How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[drross]

I don't think I've ever seen any spare space in the auto minibars there... I've resorted to using a cold sink filled with water to keep drinks cool or just popping up to the lounge whenever I get a little thirsty... Agreed that the prices this time of year are ridiculous, I've got a few for around $250 a night in December though (Sunday's for Monday work)

room service are happy to bring up a bucket of ice..free of charge

 

[jackthomas]

room service are happy to bring up a bucket of ice..free of charge

That certainly sounds like more common sense

 

[Deleted member 29185]

That certainly sounds like more common sense

I just empty out the mini bar if I want room for my stuff! I've never had an issue with being billed and a comment was even made once (I let them know that's what I did) that they realise when everything is removed that they'll have to physically go and check what has been consumed. They can't bill you for what you don't use and I maintain a fridge for our use is an expectation in Australian hotels with even the lowliest and scummiest providing one.

 

[hydrabyss]

OT but can anyone advise what the $19 self park option is at Hilton Adelaide?
I'm there from Wed-Sat this week and tossing up between a hire car I've booked and just getting cabs to and from airport and to my venue near the Ent Cent
It's probably much of a much if the parking is only $19 daily

It does not allow multiple entries.Its located a short walk down the road and have never felt it was good value considering valet was only around $15 more.

 

[Princess Fiona]

It does not allow multiple entries.Its located a short walk down the road and have never felt it was good value considering valet was only around $15 more.

I decided to cancel the hire car and use Uber/Public transport.

 

[Daver6]

I decided to cancel the hire car and use Uber/Public transport.

Not sure if you are aware, but there is only Uber black in RAdelaide.

 

[Buzzard]

I decided to cancel the hire car and use Uber/Public transport.

For public transport buy a MetroCard for cheaper fares. Don't forget that the tram is free between South Terrace and the Entertainment Centre.

 

[Aeolus]

I just empty out the mini bar if I want room for my stuff! I've never had an issue with being billed and a comment was even made once (I let them know that's what I did) that they realise when everything is removed that they'll have to physically go and check what has been consumed. They can't bill you for what you don't use and I maintain a fridge for our use is an expectation in Australian hotels with even the lowliest and scummiest providing one.

You can also ring Magic and get them to clear the fridge for you. I'm aware HSYD would do that. Found that out by accident when I knocked off a bottle in the fridge, rang Magic to advise that I have put the bottle back so remove the auto charge. Anyway, they mistook that as a request to clear the fridge and sent someone up with an empty sack. Found out later that it's not an unusual request at all.

 

[moa999]

If I could be bothered I'd do it at every hotel with no room in the fridge.

 

[kermatu]

If I could be bothered I'd do it at every hotel with no room in the fridge.

I do it most places I stay more than 3 nights. As much as anything it's to make a point that it might actually be easier for the hotel to allow a bit of room for personal use.

In the US went to 3 Hiltons that had no fridge at all, but they happily sent a fridge up, no extra charge. Room needs to be large enough to accommodate of course.

 

[moa999]

And certainly on my trip to Europe and UK this year, about seven Hilton's, there seems to be a trend to empty fridges and a pantry kitchen downstairs with items for sale

 

[Moopere]

Property: Doubletree Melbourne
Date: 16 Nov
Status: Gold
Booked: Queen Interior
Received: Not 100% sure, but it looked/felt like a king and had a window ... King superior??

Never say never heh I was seriously underwhelmed by the opening reports of this hotel - when was that about a year ago? Sounded bad. But, with Hilton on the Park disappearing, and the HSW pricing this week at well over $400 I had a serious look at the DT.


RRP at DT MEL this week was hovering around $250+ which didn't exactly tickle my gambling feelings on a new hotel (new to me), however, got lucky and snagged a 94$+20,000 point night. Room booked was the lowest available, maybe the lowest in the hotel (not sure) - Queen Interior. It was obvious the hotel was selling as the price was abnormally high - likewise the HSW who's price stepped up immediately that HotP went away, but it was abnormally high even given that reality. So, I really didn't hold any hope at all of an upgrade.

At checkin I asked if there was any chance and was told, no, the hotel was full - however I was being placed on the 11th floor, which is the 'hhonors floor' (one of two it turns out, floor 10 and 11). Thanks for your golden loyalty and have a cookie (smile).

Initially this information was meaningless to me as I'd never been here before. But once I got in the room it was obvious that in fact I -had- been upgraded. This is not a tall hotel, 11th floor is not far from the top, and there -was- indeed a window. Bed looked pretty large for a queen too - think it was King. So, happy happy.

Disappointingly I slept in and missed breakfast so can't report on that. I was told, when I inquired at check-in that gold breakfast was continental only - given other Aus Hiltons change of view on this recently no doubt it was the case here too. Coffee tax? Don't know

Anyway, pleasantly surprised. Up high, nice and quiet. Comfortable bed. Won't hesitate to stay again.

PS - Should add, this stay coming off the back of an earlier stay a few days before at the holiday inn around the corner and down a bit on Flinders Lane which was pretty dire heh Felt good to be back 'home' at the Hilton family.

PPS - As others have reported, nothing in the minibar. Instead some sort of 'pantry' thing going on downstairs, you order whatever you'd normally just grab at the minibar and they bring it up. Personally, I far prefer this. gives me a usable fridge and no worries about mischarging the minibar which has happened to me more often than you'd assume over the years.

PPPS - This hotel doesn't have an exec lounge and I didn't find the small area downstairs further on from check-in particularly inviting. I know the building is pretty small, options are going to be limited, but if they could squeeze even a small exec lounge in I reckon that would be tops - and would scoop up HSW refugees who are escaping what seems to be 100% price increases on any given day from perhaps a year ago.

 

[jackthomas]

PPPS - This hotel doesn't have an exec lounge and I didn't find the small area downstairs further on from check-in particularly inviting. I know the building is pretty small, options are going to be limited, but if they could squeeze even a small exec lounge in I reckon that would be tops - and would scoop up HSW refugees who are escaping what seems to be 100% price increases on any given day from perhaps a year ago.

DT is a great option when HSW is too pricey ( It's pretty expensive coming up to Christmas). I know it had a few teething options, one which was pretty shocking that happened to me but I think the rooms are great and never had an issue with staff.. It's obviously no Hilton but certainly the best DT in Aus.

 

[JessicaTam]

DT is a great option when HSW is too pricey ( It's pretty expensive coming up to Christmas). I know it had a few teething options, one which was pretty shocking that happened to me but I think the rooms are great and never had an issue with staff.. It's obviously no Hilton but certainly the best DT in Aus.

I will respectfully disagree. I have only stayed at the DT MEL and CNS so a small sample size, but CNS beats MEL hands down IMHO. View, full breakfast, no coffee tax to name a few reasons.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Property: Doubletree Melbourne
I inquired at check-in that gold breakfast was continental only - Coffee tax? Don't know

My wife stayed there a few months back as a diamond and she only received the continental breakfast and was hit with the coffee tax, so it appears they might be strictly applying the minimum HH benefits.

I will respectfully disagree. I have only stayed at the DT MEL and CNS so a small sample size, but CNS beats MEL hands down IMHO. View, full breakfast, no coffee tax to name a few reasons.

I stayed at DT-CNS for the first time last week and was not unhappy. Cheap gov't rate was nice. Hotel still a bit "tour-bus" feel to it and the room was upgraded to top floor sea view, which I was told is the best apart from the suite and although it was a nice room, there was nothing outstanding about it. They didn't offer the famed signature cookie and an associate who also stayed there that night was also not offered it.

 

[jackthomas]

I will respectfully disagree. I have only stayed at the DT MEL and CNS so a small sample size, but CNS beats MEL hands down IMHO. View, full breakfast, no coffee tax to name a few reasons.

I guess I meant more in terms of decor, style etc... Agreed that the HHonors benefits are hardly up to scratch at DT MEL.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I was told there is a coffee charge at DT cns when i was thete a few months ago

 

[BD1959]

Just stayed at 4 properties in the UK.

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - the Caledonian
Date: originally 9-10 Nov; extended 1 night
Booked: 2 x Deluxe King Rooms
Received: 1 x Deluxe King Room; 1 Premium King Room

Used points for 1st night; combination of points and cash for second.

Was informed at check-in that only continental breakfast was complimentary; in the restaurant was told full ala carte was available except eggs benedict (had full scottish the second morning - if only for research purposes!). Asked at check-in about parking - concierge was summoned and (in effect) valet parking was provided at GBP19 for the two nights. Mark on the concierge desk is just a delight to talk with!!

Deluxe room could have hosted a football match - in the ensuite bathroom!! Beautiful old property.

Fruit tray on arrival u=in Deluxe Room together with a box of four chocolates (looked like Thorntons Continentals but unbranded). Turn down service on the Deluxe Room each night (mother appreciated it - donated the upgrade to her) nothing in the other. Water kept topped up in both.

Fitness Centre (within the spa complex) was provided free-of-charge. Altogether a delightful property, if only used sparingly.


Hilton Grand Vacations at Craigendarroch Suites (Ballater for Balmoral Castle)
Date: 11-12 Nov
Booked: 2 x Studio Rooms online night before stay
Received: 2 x Studio Rooms

Hotels systems were down on arrival; had details of rooms but no other details. Had to fill out address details etc. Provided card for payment and GBP100 each for coverage of incidentals. No perks whatsoever: called for water and told that only available for Golds; reminded that as a Diamond I thought I too could have some provided, was promised but never delivered. No overview of facilities other than "spa that way". Literature seemed to suggest that the resort is set-up primarily for resort-members.

Tried to use express check-out (a convoluted process whereby you're just put through to reception). Was told I'd be provided receipt - requested email to address in my profile, was told that it would be easier if was printed. In the end, I visited reception myself - just to ensure that my HHonors details were recorded - they were but reception wanted to provide printed receipt; in the end had to pretty much insist that receipt be emailed.

My first time at a Grand Vacations; was not made to feel particularly welcome: everything was a chore.

Hilton Doubletree Dundee

Date: 12-13 Nov
Received: King

Checked availability online in the morning - together with the Spa at Dunblane - but we only made it as far as Dundee and so walked-up about 5pm. Snagged a couple of adjacent basic rooms on the HHonors floor, check-in staff could not help enough. Provided with as many warm chocolate cookies as we wanted!! Wifi code provided.

Free use of the Fitness Centre (out of hours code provided); great bar and even better restaurant.

Considering the cost of the rooms was about GBP74 (GBP70 each less than the previous night), we were very happy with this property.


Hilton Heathrow Terminal 5

Date: 15-16 Nov
Booked: King Executive
Received: "Upgrade to Executive Floor"

Checked-in and provided with the wifi code. Asked about Executive Lounge access:

She: "As I was about to say, we've upgraded you to an Executive Level Room so you now have Lounge access."
Me: "I thought Diamonds received Lounge Access regardless of room type?"
She: "No, that's not the case."
Me: "I do apologise, my understanding was based on Australian benefits."

Consequently used the wifi - once I'd figured it out - to confirm my understanding to be correct. As it turned out, did not have time to hit the Lounge, met out with friends for dinner, sojourned back to the Hilton for drinks until 2am, missed my alarm call - and very nearly the flight home!!

Small bottle of red in the room together with a block of chocolate and the usual waters.


Regards,

BD

 

[blackcat20]

I was told there is a coffee charge at DT cns when i was thete a few months ago

We wern't even offered coffee...

 

[Moopere]

I will respectfully disagree. I have only stayed at the DT MEL and CNS so a small sample size, but CNS beats MEL hands down IMHO. View, full breakfast, no coffee tax to name a few reasons.

Oh, thats interesting to know. The first few reports back from DT CNS sounded pretty ordinary to me (as did the first ones from DT MEL). Sounded like they were struggling a bit to shrug off the old HI. I'll give them another look now as I'm trying to get up to CNS early next year.