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Ummm... one time, we were in the lift, and one of the buttons lit up (not our floor) and the door opened with no one there...
Eeerily, a similar thing happened to me at a Kuala Lumpur hotel many years ago. The most scary part was that the lift stopped at a deserted floor which was a pitch black, and i was the only one in the lift. (I must have pressed the close door button a million times in 2 seconds)
 
So I have been in Europe over July/August. Just a brief summary of the stays as a diamond:

1. Doubletree Fontana Park, Lisbon - no upgrade as I already booked the second best room with bath and terrace and top suite was taken. Service was quite good and full breakfast in the morning. Location a little bit off the main strip, but felt safe and walkable. Rooms and corridors quite dark as the walls are painted black.
2. Alexandra Hotel, Barcelona - again no upgrade as I already booked one of the best rooms with private terrace and outdoor tub having stayed at a lower level room last year. It's so lovely to stay in this room as you don't really have to wear much in the terrace . Those terraces are fantastic for drying clothes. Service was good and full breakfast in the morning. Great central and upmarket location.
3. Doubletree Central Station, Amsterdam - no upgrade given and didn't ask. This is quite a big DT. Full breakfast and quite a good choice of food, though not as much as HK or SG Conrad. Room looked a bit old but the hotel looked ok from the outside. We were given the top floor, same floor as the top floor bar, so in the late arvo and evenings, only one lift goes to that floor. As there are double doors separating the rooms from the bar, there's no noise from the bar.
4. Canopy Trocadero, Paris - booked king premium room and got upgraded to the king premium room but with Eiffel Tower views from the side of the balcony. Fantastic full breakfast as you can order some a la carte items including French toast.
5. Conrad Singapore - booked basic room using points and got upgraded to an executive room, which I think is the same except on a high floor. Breakfast as good as always. Service impeccable and got a late check out to 2pm. Didn't get a bear though and didn't ask. Got quite a few sitting at home.

OT, on the way there, stayed one night at Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport, whilst not cheap (nothing in Switzerland is), it's a very comfortable and modern hotel.
 
Now back in Melbourne and staying at LQS and DT for my mattress run to maintain diamond.

Anyway, stayed at DT last night. Got upgraded from king guest room to king skyline river view. Not a fan of the noisy coming from outside. Sunday a bit better with not too many drunks or mentally challenged people yelling. There were coffee pods in the room, but no coffee machine??? Also two weeks in a row, got an express checkout envelope outside the door, but there's no pad or pen in the room (unlike last year when I stayed). Feedback given on checkout for both of these things.
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Eeerily, a similar thing happened to me at a Kuala Lumpur hotel many years ago. The most scary part was that the lift stopped at a deserted floor which was a pitch black, and i was the only one in the lift. (I must have pressed the close door button a million times in 2 seconds)
I would have shat myself...
 
So I have been in Europe over July/August. Just a brief summary of the stays as a diamond:

1. Doubletree Fontana Park, Lisbon - no upgrade as I already booked the second best room with bath and terrace and top suite was taken. Service was quite good and full breakfast in the morning. Location a little bit off the main strip, but felt safe and walkable. Rooms and corridors quite dark as the walls are painted black.
2. Alexandra Hotel, Barcelona - again no upgrade as I already booked one of the best rooms with private terrace and outdoor tub having stayed at a lower level room last year. It's so lovely to stay in this room as you don't really have to wear much in the terrace . Those terraces are fantastic for drying clothes. Service was good and full breakfast in the morning. Great central and upmarket location.
3. Doubletree Central Station, Amsterdam - no upgrade given and didn't ask. This is quite a big DT. Full breakfast and quite a good choice of food, though not as much as HK or SG Conrad. Room looked a bit old but the hotel looked ok from the outside. We were given the top floor, same floor as the top floor bar, so in the late arvo and evenings, only one lift goes to that floor. As there are double doors separating the rooms from the bar, there's no noise from the bar.
4. Canopy Trocadero, Paris - booked king premium room and got upgraded to the king premium room but with Eiffel Tower views from the side of the balcony. Fantastic full breakfast as you can order some a la carte items including French toast.
5. Conrad Singapore - booked basic room using points and got upgraded to an executive room, which I think is the same except on a high floor. Breakfast as good as always. Service impeccable and got a late check out to 2pm. Didn't get a bear though and didn't ask. Got quite a few sitting at home.

OT, on the way there, stayed one night at Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport, whilst not cheap (nothing in Switzerland is), it's a very comfortable and modern hotel.
Oh forgot about Via Sants, Barcelona. 2 nights there and got an upgrade to a balcony room. Not a huge breakfast, but you get cava to go with it! Again great service.
 
Now back in Melbourne and staying at LQS and DT for my mattress run to maintain diamond.

Anyway, stayed at DT last night. Got upgraded from king guest room to king skyline river view. Not a fan of the noisy coming from outside. Sunday a bit better with not too many drunks or mentally challenged people yelling. There were coffee pods in the room, but no coffee machine??? Also two weeks in a row, got an express checkout envelope outside the door, but there's no pad or pen in the room (unlike last year when I stayed). Feedback given on checkout for both of these things.
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I would have shat myself...
The location of Melbourne DT is bad. The corner of Elizabeth / Flinders streets is full of homeless / druggies/ folks with mental issues. (Actually Flinders St in general sucks) I was also not impressed by Hilton LQS (Their standard rooms are tiny and the buffet breakfast is not as impressive as their Sydney counterpart) As a Melbournian, i wish the city has a Conrad and a Waldorf Astoria . I know a Southbank Hilton is coming up, but it won't be completed until 2027.

I would have shat myself...
Haha, i think any normal person would......For sure it was a very unnerving experience for me.
 
Well, I’m not a fan of this hotel, but I finally hit the jackpot

Property: Hilton Sydney
Booked: King Room
Rate: Apod $387
Received: Exec King Ambassador Suite

I‘ve never been upgraded to a suite here so I tried messaging yesterday to ask directly, was told they would see what they could do. On check in they apologised and said they had none left (About 4pm) .

Just after 5pm whilst I was in the lounge they messaged me and said they had a suite for me if I wanted to move. I hadn’t unpacked at all so accepted. The suite is massive with partial bridge views. Only downside is it’s so big and the aircon seems to be struggling to keep up with the unseasonable heat - but it’s getting there.

Unfortunately only here overnight before an international flight so won’t be here long to enjoy it.

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12 and 13 September, 2023
Property: Hilton Curio Montera Madrid
Booked and received: King Cobalto room.
No upgrade, booked 1 night cash and 1 points.
Hotel close to full. Received full breakfast which was very good. Service from young enthusiastic staff excellent. Furnishings and linen also top grade. Room size small for us, hard for swinging cats. Outside on mall noisy - typical Spain - soundproofing excellent. Roof terrace great for views, drink prices rather prohibitive considering the availability of good wines in Europe. Pool out of action and very small, think 2 large bathtubs, probably good for kids.. something with engineering ingenuity considering it’s a 100 year old building.
 
Well, I’m not a fan of this hotel, but I finally hit the jackpot

Property: Hilton Sydney
Booked: King Room
Rate: Apod $387
Received: Exec King Ambassador Suite

I‘ve never been upgraded to a suite here so I tried messaging yesterday to ask directly, was told they would see what they could do. On check in they apologised and said they had none left (About 4pm) .

Just after 5pm whilst I was in the lounge they messaged me and said they had a suite for me if I wanted to move. I hadn’t unpacked at all so accepted. The suite is massive with partial bridge views. Only downside is it’s so big and the aircon seems to be struggling to keep up with the unseasonable heat - but it’s getting there.

Unfortunately only here overnight before an international flight so won’t be here long to enjoy it.

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Nice! Though that bath looks like an accident waiting to happen! At least you'd see yourself collapsing from all angles :D
 
Property: Hilton Manila
Booked: King Room
Rate: ~₽9500/night
Received: Exec King
Welcome Amenity: Bottle of wine and 3 Macarons
Breakfast: Hot buffet either in lounge or restaurant
Executive Lounge: Full range of drinks including self pour spirits. Hot food is by way of individual platter - tonight’s theme was local (Pork Adobo) - last pic.

Security is full on - full vehicle inspections with mirrors whenever you get dropped off and airport level security (everything out of pockets, walk through metal detectors and bags through scanners).

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Here at Hilton LQS for one night as part of the mattress run. Finally got a triple upgrade from superior to king premium corner room and comes with a bath and bath salt! Too bad my partner couldn't join me tonight.
 

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Doubletree Hilton Yas (Abu Dhabi)
Booked - King Studio
Received - One Bedroom Apartment
Rate - 627 AED
Welcome Amenity - Fruit platter and chocolate box

Amazing hotel. Should be higher than DT. You get full access to the Warner Bros hotel facilities which includes a rooftop bar with adults only infinity pool and DJ until 2am. You’d pay hundreds for that in Vegas just for the day. For kids there is a dive in movie pool.

I used to live in Abu Dhabi so wasn’t interested in tourist activities - I always loved Yas.

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Property: Hilton London Paddington
Room booked: Double deluxe
Rate: standard London bloody expensive
Received: Upgrade to GWR tower room a 2 free water bottles
Status: Diamond

Booked here due to location convenience. The fact you can get to the hotel from the station and not get wet is a big bonus. Pleasantly surprised by this room. It's much newer than the room I booked (and have stayed in previously). Also had a proper shower. Despite the room facing the station entrance, you could not hear a thing. Exec lounge breakfast was very average (But so is the main restaurant). You'd be mad to ever pay for lounge access or breakfast at this hotel. It's barely passable as free.

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Property: Hilton London Park Lane
Booked: Twin Guestroom
Received: Twin Executive

Not too many upgrade options when you book Twin beds as I was staying with a mate and couldn’t compromise on the config. Nevertheless the refurbished exec rooms are nice and they come with Molton Brown amenities instead of the usual Hilton house cough.

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Property: Hilton London Park Lane
Booked: Twin Guestroom
Received: Twin Executive

Not too many upgrade options when you book Twin beds as I was staying with a mate and couldn’t compromise on the config. Nevertheless the refurbished exec rooms are nice and they come with Molton Brown amenities instead of the usual Hilton house cough.

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I’m staying there next week and I just received a welcome email asking for time of arrival etc and even asked if I had any favourite foods so they can tell the chef. I’m looking forward to the stay.
 
Property: Doubletree Cape Town
Booked: Queen Guest
Received: Presidential Suite
Welcome Amenity: Snack Box (dried fruits & nuts)
Breakfast: Hot Buffet + Barista Coffee

I’m on a roll with upgrades recently. This suite was huge - two stories and something like 130sqm. It worked out well as the first 18 hours of my stay there was an emergency weather warning so I just stayed inside (and been travelling for over a week so good to have some down time). It really made the stay.

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Property: Doubletree Rome Monti
Booked: Queen guest room
Received: Queen Guest room
Breakfast: full breakfast including made to order

The hotel is full with the Ryder Cup golf currently on in Rome so I could see an upgrade wasn’t coming through prior to arrival. The rooms are typical Doubletree in size and furnishings but very nice. 60k points per night which I think is very good value given the location 5 mins walk from the main station and 15 minutes walk to the Colosseum. A good area with plenty of restaurants. Our favourite was Pasta Urbane 5 minutes down the hill from the hotel. Cheap and cheery with the best carbonara in Rome. A highlight of the hotel is the rooftop bar


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