How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[straitman]

Status: Diamond
Property: Hilton South Wharf
Date: 20 - 21 Feb February 2013
Rate: $180 (minus 20%)
Booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Received: King Yarra Suite

Two bottles of water. No notes, no turn down service etc. It's hard to be definitive but this property that was so great has definitely gone off the boil. (I didn't think I would ever say that)

Staying at HOTP on Sat night so will do a comparison.

 

[simongr]

HOTP
$218
Booked king guest
Got relaxation suite (1901 again - my fourth of fifth time)
Two bottles of water
No note

Checked the mini bar and it was half empty before I had chance to take anything...

 

[Moopere]

That's a typical rack price for full paid breakfast buffet at many Hiltons (even around the world, after you convert it back to Australian Dollars), except maybe those in the USA and a handful of others. (But IME that's about line ball price.)

Thats true. I didn't mean to say that HSW was the only one doing it - seems to be a 5* trait across brands and across the world. I understand the business model (I think), its convenience, selection, etc. But $74AUd (+1.5% CC charge) for breaky for two still seems rich to me.

I've heard stories about how some people have bought a continental breakfast and tried to sneak in a plate from the hot selection. They thought they escaped but later the folio was shown to be appropriately updated.

heh. I must admit, I've never tried to do a shonky on this and you are probably right, the Maitre'd probably does know whats going on

 

[Moopere]

Two bottles of water. No notes, no turn down service etc. It's hard to be definitive but this property that was so great has definitely gone off the boil. (I didn't think I would ever say that)

HSW was the best Hilton I'd stayed at worldwide for a long time. I guess when the service level gets that high the only place to go is down

In addition to the gripes I had a few posts ago, I noticed yesterday that they'd also snuck in a extra $40 charge after I left the hotel. I rang them about it ... "minibar various" - so, set them straight on that and am expecting a refund near the end of this week apparently.

I think I'll shoot off an email to the GM - can't hurt. Its still a nice hotel, as compared to many others, but with _so_ much difference to the recent past at this property its got to be worth keeping the GM in the loop.

 

[turtlemichael]

Two bottles of water. No notes, no turn down service etc. It's hard to be definitive but this property that was so great has definitely gone off the boil. (I didn't think I would ever say that)

Staying at HOTP on Sat night so will do a comparison.

You are not particularly filling me with confidence for a four night stay at HSW next week. If they don't properly look after Straitman the rest of us are doomed.

 

[smdoherty]

You are not particularly filling me with confidence for a four night stay at HSW next week. If they don't properly look after Straitman the rest of us are doomed.

I'm concerned too after reading recent posts about the HSW. I've booked the relaxation suite for 5 nights during the Grand Prix, not sure if I should cancel and book at HOTP.

 

[hummel]

I'm concerned too after reading recent posts about the HSW. I've booked the relaxation suite for 5 nights during the Grand Prix, not sure if I should cancel and book at HOTP.

Was having a look at HSW for GP weekend.. only the apartment available on the Saturday night. Think I'll be going back home!

 

[simongr]

I'm concerned too after reading recent posts about the HSW. I've booked the relaxation suite for 5 nights during the Grand Prix, not sure if I should cancel and book at HOTP.

The relaxation suites are great and you will love them. If you are just looking for somewhere nice to stay it is fine - the exec lounge is nice - I just think it has been nicer.

 

[jetlagger]

Two bottles of water. No notes, no turn down service etc. It's hard to be definitive but this property that was so great has definitely gone off the boil. (I didn't think I would ever say that)

Staying at HOTP on Sat night so will do a comparison.

Not looking too promising.. Except the room size receipts.
Hope the GM reads & digests these posts

 

[Fifa]

Honestly, unless you were the only one dining and/or it was a boutique hotel, I doubt anyone cares enough to pull you up.

The sign of a good restaurant is that the waiters should be able to know the status of every table under their responsibility. That's excellent when you need them to remember that you ordered your steak medium rare, you specifically demanded pommes puree (not French fries!) and you had a glass of the Barossa Valley SGM (and it needs topping up)... but that also means during breakfast that they remember you elected for continental, which looks suss when they catch you eating bacon and scrambled eggs (if anything, it's more personally embarrassing).

Last month my daughter and I were staying at the Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile Suites which only included continental breakfast for Diamond.
My daughter asked me if she could have oatmeal and I said of course, that's continental!
Well, she was adding sultanas and brown sugar to the oatmeal and a waiter appeared from nowhere and told us it would cost an extra $7 for a cooked breakfast!
I said, no thanks, and he threw it out! You'd have thought he would have let her keep it, especially as she then helped herself to a box of cereal. We were both a bit embarrassed .

The wait staff at the hotel were all a bit stand-offish but the reception and bell staff were exceptional and called us by name every time we saw them even though we only stayed on night. (I think they were amazed by all the shopping we brought back to the hotel).

 

[Moopere]

Well, she was adding sultanas and brown sugar to the oatmeal and a waiter appeared from nowhere and told us it would cost an extra $7 for a cooked breakfast!
I said, no thanks, and he threw it out! You'd have thought he would have let her keep it, especially as she then helped herself to a box of cereal. We were both a bit embarrassed

You really have to laugh. An experience of petty penny pinching like that would see me blacklist a hotel never to return.

 

[turtlemichael]

Well, she was adding sultanas and brown sugar to the oatmeal and a waiter appeared from nowhere and told us it would cost an extra $7 for a cooked breakfast!
I said, no thanks, and he threw it out! You'd have thought he would have let her keep it, especially as she then helped herself to a box of cereal. We were both a bit embarrassed .

I wonder if toast would have made it a cooked breakfast too?

 

[Fifa]

I wonder if toast would have made it a cooked breakfast too?

You've got a good point there...
I wish I had thought of that at the time!

 

[Chesty]

Status : Gold
Property : Hilton South Wharf
Date : February 5th to 9th
Rate : $175
Room : King Hilton Guest Room
Received : Executive Room

Executive lounge access, two bottles of water, turn down each night, note from GM, chocolates. Great stay...

 

[turtlemichael]

As a HHD at HSW upgraded from a City View Guest Room to an Executive room 4 days in advance of arrival. Looking at their availability, just a Yarra Suite, I reckon that the Executive room is as far as I'll go. I'm not Straitman

 

[straitman]

As a HHD at HSW upgraded from a City View Guest Room to an Executive room 4 days in advance of arrival. Looking at their availability, just a Yarra Suite, I reckon that the Executive room is as far as I'll go. I'm not Straitman

I'm sure you will be OK.

As someone said, when they are that good there is only one way to go.

I did give feedback so will be interested to see the follow up.

 

[coolumbla]

Status gold
Stay syd hilton
booked exec room using macquarie 99 dollar night thing discount
got relaxation suite

water yes turndown yes chokkies yes
letter no

got there too late for the lounge!

Offered the voucher card over but wasn't needed so i still have a $99 night!

C

 

[coolumbla]

Booked 4 night stay at HSW for me and delinquent
Queen family room for 2 people

I thought id only booked a twin room so when mrs C has to come i emailed reservations to see if i could put a roll away or something in for delinquent

phone call next day saying that i had actually booked a queen family room and all was good and they had added her for what appears to be no extra cost so far!

My last 2 stays at HSW have been to the level i expect I hope i don't get disappointed!

C

 

[DeKa]

Status : Gold
Property : Hilton Surfers Paradise
Date : February 22-24
Rate : $288
Room : Twin Hilton Deluxe
Received : King Executive Room, 4 beers (2 light), turn down, chocolates.

Note only booked 3 days before so wasn't expecting a great rate. Considered a $237 "accessible room" but thought an upgrade was more likely at the higher rate, and didn't really want an accessible room.

The lounge staff were wonderful and really looked after us. My wife now wants to do a status run on VA to get to Gold to get Hilton Gold now!

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I can confirm that Golds and Diamonds can still take breakfast in the restaurant. This applies equally to HOP, HSW and Brisbane from recent experience.

Late last year, Hilton BNE introduced a $10 charge pp to have the status breakfast in the restaurant. During the lounge 'renovations', breakfast became free again in the restaurant. Now that the lounge has re-opened, the $10 charge has reappeared and still applied last weekend (at least for Gold - not sure about Diamond).

I've (or more accurately, my partner) also noticed that there are no more Lindt chocolates in the Exec floor rooms. On the other hand, I'm very happy that premium spirits and liqueurs (Baileys incl.) are still available in the lounge in the evenings. The staff member even asked "double shot?" when I asked for one... I like their style!

My most recent BNE stays (it's a great place to crash after going out for many drinks haha):

Stay: Feb 1-2
Rate: Any Weekend Anywhere
Booked: King Guest Room
Upgraded to: King Deluxe
eStandby upgraded to: King Exec (the Deluxe upgrade came early online, so I put it in because I would certainly drink the upgrade price in the lounge haha)
Notes: Mentioned when checking-in (while asking for the breakfast times) that I'd be going out for drinks that night, and was offered a 2pm late checkout Was also able to reserve the tennis court at the time I wanted.

Stay: Feb 16-17
Rate: Any Weekend Anywhere
Booked: Double Double Guest Room (wanted King, but they were sold out on the AWA rate)
Received: King Exec
Notes: Very pleasant stay, even though the hotel seemed close to capacity. Asked for a 1pm check-out (over the hotel phone), and had no issues opening the room and lifts at 12:56pm (even though the keys hadn't been recoded) - nice!