Some January stays with Mr Gone Troppo and Miss 24 Troppo:
Property: Hilton Garden Inn Bali Airport
Status: Diamond
Room booked: Family room + rollaway
Rate: ~AUD100 per night - one night
Received: Family room + rollaway (not put in room and had to wait for it at 2am zzzzz)
Airport shuttle was a total mess - they should probably reconsider the provider. Breakfast also a mess, with pretty much no food on offer. On check in they wanted to charge for third adult breakfast, but didn't end up on the bill - would have queried this if it had, given the slim pickings. To be fair it was new year’s morning, with a full house. Pool is very nice, and rooms new and perfectly adequate for a short stay. The very decent guest laundry would be very handy if you needed it. 2pm checkout was good and no dramas when we missed this due to traffic.
Property: Hilton KL
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Deluxe Plus room + rollaway
Rate: 26,373 HH points - one night
Received: Lifestyle Suite + rollaway
Excellent redemption, very handy location. Initially assigned room we booked, which they assumed was already upgraded - fixed up instantly on querying, with a very nice upgrade. Very comfortable, well designed suite. Breakfast in the restaurant was easily the top pick of our whole Malaysia trip (see Hyatt reviews too). Great staff. Sad to leave after just one night, would definitely stay again.
Property: Hilton Kuching
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King guest room + rollaway
Rate: 10K HH points per night - two nights
Received: King Executive Plus City View + rollaway (almost a junior suite, although initially hotel claimed upgrades on reward stays weren’t possible without paying more points - bit odd).
Bit of a crusty old building and room was musty. Good value on points though and lounge breakfast/canapes were pretty good considering - including some divine spicy hot dishes. Staff friendly and trying their best, but maybe not getting a lot of training? Kuching itself was utterly delightful - loved it! Would definitely return, and spend a couple of weeks based at a trendy little guesthouse & restaurant we spotted (instead of the Hilton). PM me for the guesthouse details if interested, and also have the phone number of an excellent taxi driver who used to be a mountain guide.