How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[turtlemichael]

Status: Diamond
Property: Roosevelt Hotel (Waldorf Astoria) New Orleans
Date: 5 Dec - 9 Dec
Rate: USD189.00+ per night
Room:King Deluxe
Upgrade: None.
Received: Free fast internet. 2 small bottles of water, not replenished (note said if you want more you have to pay). 2 vouchers for $12.00 drinks at Sazerac bar.
Overall: At check-in was advised could not upgrade us as full (still selling rooms and suites online for the duration of our stay) but we could have free coffee each morning and a free movie. Stylish and comfortable room with excellent small funtional bathroom. Loved the hotel. Ate twice at the restaurant, Domenica, amongs the best meals we've had this whole trip. Great service throughout the hotel. Hotel was re-opened 4 years after Katrina and became a WA. Well worth it.

 

[Moopere]

2 small bottles of water, not replenished (note said if you want more you have to pay).

From the hhonors site (diamond members): "Two complimentary bottles of water per stay"


So that sounds annoying but right.

Overall: At check-in was advised could not upgrade us as full (still selling rooms and suites online for the duration of our stay)

I wonder about this. I've been lucky so far I must admit, but given the number of reports coming in recently of no upgrade or rather sad-effort upgrades I'm a bit concerned. I make a big effort to be loyal to Hilton. They get essentially all my business for stays where hiltons exist and the reason for that, aside from simply liking the hotels, is the elite bennies. Its the way the system was originally built I thought.... a win-win, hotel chain gets a loyal clients spend, loyal client get a fairly token thankyou (token being any additional cost to hotel for the bennies granted). I wonder, if rooms are still for sale, what the hotel would argue to the central hhonors team if a client made a complaint?

I am developing an idea for a strategy on this because it would annoy me no end if I hit it. If my 'lucky' streak ends, I might just ask the front desk person to wait a moment, escape to a chair, pull my laptop and check my own perception of 'availability' then ring hhonors and see what their view is, then go back to the front desk with some knowledge.

I'm sure arm twisting won't necessarily be successful, but I wonder if, at the very least, it might raise a red flag at hhonors in relation to certain properties?

 

[turtlemichael]

I wonder about this.

I've let it go as I've been happy with the hotel. Thought the Roosevelt was great. I imagine that, with a 4 night stay, they are still hopeful that they'll sell the room for part of the stay at least. That's fine but it's not what the rules say. I think if it happens again I'll raise it with HHonors. We have the Beverly Hilton LA coming up in three days and already have a suite but there are better suites still currently listed for the duration of our stay.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Ahhh. Mind doing a hotel report on this one? I'm vacillating on a stay here for early next year. Mostly my hesitance is probably related to not having stayed at a DT before, but for this property:

- Whats the pool area like? Too shaded by the towers around it? Somewhere comfortable to relax or is being surrounded by in-house restaurants too distracting?
- Exec lounge? I'm not sure that they tell you on their home page blurb if there is one
- In house general bar/lounge/club .... comments?
- Location any good?
- General stuff, food, service, etc.

Ok in answer to your questions

1. The pool area is pleasant enough, it is quite shaded and the pool temperature is quite cool. It's comfortable to relax, there is only one restaurant next to it and it is also the one that serves poolside drinks and snacks (which are way overpriced, drinks in particular).

2. Exec lounge is quite nice. great views from level 34. afternoon tea isn't worth bothering with at all but evening canapes 5.30pm to 7.30pm I think, are quite good. you could eat enough for your dinner here, lots of hot and cold options. self serve drinks bar including wines, spirits and beers. I ate in the restaurant for breakfast but I did see the breakfast in the exec lounge this morning as I needed to print a boarding pass there. It looked decent enough but I recommend going to Makan if you are diamond.

3. I did not visit the lobby bar but it seemed quite pleasant as I walked by.

4. location is away from any action really but its across the road from ampang park LRT station and you can get there by a covered pedestrian bridge across the road. only 1 top to KLCC and about a 12 minute ride to KL SENTRAL.

5. I was happy with the service. I was upgraded to a lovely executive suite including big fruit bowl and cakes. daily 2 bottles of water. rooms are relatively basic but very nice in general. bathroom was lovely in the suite with a very big and deep bathtub (big enough for 2 ). The MAKAN restaurant buffet breakfast was huge with indian, chinese, malay and western options. very good service too.

Overall a good stay, I would go again. It was quite a bit cheaper than the Hilton which is connected to the KL SENTRAL complex so is in a better location. I'm staying at the KL hilton this weekend so i will report if I think it is a lot better or not.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hilton South Wharf maybe my 20th stay in 18 months over that time I have only stayed in suites (relaxation or Yarra) - can you see where this is going?

Booked - King Guest
received - King Exec

:shock:

I only really realised when I got onto the floor - I suspected it might have been one of the apartments but no just a regular room with lounge access...

:shock:

I called magic but they couldn't help.

This was a prepaid rate though which might influence it.

Still

:shock:

Hilton generally have been good on prepaid rates.

I think sometimes you are better off buying the room on agoda etc in anycase

 

[Danger]

Property: Parmelia Hilton Perth
Room booked: run-of-the-mill Queen Guest Room
Rate: $77
Received: Upgrade to Queen Suite, letter from GM, coupon for one alcoholic drink in the bar (used on a beer that was selling for $9.50, so good value), no water (despite it being correctly listed as a Diamond benefit in the letter from the GM)

My parents tell me that the three of us spent quite a bit of time at the Parmelia when we used to come to the city from the country for weekends when I was a kid. I doubt the decore has changed! It always reminds me of a Hilton Garden Inn near a US airport. But I do like it. The decore is certainly dated but it is quite well kept. The bathroom appeared renoved, in colours/layout much like the Hilton Adelaide. The restaurant is closed, apparently until April, for a major revamp so breakfast is in the bar which must be quite an effort for the staff. And they are progressively upgrading the elevators (in which my Mother noted "looks like the same light shade") with one of the three out.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Hilton Sydney
Night: Dec 13
Book Booked: King Suite
Rate: $909
Received: no complimentary water, no welcome note, no upgrade, pretty ordinary.

This is the least satisfying stay I've had at Hilton all year ;(

 

[DC3]

Wow. $909. 12 nights at that rate would just about maintain Diamond on base points alone. You won't be worrying about 28/30 stays.

 

[straitman]

A trial run for next Saturday evening :!:

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton South Wharf
Date: 16 Dec 2012
Rate: $215 (minus 20%)
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Upgrade: King Yarra Suite (1801)
Received: Executive lounge benefits for all and Two bottles of water per room. The new lounge crew have almost got my favourite mixer drink sorted from memory :!:

 

[hummel]

A trial run for next Saturday evening :!:

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton South Wharf
Date: 16 Dec 2012
Rate: $215 (minus 20%)
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Upgrade: King Yarra Suite (1801)
Received: Executive lounge benefits for all and Two bottles of water per room. The new lounge crew have almost got my favourite mixer drink sorted from memory :!:

Is Claire (I think that was her name..?) still there? I think I'd read she had moved on...

Staying Christmas eve which shall be nice and and have also booked the folks in.

FWIW, last time I booked my folks in I was a base level HHonors member and they were upgraded from King Room to Yarra Suite. I've stayed 4-5 time since and only managed an upgrade to King Exec.

Will be interesting too see if anything changes.

 

[jetlagger]

Hilton Sydney
Night: Dec 13
Book Booked: King Suite
Rate: $909
Received: no complimentary water, no welcome note, no upgrade, pretty ordinary.

This is the least satisfying stay I've had at Hilton all year ;(

Sounds very underwhelming at that rate!

 

[straitman]

Is Claire (I think that was her name..?) still there? I think I'd read she had moved on...

It is now up to a 100% staff change though a few are still at the hotel.

Tonight there was Amanda (new team leader) and Jenny.

 

[Sprucegoose]

It is now up to a 100% staff change though a few are still at the hotel.

Tonight there was Amanda (new team leader) and Jenny.

Did they slip you a bottle of sneaky red Bill?

 

[straitman]

Did they slip you a bottle of sneaky red Bill?

No unfortunately.

Despite the fact that they were missing their own work Christmas party they were remarkably upbeat.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

KL Hilton as Diamond.

booked King Lake View, received King Executive Plus is what they told me although it is basically a suite with completely separate living room 2 TV's and a tiny tv in the bathroom mirror. Fruit bowl and 4 bottles of water in room. Exec lounge was being renovated and they had 2 large suites on level 34 opened with tables and chairs to serve as exec lounge. Which was fine actually. breakfast available in main restaurant for diamonds which was huge and very nice. pool area at this hotel is great, nice lagoon with waterslide and pool bar/restaurant open until 11pm.

nice hotel and I like it for convenience being attached to KL Sentral. will stay here instead of doubletree KL

 

[hummel]

It is now up to a 100% staff change though a few are still at the hotel.

Tonight there was Amanda (new team leader) and Jenny.

Thanks for that, looking forward to my stay shortly!

 

[Heleigh]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton Brisbane
Date: 14 Dec 2012
Rate: $179.00 approx
Booked: Two double beds Room
Upgrade: check-in after 2.30 no room available - Vivian apologies and says she is looking - I ask what type of bed (hoping two bedroom) - Viv reply for a twin on executive level - but I still want our original room of two doubles (hate Hilton twins that are single not king single which is bearable) and room to be ready in 40mins - Temp executive room given to get changed and go to pool for swim. Bags take to room when ready. Did get two comp waters, no note, rang for for dressing gown & slippers and did get turn down service.

KL Hilton as Diamond.

booked King Lake View, received King Executive Plus is what they told me although it is basically a suite with completely separate living room 2 TV's and a tiny tv in the bathroom mirror. Fruit bowl and 4 bottles of water in room. Exec lounge was being renovated and they had 2 large suites on level 34 opened with tables and chairs to serve as exec lounge. Which was fine actually. breakfast available in main restaurant for diamonds which was huge and very nice. pool area at this hotel is great, nice lagoon with waterslide and pool bar/restaurant open until 11pm.

nice hotel and I like it for convenience being attached to KL Sentral. will stay here instead of doubletree KL

Great - looking forward to my stay 25th - 27th Dec and maybe 1-3rd Jan

 

[simongr]

It is now up to a 100% staff change though a few are still at the hotel.

Tonight there was Amanda (new team leader) and Jenny.

The short blond girl is now working the front desk - I would think that was a step down from Exec Lounge?

 

[IainF]

MrsF & I have to be in Sydney Hilton tomorrow night (attending the Dr Who Symphonic at the Opera House) & as an experiment, I have booked two rooms. One in her name, one in mine, both at the best avail rate of $199.
I will check the bookings tomorrow lunch time and see if both/either/none get an upgrade.
We are both Hilton Diamonds, but MrsF has had far more stays than me this last 12 months & would be a much higher "value" customer, but she rarely gets an upgrade beyond exec level, whereas I am batting a good average for Suite upgrades.
This will be to see if there is a gender bias for Hilton Sydney upgrades.....
I know this isn't a very scientific study, but we have noticed the difference previously and I want to confirm that Sydney Hilton is indeed, upgrading based solely on whether the Diamond member is male or female.

 

[QF WP]

My money is on your booking IainF

Their system has pure numbers and scores (enterprise value) for:

* YTD nights with Hilton
* YTD nights with property

Do you have more nights at SYD HIlton this year?

I'd hate to think there is a gender bias - woe betide anybody wielding that, as they have no chance against Mrs IainF , she'd cut them a new ....