How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[DC3]

anyone had any experience with Hilton Sydney lately? Is EL still closed? What is in its place?

Are you booking into quarantine, because it has been used for that purpose?

 

[eric2011]

I don't believe it is as I have a booking there in 2 weeks time

I had a booking with another high-end hotel in SYD a week ago. 10 days out I get a phone call from the hotel telling me they are in use for quarantine purposes and they are cancelling my stay. Recommended phone one of the other hotels in the chain that was still accepting us normal people

 

[Nathant123]

I’m seeing rates available for the end of September but unsure if I should book or not. If they extend their quarantine program then no doubt it’ll be canceled.

 

[GSP]

Are you booking into quarantine, because it has been used for that purpose?

I wonder how many people have angled their way into a Hilton hotel (even Hyatt for that matter) on an enforced 2 week quarantine hotel stay. And if so and funded by the government as it previously was managed to hook up their membership details to claim the points and stays. That would be a good lurk!!

 

[SponsorSFC]

Doubletree Perth Northbridge

Had a one night stay last night due to a late finish/early start for work.

Sale rate was base King room for $100 with early checkin/late check out included (which we didn't use). We were upgraded to a 'Panaramic View' room in the corner away from the lifts as per my preferences.

It seemed lke the top two floors were closed. The only room types being sold were king/twin or panoramic view which is the same room just a higher floor.

Rooms had a seal placed on them after cleaning that was broken when you opened the door. No housekeping unless requested (not an issue for a one night stay).

Lounge has been closed permanantly and the restaurant was also closed for breakfast (possibly closed all day as no one was in there when we checked in but it was about 5pm). The bar was open but I din't go in.

I was told on check in to fill out what we wanted on this form and the time we would like it delivered to the room.

They said that the room continental would be free as a diamond and the full breakfast would be $5. This ended up not being charged. Coffee tax was $3.50 but we didn't order any so this may have been waived.

Things are moving back to normal but not quite there yet, the hotel was much busier but that may just be because it was a weekend.

Top floors are open again and we were upgraded to a Panoramic View Executive Room (no lounge though so it is basically a high floor corner room).

The pool and gym area were open but empty. No housekeeping unless requested.

The James St Restaurant was open for breakfast and dinner.

Breakfast was ala carte (rather than the buffet) but basically the same menu and system as the room service one from a few weeks ago. You just circle what you want. $5 additional charge for Diamonds to have hot breakfast was enforced this time continental is free. No coffee tax charged or mentioned.

Dinner was normal table service, so I am not sure why there was the paper form system still in place for breakfast.

Service was friendly and was still good value at $100 per night but looks like rates are creeping back up. Will be interesting to see what happens once the Parmelia Hilton and new Waterfront Doubletree open later in the year.

 

[boomy]

Property: Hilton Cairns
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Executive Room

Life is almost normal up there and occupancy was high during our stay which is amazing these days.
Executive lounge reopened but moved downstairs to the bar area which allows better social distancing. Drinks can be ordered from the bar and some canapés provided. Very much appreciated considering most hotel lounges in Australia are closed.

Breakfast is a la carte and diamonds can select anything from the menu, complementary. Personally I prefer that, never been big fan of the buffet style.
One notable change was that room cleaning is now only done by request, we were not told that at check in.

I must say that all the employees were extremely nice and really did their best to serve everyone despite being clearly understaffed. We even saw higher management helping to serve breakfast to guests! I suppose no one expected the hotel to be so busy.

 

[DC3]

Property: Hilton Cairns
Executive lounge reopened but moved downstairs to the bar area which allows better social distancing. Drinks can be ordered from the bar and some canapés provided ...

Thanks for the update.

Would you have noticed if Gemma, from the EL, is still there? A wonderful member of staff.

 

[boomy]

Thanks for the update.

Would you have noticed if Gemma, from the EL, is still there? A wonderful member of staff.

Yep she’s there. Helping with breakfast now.

 

[k_sheep]

Thanks for the update. Love the a la carte option!

 

[Moopere]

COVID-19 is going to be a big disruption to the entire hotel industry.
Personally I think this is a bad time to nickel and dime elite loyalty members.

I am seriously considering whether I will be continuing with HH in the next couple of years.
A good example is the DT Flinders Street Station, my HH membership is the only reason I stay there.

Yeah I hear you. I've had these thoughts running through my mind pretty much every year for the last 4-5 years. But, the thing that keeps me in HH is that all this nickel and diming seems to be a largely Australian phenomenon. My experience has been that as soon as you leave 'Straya' its great to be a HH member with decent status.

These days the _only_ reason I even look at Aussie hiltons is because of the golden handcuffs of trying to keep status. If not for that I wouldn't bother. With a couple of notable exceptions service is mediocre and in line with almost any 4-5 star hotel of any chain (or independent), so, nothing outstanding there. All Aussie hotels have a tendency towards nickel and diming and whilst the HH chain in Aus has generally recognised status very often I've not been impressed.

Last time I had a truly great HH experience in Aus was back when Hilton South Wharf in Melbourne first opened .. and for the first 12-24 months or so.

I strongly suspect I've been spoiled for life by travelling through central, east and south east Asia. Its a rewarding and fantastic experience to stay at HH properties throughout the region.

Anyway, inside Aus, I look long and hard at competition before booking though HH. I've even had a few stays at HH properties where I didn't accrue status because I booked through third parties at substantial discounts! The point with this scenario is: If your going to nickel and dime me, fine, though incredibly annoying, I don't ultimately mind an ala carte experience, but I'm going to want deep discounts on the rack rate.

Talking of nickel and diming, this will make you laugh. An affiliated 5 star restaurant, not the hotel so I'm not digging HH for this one, but inside the HH building, once charged me on the food bill for 'sky juice'. Skye Juice? I queried that. Sky Juice is rain water apparently :0 :0

 

[drross]

Totally agree Moopere. But not heard of sky juice previously

Yeah I hear you. I've had these thoughts running through my mind pretty much every year for the last 4-5 years. But, the thing that keeps me in HH is that all this nickel and diming seems to be a largely Australian phenomenon. My experience has been that as soon as you leave 'Straya' its great to be a HH member with decent status.

These days the _only_ reason I even look at Aussie hiltons is because of the golden handcuffs of trying to keep status. If not for that I wouldn't bother. With a couple of notable exceptions service is mediocre and in line with almost any 4-5 star hotel of any chain (or independent), so, nothing outstanding there. All Aussie hotels have a tendency towards nickel and diming and whilst the HH chain in Aus has generally recognised status very often I've not been impressed.

Last time I had a truly great HH experience in Aus was back when Hilton South Wharf in Melbourne first opened .. and for the first 12-24 months or so.

I strongly suspect I've been spoiled for life by travelling through central, east and south east Asia. Its a rewarding and fantastic experience to stay at HH properties throughout the region.

Anyway, inside Aus, I look long and hard at competition before booking though HH. I've even had a few stays at HH properties where I didn't accrue status because I booked through third parties at substantial discounts! The point with this scenario is: If your going to nickel and dime me, fine, though incredibly annoying, I don't ultimately mind an ala carte experience, but I'm going to want deep discounts on the rack rate.

Talking of nickel and diming, this will make you laugh. An affiliated 5 star restaurant, not the hotel so I'm not digging HH for this one, but inside the HH building, once charged me on the food bill for 'sky juice'. Skye Juice? I queried that. Sky Juice is rain water apparently :0 :0

 

[Sabot]

Yeah I hear you. I've had these thoughts running through my mind pretty much every year for the last 4-5 years. But, the thing that keeps me in HH is that all this nickel and diming seems to be a largely Australian phenomenon. My experience has been that as soon as you leave 'Straya' its great to be a HH member with decent status.

These days the _only_ reason I even look at Aussie hiltons is because of the golden handcuffs of trying to keep status. If not for that I wouldn't bother. With a couple of notable exceptions service is mediocre and in line with almost any 4-5 star hotel of any chain (or independent), so, nothing outstanding there. All Aussie hotels have a tendency towards nickel and diming and whilst the HH chain in Aus has generally recognised status very often I've not been impressed.

Last time I had a truly great HH experience in Aus was back when Hilton South Wharf in Melbourne first opened .. and for the first 12-24 months or so.

I strongly suspect I've been spoiled for life by travelling through central, east and south east Asia. Its a rewarding and fantastic experience to stay at HH properties throughout the region.

Anyway, inside Aus, I look long and hard at competition before booking though HH. I've even had a few stays at HH properties where I didn't accrue status because I booked through third parties at substantial discounts! The point with this scenario is: If your going to nickel and dime me, fine, though incredibly annoying, I don't ultimately mind an ala carte experience, but I'm going to want deep discounts on the rack rate.

Talking of nickel and diming, this will make you laugh. An affiliated 5 star restaurant, not the hotel so I'm not digging HH for this one, but inside the HH building, once charged me on the food bill for 'sky juice'. Skye Juice? I queried that. Sky Juice is rain water apparently :0 :0

Unbelievable isn't it, the flip side of the current loyalty extensions will be the level of service in the post COVID travel world. Will it return to the previous level of member satisfaction or will it improve as chains fight for the remaining business travelers? Could it get worse? let's hope not.

You're dead right on Asia, DT Kuala Lumpur is an exceptional hotel as is Hilton Singapore (Orchard Road).

Sky Juice is a new one, pretty disgraceful.
You're a better bloke than me, I wouldn't have paid (^;

 

[JFi]

Thought I'll share some quick updates on what the 'new normal' is like. Stayed at Hilton Tokyo Bay recently and the lounge is still closed. Instead, they partitioned a part of the main restaurant area as a make shift lounge. The offerings are the same coffee / tea / nibbles

Including the alcohol.

coughtail / dinner time is also the same buffet style. There's disposable gloves and your own tongs

There's an acrylic panel kind of covering the top of the food

and social distance markings everywhere including the lifts.
Breakfast is the same as before and again with the same countermeasures as above.


They had those Hilton CleanStay labels everywhere around the room and other rooms also had the CleanStay door sticker. Mine didn't have it so I guess that's probably why there was a long strand of hair welcoming me stuck on the bathroom wall. Not sure how you could have missed that if the area was cleaned.
Besides that, not much else has changed. Oh, they upgraded the lifts so now you need to tap the key to use it. And if you have Park View, you'll see lots of construction work as it appears Disney Sea is expanding. Not that it'll get in the way of seeing the fireworks, for now anyway.

And for anyone interested, a new Toy Story theme hotel is being built next door.

 

[Flashback]

Property: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Nottingham - Gateway
Status: Diamond
Booked: Queen Guest Room
Received: King Guest Room
Rate: £52/night

The property seems to have been refurbished in recent times, very modern and a nice fit out. Check-in was quick and easy with the usual big Perspex sheet up at reception to separate you.

Breakfast was only slightly different to usual, a full buffet (hooray, first one we've had since COVID-19 hit!) with staff serving the hot food and self serve for the rest. Knives and forks brought over in a packet as well as hand sanitiser, although there were pumps around the restaurant as well.







Yes... an unhealthy start to the day but we are going out hiking today so feel like I'll work at least some of it off


Welcome gift in the room, not sure if the mugs are to keep or not as they are excess to the ones with the kettle etc.

 

[Flashback]

Property: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sheffield Park
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Deluxe Room
Rate: £63.20/night

This used to be my regular haunt when I worked up in Chesterfield back in 2012, was good to be back. As I walked over to the entrance I thought something was different...... when checking in, had a good chat and she confirmed that they added a new wing to the hotel 2-3 years ago. Thankfully we were given a room in said wing, so obviously the room felt a bit more modern and well fit out.

We were checking in merely hours before lockdown 2.0 kicked in, so received a call earlier in the morning to advise us that their original temporary measures of no buffet for breakfast (but would receive ala carte complimentary as a Diamond guest) were now moved to temporary 2.0 measures and would be a grab and go continental option instead. Probably better for our health given the full English we had the past 2 mornings.......



Unlike our stay in Nottingham which didn't have the Hilton clean stay seal on the door (seemed odd, as every other room we walked past at the hotel did have it!), this room did.

It took a while to get checked in, but that's because the poor lad on the phone was unable to get some overentitled plonker off the line, who was complaining that he had decided to stay till 4pm and thus was charged accordingly, after the already agreed 2pm late check out. £10/hour which the guy offered to discount by 50% for him, so £10 in total. The chap was having none of it and kept battering the guy on the phone which held firm on his position. In any case, 5 minutes later someone else popped out from the back office finally and processed our check in. She welcomed me back and I noted it was 8 years ago I was last here, and we had a chuckle that not much had changed - albeit there was a nice new wing added! Great. All checked in and good to go. I split the payment over 2 cards as that then triggered the remainder of my AMEX offer spend £200 get £50 back and then started the balance ticking on Mrs FB's card for the same offer.

 

[Sabot]

Property: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sheffield Park
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Deluxe Room
Rate: £63.20/night

This used to be my regular haunt when I worked up in Chesterfield back in 2012, was good to be back. As I walked over to the entrance I thought something was different...... when checking in, had a good chat and she confirmed that they added a new wing to the hotel 2-3 years ago. Thankfully we were given a room in said wing, so obviously the room felt a bit more modern and well fit out.

We were checking in merely hours before lockdown 2.0 kicked in, so received a call earlier in the morning to advise us that their original temporary measures of no buffet for breakfast (but would receive ala carte complimentary as a Diamond guest) were now moved to temporary 2.0 measures and would be a grab and go continental option instead. Probably better for our health given the full English we had the past 2 mornings.......

View attachment 232703

Unlike our stay in Nottingham which didn't have the Hilton clean stay seal on the door (seemed odd, as every other room we walked past at the hotel did have it!), this room did.

It took a while to get checked in, but that's because the poor lad on the phone was unable to get some overentitled plonker off the line, who was complaining that he had decided to stay till 4pm and thus was charged accordingly, after the already agreed 2pm late check out. £10/hour which the guy offered to discount by 50% for him, so £10 in total. The chap was having none of it and kept battering the guy on the phone which held firm on his position. In any case, 5 minutes later someone else popped out from the back office finally and processed our check in. She welcomed me back and I noted it was 8 years ago I was last here, and we had a chuckle that not much had changed - albeit there was a nice new wing added! Great. All checked in and good to go. I split the payment over 2 cards as that then triggered the remainder of my AMEX offer spend £200 get £50 back and then started the balance ticking on Mrs FB's card for the same offer.

That is a very green banana!

 

[WLGFlyer]

Update on the Hilton Brisbane, EL is still closed but free drinks / canapes are provided at the Level 6 bar between 5-7pm. Elevators currently limited to 4 people - 2 working elevators and 25 floors - you do the math.

 

[DC3]

Update on the Hilton Brisbane, EL is still closed but free drinks / canapes are provided at the Level 6 bar between 5-7pm. Elevators currently limited to 4 people - 2 working elevators and 25 floors - you do the math.

I hope that business is picking up again, at Hilton Brisbane, and that things get back to normal. I expect to be back there again in 4 weeks time.

 

[k_sheep]

Thank you for the update, heading there in a couple weeks.

 

[WLGFlyer]

I hope that business is picking up again, at Hilton Brisbane, and that things get back to normal. I expect to be back there again in 4 weeks time.

Hotel definitely appears busy (and isn't cheap!). Try to avoid the peak periods for breakfast, it's all served from behind a protective screen - good effort but takes forever with long waits.

Also, as Diamond:

Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Executive Room