How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[astrosly]

Date: April 2021 (2x nights)
Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Melbourne Flinders Street
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Guest Room
Status: Gold

I arrived around 11am and they checked me into a room about an hour later which was gratefully welcomed. Given 2x drink vouchers which I used the second night with the delicious and meaty beef burger at the Platform 270 restaurant.

Breakfast was la carte where I was offered 1x coffee, 1x juice, 1x dish. Happy to give me a double shot barista coffee and the dishes were excellent both mornings. I've stayed before and would happily stay again as I find the staff are very understanding, helpful and professional.

 

[JessicaTam]

Date: April 2021 (2x nights)
Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Melbourne Flinders Street
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Guest Room
Status: Gold

I arrived around 11am and they checked me into a room about an hour later which was gratefully welcomed. Given 2x drink vouchers which I used the second night with the delicious and meaty beef burger at the Platform 270 restaurant.

Breakfast was la carte where I was offered 1x coffee, 1x juice, 1x dish. Happy to give me a double shot barista coffee and the dishes were excellent both mornings. I've stayed before and would happily stay again as I find the staff are very understanding, helpful and professional.

Interesting they have reinstated the vouchers. They were discontinued a few months back.

 

[justinbrett]

Date: May 2021 (4x nights)
Hotel: Hilton Brisbane
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Executive Room
Status: Diamond

It was a mixed bag, but mostly positive.

Breakfast - full hot complimentary breakfast with barista coffee
Water - 2 bottles that were replenished daily
Housekeeping - Daily, no longer need to ask for it
Lounge - temporary lounge in the lobby - free wine / beer / basic spirits and a plate of canopies - very basic (a couple of olives, small piece of cheese etc). Nothing hot.
Staff - very friendly and helpful
Of note, Brisbane still doesn’t have mobile room keys but looks like the doors have been fitted so shouldn’t be too much longer.
Parking is $59/night but go through secureaspot and you can get it for $30/night with multiple entries.

Biggest con is room service. Nothing available after 10pm, which is really poor for a Major hotel chain in a CBD. You can’t even get drinks
The lobby bar is great (even though I caught them googling after ordering some not so obscure coughtails) but closes at 10pm, even on a Friday.

 

[WLGFlyer]

Date: May 2021 (3x nights)
Hotel: Hilton Brisbane
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Executive Room
Status: Diamond

Pretty much what @justinbrett said above. Had a friend who stayed at the same time as a Gold and was given the full executive treatment (albeit a lower room floor) as well. Was told several times they were fully booked, although seemed less crowded than usual.

Found the temporary lounge setup has improved, was asked every few minutes if I needed anything where a few month ago I could barely get a single drink order in. Food was low quality.

Some inconsistencies with the coffee tax, friend (Gold) was told he had to pay $3, when we had breakfast together it was "complementary for Diamonds". Then overheard the following at reception:

"Ok Sir, this rate was prepaid so only $3 for the coffee"
- I'm a Diamond and really don't think I should have to pay this
"Thank you, have a nice day"

 

[DC3]

... overheard the following at reception:

"Ok Sir, this rate was prepaid so only $3 for the coffee"
- I'm a Diamond and really don't think I should have to pay this
"Thank you, have a nice day"

No mention of the girrafe?

 

[justinbrett]

Date: May 2021 (3x nights)
Hotel: Hilton Brisbane
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Executive Room
Status: Diamond

Pretty much what @justinbrett said above. Had a friend who stayed at the same time as a Gold and was given the full executive treatment (albeit a lower room floor) as well. Was told several times they were fully booked, although seemed less crowded than usual.

Found the temporary lounge setup has improved, was asked every few minutes if I needed anything where a few month ago I could barely get a single drink order in. Food was low quality.

Some inconsistencies with the coffee tax, friend (Gold) was told he had to pay $3, when we had breakfast together it was "complementary for Diamonds". Then overheard the following at reception:

"Ok Sir, this rate was prepaid so only $3 for the coffee"
- I'm a Diamond and really don't think I should have to pay this
"Thank you, have a nice day"

Of the three Queensland (full) Hiltons (BN, SP and Cairns) I’ve found the coffee policy pretty consistent, free for Diamond but not for Gold. However, when I was gold I did get a free coffee on the odd occasion, but I’ve never been asked to pay as Diamond.

I’m back tomorrow for another week, going to try the north side of the Hotel for a change.

 

[eric2011]

Of the three Queensland (full) Hiltons (BN, SP and Cairns) I’ve found the coffee policy pretty consistent, free for Diamond but not for Gold. However, when I was gold I did get a free coffee on the odd occasion, but I’ve never been asked to pay as Diamond.

I’m back tomorrow for another week, going to try the north side of the Hotel for a change.

FYI: The view out your window is no better

 

[justinbrett]

FYI: The view out your window is no better

I just checked in.

I’m not sure I agree, I like both sides for different reasons. I think the trick is stay in the eastern rooms (far from the lift). I had a pretty nice river view last week.

I’ve got a great view of City Hall and Mt Cootha on this side, and you don’t feel as boxed in as you do facing south. I am on the top floor (25) and was on 24 last week.

Not sure which one I like better.

 

[eric2011]

The view to the horizon over Mt Cootha and also to the river etc is pretty good, but the view looking down over the building roof isnt that great

 

[justinbrett]

The view to the horizon over Mt Cootha and also to the river etc is pretty good, but the view looking down over the building roof isnt that great

That’s true for any CBD hotel

 

[justinbrett]

Date: May 2021 (1x night)
Hotel: Hilton Surfers Paradise
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Guest Room
Status: Diamond

I've stayed here many times, this is my third stay just this year - but I'm normally with family in the residences. As I was driving back from a business trip in Brisbane I decided to stay here the last night to give me a head start on the road trip.

I pre-selected a Level 15 room and wasn't subsequently upgraded as it's a pretty good room. It's actually in the footprint of the former executive lounge so it doesn't have a balcony, but had nice views of the beach. It's a completely new fitout so felt like a new hotel. I wouldn't recommend a balcony-less room for longer stays but for a single off season night it was fine. Breakfast was in the Catch restaurant as usual, full hot breakfast with barista coffee complimentary for Diamonds.

Pros:
Didn't get charged for parking (should have been $20) and the manager left a hand written note welcoming me along with two wine minis (one red one right) which was a nice touch.
The lounge is really good here - you get a big plate of food (compared to Brisbane at least) and there's a couple of hot options. They were offering people extra food once they had finished. You're also not competing with paying guests so you're rarely waiting for a drink or top up.

Cons: Had to ask for the complimentary bottled water - they weren't in the room, when I first went to the desk to ask about something else and validate my parking, he said "Thanks for being a diamond member" but again didn't offer water. I had to come back to specifically ask for it.
My biggest con for this hotel is they don't have the message service enabled on the app. I use this extensively around the world and I can't think of many examples where it's not available. It makes life so much easier and saves time for both parties - I don't know why they don't use it.

It's nice to see the hotel in the offseason when there isn't 15 minute waits for the lift.

 

[Daver6]

Date: May 2021 (12 night)
Hotel: Hilton Darwin
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Guest Room Harbour View
Status: Gold

In my mind an upgrade to the same room with a different view isn't really an upgrade. On the plus side was given EL access for one night and a welcome bottle of wine in the room, plus two small waters. Full breakfast in the main restaurant. Not sure about coffee tax as I had from the machine. Basic room is an acceptable size.

EL is smallish, not too busy and possibly the best one I've been to in Australia. Nice selection of food, decent drinks including coughtails and a good view.



View from room in the 17th floor




The gin aloe vera spritz was delicious!


A small sample of the food.


The pool area

 

[jakeseven7]

Date: May 2021 (12 night)
Hotel: Hilton Darwin
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Guest Room Harbour View
Status: Gold

In my mind an upgrade to the same room with a different view isn't really an upgrade. On the plus side was given EL access for one night and a welcome bottle of wine in the room, plus two small waters. Full breakfast in the main restaurant. Not sure about coffee tax as I had from the machine. Basic room is an acceptable size.

EL is smallish, not too busy and possibly the best one I've been to in Australia. Nice selection of food, decent drinks including coughtails and a good view.

View attachment 248617

View from room in the 17th floor
View attachment 248618

View attachment 248619

The gin aloe vera spritz was delicious!
View attachment 248620

A small sample of the food.
View attachment 248622

The pool area
View attachment 248621

My god looks like a dump! Needs a refurb 5 years ago...

 

[glasszon]

Stayed at three Hilton hotel this month, all as a Diamond member:
Date: May 2021
Hotel: Hilton Surfers Paradise
Booked: Two Bedroom Residence City View
Received: Two Bedroom Residence City View
Status: Diamond
A disappointing stay and I feel the residence part don't really live up to the Hilton brand. It started at check-in when the staff tried to sell me a paid upgrade. I don't expect a free upgrade, but the least they could do is not to try selling a paid upgrade to a Diamond member.

The room isn't any better, it's clean on the surface but quickly falls apart if you look carefully, and they placed me at a room directly above a bar, which means lots of noise during the evening.

On the plus side they do give full breakfast for Diamond members, and the room itself is quite modern. Overall I wouldn't go back to this hotel and certainly my least favourite out of all Hilton hotels I stayed this year.


Date: May 2021
Hotel: Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa
Booked: King Hilton Guestroom
Received: King Hilton Guestroom Lakeview
Status: Diamond
After the stay at Surfer's Paradise, I checked into the Queenstown resort and they upgraded me to a room with Lakeview. Even the configuration of the basic level room is really good and it is a lot cleaner than the Surfers Paradise residence. The service is also very good and I won't hesitate to stay there again.

Due to covid, all restaurants bar one is closed at the resort, so it isn't a resort that you can stay without leaving the confine of the resort. The good news is you can easily take the water taxi to city even if you don't have a car and they negotiated a special water taxi price for hotel guests.

They only offer continental breakfast even for Diamond member, with a $10 pp charge to upgrade to full breakfast. I feel the variety of the breakfast is a bit limited so I never went with the upgrade.


Date: May 2021
Hotel: Doubletree Hilton Wellington
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: King Superior Room
Status: Diamond
This hotel is right in the middle of Wellington CBD, the hotel is only opened last year and they spent a lot of work renovating the hotel and it shows. The hotel has an old school charm with modern facilities and again the service is on point.

It is a very good stay and the room is very large given it's central location, it would definitely be my go-to Wellington hotel in the future. The only drawback is the breakfast selection which is very limited, although you do get the full breakfast as a Diamond.

 

[DC3]

Hotel: Hilton Surfers Paradise
Hotel: Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa

Good report on those hotels. Did you utilise the Aspire $250 resort credit during one of those stays?

Edit: Looks like HSP is where I will have to use my “resort” credit this year. No NZ trip planned until February.

 

[justinbrett]

Stayed at three Hilton hotel this month, all as a Diamond member:
Date: May 2021
Hotel: Hilton Surfers Paradise
Booked: Two Bedroom Residence City View
Received: Two Bedroom Residence City View
Status: Diamond
A disappointing stay and I feel the residence part don't really live up to the Hilton brand. It started at check-in when the staff tried to sell me a paid upgrade. I don't expect a free upgrade, but the least they could do is not to try selling a paid upgrade to a Diamond member.

The room isn't any better, it's clean on the surface but quickly falls apart if you look carefully, and they placed me at a room directly above a bar, which means lots of noise during the evening.

On the plus side they do give full breakfast for Diamond members, and the room itself is quite modern. Overall I wouldn't go back to this hotel and certainly my least favourite out of all Hilton hotels I stayed this year.


Date: May 2021
Hotel: Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa
Booked: King Hilton Guestroom
Received: King Hilton Guestroom Lakeview
Status: Diamond
After the stay at Surfer's Paradise, I checked into the Queenstown resort and they upgraded me to a room with Lakeview. Even the configuration of the basic level room is really good and it is a lot cleaner than the Surfers Paradise residence. The service is also very good and I won't hesitate to stay there again.

Due to covid, all restaurants bar one is closed at the resort, so it isn't a resort that you can stay without leaving the confine of the resort. The good news is you can easily take the water taxi to city even if you don't have a car and they negotiated a special water taxi price for hotel guests.

They only offer continental breakfast even for Diamond member, with a $10 pp charge to upgrade to full breakfast. I feel the variety of the breakfast is a bit limited so I never went with the upgrade.


Date: May 2021
Hotel: Doubletree Hilton Wellington
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: King Superior Room
Status: Diamond
This hotel is right in the middle of Wellington CBD, the hotel is only opened last year and they spent a lot of work renovating the hotel and it shows. The hotel has an old school charm with modern facilities and again the service is on point.

It is a very good stay and the room is very large given it's central location, it would definitely be my go-to Wellington hotel in the future. The only drawback is the breakfast selection which is very limited, although you do get the full breakfast as a Diamond.

All rooms/apartments are not equal at HSP. I’m very picky with which ones I get. Always Orchid Tower, ocean facing (its quieter) and not below level 25.

 

[glasszon]

Good report on those hotels. Did you utilise the Aspire $250 resort credit during one of those stays?

Edit: Looks like HSP is where I will have to use my “resort” credit this year. No NZ trip planned until February.

Absolutely! I used $500 aspire credit at HSP and another $500 aspire credit at Hilton Queenstown, it was spread across two aspire card and across two years by prepaying the HSP booking last year.

 

[Daver6]

Date: May 2021 (3 night)
Hotel: DoubleTree 116 The Esplanade Darwin
Booked: King One Bedroom Suite
Received: King One Bedroom Suite
Status: Gold
Rate: Members only pre-paid $206 night

Originally booked as a cancelable rate but then prepaid when this sale was on so I nabbed it. The suite wasn't that much dearer than a base room. No upgrade at check-in as hotel is fully booked. Received water and cookies. Full buffet breakfast. Not tested the coffee tax.

Despite my HH preference being a room away from the elevators, the room given was right near them. Also overlooks the lobby/reception area so a fair bit of noise. Received a text asking how the room was. I mentioned it was lovely apart from the noise due to location. Was offered to move to another room (same type) in the other wing. I accepted this and much quieter. Recommendation is to choose the wing away from reception if you want quiet here. Bit miffed that I wasn't given this room to start with given my HH preference.

Room is spacious. Lacks a bit of natural light or a view (I think most the rooms here will lack a decent view). Shower is tiny. Pool area is much nicer than the Darwin Hilton. Breakfast is about on par but no egg station. No EL at this property.

Please excuse the mess in these pictures. They're from the original room before moving. New room was a mirror of it.

 

[Daver6]

Pool area



Interesting little sitting nook/dining area in the suite.


An indication of the "view" from the only window in the suite.

 

[drross]

Pool area a lot better!! Thanks Daver6