How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[hydrabyss]

Hilton CNS.

Base room booked. I noticed yesterday that a booking more than a week out has been changed to an exec room. That's a pretty proactive application of the HH status ideology, I think.

Cairns may not have alot of suites for upgrades but they make up for it in other ways. Plus once you have an exec room you can negotiate a pretty good rate for a suite when checking in.

 

[JessicaTam]

Cairns may not have alot of suites for upgrades but they make up for it in other ways. Plus once you have an exec room you can negotiate a pretty good rate for a suite when checking in.

I have never thought to ask. Thanks for the tip.

 

[moa999]

Hilton Cairns has also just had a gym refurbishment. New floors and machines.

Still obviously small in size. Looked like four Precor machines - two jogging, one bike, one walker, and some free weights.

Doubletree Cairns gym was also closed this week for similar. Doubletree restaurant also getting its buffet area renovated - currently using a small temp area.

Just did a HDHDH run. Wish I'd read the suite comment before

Swanning_it interesting - my room availability at HC showed base room only on Hilton App, apart from morning of check in, so no advance upgrades

 

[Deleted member 29185]

once you have an exec room you can negotiate a pretty good rate for a suite when checking in.

Not a Nor1 I guess?

Swanning_it interesting - my room availability at HC showed base room only on Hilton App, apart from morning of check in, so no advance upgrades

I've noticed this before with H-CNS, so they do actively monitor reservations. I've also been happy with DT-CNS. Not up to the local Hilton standard (back of house needs a little bit of a shake up), but certainly good with diamond room upgrades (I nearly always get a 6th floor ocean view) as well as the drink and canapé vouchers.

 

[hydrabyss]

Best I was able to get on a 5 night stay at Cairns was an extra $50/night to upgrade to a suite. They wanted a $100/night which was more than the nor 1 option when I first asked. Originally booked base room at $170 which was upgraded to the exec rooom which showed the nor 1 upgrade at a reduced rate.

 

[moa999]

As noted above a five night stay in Cairns to get to 20 stays so at least retain Gold.
Amex Reserve provided the flights so a very cheap getaway.

Property: Hilton Cairns
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016 (1 night)
Rate: US Olympic (20%) $160
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Received: King Hilton Executive Spa Room (823)
Amenity: Chocolates

Property: Doubletree Cairns
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016 (1 night)
Rate: US Olympic (20%) $150
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Received: King Deluxe w/water view & balcony (622)
Amenity: Canape & soft-drink voucher, Alcohol drink voucher

Property: Hilton Cairns
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016 (1 night)
Rate: Asia Prepaid Sale (40%) $110
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Received: King Hilton Executive Deluxe (924)
Amenity: --

Property: Doubletree Cairns
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016 (1 night)
Rate: Asia Prepaid Sale (40%) $100
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Received: King Deluxe w/water view (no balcony) (716)
Amenity: Canape & soft-drink voucher, Alcohol drink voucher

Property: Hilton Cairns
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016 (1 night)
Rate: Asia Prepaid Sale (40%) $110
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Received: King Hilton Executive Spa (Casino view, no water view) (806)
Amenity: --

General comments..

Hilton Cairns.
Nice property - although interiors are showing age.
Service in the EL was very good. Staff mostly attentive at filling drinks (although were occasionally a little too chatty with some guests).
Good range of food that varied over the three nights (fresh prawns only on one night). Wine was (imho) pretty passable (eg. Jamiesons Run Merlot - $10-11 at DMs)
As mentioned the Gym had reopened over the weekend with brand new equipment, although remains pretty small.
The Spa rooms (on Lev 8) are the pick - as they have a glass wall into the bedroom (with shutter) but more importantly a separate shower. The other room on level 9 was a shub, although it also was the only one with an esprosso machine (the Vittoria Capino, like HSP)
OK breakfast for a lounge with normal options. The main restaurant breakfast is underwhelming for a Hilton, I'd describe it as a simplistic style - what you would have expected in the 80s.
Only amenity on first stay when given block of chocolate at checkin. Waters in room all three times.

Doubletree Cairns.
A tiny bit further out of town (but only 3 blocks to the main strip and still on the Esplanade).
Outside of property looking very aged, but rooms have been given a Doubletree style (light wood freshening up), although the bathrooms are tiny.
Only the rooms directly facing the Esplanade (think x18-x25) have balconies.
Nothing in the bar fridge, but a liquor store on premises (hours 4.30pm-10.30) that has a very adequate range (including single bottle of beer for $4-5 or 6-packs from $18-20)
Both Gym and Buffet were being renovated (although there was obviously a temporary buffet setup which was adequate)
The canape vouchers were for items listed on a bar blackboard (approx $8-14), and included Tuna carpaccio, mushroom bruschetta, tapas plate. The tapas plate was huge (although I realised the next morning its just the same meat as for breakfast, plus bread and a few dips). The mushroom bruschetta was small but divine.
At checkin received the cookie, plus a bag with waters, newspaper, welcome letter and vouchers.

Also discovered some Great Cairns deals on bookme.com.au (basically a range of deals for the next 7 days).

It's finished for the wet season, but managed to get the Wednesday only Savannahlander from Cairns to Kuranda (leaves at 6.30am) with Wil and Leigh (of Railroad Australia fame).. Much more intimate journey than the Kuranda Rail - and lets you do the walks around Kuranda before it gets too hot - then everything begins to open around 11 as the first train arrives.

 

[kermatu]

I've never tried negotiating for a suite upgrade at H-CNS -- but have twice (out of 4 times) successfully been upgraded to spa suite from regular spa room when simply asked on check-in. Now I always book the spa suite anyway as the extra space and better views make it worthwhile.

 

[hydrabyss]

Property: Sydney
Status: Diamond
Date: Sat 18th December 2016
Rate: AAA $227
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Received: King Relaxation Room

I have noticed a difference in treatment with just under 25 stays this year at this hotel. Completed online checkin early the day before with the upgrade showing that afternoon. Late checkout of 2pm granted.
For any regulars theres also a new exec lounge manager.

 

[JessicaTam]

Property: HSW
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016
Rate: Govt
Booked: Hilton king
Received: Relaxation Suite (Sorry Bill)

A full house so I was surprised I received the upgrade. Much to the chagrin of another regular!

They were very clear at breakfast that there would be no charge for coffee. In fact, they have a new silver coloured 'bookmark' for the tables to make sure. HSW keep saying that the coffee tax is a HH Aust HQ directive, but they realise blanket application is costing them. They will start to enforce continental breakfast only for Golds 'though.

 

[kermatu]

Property: HSW
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016
Rate: Govt
Booked: Hilton king
Received: Relaxation Suite (Sorry Bill)

A full house so I was surprised I received the upgrade. Much to the chagrin of another regular!

They were very clear at breakfast that there would be no charge for coffee. In fact, they have a new silver coloured 'bookmark' for the tables to make sure. HSW keep saying that the coffee tax is a HH Aust HQ directive, but they realise blanket application is costing them. They will start to enforce continental breakfast only for Golds 'though.

Good to hear.

On the downside though the other day I had a couple sneak onto my table (where bookmark type thing was placed) while I was at the buffet, very early morning so the front desk wasn't really being monitored. I was on my own and hadn't put anything down on the table so when I queried them they just brushed me off and I had no leg to stand on. Plus I needed to leave for the airport in 10 so couldn't be bothered with an argument. They were standing near the flash car in the lobby when I was checking out then leaving my bags with the concierge - probably scored themselves a free breakfast.

 

[Denali]

Hilton Parmelia WA, booked standard king room, online check in and upgraded to suite on arrival.

Loving the wrap around corner balcony as we can turn off the air con.

No lounge but received vouchers for drink and tapas at the bar that was very nice. Two of us, we each got a plate.

 

[SponsorSFC]

Property: Conrad Singapore
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016 (3 nights)
Rate: Flash Sale
Booked: King Executive
Received: King Executive

No suites available as all sold 1 week out from arrival. Selected room 3006 as this is directly under the lounge and is able to be added to the Presidential Suite as an additional room. This is next to the elevators and is a twin room. The front desk advised they had blocked room 3010 for me as this better met my HHonors preferences of King bed, high floor, away from elevator however this would have looked directly onto the Pan Pacific rather than Marina Bay so declined the offer but it was good to know they at least looked at what I prefer.
5pm late checkout was no problem despite high occupancy.

Property: Conrad Rangali
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016 (4 nights)
Rate: Points 2 nights & Free Weekend Certificates 2 nights
Booked: Beach Villa 4 nights w/ 1 night cash upgrade of $275 USD to Water Villa
Received: 2 nights Deluxe Beach Villa & 2 Nights Water Villa

Greeted in person by the Guest Services manager Alex on arrival (we were the only ones on the plane he spoke to).

Fantastic upgrade considering extremely high occupancy even better my emailed preference for Villa location has been granted down to the sepcific water villa and the closest Deluxe Beach Villa to the Standard Beach villa I had requested.

Even better we had the first seaplane out of MLE and had direct access to out room at about 10am. When changing rooms our luggage was collected and transferred to the new room while we were out on activities at 11am and the room was available for us with buggy transfer waiting once we were done to take us to our new room just after 12pm. We have been confirmed on the last seaplane possible with late checkout provided until the seaplane departure prior to our departure on EY279 which departs MLE at 19:30 we have also been give access to the Conrad lounge at MLE if we wish to use it rather than having to use the contract lounge.

 

[JessicaTam]

Property: Conrad Rangali
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016 (4 nights)
Rate: Points 2 nights & Free Weekend Certificates 2 nights
Booked: Beach Villa 4 nights w/ 1 night cash upgrade of $275 USD to Water Villa
Received: 2 nights Deluxe Beach Villa & 2 Nights Water Villa

Greeted in person by the Guest Services manager Alex on arrival (we were the only ones on the plane he spoke to).

Fantastic upgrade considering extremely high occupancy even better my emailed preference for Villa location has been granted down to the sepcific water villa and the closest Deluxe Beach Villa to the Standard Beach villa I had requested.

Even better we had the first seaplane out of MLE and had direct access to out room at about 10am. When changing rooms our luggage was collected and transferred to the new room while we were out on activities at 11am and the room was available for us with buggy transfer waiting once we were done to take us to our new room just after 12pm. We have been confirmed on the last seaplane possible with late checkout provided until the seaplane departure prior to our departure on EY279 which departs MLE at 19:30 we have also been give access to the Conrad lounge at MLE if we wish to use it rather than having to use the contract lounge.

That all sounds rather impressive!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

H-CNS

Very full, but service was the usual ... Very warm and friendly. They've now started to use the board room as an overflow lounge, which is a good idea. Given the guest numbers, I'm still somewhat surprised an upgrade was awarded a week ago!

 

[Spacetravel]

So Hilton Sydney has really come around with room upgrades for me recently.
3 out of 3 I have been upgraded.

Property: Hilton Sydney
Status: Diamond
Date: July 2016 (1 night)
Rate: AAA Rate
Booked: Hilton Guestroom
Received: Jnr King Suite

Property: Hilton Sydney
Status: Diamond
Date: Aug 2016 (1 night)
Rate: AAA Rate
Booked: Hilton Guestroom
Received: King Relaxation Suite

Property: Hilton Sydney
Status: Diamond
Date: Dec 2016 (2 night)
Rate: AAA Rate
Booked: Hilton Guestroom
Received: King Relaxation Room
A note for this booking however, the room was located directly below the lounge on level 35 and there was a bit of noise throughout the day of footsteps and chairs, if it wasn't a free upgrade I would have asked to move rooms.

I also noticed on my most recent stay last weekend the food at the lounge was somewhat better than usual. They had (split over both nights) pizza, prawns, oysters, sushi, salt and pepper squid and also the usual breads, salads, spring rolls etc.

 

[Moindardt]

Property: HSW
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016 - 2 nights
Rate: Flash Sale $313/night ($163 with Amex Rebate)
Booked: Hilton king Executive
Received: Relaxation Suite 1302

So my first ever stay at a Hilton. Have to say I was pretty impressed. Nice property and staff were very nice. Nice upgrade to nice Suite. Wasn't keen on the bed though. First hotel I have stayed in without some form of phone charger and we had given ours to the kids when we dropped them off (we had 2 usb cables). Thankfully front desk sent one up. Reasonably good buffet but got charged $3 for coffee tax. We did a quick look of the Executive lounge but didn't spend any time there as too busy. Looked very impressive though. Far bigger than most SPG ones. Loved the DFO downstairs.

It was a very late decision on the trip so very lucky to get what we did. Couldn't book any decent restaurants but Amex Concierge came through with Spice Temple and San Telmo, both fantastic. They also got us centre Dress Circle to Kinky boots. MrsMoin had never been to Melbourne so didn't understand the "four seasons in one day" so thanks to Melbourne to putting on its usual weather

 

[DAC1]

Property: Hilton Sydney
Status: Diamond
Date: December 2016 - 2 nights
Rate: Corporate Rate $175/night ($100 a night after AMEX rebate)
Booked: King Hilton Guestroom Plus
Received: King Hilton Deluxe

After 3 consecutive stays where I got an upgrade to a Relaxation Room, it looks like my luck was out. I didn't spend much time in the hotel but the executive lounge buffet offerings one of the nights I was there seemed improved. I do get a little frustrated though when on check in I'm told I was upgraded to an Executive room when it was clear on my Hilton app that it was still a Deluxe room (on a relatively low floor when compared to other times I've gotten a proper 'Executive' room). I know there isn't much difference between the guestrooms, deluxe rooms and executive rooms, but as a matter of principle it just didn't sit super well with me.

 

[I love to travel]

Conrad Singapore
Booked Deluxe, upgraded to Exec room
$289 per night

Afternoon and evening snacks in the lounge have gone downhill over the past year. I lose Diamond access from March onwards so will try somewhere new

 

[kermatu]

Conrad Singapore
Booked Deluxe, upgraded to Exec room
$289 per night

Afternoon and evening snacks in the lounge have gone downhill over the past year. I lose Diamond access from March onwards so will try somewhere new

I've heard similar which is a shame as the afternoon break was always good there. I have one more booking there but will probably explore other options from then on.

 

[eric2011]

For any diamonds who have stayed at Hilton Noumea. Did you receive your my way rewards i.e. Complimentary continental breakfast