How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[Disco]

Date: June 2021
Hotel: Parmelia Hilton Perth
Booked: King Room
Received: Delux King/Suite
Status: Gold
Staff and the service they provide at the Parmelia Hilton is of a high standard. The Parmelia has had an upgrade during the Co-vid Pandemic and now includes an Executive Lounge amongst the facilities. Rooms have been renamed to reflect the changes. We were allocated a King Deluxe which was amazingly spacious and could well be a King Suite with separate wardrobe/dressing area, bathroom and lounge area.

 

[DC3]

Date: July 2021 (7 nights)
Hotel: Hilton Cairns
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King ‘Spa’ Room
Status: Diamond

Back at the Cairns Hilton. This time, a room on L8. Very fresh and clean. No wifi issues.

The EL (drinks/canapés 5.30pm to 7.30pm) is self-service food. Plenty of canapés. Great staff in the EL and at the Front Desk.

Restaurant breakfast has been quiet. There have been lots of (COVID-related) cancellations I was told. Apparently next week will be busier, with many Queenslanders.

 

[DC3]

Just to add, some current Hilton Cairns EL canapes:

 

[lilkid28]

Property: HH Queenstown
Date: June 2021, 2 nights.
Status: Diamond
Booked: King deluxe lakeview
Received: King deluxe lakeview

On checkin I was told the room wasn't ready. That's fine - it was 2.30 and checkin in is from 3pm. By 4.30 still no room so I went to enquire how long. "We are short staffed, and don't know". At this point I was offered a drinks voucher. I got to my room at 5pm. Apart from the 'thanks for being a diamond' at checkin, there was no other acknowledgement of status. I.e. no amenity or welcome letter. No upgrade even though there were suites available to book. The lakeview room is great though, with a large lounge area. And it does indeed have a good view of the lake - and the arriving aircraft. . [I did raise a couple of small maintenance issues on the first morning, which were not addressed during my stay.]

On the first morning I was offered a full breakfast, with a coffee tax strictly enforced. I declined the coffee. I commented on this to a reception staff member that this was poor considering the delay checking in the day before. They then offered me coffee at breakfast for the 'rest of my stay'.

On the second morning I was told that as I diamond I could have a continental breakfast and could pay extra to upgrade. When I commented that I had had a full breakfast the day before with no extra charge I was waved through. They did not question me when I said no charge for coffee.

Overall, a very underwhelming experience. In my travels through NZ, people have been very grateful for any tourist business they can get. The ZQN HH was the exception. They must be busy enough to be able to take their guests for granted

Property: HH Queenstown
Date: July 2021, 3+1 night
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Hilton
Received: King Deluxe Lakeview
e-upgrade: $68 to Wakatipu Suite, $139 to Relaxation Room (with outdoor hot tub)

Just returned from Hilton Resort Queenstown few days ago from a 4 night stay, also as a Diamond Member. You didn't miss out much. I booked the base room, and 1 day before check-in, I got upgraded to the Deluxe Lakeview, and then requested an e-upgrade to Wakatipu Suite for $68 per night x 3 nights (from base room it was a $100 per night bid/offer). From photos and your description, in fact, I don't think the Wakatipu Suite is really worth it. It basically is almost the same size except for a closed door to the bedroom, and an extra TV in the bedroom. I had 2 separate bookings for 3 nights and 1 night. The Mrs wanted to try the Relaxation Room with the outdoor tub, which I requested during check-in, which they wanted $139, no choice but to say yes for the Mrs.

Breakfast and coffee tax is also enforced, to which we just declined and stuck to the continental option, as we were happy with lighter breakfast, still a good spread, with the hot self-serve waffles good enough.

There wasn't hot water on first night and the morning after, to which we raised upon checking out, and got the $139 relaxation room upgrade waived.

Overall, the stay was OK, it didn't exceed our expectations, but probably will stay again as I hold the Hilton Aspire card which gives an extra 14 points per $ spend.

 

[repete]

Just to add, some current Hilton Cairns EL canapes:

Ah DC3, glad someone could enjoy it We sadly postponed our trip in the end - 3rd time since July last year, so we were one of those cancellations you mention. We had a cracking deal for interconnecting rooms on a high level. I think it will be hard to get again - but that won't stop me trying, haha.

 

[QF WP]

Hi everyone. Looking at Perth Hilton’s. Parmelia upgrade noted. North bridge centre of the entertainment area and looks good but any thoughts/experiences with the Waterfront one? Thanks

I haven’t stayed there as too far out of the way (from clients) - but I believe some Parmelia staff went there after it opened. It looks nice from the outside, should be great views of the Swan River. I took a photo - will have to find it in the “view from my office” thread as I’ve deleted from my phone

 

[drross]

I haven’t stayed there as too far out of the way (from clients) - but I believe some Parmelia staff went there after it opened. It looks nice from the outside, should be great views of the Swan River. I took a photo - will have to find it in the “view from my office” thread as I’ve deleted from my phone

Thanks. Ended up not going because of ‘hotspots’. Definitely heading there sooner rather than later

 

[jonboixxx]

HH Diamond
Nights: 2
Property: Cairns Hilton
Room booked: King Hilton Guest Room
Rate: HNRS Prepay and Save ($177 per night), booked Jan 21.
Received: Level 9, executive room, Trinity Inlet side, Little Leaf Shiraz, block of chocolate, comp breakfast in the restaurant.

The executive lounge has relocated downstairs again for a couple of weeks to Gin Social as the Level 9 lounge is being refurbished and extended. I assume they are consolidating the adjacent boardroom into the lounge. There was no news on room refurbishments, which surely must be under consideration due to the 3 new Crystalbrook properties in town.

Evening canapés was self-serve, consisting of soup, a good selection of crudités and salads plus 2-3 hot dishes including prawn balls, chicken skewers, arancini balls, meatballs.

Another comfortable stay here, staff are always welcoming and helpful, WiFi was good even for video, late checkout.

 

[jakeseven7]

Just to add, some current Hilton Cairns EL canapes:

Deep fryer looks well utilised…

 

[Stealthflyer]

Date: June 2021
Hotel: Hilton Adelaide
Booked: double Hilton guest room
Received: 2 double beds deluxe room
Status: gold

Terrific customer service once again. The Adelaide staff are so friendly and helpful, even when presented with two very straggly guests with multi day hiking packs (we washed up well though). Continental breakfast was complimentary. With a $5 charge for a coffee we went next door to the markets for coffee. The pastries are definitely better from the market than the continental buffet.

Post automatically merged: Jul 18, 2021

There seems to be a lot of Cairns Hilton reports lately, but not the Doubletree. I’ve never been to Cairns and just booked into the Doubletree. Should I swap?

 

[DC3]

…There seems to be a lot of Cairns Hilton reports lately, but not the Doubletree. I’ve never been to Cairns and just booked into the Doubletree. Should I swap?

The DT Cairns was a COVID quarantine facility for much of last year. It reopened for bookings around March 2021 [Edit: it was actually the start of April] so unlikely to be any AFF reports in that time.

I had a few stays there when it was a former Holiday Inn. I thought that the rooms seemed rather small and were bit odd-shaped (due to the curvature of the building: sort of a figure eight building design), but that’s not much of a criticism. About half of the rooms are city/distant mountain view, and do not have balconies. I haven’t stayed at the DT for several years, but Diamonds received one welcome drink in the bar area. Not sure if that’s nightly as I only booked for one night on the most recent stay and can’t recall what took place prior to that. Continental breakfast, but everyone seemed to get that. Warm chocolate chip cookie on arrival for everyone. Can’t remember how good the wifi was. Pre-COVID, they had a big slice of the Asian tour group market, which sort of swamped the breakfast area. Although, that won’t be a problem at the moment.

The Hilton is definitely a step up. All rooms have balconies and half overlook Trinity Inlet. Many of the others (especially on higher floors) have quite a good outlook anyway. Most of the rooms seemed to have been recently refurbished. Good EL (for diamonds and those in ‘Executive Level’ rooms). The hotel has been very busy over the past week, and on some nights there’s been 80-plus guests with EL access according to the staff. It’s in the process of being expanded, slightly. Temporarily relocated to the the area behind the bar (ground floor) and due to reopen back on L9 in the next two days.

I’m not trying to put you off the DT. It’s on the Esplanade and at one end of the Esplanade restaurant/cafe/bar strip. This strip has had a lot of recent streetscape updating, and landscaping, with reduced vehicle flow implemented, which makes for a big improvement to the atmosphere. The restaurant strip starts at the RSL (on the opposite corner to the DT), which does good meals and has a great alfresco dining. The strip runs from there to within a few hundred metres of the Hilton, with more eating options back a street or two. I have been staying in Cairns for two weeks and originally planned to stay at the DT for some of that, but changed to the Hilton instead, only because I like it there. The rates for both can be very variable (and high). The Hilton can be a bit ‘overpriced’ I think.

The Hilton is adjacent to the marina with plenty of waterfront dining options along the boardwalk. Anyway, the Esplanade dining area and marina waterfront dining are both easily walkable from either hotel.

Probably a bit too much information here. I got a bit carried away.

 

[Happy Dude]

Probably a bit too much information here. I got a bit carried away.

No such thing and you did not. Great post! Thanks

 

[Stealthflyer]

The DT Cairns was a COVID quarantine facility for much of last year. It reopened for bookings around March 2021, so unlikely to be any AFF reports in that time.

I had a few stays there when it was a former Holiday Inn. I thought that the rooms seemed rather small and were bit odd-shaped (due to the curvature of the building: sort of a figure eight building design), but that’s not much of a criticism. About half of the rooms are city/distant mountain view, and do not have balconies. I haven’t stayed at the DT for several years, but Diamonds received one welcome drink in the bar area. Not sure if that’s nightly as I only booked for one night on the most recent stay and can’t recall what took place prior to that. Continental breakfast, but everyone seemed to get that. Warm chocolate chip cookie on arrival for everyone. Can’t remember how good the wifi was. Pre-COVID, they had a big slice of the Asian tour group market, which sort of swamped the breakfast area. Although, that won’t be a problem at the moment.

The Hilton is definitely a step up. All rooms have balconies and half overlook Trinity Inlet. Many of the others (especially on higher floors) have quite a good outlook anyway. Most of the rooms seemed to have been recently refurbished. Good EL (for diamonds and those in ‘Executive Level’ rooms). The hotel has been very busy over the past week, and on some nights there’s been 80-plus guests with EL access according to the staff. It’s in the process of being expanded, slightly. Temporarily relocated to the the area behind the bar (ground floor) and due to reopen back on L9 in the next two days.

I’m not trying to put you off the DT. It’s on the Esplanade and at one end of the Esplanade restaurant/cafe/bar strip. This strip has had a lot of recent streetscape updating, and landscaping, with reduced vehicle flow implemented, which makes for a big improvement to the atmosphere. The restaurant strip starts at the RSL (on the opposite corner to the DT), which does good meals and has a great alfresco dining. The strip runs from there to within a few hundred metres of the Hilton, with more eating options back a street or two. I have been staying in Cairns for two weeks and originally planned to stay at the DT for some of that, but changed to the Hilton instead, only because I like it there. The rates for both can be very variable (and high). The Hilton can be a bit ‘overpriced’ I think.

The Hilton is adjacent to the marina with plenty of waterfront dining options along the boardwalk. Anyway, the Esplanade dining area and marina waterfront dining are both easily walkable from either hotel.

Probably a bit too much information here. I got a bit carried away.

Thank you so much! The standard two double bed rooms at the Hilton have suddenly come down to the same price as my original booking of the Doubletree (which is now more than $100 than the Hilton!), so I’ve switched to the Hilton. I suspect there have been a lot of cancellations from VIC and NSW. Hopefully we’ll get an upgrade to a balcony room.
It was definitely not too much info!

 

[Moopere]

Date: June 2021
Hotel: Parmelia Hilton Perth
Booked: King Room
Received: Delux King/Suite
Status: Gold
Staff and the service they provide at the Parmelia Hilton is of a high standard. The Parmelia has had an upgrade during the Co-vid Pandemic and now includes an Executive Lounge amongst the facilities. Rooms have been renamed to reflect the changes. We were allocated a King Deluxe which was amazingly spacious and could well be a King Suite with separate wardrobe/dressing area, bathroom and lounge area.

Theres been a couple of favourable reports of the Parmelia over the last little bit. Thought I might comment as I was underwhelmed when I stayed there in early May.

Booked a King Guest (base room), got a deluxe as a Diamond ... my deluxe was relatively small which seems at odds to your experience above which truly does sound like a suite.

I should mention that I've stayed at the HH Parmelia any number of times before the facelift. My comments are going to sound unhappy, though this isn't really the case, its more a direct and personal commentary of the 'old' Parmelia versus the 'new'.

The good:
- High room, I think second from the top floor, so that was good as its quiet. I chose the room myself via the phone app and it was one of those corner rooms that takes ages to walk to, but in the old days were quite large and certainly quiet. The old and overly large rooms appear to be gone now, but it was still a comfortable space (and nothing like as small as say the HH SYD)

- Status recognized which is always nice but not a given at any particular property - though HH PER has always been good with this.

- Valet parking was quick to retrieve vehicles


The less good, as compared to the old hotel:
- Valet parking and concierge ... no-one comes to greet you at the driveway/dropoff. Staff inside look at you through the glass doors. The old days would see someone at the door to take your car and assist with luggage as soon as you arrived.

- Front desk has less staff than previously, and they were not stumbling over each other previously either ... I imagine in these uncertain times the hotel is barely occupied ... no doubt the reason for the general (apparent) lack of staff. We were the only ones in the restaurant at dinner on the first night ... a sure sign of low occupancy.

- Samuels restaurant on the ground floor is basically the Adelphi Grill with chairs moved around and the old 'Diamond' breakfast area removed. I didn't care at dinner, but for breakfast the lack of space planning was evident. The breakfast buffet serving area is probably less than half the size it used to be, so everyone is milling around in a tiny corridor of space in front of the bain marie area. Times being what they are, everyone masked up and trying their best to 'distance' it was a challenge. The lack of physical space now also means there are less breakfast choices to be had as well.

- The new lounge was something I'd anticipated for years. Perhaps I built it up too much in my mind. As soon as I saw it was reminded of a much smaller version of the SIN KF Gold lounge. To me, it spoke of a begrudging addition rather than a showpiece. Its stuffed into a corner at the rear of the building with no view of anything whatsoever. You might go in for a 'free' coffee, but thats about it - no view, no atmosphere, no snacks and, as reported by my wife as I didn't make it for canapes, no decent finger food in the evening either. Previously, in lieu of a lounge Golds and Diamonds would get a drink voucher + a tapas voucher per pax, not better than a proper lounge my any measure, but the bar had some amount of atmosphere and large windows looking out (at nothing I admit!) ...

To round off a pretty negative sounding whinge - it wasn't a bad stay. We ate and drank and made merry. Bed was good, room was high and quiet and a good couple of nights sleep. Any other unknown or first-time-for-me HH and I'd be satisfied, as I was here .. satisfied. But what made this hotel special previously despite is creaky aged interior is gone.

Despite my unbelieving and exasperated feeling of the DT Waterfront not having an EL (in this perfect location!!! what the?) it will likely be my next stay.

 

[DC3]

Hilton Cairns: An update on the EL.

The EL is due to re-open on L9 on Friday 23/7/21, following the work to expand the area into the former ‘Boardroom’.

I will have moved on by then, but here is a shot, this afternoon, looking in from the Boardroom entrance doorway. Not that it shows much but the work is almost finished, with the carpet being laid.

 

[Disco]

Theres been a couple of favourable reports of the Parmelia over the last little bit. Thought I might comment as I was underwhelmed when I stayed there in early May.

Booked a King Guest (base room), got a deluxe as a Diamond ... my deluxe was relatively small which seems at odds to your experience above which truly does sound like a suite.

I should mention that I've stayed at the HH Parmelia any number of times before the facelift. My comments are going to sound unhappy, though this isn't really the case, its more a direct and personal commentary of the 'old' Parmelia versus the 'new'.

The good:
- High room, I think second from the top floor, so that was good as its quiet. I chose the room myself via the phone app and it was one of those corner rooms that takes ages to walk to, but in the old days were quite large and certainly quiet. The old and overly large rooms appear to be gone now, but it was still a comfortable space (and nothing like as small as say the HH SYD)

- Status recognized which is always nice but not a given at any particular property - though HH PER has always been good with this.

- Valet parking was quick to retrieve vehicles


The less good, as compared to the old hotel:
- Valet parking and concierge ... no-one comes to greet you at the driveway/dropoff. Staff inside look at you through the glass doors. The old days would see someone at the door to take your car and assist with luggage as soon as you arrived.

- Front desk has less staff than previously, and they were not stumbling over each other previously either ... I imagine in these uncertain times the hotel is barely occupied ... no doubt the reason for the general (apparent) lack of staff. We were the only ones in the restaurant at dinner on the first night ... a sure sign of low occupancy.

- Samuels restaurant on the ground floor is basically the Adelphi Grill with chairs moved around and the old 'Diamond' breakfast area removed. I didn't care at dinner, but for breakfast the lack of space planning was evident. The breakfast buffet serving area is probably less than half the size it used to be, so everyone is milling around in a tiny corridor of space in front of the bain marie area. Times being what they are, everyone masked up and trying their best to 'distance' it was a challenge. The lack of physical space now also means there are less breakfast choices to be had as well.

- The new lounge was something I'd anticipated for years. Perhaps I built it up too much in my mind. As soon as I saw it was reminded of a much smaller version of the SIN KF Gold lounge. To me, it spoke of a begrudging addition rather than a showpiece. Its stuffed into a corner at the rear of the building with no view of anything whatsoever. You might go in for a 'free' coffee, but thats about it - no view, no atmosphere, no snacks and, as reported by my wife as I didn't make it for canapes, no decent finger food in the evening either. Previously, in lieu of a lounge Golds and Diamonds would get a drink voucher + a tapas voucher per pax, not better than a proper lounge my any measure, but the bar had some amount of atmosphere and large windows looking out (at nothing I admit!) ...

To round off a pretty negative sounding whinge - it wasn't a bad stay. We ate and drank and made merry. Bed was good, room was high and quiet and a good couple of nights sleep. Any other unknown or first-time-for-me HH and I'd be satisfied, as I was here .. satisfied. But what made this hotel special previously despite is creaky aged interior is gone.

Despite my unbelieving and exasperated feeling of the DT Waterfront not having an EL (in this perfect location!!! what the?) it will likely be my next stay.

Hi,
Yes, we couldn't quite work out the room we were allocated except it was one of the older styled rooms which had been upgraded with carpet and some fittings and it was spacious. Which can be different to some of the newer redesigned rooms i.e. we have had an "Executive" designated room which was very small in comparison. Samuels on the Mill was fairly full when we were there for dinner although I agree about the area at breakfast. However, we found the breakfast in the Executive Lounge to be good with sufficient variety of the kind we enjoy e.g. eggs, smoked salmon. We didn't have to wait at the Front Desk for service so adequate staffing. We've stayed at this hotel over many years and, like you, were very attached to the graciousness of the old Parmelia. We haven't as yet had a comparison stay at the DT at Elizabeth Quays.

 

[kermatu]

Lounge at the Cairns Hilton has reopened. Tried to jag a few pics without people and while the sun was still up. Hopefully will be open longer tomorrow and can get some better pics.

While it is definitely comfortable and a nice space, it is effectively a big room. So all it takes is one loud person or table to ruin the ambience.

All new EL staff the couple of nights I’ve been here so far. But they are great. Will do a fuller report after my stay concludes.

 

[drross]

Looks a lot nicer than the old lounge with more and better views

 

[jonboixxx]

Lounge at the Cairns Hilton has reopened. Tried to jag a few pics without people and while the sun was still up. Hopefully will be open longer tomorrow and can get some better pics.

While it is definitely comfortable and a nice space, it is effectively a big room. So all it takes is one loud person or table to ruin the ambience.

All new EL staff the couple of nights I’ve been here so far. But they are great. Will do a fuller report after my stay concludes.

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Cheers for the photos; glad to see they've reused the old furniture and they must have had some of that carpet left as well. Seems like they've removed the partition between the lounge and the boardroom. Have they removed the business pods at the front also?

Hopefully the next step is refurbishment of the rooms. I remember when they improved the bathrooms many years ago, but the rooms are very tired now.
I love the recognition, service and lounge, but they need to improve the room amenity.
By comparison the 3 new Crystalbrook properties offer comp movies, Chromecast and they are brand new and I stay there when I can't get a good rate at Hilton.

 

[kermatu]

Inside space is the same as are the views. Does seem as though the balcony is a bit more open. Looks like some wasted or highly likely to be under-utilised spaces as well.

New furniture and carpet.