Sheraton Gold Coast vs HSP

[boomy]

It's that time of the year I realize I must step up my SPG stays if I want to maintain my platinum status. So for me it means looking for other properties outside Sydney.
The first one I wanted to try is Sheraton GC. I heard it was recently refurbished so I decided to go and check it out.

When I entered the lobby I was stunned, am I at Sheraton Maui?! It looked impressive!! I loved the open space, the marble on the floor and the breathtaking views of the pools & ocean.
I really got the resort like feeling once I entered the property and I got into relaxation mood in no time
Once I checked in I got a personal greeting from the GM, but unfortunately no upgrade as it was schools holidays and the hotel was fully booked.
The deluxe room was very nice and specious and the bed very comfortable as expected from a Sheraton property.
Walking in the resort I could see and feel the makeover that was done. Everything looked brand new, very clean and very modern.
The pools are so nice and I really enjoined the coughtails in the pool bar.
I had the seafood buffet for dinner (69$ for SPG members include a glass of wine) and the food was very fresh and very good.
All in all, I was very impressed with the new look of the resort and I will definitely go back again.

So far I used to stay at Hilton when visiting the Gold Coast and I really think the Sheraton is a good alternative.
I would say that when visiting the Sheraton you feel like you are on holiday and when visiting the Hilton you fell like the staff are on holiday

I will probably continue to stay at both properties in the future. Each one has its own benefits:

Hilton:
location, price, view from the room, lounge (not because it's better but only because Sheraton doesn't have one).

Sheraton:
lobby, room, pools, atmosphere, service, breakfast, dinner, free parking, 4pm late checkout (Hilton only 2pm).

 

[samh004]

I'd say the location aspect for the Hilton is also a detractor, as it's in the heart of sleazy GC clubs, unless that's what you want

There's been a lot of brawls lately, and I'd prefer to be away from the areas that sort of stuff goes down.

 

[boomy]

I'd say the location aspect for the Hilton is also a detractor, as it's in the heart of sleazy GC clubs, unless that's what you want

There's been a lot of brawls lately, and I'd prefer to be away from the areas that sort of stuff goes down.

I like the area during the day, plenty of shops, places to eat and the beach is great.
My party days are over so I'm not wondering the streets at night anymore

 

[samh004]

I like the area during the day, plenty of shops, places to eat and the beach is great.
My party days are over so I'm not wondering the streets at night anymore

While admittedly one brawl was in broadbeach at night, another was in the morning during breakfast. Bikies - they go to the same places and hell breaks loose.

 

[jetlagger]

I'll add my point of view as a GC resident & tourism industry facilitator, I would definitely rate Sheraton GC 8/10. It would be a 10 if a quality lounge was present.
The HSP is rated IMO 6/10 at best.
I deal with many clientele staying in each property & my rating is generally agreed upon.
Nil bias attached & concede that the GC Sheraton has a very loyal client base & preferred location, service & facilities all round in comparison to HSP.

 

[Shanye2233]

I just booked a spa studio over the long weekend for $200 per night with the sneak away package included breakfast. The room they gave me was a amazing room and I would love it , so the rooms manager told me. There was no u/g offered due to high occupancy yet the website showed otherwise. After a lengthy discussion with him I went to my room on the ground floor . When I tried to use the spa bath the hot water was dribbling out and a engineer came around. I was told If I wanted to use the spa I would need to change rooms. This was at 7.30pm at get so went for the dinner buffet and came back and waited for someone to come and help us swap rooms. By the time we got back from dinner we waited until 11pm to change rooms which they lend us to the 2nd level facing the road. I guess they thought I would think this room is amazing as well.

I didn't actually end up having a spa at midnight and the next morning immediately checked out paid for a nights accommodation. The rooms manager and I both knew he could get twice what I was paying for the room and that I would have difficulty finding another room for $200 p/n . I think he underestimated me and with the triple points promo currently running with Hilton and a executive lounge access I'm more than happy.

The sheraton does look appealing upon entry kinda like the royal Hawaiian with the ocean in the background but I found the staff there annoying and agruementive . The buffet wasn't all that crash hot either IMO especially for the price. The seafood buffet at star city is better and half the price.

 

[markis10]

The seafood buffet at star city is better and half the price.

And the buffets at many Vegas hotels leave both for dead on price and quality, but they along with Star City are hardly a good option for a meal on the coast so the point is moot.

 

[basso]

The sheraton does look appealing upon entry kinda like the royal Hawaiian with the ocean in the background but I found the staff there annoying and agruementive .

You found them argumentative? I can only imagine what they thought of you!

 

[basso]

And the buffets at many Vegas hotels leave both for dead on price and quality, but they along with Star City are hardly a good option for a meal on the coast so the point is mute.

I do love a good mute point...

 

[markis10]

I do love a good mute point...

Not many here (and thanks for picking it up)

 

[boomy]

I just booked a spa studio over the long weekend for $200 per night with the sneak away package included breakfast. The room they gave me was a amazing room and I would love it , so the rooms manager told me. There was no u/g offered due to high occupancy yet the website showed otherwise. After a lengthy discussion with him I went to my room on the ground floor . When I tried to use the spa bath the hot water was dribbling out and a engineer came around. I was told If I wanted to use the spa I would need to change rooms. This was at 7.30pm at get so went for the dinner buffet and came back and waited for someone to come and help us swap rooms. By the time we got back from dinner we waited until 11pm to change rooms which they lend us to the 2nd level facing the road. I guess they thought I would think this room is amazing as well.

I didn't actually end up having a spa at midnight and the next morning immediately checked out paid for a nights accommodation. The rooms manager and I both knew he could get twice what I was paying for the room and that I would have difficulty finding another room for $200 p/n . I think he underestimated me and with the triple points promo currently running with Hilton and a executive lounge access I'm more than happy.

The sheraton does look appealing upon entry kinda like the royal Hawaiian with the ocean in the background but I found the staff there annoying and agruementive . The buffet wasn't all that crash hot either IMO especially for the price. The seafood buffet at star city is better and half the price.

You scored a 200$ rate for a spa room include breakfast on a long weekend and you still managed to find so many things to complain about...
I hope you will enjoy your next stay at HSP and don't forget to visit the 'amazing' lounge there.

 

[Shanye2233]

I was pleased with it but the rooms manager had it in for me from arrival. I ended up finding a rate of $215 including 2 courses dinner at the Hilton Brisbane which worked out a lot better . Only parking was a issue so I had to leave the car at the casino to recieve free parking over that period .

 

[boomy]

Good rate for Brisi. Did you book through Hhonors?

 

[Shanye2233]

What i did was booked on HH then submitted a Brg using webjet.com.au using their current thank you code which gives you another $40 off. So on Hilton site it was showing at $370 but on webjet was $305 then applied the coupon for $265 then after another $50 off the HH Brg comes to $215

 

[samh004]

What i did was booked on HH then submitted a Brg using webjet.com.au using their current thank you code which gives you another $40 off. So on Hilton site it was showing at $370 but on webjet was $305 then applied the coupon for $265 then after another $50 off the HH Brg comes to $215

That's some good work! :mrgreen:

 

[markis10]

That's some good work! :mrgreen:

Until you remember that Hilton have a very good guest rating system via your HH number, if you have been overly gaming them Karma will bite back, effectively burning bridges that can never be rebuilt. Explains the "cool" reception from the odd rooms manager, not smart if your parlaying with your HH membership, different story if your a once off guest with no membership

 

[boomy]

What i did was booked on HH then submitted a Brg using webjet.com.au using their current thank you code which gives you another $40 off. So on Hilton site it was showing at $370 but on webjet was $305 then applied the coupon for $265 then after another $50 off the HH Brg comes to $215

Wow you surly know how to get the best rate possible

 

[boomy]

Until you remember that Hilton have a very good guest rating system via your HH number, if you have been overly gaming them Karma will bite back, effectively burning bridges that can never be rebuilt. Explains the "cool" reception from the odd rooms manager, not smart if your parlaying with your HH membership, different story if your a once off guest with no membership

As a loyal HH member, the fact that some ppl can potentially reduce the published rate of 370$ to as low as 215$, shows me that I should not trust Hhonors and always look for better rates on other sites.
This is not the way HH should treat their loyal customers who book through their website.
I understand there are promos and special rates but 42% difference is just too much.
Remember that karma works both ways...

 

[Shanye2233]

I can get the Sydney Hilton for cheaper then the people with that macquarie card can get it. I ran it for a while but they too got upset so now I moved around the corner to the swissotel who have a Brg for 50% off which I usually stay for about $80 and thanks to hscb cc which gave me instant elite access it includes lounge access , breakie etc .

also be aware that usually the policy for the HH Brg doesn't include promo or coupon codes.

 

[Shanye2233]

The rooms manager appeared at the sheraton on the Gold Coast and not the Hilton. However with my diamond HH the guest relations manager came out to greet me upon arrival in Brisbane.