How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[justinbrett]

I spent a week in HSP over Christmas (23-30 Dec) in a three bedroom apartment. I was a Gold at the time but am now Diamond thanks to that stay (double nights!)

Gold are getting the full breakfast not just continental, with no upgrade fee (though free Espresso coffee was reserved for Diamonds). I didn't go to the EL area in the ballroom as the residences don't qualify and I was only Gold. I had my own full bar set up in our apartment and with level 40 views I wasn't missing the EL.

Oh? I haven't been to HSP for about 6 years or so - how did I miss the pool? Has it always been there? Which tower is it in? The Residences or the Hotel proper?

They are one and the same. The hotel is the first 15 floors of the Orchard Tower, the rest of that tower and all of the Boulevard Tower are the residences. However, last year they merged both "properties" into a single Hilton entry on the website / app called "HSP & Residences".

There are two main outdoor pools on level 2 that stretch between both towers. They have QR codes at every table by the pool to get drinks and food delivered. Warning - they charge an $8 "tray fee". So get up and walk to the pool bar yourself, they make the coughtails there.

 

[drross]

Excellent advice justinbrett. Thanks

 

[justinbrett]

24/12/20, Diamond status
Hilton Cairns
Booked king guest room (government rate - yes I'm eligible - $145)
Received 8th floor exec room facing harbor.
Exec lounge is closed - but they close off most of the bar downstairs. You get drinks and a plate of canapes. 5-6:30pm.

I spent NYE there - had a room directly overlooking the fireworks - watched the whole thing from our balcony. It was superb!

The "temporary EL" at the Gin Social downstairs was so busy and table service - so the wait for a drink was more than 30 minutes. Didn't even get canapes but I saw them being handed around. Not worth the effort and G&Ts were drowned in (what seemed like) a pint of tonic. It may not always be like this, it was NYE and it was very busy.

Breakfast was good, free for Gold and above but $10 upgrade fee for hot vs continental. I elected for the upgrade but was never charged.

I also paid extra for premium wifi (was still Gold at this stage) but again was not charged.

 

[daft009]

Which is why I always have a couple of bulldog clips in the bottom of my suitcase for this very reason

Or those hangers from the wardrobe that have clips to hang pants off!

 

[jase05]

Date: Oct ‘20
Hotel: DT Alice Springs
Rate: $176/night
Booked: King Deluxe
Received : King Deluxe Mountain View
Status: Diamond

Even though this property is starting to show its age its a gem and is always a great place to stay.
Upgraded to the seperate wing with Mountain views and has two of my favourite restaurants in Alice. Dinner at Saltbush on the first night which is an Australian themed restaurant and had a wonderful meal and then the next night Dinner at Hanumans which is my fave and once again they put up a fine feast.
Good spread at the breakfast buffet and wife ordered an omelette which was extra. Coffee was from the machine or the barista made coffee was also extra. On checkout there was some commotion between the reception and the Manager and the Manager came over and apologised and said she would waive the extra breakfast fees and was quite sheepish that a Diamond should have to pay. She also apologised for some of the hotel being out of action due to Covid and gave me a discount on our meal tab

 

[drross]

Business or pleasure jase05???

 

[jase05]

Business or pleasure jase05???

Pleasure. We had about 3 weeks off and decided to head to QLD by car. A few days before we left Anna closed the border to NSW so we drove to FNQ via Alice Springs

 

[drross]

So it was just a short road trip!!!

Pleasure. We had about 3 weeks off and decided to head to QLD by car. A few days before we left Anna closed the border to NSW so we drove to FNQ via Alice Springs

 

[Aeolus]

HSYD has finally reopened as of 2 days ago

 

[DC3]

HSYD has finally reopened as of 2 days ago

No more COVID quarantine? Guests moving about as normal and not locked in their rooms?

 

[eric2011]

HSYD has finally reopened as of 2 days ago

That's good news. I've a booking at the end of Feb and wasn't aware that it was closed. I wonder when I was going to get told that I may have to find somewhere else.
Any news on the EL opening

 

[DC3]

That's good news. I've a booking at the end of Feb and wasn't aware that it was closed ...

Yes. Hilton Sydney was used as a COVID quarantine facility for much of 2020.

Edit: Demand for quarantine in Sydney must have dropped off?

 

[amcmahon]

Date: Jan‘21
Hotel: DT by Hilton Perth Waterfront
Rate: Reward stay 28000 points/room/night
Booked: King Guest/Twin Guest
Received : King Guest/ Twin Guest Panoramic City View
Status: Diamond

A bit of a staycation to celebrate birthday with kids. In contact with hotel prior to stay to arrange rooms with upgrade provide (though effectively only a single level). Did end up with a very nice King room with views of both city and river.

Was given a bottle of sparkling for Birthday but other then this, no additional amenities provided. Continental only offered at breakfast with a "$4 upgrade per person" to full breakfast. Find this just completely pointless and petty. Coffee from machine and did not enquire about real coffee.

Overall, this hotel from a physical point of view is amazing. Interior design and layout is on point and no real faults. I have read of noise factor for lower level River view rooms which I would agree with due to pub/beer garden next door but we didn't have any issue on higher levels. Pool and room top bar (if you can find a seat) were spot on.

Even with a full refurb of the old hilton (opening next month), I would find it hard not to look at this as a better choice. Although old hilton will finally have an exec lounge, this has one already in place with signage but just hasn't been opened. No idea when or if this will occur (considering they closed the DT Northbridge lounge.

Over all, from a location and physical amenities, its a great hotel but they are sticking to the rules with regards Diamond recognition.

 

[DC3]

Hotel: DT by Hilton Perth Waterfront

... Continental only offered at breakfast with a "$4 upgrade per person" to full breakfast. Find this just completely pointless and petty. Coffee from machine and did not enquire about real coffee ...

... they are sticking to the rules with regards Diamond recognition.

Thanks for posting about your stay. My experience with Hilton Cairns (more than 12 months ago) and Brisbane (last month) was no coffee tax and no surcharge for a full breakfast as a Diamond. Brisbane had previously been charging for these, but not on my most recent stay.

Disappointing that DT Perth has decided to be so stingy.

 

[amcmahon]

We were due to stay at Hilton Brisbane for this event but due to boarder closures, had a change our plan. When booking H-BNE, it was indicated to us that we would still receive full breakfast in Brisbane plus drinks as exec lounge is shut. I agree, very disappointing to see considering hotel was very busy.

 

[hydrabyss]

HSYD has finally reopened as of 2 days ago

Prices are higher than what I expected.

 

[Aeolus]

Yes. Hilton Sydney was used as a COVID quarantine facility for much of 2020.

Edit: Demand for quarantine in Sydney must have dropped off?

No idea but I had 3 previous bookings cancelled from Nov last year as they kept extending their tenure as the quarantine hotel. Usually not known until the 2nd-3rd week of the month.
Prices are quite reasonable (corporate rates) for Feb. As in EL opening, I doubt it as they will have to revise all their serving methods etc I would think? Anyway, will let you know when I'm there (hopefully!)

 

[justinbrett]

Yes. Hilton Sydney was used as a COVID quarantine facility for much of 2020.

Edit: Demand for quarantine in Sydney must have dropped off?

The caps are temporarily halved - so NSW is doing 1500 instead of 3000 a week. Expect them to go back up next month.

Then Hilton may close again.

Anyone know is the EL is open?

 

[DC3]

The caps are temporarily halved - so NSW is doing 1500 instead of 3000 a week. Expect them to go back up next month.

Then Hilton may close again.

Anyone know is the EL is open?

I’m sure that the GM, Mr Ronald van Weezel (known for his implementation of the ubiquitous coffee tax) will be doing the sums.

Edit: Seems as though Mr van Weezel is about to, or has already, departed for his native Netherlands. His replacement is Hayden Hughes.

Hayden Hughes heads to Hilton Sydney as new General Manager - Hotel Management

 

[Moopere]

Overall, this hotel from a physical point of view is amazing. Interior design and layout is on point and no real faults. I have read of noise factor for lower level River view rooms which I would agree with due to pub/beer garden next door but we didn't have any issue on higher levels. Pool and room top bar (if you can find a seat) were spot on.

Even with a full refurb of the old hilton (opening next month), I would find it hard not to look at this as a better choice. Although old hilton will finally have an exec lounge, this has one already in place with signage but just hasn't been opened. No idea when or if this will occur (considering they closed the DT Northbridge lounge.

Over all, from a location and physical amenities, its a great hotel but they are sticking to the rules with regards Diamond recognition.

Thanks for your review. I've been watching this one for a while, waiting to get inside - even though I'm from Perth its such a great location that I wanted to stay for at least a night.

However ... Looking at the hotel web site last night, and now reading over your review I'm less inclined as it seems to be just another SKS hilton. These guys just don't seem to get it.

The number one thing that stuck out at me is: No parking. So called 'self parking' means you driving over to the open air CPP parking lot across the road and a bit east from the hotel, taking your chances that there is even a parking spot available, getting a parking ticket and 'validating' it with staff in the hotel. I went through this malarky with the DT Northbridge - its a joke - every time I tried to use it ended up with me on the phone to the parking guards and the hilton as they just couldn't work themselves out and I'd be stuck at the exit (20-40 minutes delay each time)

This was the final straw for me with DT Northbridge, I've never been back and won't be back.

So I was pretty hopeful when the new DT works started. Surely, in such a location, a new and modern hotel would have parking? Nope. Its SKS I swear, it must be, all their hilton properties end up leaving a sour taste in my mouth for one reason or another.

I'm going to write a post in a moment about HH Parmelia - An hotel in its old incarnation that I had a lot of love for. Sure, valet parking there was charged at a ridiculous $45/24hr, but at least it was available. I've stayed at the properly a dozen times or more and paid for valet every time - it stings, but its worth it. I don't want to be arguing with parking garage guards at 9am in the morning when I'm meant to be at work.

They also 'get' the concept of status loyalty too, with good upgrades and general care. I've been charged for coffee as a Plat, sure, and yep, it annoys the ^%$# out of me - but more often than not that fee has been waived (not _every_ time, but maybe 80%). Now they have an exec lounge, its likely to be my go-to HH in Perth I suspect.