How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[Deleted member 29185]

Citi US credit card is offering 5 times the AA Miles than usual if I register and stay at a Hilton group hotel worldwide. Have not been wowed by Hilton as most of their places seem a bit ordinary. Am I wrong?

I guess it will depend on your definition of ordinary. I've found most of the Hilton's I've stayed at are certainly acceptable (especially factoring in price and status benefits) with some being well above average (exceptional in some cases). There are however, some ordinary properties which I wouldn't bother too much about again. One of the things I like about Hilton is the number of properties. I'd struggle to maintain status with any chain other than Hilton, IHG and Accor and out of those 3, Hilton is by far the best value (IMHO).

 

[cove]

I was always happy staying at an Embassy Suites in California with our 2 sons when they were young and I do remember they liked the Hilton in Orange California as we could walk to the baseball.
We tend to use Ayres now as they give us a better deal for any group work travel.

 

[drross]

I was always happy staying at an Embassy Suites in California with our 2 sons when they were young and I do remember they liked the Hilton in Orange California as we could walk to the baseball.
We tend to use Ayres now as they give us a better deal for any group work travel.

we like the Conrads

 

[cove]

Haven't tried Conrad so thanks for the tip.

 

[drross]

Haven't tried Conrad so thanks for the tip.

get to try Conrad HongKong next week and Conrad Macau before the end of the month...getting a little excited

 

[oz_mark]

Citi US credit card is offering 5 times the AA Miles than usual if I register and stay at a Hilton group hotel worldwide. Have not been wowed by Hilton as most of their places seem a bit ordinary. Am I wrong?

I am not sure if you are referring to 'Hilton' as a chain, or to the more general 'Hilton' as a portfolio of brands.

The Hilton chain itself is a good solid, business cllass type of hotel.

The Conrads are aimed up bit further up the scale, so there's more likely to be the wow with that part of the Hilton portfolio

The Doubletrees are aimed a notch down from the Hilton level.

So, if you are talking Hilton, the brand of hotel, I agree there is no real Wow with them. They can, however, offer some good vaue stays.

 

[Aeolus]

Going to be there this weekend and at super cheap rates. Wondering if I'll end up visiting the dog box as I haven't been sent there for a very long while and the cheap rate might just trigger it. :-|

Happy to report back, dog box averted, fav room on file preassigned on OLCI. Good to know regularity trumps over room rates.

Also, I agree with Swanning's comments about Hilton being best value for status guests especially in Asia. I'm Accor Plat as well and struggle to justify stays there as they are always much more expensive. Also, besides Sofitel, the other Accors chains can be a bit meh.

 

[moa999]

Hotel: Hilton Sydney
Date: Sunday 26th March 1 Night
Booked: Guestroom Plus
Rate: Points & Pay
Received: King Junior Suite

Same night and hotel on paid rate of sub-$200 booked a week out for my last stay as a Diamond (only made 21 stays in 2016, all at H/DT in Australia and Asia whereas my prior year was more HI/HGI thanks to us/euro trips)

Day of stay got upgraded to Deluxe and given 4223 which is probably the biggest deluxe room due to the corridor and a corner room with views over Town Hall.
Didn't bother pushing for an upgrade as it was already a good room, and a further (as H Syd considers it) upgrade would probably have meant a worse room and no half bottle of cheap red

 

[hydrabyss]

Happy to report back, dog box averted, fav room on file preassigned on OLCI. Good to know regularity trumps over room rates.

What is the " fav room on file" bit.

 

[Aeolus]

What is the " fav room on file" bit.

I like a particular room on a certain floor which they've noted on file and allocate where possible. Also, do you know that they allow you to keep your luggage permanently onsite if you are regular? I haven't taken up that offer but know of someone who did.

 

[foggy]

has anyone stayed at hilton queenstown during snow season? care to comment in what the 2 bedder apartments are like? any point booking with hilton booking at this resort?

 

[earlyriser]

HSW
Diamond
Paid: King, Received: King City View
2 nights

A little bit of an underwhelming stay. During our first night, around 1pm there was chatter, laughing and doors banging constantly around 1am. Through the peep hole, you could clearly see that this was staff making the noise going in and out of a staff only room directly across the hallway. We complained and the noise stopped, then moved to another room for the second night. The service at breakfast was great and the spread is excellent. The executive lounge offerings don't come close to Sydney.

 

[Matt_01]

Stayed at DT Mel last night apparently upgraded but I am not sure what from/to, all the rooms seem the same. At HSW tonight booked the basic room on prepayment special now in Yarra Suite. I have been staying here regularly for the past 18 months (1-2 times a month) and can not remember what the basic room looks like. I to get upgraded to the 2 bed or Yarra Suite on most stays. I am disappointed it is leaving the brand.

 

[boomy]

Property: DT MEL
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: King Flinders St Station View

Talked with the staff about recent changes in MEL and they are not looking forward to June when many former HSW DYKWIAs (like me ) will migrate to DT expecting upgrades... They are well aware of the extremely generous upgrade policy at HSW and know they will face many complaints from customers not getting same treatment at DT.

One positive improvement I noticed at is the breakfast. At first, diamonds got only continental, later full buffet and now they added table service. Eggs made to order or pancakes brought to table as well as coffee, tea or juice. Nothing spectacular but nice touch.

 

[JessicaTam]

Property: DT MEL
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: King Flinders St Station View

Talked with the staff about recent changes in MEL and they are not looking forward to June when many former HSW DYKWIAs (like me ) will migrate to DT expecting upgrades... They are well aware of the extremely generous upgrade policy at HSW and know they will face many complaints from customers not getting same treatment at DT.

One positive improvement I noticed at is the breakfast. At first, diamonds got only continental, later full buffet and now they added table service. Eggs made to order or pancakes brought to table as well as coffee, tea or juice. Nothing spectacular but nice touch.

Is the coffee tax still in place?

 

[boomy]

Is the coffee tax still in place?

Barista still taxed but there is another free machine in the dining are. Unfortunately it makes terrible coffee.

 

[Moopere]

Stayed at DT Mel last night apparently upgraded but I am not sure what from/to, all the rooms seem the same.

Oh no, they definitely aren't all the same. Theres a good swag of rooms that are 'internal' meaning they don't have a window. Despite initially thinking 'eww' about this it doesn't really make a lot of difference I don't think. But anyway, I've been lucky to always get an upgrade to one of the 2 'HHonors' floors which are relatively high up, at least for a hotel that isn't really that tall, and all have had a window ... though theres not much to see unless you get a Flinders Station view.

Agree with Boomy though, things are going to get tight at DT MEL post end of May. It already seems to have high occupancy so I can see pricing going up to levels well outside what you'd reasonably want to pay for a pretty average DT hotel. I like this hotel, don't get me wrong, but its only average imho.

 

[Aeolus]

Anyone staying in HSYD, if you are in the exec lounge at or just before 6pm, check the dessert first and if you see creme brûlée, grab some before it runs out as they don't replenish. The staff told me to get some before anything else, glad I did. I had a taste, it was devine, wanted to get more but it was gone in a flash. So good!

 

[hydrabyss]

Anyone staying in HSYD, if you are in the exec lounge at or just before 6pm, check the dessert first and if you see creme brûlée, grab some before it runs out as they don't replenish. The staff told me to get some before anything else, glad I did. I had a taste, it was devine, wanted to get more but it was gone in a flash. So good!

I am so glad I am not the only person who occasionally eats the dessert first when they see something they like. I have also noticed towards the end they sometimes replace some of the dishes with better quality ones.

 

[Matt_01]

Oh no, they definitely aren't all the same. Theres a good swag of rooms that are 'internal' meaning they don't have a window. Despite initially thinking 'eww' about this it doesn't really make a lot of difference I don't think. But anyway, I've been lucky to always get an upgrade to one of the 2 'HHonors' floors which are relatively high up, at least for a hotel that isn't really that tall, and all have had a window ... though theres not much to see unless you get a Flinders Station view.

Agree with Boomy though, things are going to get tight at DT MEL post end of May. It already seems to have high occupancy so I can see pricing going up to levels well outside what you'd reasonably want to pay for a pretty average DT hotel. I like this hotel, don't get me wrong, but its only average imho.

Well I didn't know there were rooms without windows, on average I have been staying there every other week for the past 18 months. I always book the cheapest possible, and book based on price rather than room description. Thinking back and looking at some forward bookings I am booked in internal rooms. That being said for the past 18 months I cannot recall staying in a room without a window. I must be getting upgrades, to a room with a window.

I already think the DT MEL is overpriced and cringe at the prices they charge for an average hotel.