW is a winner for me, but I might hit the pool here tomorrow. Should get a nice sunset in the HoTP lounge shortly.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I certainly think so, I'm enjoying that suite tonight & tomorrow:

Property: HoTP
Date: Nov 2015 (2 nights)
Status: Diamond
Booked: King room
Received: Relaxation suite
Rate: $211 (non-Hilton accomm site so no points)

Roomy, on a corner so nice views. TVs could probably be of a higher standard by I won't use them much. I like the bathroom layout. It's a long walk from the lifts though I suppose. Anyway, I'm getting a bit of time in at the HoTP given the impending takeover by Le Accor - of whom I have no status at all. Better enjoy it while I can.

We check in tomorrow. We can have a suite standoff at 40 paces . Who has the highest suite :mrgreen:......bet I lose.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I might hit the pool here tomorrow.

Let's see you do that at HSW!

My +1 tells me the weather is predicted to be -10oC, and +40oC, and +15oC with scattered rain, some snow and high UV danger and that's all in the first 1/2 of the day!

 

[Ausbt]

We check in tomorrow. We can have a suite standoff at 40 paces . Who has the highest suite :mrgreen:......bet I lose.

See if you can do better then Level 15

Let's see you do that at HSW!

Yeah - I guess HSW think people are going to lap in the brown sludge of the Yarra :shock: I had a bit of a fling with the Metropol for a while, lovely pool. But for me it's all about fitness. I don't care if it's the gym, the pool or a decent oval - I need a place to sweat out some kilojoules before I pile them back on again at dinner. Plenty of times I've been in Wagga, Griffith or wherever and headed to the local aquatic centre to get my laps in. As long as I can get my exercise in, in whatever form, I'm happy.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

See if you can do better then Level 15

You win. 10 for me!

 

[JessicaTam]

Property: HH Old Town Prague (OTP)
Date: Nov 2015 (1 night)
Status: Diamond
Booked: King room
Received: King Exec Suite

<snip>

I forgot one small detail that I had not seen at any HH property before. And that is I was permitted one guest in the exec lounge at no charge. The way it read, they would be over and above however many were in my room, e.g. A couple, plus one. Any additional guests would be charged (I think) €20

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Property: HoTP
Date: Nov 2014
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Guest
Received: Relaxation Suite
Rate: AU$165/nite

First and most likely last stay at HoTP.

My impression was, not bad. I wasn't blown away by anything, but I received pretty much what I thought I might. No welcome, no GM card, no gift and only the stock 2 waters for the 3 night stay, not replenished daily. No newspaper delivered (is this even still a benefit?).

However, the suite was a nice upgrade and they made up the sofa bed for Miss swanning_it and there was no charge for it. Parking (at $35/day) is reasonable IMHO when compared to SYD and BNE and it is handy to have a car (for us). Given one rainy day, I appreciated the $35 movie deal. Lounge is small and reasonably uninviting, but functional and breakfast was nice. Overall, I doubt I'll miss having this hotel in the Hilton group. As I said, there was absolutely nothing outstanding, but for the price and the received upgrade, it was more than acceptable and I'm glad I at least got to try it before it disappears into the Accor stable.

 

[JessicaTam]

Property: HoTP
Date: Nov 2014
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Guest
Received: Relaxation Suite
Rate: AU$165/nite

First and most likely last stay at HoTP.

My impression was, not bad. I wasn't blown away by anything, but I received pretty much what I thought I might. No welcome, no GM card, no gift and only the stock 2 waters for the 3 night stay, not replenished daily. No newspaper delivered (is this even still a benefit?).

However, the suite was a nice upgrade and they made up the sofa bed for Miss swanning_it and there was no charge for it. Parking (at $35/day) is reasonable IMHO when compared to SYD and BNE and it is handy to have a car (for us). Given one rainy day, I appreciated the $35 movie deal. Lounge is small and reasonably uninviting, but functional and breakfast was nice. Overall, I doubt I'll miss having this hotel in the Hilton group. As I said, there was absolutely nothing outstanding, but for the price and the received upgrade, it was more than acceptable and I'm glad I at least got to try it before it disappears into the Accor stable.

I have only ever got a newspaper if I have asked for one - regardless of property. Have they been automatic in the past?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I have only ever got a newspaper if I have asked for one. Have they been automatic in the past?

For me, yes at most hotels, but perhaps that may have been noted in my OnQ profile.

 

[drross]

I have only ever got a newspaper if I have asked for one - regardless of property. Have they been automatic in the past?

I nearly always check/ ask for a paper when I check in. Just a habit

 

[DC3]

Although only 2 waters are often delivered, "Magic" will organise additional complimentary waters on request.

The better suites have a large walk-in shower and those are great.

As for the EL, it has something about it and I like the atmosphere. Not somewhat barn-like as is HSW. There are good (distance) views out over the sports and stadiums areas. There is comfortable group lounge seating at each end of the EL with tables for two/three/four throughout. The EL staff are great, checking for drink top-ups and whether there is anything else that you would like.

I find the main desk staff to be very helpful, although that may be dependent as to where they are in the training cycle. Having said that, they all seem pretty genuine and trying to assist. I hope that the EL staff are kept on and I hope that no hotel staff are let go.

I've always loved having an unrushed buffet breakfast downstairs with the great view across to the Gardens.

The self-parking in the basement was available past check-out, and allowed until 6pm that day, in case you had other things to do in town.

I will have my last stay there soon as I can't see any reason to return once Pullman comes to the hotel.


Edit: The HOTP room prices were usually very competitive with HSW, some times half-price, or less

 

[N860CR]

I forgot one small detail that I had not seen at any HH property before. And that is I was permitted one guest in the exec lounge at no charge. The way it read, they would be over and above however many were in my room, e.g. A couple, plus one. Any additional guests would be charged (I think) €20

I think that's normal? I booked a room for 3 (and paid a premium of roughly 33%) at HSW a year or so ago (HH Diamond) and there was a $40ish charge on the room bill for one extra guest in the lounge. I thought at the time that it was rather poor form to charge for a paid hotel guest, but it's technically correct.

 

[boomy]

I have only ever got a newspaper if I have asked for one - regardless of property. Have they been automatic in the past?

Most Hiltons in Australia offer a choice at check-in of either the local newspaper or The Australian.

 

[Moopere]

...before it disappears into the Accor stable.

What now? I've really got to pay more attention to these things. HoTP going over to Accor? I can't say I'm surprised that its dropping out of the group, the building is just too old. Like your comment and a lot of others here, my experience has been pretty 'meh' - its fine, the people are great, everything is ok, but its not outstanding. I don't much like the area either to be honest. I've tried hard to get to know it better but after dark its just a wasteland out there in that part of Eastern Melbourne.

I do fear however what this will mean to pricing at the last remaining hilton in MEL though ... HSW pricing has been laughably high for a lot of the second half of this year .. at least for the semi random dates I've checked every now and then as time has passed. This will only get worse now without a choice for all the HH pax out there. Looks like the new DT on flinders street isn't going to be much to talk about given comments about its current (citygate) format.