How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[JessicaTam]

Property: HH Reykjavik
Date: November 2016
Status: Diamond
Rate: Advance payment
Booked: Hilton twin
Received: Hilton exec twin

This hotel is a little out of town so not so convenient if on foot. We arrived at about 1600 and left after breakfast the next morning so that didn't trouble us.

The lounge was a bit limited food wise (if you don't eat seafood) but Leeni was a very attentive host and rustled up a few things for me. The lounge was only ever 1/4 full at most, but she gave the impression that she could handle a full lounge single handed. But plenty of time tonight for a chat with the guests including lots of tourist tips.

The room was a good size but the bathroom was the dreaded shower over bath - with shower curtain. It was however not as bad as it looked, so sometimes it can be done well.

As a diamond, we were offered breakfast in either the lounge or restaurant. We chose the restaurant and there was a good range of foodstuffs including eggs cooked to order.

No coffee tax.

Edit: I checked the internet speed with Speedtest app. Ping 2ms, DL 66Mbps, UL 89Mbps :shock:

 

[JessicaTam]

Property: Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik
Date: November 2016
Status: Diamond
Rate: Advance payment
Booked: Twin
Received: Suite with sofa bed

This is a new brand to HH, and is an attempt to attract the 'hip' dollar. They have done it well.

The hotel is a number of buildings joined together, so to get to the restaurant from reception you have to go up to the first floor, across and then back down to the ground floor. We only got lost a couple of times. The suite upgrade was a nice surprise as I had given up expecting one in EU. The hotel had the feel of a ski lodge, with heaters/fires and various areas to settle in with a good book throughout. And they had a range of good books.

The location is good, walking distance to many of Reykjavik's sights.

There is no exec lounge, and this hurt as the cost of food and drink in town is eye watering. There are nightly tastings of something local, but not the traditional selection of wares. On our stay there was a dark beer and some soft cheese - but only sample size servings. Breakfast was a good spread so an opportunity to 'load up' for the day.

No coffee tax.

Internet: ping 3ms, DL 4.8 Mbps, UL 6 Mbps.

 

[JessicaTam]

Property: Hampton by Hilton Berlin
Date: December 2016
Status: Diamond
Rate: Points (pay 4, stay 5)
Booked: King
Received: King with sofa

Status recognition: A welcome letter was given at checkin and the GM's business card was in my room.

A comfortable hotel about halfway between the Zoologische Garten S-Bahn and Uhlandstr U-Bahn. The hotel overlooks the S-Bahn but fortunately I had a courtyard view so did not hear the trains. Given the solid European insulation I doubt the rooms on the train side would have been too bad.

Breakfast is open to all so it can get very busy - as I found out on my first morning. A simple range of cold food with some scrambled eggs, bacon and sausages for the hot food.

Internet: ping 3ms, DL 9.5 Mbps, UL 9.7 Mbps

No barista coffee.

Edit: to add, the rooms do not have a safe or fridge.

 

[dfcatch]

I didn't because the hotel offered lounge access for my guests staying in a standard room plus breakfast in the restaurant at no charge.

You were still lied to.

That behavior is totally unacceptable in my view.

 

[Ausbt]

Exactly the same BS I received at the Hilton in Boston down town.

I'm there right now as it happens. I booked via Agoda, costing AUD$280 and supposedly inc breakfast. Have had to fight them for it and the best they could do is offer me just the continental version "as a courtesy". Whatever. They say it might snow here tomorrow.

 

[boomy]

Properly: Hilton Narita
Booked: Queen Room
Received: Queen Deluxe Plus

Convenient location close to airport, free shuttle to Narita township. Nothing special about this hotel, it's old and needs urgent renovations but at least the price is accordingly low.

They clearly love giving coupons here. We got two drink vouchers (diamond benefit as there is no executive lounge), breakfast, spa and WiFi vouchers.

Had dinner (Shabu Shabu) at their Japanese restaurant - Matzukaze. The meal was good and restaurant was full even at 9pm, typical for airport hotels. The Terrace Bar was also full and lively with mix of tourists and airline crews. We used our drink vouchers for some refreshing Black Asahi.

 

[boomy]

Property: Hilton Odaiba
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: King Terrace Suite

At check-in were told we got "upgraded" to Twin Executive. Booking was made for king bed and as we are traveling as couple we could no accept twin. The lady at front desk apologised and said no executive king available and offered suite for additional cost. Didn't agree to pay and asked her to find nice room with one bed. She said all rooms with good views are booked out and guestroom is quite small. Found those comments bit odd, what was she trying to say, that I better pay for suite?! Eventually she made a phone call and the guest relations manager came to greet us and said will do his best to find good room with one bed. It was 10pm and we already stood there for 20 minutes. He tried to explain this hotel used to be Japanese chain (Nikko), therefore it has many twin rooms... Told him I'm not an expert in Japanese culture but us western like king or queen beds, especially when traveling as couple. Finally he managed to find an available suite and personally escorted us to the room. He was nice and clearly tried to make a Diamond member feel welcome but we found this 35 min check-in experience quite bizarre.

The suite was very large with two balconies and stunning views of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo bay. There was separate living room and two toilets. While I'm used to see Nespresso machines in hotel rooms, it was unusual to find a box with 36 capsules (6 different colours), very nice! Around 11:30pm the bell rang and someone brought fruit bawl as welcome amenity.

First night we checked in too late and second night we got to spend only 10 minutes in the exec lounge during our stay, it looked nice with decent F&B offerings.
For breakfast there was choice between two restaurants with similar buffets. Good Japanese and Western selection. Eggs made to order inc benedict.

 

[boomy]

Property: Conrad Tokyo
Booked: King Room City
Received: King Suite Bay View

Managed to keep my 100% suite upgrade success rate as diamond (5/5). There are many positive aspects about this hotel but one stands out the most - the service. There is the famous Conrad service and high above is the Conrad Tokyo service, absolute perfection!

Executive lounge was busy but still could find seats. Was bit disappointed they had no sake or umeshu. Didn't come to Japan to drink French wine... At least they had good Japanese 'Pure Malt' whiskey, good enough for me

Had dinner at Kazahana - their outstanding Japanese restaurant. It was fully booked the first night but managed to score two seats at the teppanyaki table for the following night. It's expensive but IMO worth every penny, especially as they run out of Kobe beef and gave us Matsusaka instead (my favourite).

They offer the best hotel breakfast here IMO. While many people love huge buffets like at Conrad Macao or Dubai I prefer good a-la-carte menu and this is exactly what Tokyo offers. Both Western and Japanese options are outstanding.

Another perfect stay, this Conrad is probably my favourite Hilton Group city hotel in the world.

 

[deka2]

Property: HSW
Date: 1-4 December 2016
Status: Diamond
Rate: 2 nights paid, one on points
Booked: Queen Family (lowest rate)
Received: low floor Relaxation Suite.

I combined a work trip with a weekend away with my wife. Glad to receive the upgrade. I just love this room. Nothing better than lying in bed in the morning looking down the river with the curtains open and the sun streaming in.
Or having a bath with a view.
Coffee tax at breakfast still on, but was waived on the second and third morning. There were prawns in the lounge on Thursday night, and on both Friday and Saturday night three staff, which meant they could stop and talk to Hotel guests.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Property: HSW
Date: 1-4 December 2016
Status: Diamond
Rate: 2 nights paid, one on points
Booked: Queen Family (lowest rate)
Received: low floor Relaxation Suite

Interesting that you had a family room booked but they gave an upgrade to a suite. Did you have kids in tow and if so, how did they accommodate them?

I must admit thinking that we've failed to gain an upgrade in recent memory, possibly due to having a family room booked. I imagined the only upgrade they may entertain is a 2 bedroom suite, which in our experience has dried up as an option. I'd be appreciative if you could elaborate a bit.

 

[deka2]

Interesting that you had a family room booked but they gave an upgrade to a suite. Did you have kids in tow and if so, how did they accommodate them?

I must admit thinking that we've failed to gain an upgrade in recent memory, possibly due to having a family room booked. I imagined the only upgrade they may entertain is a 2 bedroom suite, which in our experience has dried up as an option. I'd be appreciative if you could elaborate a bit.

No children in tow.

The Queen family room was the cheapest when I booked.

It was a relaxation Suite on Level 5, directly above the Exec Lounge, last one available so we were told.

Apart from being close to people on the Exec Lounge Veranda it was quite good.

Obviously the higher floor the better, but we would certainly take it again if that was all that was offered.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

No children in tow.

Ok, so that's another data point. We had one in tow, so possible that's the reason, or not!

 

[deka2]

Ok, so that's another data point. We had one in tow, so possible that's the reason, or not!

Thats one of the problems with Hilton, upgrades are a bit of a raffle.

I was a bit surprised to receive the suite upgrade for 3 nights, and over a weekend as well.

 

[drross]

HSP 3rd Dec

booked exec room on points (40k - i think) - great value as $400+ a night -schoolies!!!

upgraded to 6th floor relaxation style suite - delightful

didn't eat in the restaurant - so no report on coffee tax - sorry

the place/staff were getting smashed by the schoolies - anyone over 20 was welcomed with a cheerful smile - daughter checked in before i did and staff at check in and lounge commented on the number of schoolies

 

[Aeolus]

Property: Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik

View attachment 85228

Nice modern decor. Bathroom tiles and setup are so DT MEL (without bath and smaller).

 

[JessicaTam]

Property: Dresden HH
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016
Rate: EU sale
Booked: King Hilton
Received: King corner room
City bed tax of €9 payable at checkout

This hotel is very central to the Altstadt. A number of attractions are within a short walk.

I checked in at about 1130 and my room was ready. I had put in for a Nor1 upgrade to a large room, but was perfectly satisfied with the status upgrade I received. My room overlooked the Elbe.




A large bottle of water was in the room when I checked in, and a fruit plate and handwritten welcome note arrived whilst I was out walking.

The lounge had a range of beer and wine, with a couple of hot food items. There was a good selection of cheeses and other cold items.

I was offered breakfast in either the exec lounge or the restaurant downstairs. As it turned out, I also could have dined in the ‘Corner Cafe’ that is part of the hotel as well. The breakfast selection was standard HH EU fare. The scrambled eggs were a notch above the standard fare though. The Corner Cafe seemed to have a slightly wider selection, and looked a little cosier.

Internet: ping 10ms, DL 16.6 Mbps, UL 2.6 Mbps

No coffee tax - but I regretted ordering a soy latte. Blech.

 

[somebol]

seems like we are following each other.

Property: Dresden HH
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016
Rate: EU sale
Booked: King Exec
Received: King corner Suite

 

[QF WP]

Now I have been Diamond for a couple of months (but still don't know how - presume enough spend on Macquarie HH Visa). I just went into my account online and asked them for a card (as I haven't got one). Then an email turns up within minutes (coincidence?):

From: Hilton HHonors [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, 9 December 2016 11:08 AM
To: QF WP's email address
Subject: QF WP, you've upgraded to Diamond status!

Your new status is effective now through March 31, 2018.

I'm not arguing ... so I'll take it. Certainly isn't from my 2016 stays (5 stays, 11 nights, 13K base points)

 

[Daver6]

Now I have been Diamond for a couple of months (but still don't know how - presume enough spend on Macquarie HH Visa). I just went into my account online and asked them for a card (as I haven't got one). Then an email turns up within minutes (coincidence?):

From: Hilton HHonors [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, 9 December 2016 11:08 AM
To: QF WP's email address
Subject: QF WP, you've upgraded to Diamond status!

Your new status is effective now through March 31, 2018.

I'm not arguing ... so I'll take it. Certainly isn't from my 2016 stays (5 stays, 11 nights, 13K base points)

Best of luck getting your card. I emailed about mine in March. Nothing. Tried online around August. Nothing. Emailed about it twice more and still no card. Just given up on a physical card.

 

[QF WP]

Well I suppose we have our Hilton Honors App for proof of status...if we don't have a physical card.

Thanks for the best wishes Daver6 - I might need them based on your experience