How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[DC3]

Moccona instant?? Come on Hilton! It’s 2024! You have to offer your guests a better “included” coffee than that! A self-serve machine that grinds the beans would do it…

Maybe a Kiwi thing.

 

[liamsal]

All stays as Diamond

Hilton Sydney
1 night
Booked King Corner Room
Received King Executive Room (OLCI)
Early check in not available, late checkout of 1pm provided
Breakfast was great as always despite being super busy, no coffee tax. First time in the relocated lounge (was told at check in closed for refurbishment however asked a staff member at the lounge who said it had been relocated permanently as the old location was being converted to rooms). Lounge was full and many people were turning up and leaving as opposed to sitting in the hallway.

West Hotel Sydney Curio Collection
1 night
Booked King Banksia Deluxe Plus
Received King Waratah Premium (OLCI)
Not really sure what’s different about these two rooms other than price. Breakfast was $10 to upgrade 2 of us to full buffet. Coffee tax also applies.

Conrad New York Downtown
1 night
Booked Deluxe Suite 1 King
Received Deluxe Suite 1 King (was offered Deluxe King with sofa bed but didn’t need to extra bed).
I had been rebooked on SYD-SFO-JFK after Qatar cancelled my SYD-DOH flight so I arrived into New York at 7am instead of 4pm. Arrived at the hotel and they offered early check in immediately for $100USD or I could wait until 12-1ish for complimentary. Opted to pay so I could shower etc before exploring NYC. Lovely hotel, used the $50USD credit towards dinner at the restaurant which was great. Great gym too.

Westley Calgary Downtown
1 night
Booked Savour Corner King Room
Received Bask Studio Suite (OLCI)
My third stay here and first upgrade. TBH I prefer the Corner Room, found the bathroom nicer with the window. The extra space in the Suite seemed kinda wasted on the bathroom and sitting area. But was stoked with an upgrade none the less. Hotel no longer offers complimentary breakfast and moved to $15 credit pp. Used this towards breakfast which sadly didn’t cover it. Had dinner at the restaurant also. Food was great but found the service both at dinner and breakfast pretty average. Staff often on their phone’s and MIA completely. Room was ready around 11am and late check out not required.

Hilton Vancouver Airport
1 night
Booked Junior Suite
Received 1 Bedroom Suite (OLCI)
Haven’t stayed here since pre-Covid and seems very tired and in need of a refresh. Upgrade was appreciated. Breakfast was A La Carte and everything (extra bacon/sides, coffee etc) was included. Didn’t spend much time at the hotel but shuttle runs twice every hour and takes about 10-15 mins after stopping at a few other hotels.

Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa
2 nights
Booked Signature Spa Room
Received Signature Spa Room
Upon check in, received a letter advising the hotel would be without power for 1 hour on our first night (midnight-1am) and 9 hours on our second night (9pm-6am). Letter explained generator would not be working so no lights, heating, hot water, elevators during the outage. Staff advised extra wood for the fireplace, candles, a torch and blanket would be brought up to the room prior to the outage but we only received 1 log so had to follow up with reception to get everything else. We were told we could cancel or shorten our stay for free but this didn’t help being the day of as all other accommodation was either sold out or super expensive. Heaps of renovations happening both in rooms and common areas of hotel which likely explains the outage. Pool/gym closed but you can show your room key at the nearby Westin and they allow you to use their facilities (which were pretty nice. Staff at Westin said Hilton facilities have been closed for months now). Room was pretty tired and is due for renovations. Room directly above was obviously being renovated as the noise throughout the day was intense. Breakfast was all made to order and complimentary. Unfortunately we had to leave at 4am for an early departure out of YVR so an ice cold shower by candlelight was our parting gift.

A number of stays at Brisbane too but the service is always amazing there so not really much to add. 99% of the time upgraded from a King Room to Executive and room is usually ready from 9am. Kudos to the lounge ladies who always go above and beyond.

 

[Austman]

DoubleTree by Hilton, Hobart
Booked: KING GUEST ROOM
A few days before arrival I received a complementary upgrade to a KING DELUXE ROOM.
Received: KING DELUXE ROOM
Status: Diamond

This is a new hotel.

While check-in was friendly and welcoming, there was no acknowledgement of my Diamond status. And a blue key-wallet was used.

So I asked what benefits a Diamond would receive. It was continental buffet breakfast with a $10 surcharge to have a full buffet breakfast. And an in-room welcome amenity. No drink vouchers.

I was also told that the #LikeAMember current Hilton promotion was available that gave Golds and Diamonds a 25% food and beverage discount (not for room service or breakfast).

Soon after, I received a welcome text message that acknowledged my Diamond status.

This was the in-room amenity:



The continental buffet breakfast was quite good:





The self-serve coffee machine used coffee beans.

 

[RooFlyer]

DoubleTree by Hilton, Hobart
Booked: King guest
A few days before arrival I received a complementary upgrade to a KING DELUXE ROOM.
Received: King deluxe room but I declined to get a quieter regular room
Status: Diamond
Status acknowledged on check-in: Yes
Welcome amenity. Small fudgs bar and bottle of sparling water.

I may have passed you in the lobby @Austman .

Although I'm a local (live 1hr away), I decided to stay here as my Diamond status (from Virgin) was about to expire and thought I would give it a go because I had to stay in the city that night.

A few days before check-in I got an e-mail advising of upgrade and invitation to check-in online. Hadn't done this before, so although I like to double-check room location on check-in, thought I'd use it as you were able to select your room. Unfortunately, although I'm a local, I couldn't tell the orientation of the floor maps. I selected what I though was a room at the back. I also called, as I wanted to arrive very early (say, 8am) and park before heading to have a minor medical procedure. Assured no problem.

I arrived at 8:15 and checked in no problem at all; upgraded room ready. I checked where it was and of course I had chosen the busy, Macquarie St end of the place. Although I said I didn't need the room now, I just needed to park, the check-in agent tapped away furiously to find an available room. I said I didn't really need an upgrade, as long as it was quiet. I went and had a coffee and a few minutes later she came back with a regular room at the back, high floor with a 'mountain view'. Perfect.

The lobby is nice and light, although there are only 2 check-in stations (off to the right in this pic) and I noticed a queue of about 8 people wating to check-in later in the afternoon.



My regular king room at the back; rooms at the back have higher numbers; at the front (looking over Macquarie St) lower numbers.





I liked the bathroom. Nice grippy floor tiles and the hot water came on immediately AND you didn't have to reach though a stream of shower water to work the shower controls.



Aircon controls were easy to use and the unit was quiet.

My view



This is the view you'll get from the northern side (RH as you face the hotel from the street). That's the IBIS right next door.



But this was a negative. Just USB As available - stupid for a new-built hotel, no USB Cs. But the plugs by the bed were easily accessible.



Wi-fi was pretty good



Pretty mean on the in-room hot bevs. Just this Dilmah tea caddy (no doubt supplied by Dilmah). No coffee etc.



There is a bar and restaurant. Menu



Fantastic seafood linguini - good serving of scallops, mussel and white fish. The breakfast buffet was good (just continental for Diamonds) and well laid out.

Right next door is the restaurant in the Ibis; with probably a bit more atmosphere




Overall, I really liked the place. Staff were very good, room very good (except for lack of USB Cs). Its within a number of good restaurants in the CBD and east walking to the docks.

 

[Austman]

Pretty mean on the in-room hot bevs. Just this Dilmah tea caddy (no doubt supplied by Dilmah). No coffee etc.

I think that’s one of the differences between a regular room and a deluxe room?

Here is my deluxe room:



You get a Nespresso machine and some pods. In the tea box is the instant coffee (the blue sachets. Cafe Aurora).

Also there are bathrobes. Not sure if a regular room gets them?

 

[Daver6]

DoubleTree by Hilton, Hobart
Booked: King guest
A few days before arrival I received a complementary upgrade to a KING DELUXE ROOM.
Received: King deluxe room but I declined to get a quieter regular room
Status: Diamond
Status acknowledged on check-in: Yes
Welcome amenity. Small fudgs bar and bottle of sparling water.

I may have passed you in the lobby @Austman .

Although I'm a local (live 1hr away), I decided to stay here as my Diamond status (from Virgin) was about to expire and thought I would give it a go because I had to stay in the city that night.

A few days before check-in I got an e-mail advising of upgrade and invitation to check-in online. Hadn't done this before, so although I like to double-check room location on check-in, thought I'd use it as you were able to select your room. Unfortunately, although I'm a local, I couldn't tell the orientation of the floor maps. I selected what I though was a room at the back. I also called, as I wanted to arrive very early (say, 8am) and park before heading to have a minor medical procedure. Assured no problem.

I arrived at 8:15 and checked in no problem at all; upgraded room ready. I checked where it was and of course I had chosen the busy, Macquarie St end of the place. Although I said I didn't need the room now, I just needed to park, the check-in agent tapped away furiously to find an available room. I said I didn't really need an upgrade, as long as it was quiet. I went and had a coffee and a few minutes later she came back with a regular room at the back, high floor with a 'mountain view'. Perfect.

The lobby is nice and light, although there are only 2 check-in stations (off to the right in this pic) and I noticed a queue of about 8 people wating to check-in later in the afternoon.

View attachment 416700

My regular king room at the back; rooms at the back have higher numbers; at the front (looking over Macquarie St) lower numbers.

View attachment 416702

View attachment 416703

I liked the bathroom. Nice grippy floor tiles and the hot water came on immediately AND you didn't have to reach though a stream of shower water to work the shower controls.

View attachment 416704

Aircon controls were easy to use and the unit was quiet.

My view

View attachment 416701

This is the view you'll get from the northern side (RH as you face the hotel from the street). That's the IBIS right next door.

View attachment 416711

But this was a negative. Just USB As available - stupid for a new-built hotel, no USB Cs. But the plugs by the bed were easily accessible.

View attachment 416706

Wi-fi was pretty good

View attachment 416705

Pretty mean on the in-room hot bevs. Just this Dilmah tea caddy (no doubt supplied by Dilmah). No coffee etc.

View attachment 416709

There is a bar and restaurant. Menu

View attachment 416710

Fantastic seafood linguini - good serving of scallops, mussel and white fish. The breakfast buffet was good (just continental for Diamonds) and well laid out.

Right next door is the restaurant in the Ibis; with probably a bit more atmosphere

View attachment 416707
View attachment 416708
View attachment 416707
Overall, I really liked the place. Staff were very good, room very good (except for lack of USB Cs). Its within a number of good restaurants in the CBD and east walking to the docks.

Better than the Movenpick?

 

[RooFlyer]

Also there are bathrobes. Not sure if a regular room gets them?

No bathrobes

 

[Austman]

Unfortunately, although I'm a local, I couldn't tell the orientation of the floor maps.

I had the same issue. The floor maps are not so clear.

Here is the top floor - floor 8 - from the Hilton app:



It’s clearer on the escape map:



The room categories (for a king room) seem to go, in order of cost:

1. King room.
2. King room, mountain view.
3. King room, water view.
4. King room deluxe. (mountain view?)
5. King room deluxe, water view.

With the higher floors having the better views.

For floor 8:

Rooms 01 to 06 would be tend to be a city view.
Rooms 10 to 15 would be the Mountain View category.
Rooms 07 to 09 and 16 to 20 would be Water View category.

Here is the view from room 812 which is a King Deluxe. It has a mountain view:



Other floors have different room numbering. But the layout is similar.

 

[kyle]

I had the same issue. The floor maps are not so clear.

Here is the top floor - floor 8 - from the Hilton app:

View attachment 416788

It’s clearer on the escape map:

View attachment 416789

The room categories (for a king room) seem to go, in order of cost:

1. King room.
2. King room, mountain view.
3. King room, water view.
4. King room deluxe. (mountain view?)
5. King room deluxe, water view.

With the higher floors having the better views:

Rooms 01 to 06 would be tend to be a city view.
Rooms 10 to 15 would be the Mountain View category.
Rooms 07 to 09 and 16 to 20 would be Water View category.

Here is the view from room 812 which is a King Deluxe. It had a mountain view:

View attachment 416793

Thought the floor maps have the street names too if you zoom out?

 

[Austman]

Thought the floor maps have the street names too if you zoom out?

I’ve seen the street names too.

But not for this hotel on the Hilton app. At least, not yet.

That was my problem. I thought room 812 would face Macquarie Street (and the water). But I got it 90 degrees wrong…

 

[RooFlyer]

Better than the Movenpick?

Sorry, can't recall my M stay well enough to say.

Here is the view from room 812 which is a King Deluxe. It has a mountain view:

Facing south. That would be 'Mountain view' of Mt Nelson.

 

[Austman]

I moved rooms. To room 625.



It’s quite a bit smaller than room 812. It has no chaise sofa and has less cupboard and luggage space. The bathroom is a bit smaller. There’s no floor lamp either which is useful when the ceiling lights are all-on-or-none-on, as they very brightly are. It is a King, Water View but not a Deluxe category. So I took a voluntary downgrade on my Diamond upgrade.

It’s missing the Nespresso machine (I asked for and received one) but it does have bathrobes. They hang (or hide?) them behind the bathroom door (@RooFlyer).

The room view:




Sorry DoubleTree, but an “upgrade” to a cheaper room, is not an upgrade.






The staff here are mostly terrific. Dinner at the restaurant was great the first time. It was a bit of a wait staff service disaster the second time with the wait staff, while lovely, not quite knowing how to do it. Early days, I guess. The food was still good though!

The heated indoor pool is nice.

My main criticism would be that the rooms are quite small. There’s no space for a work desk. And with the open hanging wardrobe, it has a bit of a Holiday Inn Express feel. Especially in the smaller room 625. A room the size of 625 (I doubt it’s much over 20 or 22 sq.m) should not really be a DoubleTree room. It’s small even if staying solo. It’s saved by its view!

Curiously, there seems to be no laundry service offered. (yet?) Not that I tend to use it but it’s noticeably absent for a DoubleTree.

 

[DC3]

… it does have bathrobes. They hang (or hide?) them behind the bathroom door (@RooFlyer).

 

[RooFlyer]

It’s smaller than room 812. It has no chaise sofa. It is a King, Water View but not a Deluxe category. So I took a voluntary downgrade on my Diamond upgrade. . It’s missing the Nespresso machine (I asked for and received one) but it does have bathrobes. They hang (or hide?) them behind the bathroom door (@RooFlyer).

Hmmmm .. not sure the robes were even there. Didn't miss them. So that's the 'water view'. Not bad but only just.

I was in 709 for my voluntary downgrade, at the back

 

[Daver6]

Hmmmm .. not sure the robes were even there. Didn't miss them. So that's the 'water view'. Not bad but only just.

I was in 709 for my voluntary downgrade, at the back

Maybe you just have issues finding things bathroom related? Robes, light switches....