Hilton HHonors - DOUBLETREE PERKS FOR GOLD VIPS

I am a Gold VIP staying at a Doubletree this week (and for several to come).

At check-in, the woman upgraded me to Executive Level (with breakfast and cocktails included). Although originally, she tried to stick me in a room on the 7th floor with access privileges only - so I had to work for it (lounge is on 9th floor) and did succeed in the end. So, so far, I feel like I am still in the game.

As a Gold VIP, am I entitled to turn down service and chocolates at Doubletree?

Not sure of the rules for Golds at Doubletree.

Thanks.

Straight from the HiltonHHonors website:

Upgraded Accommodations/Amenities: HHonors Gold VIP members are offered upgraded accommodations or amenities at HHonors hotels. The type of upgraded accommodation or amenity varies by type of hotel, as follows:

At US Hilton Hotels, and at Conrad and Doubletree hotels with Towers or Executive
Levels, Gold VIPs will be provided with a guest room on the Towers or Executive Level floor,whenever possible. In cases when Towers or Executive Level accommodations have been fully booked, Gold VIP members will be offered the use of the Towers or Executive Level lounge, including complimentary continental breakfast each morning. At hotels without a Towers or Executive Level, Gold VIPs will receive complimentary continental breakfast each day of the stay. And in hotels at which a complimentary breakfast is a benefit for all guests, Gold VIPs will be offered a special amenity as an expression of our appreciation.

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At US Hilton Hotels, and at Conrad and Doubletree hotels with Towers or Executive Levels, Gold VIPs will be provided with a guest room on the Towers or Executive Level floor, whenever possible. In cases when Towers or Executive Level accommodations have been fully booked, Gold VIP members will be offered the use of the Towers or Executive Level lounge, including complimentary continental breakfast each morning. At hotels without a Towers or Executive Level, Gold VIPs will receive complimentary continental breakfast each day of the stay. And in hotels at which a complimentary breakfast is a benefit for all guests, Gold VIPs will be offered a special amenity as an expression of our appreciation.
http://www.hilton.com/hhonors/benefits/levels.html


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He who dies with the most miles ... is dead.

I just stayed at the Seattle Airport Doubletree and received the following for my $79 room as a 'Gold Vip': a suite on the 12th floor, a cert for breakfast, and only 1 cookie. When I returned from dinner at the Met, the bathroom lights had been turned on, there was 2 bottles of water on the sink, the bed was turned down, and 4 after dinner mints left on the pillow.

Earlier in the week, I stayed 12 nights at a Hampton Inn. As a 'Gold Vip', I received a bottle of water and a bag of Cheese Nips.

When I stayed at that DT earlier this month (for quite a bit more than $79), I got a nice room (but not a suite) on the 12th floor of the tower. The clerk who checked me in "forgot" to give me cookies and breakfast certificates--I had to ask for each. No turndown service. There were two bottles of water in the room upon arrival.

The Hampton Inn down the street gave me a bottle of water and a bag of Oreos. My room had an empty box of tissues. Other than that, everything was perfect. Superb service.

$79 for a night at a Doubletree is pretty good; especially in the pricey Seattle area. There are some phenomenal deals for Doubletree locations in Portland ($59-79) for booking through a Portland Tourism promotional site:
http://www.pova.com/home/big_deal_00/big_deal_hotels.html

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2 stays at the same DoubleTree Boca Raton FL:

Gift #1: 2 waters plus gift basket with chocolates, Amaretto cake, coffee and other snacks

Gift #2: 2 waters plus tin with 6 cookies (in addition to the usual bag of 2 you get at checkin). I had to provide my own Tums :-)


SteveH

$79 is cheap at the Seattle Doubletree?

Stayed last month for $8 night via Priceline. (Had a $5 night for this month booked as well.) Got the choc cookies on check in, we got upgraded to the Presidential Suite (I swear) and got two breakfast coupons which alone were worth a great deal more than $8 of course. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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~ Glen ~

I'm staying at the Doubletree Guest Suites Orlando-Maingate next week for five days. Has anyone had any experience with this property/know of any possible upgrades. Its a two room villa with a balcony and a kitchen. The only room that would be 'better' than that would be the 3 room Villa. Not even sure what I'm going to do with two rooms, much less three. Has anyone ever been to this and have any experience with it? It doesn't appear to be anything like a normal Doubletree. I should probably turn this into a seperate posting altogether, but does anyone have any info on it/upgrade possibilities? Thanks..

Speaking of upgrades, I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Islandia, New York this past Saturday. As a Gold VIP, I got a whole bag of goodies including an apple, a pear, a banana, a box of crackers, box of cookies, three cans of diet soda, two bottles of black cherry soda, and some water. Not sure if this is unusual, but I'll take it! And to top it off, it posted to my Honors account this morning, not even two full days after checkout!

There is obviously a great disparity at the amenities one gets as a Hilton elite. If our faithful lurker Adam is reading, can you respond to this? Is there a set of standards for all Hilton properties to determine exactly what amenities elites get? The disparity between Hamptons is especially great. Thanks Adam!

Doubletree at the SJC airport has also been offering $79/night rate on the weekends. Stayed there last Sat - no upgrade (not available, I was told) but did get access to the lounge.

Question,
Staying at the Doubletree Norwalk, CT. Anyone saty here before? They have a Au Bon Pain that serves breakfast, but they say that there are no complimentary breakfasts for Gold members. Also not sure, but I don't think there is a lounge. Do they all have lounges?

Usually stay at Hiltons and Hamptons so I was just wondering what I should expect.

Thanks,

Mark

Mark...

I just stayed at the Doubletree Norwalk this past Friday. As an HHonors Gold, you will get a room on the top floor (not any different than the rest of the rooms).

In the room, I received two bottles of water, and the fruit/cheese/crackers plate.

I woke up at Noon the next day, checked out at 1PM, and I joked with the reception desk regarding missing breakfast. She told me that she would call Au Bon Pain, and let them know to give me a free breakfast.

Overall, the hotel was nice. Check out South Norwalk, and take a walk over to the Priceline.com building across the street.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

and by the way....no lounge at the Doubletree Norwalk; although they do have something called the 'clubroom' that is open to all guests

Thanks sofedawg,
That echo's what I was told, just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

We're going to SoNo tomorrow to check things out and we'll try to make it to Priceline (what is there to see there?)

BTW did they hit you for an energy surcharge on the final bill?

Again Thanks for the quick answer.

[This message has been edited by ontherun (edited 05-01-2001).]

I don't think there was an energy surcharge...the rate was $64, and the total came to $72 (I'm assuming that was just tax).

Priceline was interesting for me because I'm one of the original employees of a similar (competitive) company. Other than that, I guess the view of the building outside of your window would suffice.

Have a good time in SoNo....it's a nice change from the city 'scene.'

Justin

I stayed at the Norwalk Doubletree Club last weekend and had a very pleasant stay. The rate was reasonable-- $69--. The hotel has a small indoor pool and fitness center.
We are Diamond members and were placed on the top floor (don't think the rooms are any different), and given 2 bottles of water in the room. When we asked for our complimentary breakfast, the very pleasant girl at the front desk told us they are "not a luxury hotel" so they don't provide breakfast. The woman checking in beside us was being given breakfast coupons for Au Bon Pain (I suspect she booked a B&B rate), so I was getting ready to whip out my printout of the Hilton T&C for Hhonors, when she said, "oh but I will give you the coupons anyway". This coupon was good for 1 pastry item and 2 beverages or the buffet breakfast. Both were served at Au Bon Pain (one of my favorite fast food places). The buffet was plentiful with fresh fruit salad, yogurt, fresh squeezed orange juice, bagels, pastry, eggs, sausages, potatoes, bacon and french toast and coffee/tea. Quite nice!
There is also an old style Carvel across the street, and many nice seafood restauarants close to the hotel.
I really enjoy these "Club" hotels, with the Au Bon Pain restaurants attached, but I am wondering if this line of hotels is not honoring the Hhonors benefits.

Stayed at the Wash DC Doubletree several weeks ago and got cookies, water bottles, breakfast and Gold upgrade to a nice top floor suite for $120 rate.

Btw, it's located 1.5 blocks from Metro stop and 2 blocks from Watergate shops and residences.

My experience hasn't been as good as some others with a new Gold VIP card. Got a fruit basket and a box of 4 chocolates at the Doubletree Guest Suites Orlando-Maingate. No upgrade on the room and the fruit was mostly spoiled. Usually get a bottle of H20 and oreos at Hamptons, never an upgrade. The worst was the Hampton at BWI airport ... nothing and the place is is in shabby, smelly condition. Sounds like I need to lobby harder for those bennies.

Stayed at the Phoenix Doubletree Guest Suites last month and got the free breakfast buffet, the bottled water, and a little shopping bag with a couple of magazines, more bottled water, cookies, microwave popcorn, and a nice note from the GM recognizing Gold status...

...but a few days earlier at the Guest Suites in Chicago, just got a $10 breakfast coupon and nothing else. Obviously, YMMV.

Stayed at the DoubleTree hotel in Anaheim, CA. I was upgraded to a club level but there was no lounge. We received turn down service but no chocolates. The bottle of California wine as an amenity was a very nice touch.

I have been pleasantly surprised with DoubleTree. Why can't Hilton treat their Gold HHonors likewise?!?!?

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"Fly me to the moon and let me earn alot of miles."

I recently stayed at the Doubletree Suites Houston. Nice property. I had to push to get a pass into their exec lounge (which serves breakfast) on their exec. floor.They, however, had designated another floor (not exec. level) as their Honors floor. With no additional upgrades (robes,toiletries,etc.)this floor is basically the same as others.I believe that the rules are that golds get upgraded to evec floor,but they feel that they have a loophole. It seems that too often I need to be strong willed and almost rude to get what the program is suppose to give. Am I alone in this ?

I recently stayed at the Doubletree Club Boston/Bayside on a $35 Priceline stay and was pleasantly surprised by the friendly staff. The people checking in before us were told that the only rooms available at that time were on the first floor (it was around noon). However, when I checked in I was given a room on the top floor (though in the Club hotels the rooms are all the same), and received the Au Bon Pain breakfast coupons. I was shocked when the front desk called my room shortly after I arrived to check and see if everything was fine. I don't remember the last time that happened in a hotel!

I am currently staying at the Doubletree Suites in Mount Laurel, NJ. I have stayed there twice before, but this is my first time with "Gold" status.

Previously, I received two cookies upon check-in and free "made to order" breakfast each morning. Since I am now Gold, I also received a pass for one free beverage each each evening at the "reception". WOO-HOO!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Also, there are two wings to this hotel. One is newer and has nicer rooms. My room is in the older wing. The room is nice, just not as nice as the newer ones. So much for a free upgraded room!

i've been gold since Feb and Diamond since April. In over 20 DT stays at 2 properties i've always received breakfast buffet coupons(and its much more than continental). But in room i've gotten 1 or 2 bottles of water and sometimes it's forgotten.

Well, I am going to try and be more "forceful". I might even carry a copy of the rules and request a manager if I feel that the hotel is not properly educated.

Leaving for the Doubletree "Castle" in Orlando with husband and 2 teens. I'm gold now, got my card this week. Have been with
Hilton for five years now as Silver. What can I expect for an upgrade/ammenities there?
Are teens allowed in the Towers (if they have them available). Never upgraded before in travel. Do I ask when I register for an upgrade or do they automatically upgrade if rooms are available.
Thanks

Hello FTers,

Stayed last month at Doubletree SFO, front desk staff acted like they did not know what I was talking about when I asked for HHonors Gold perks. I got nothing other than points and miles (did get a bag of two cookies for my wife when I asked for it).


Va.SquireFlyer

An update on the Seattle Airport Doubletree: They have made check-in quicker for HH members. The last time I checked in they handed me a folder with my name and room number already pre-printed in the inside (nice room, too). My breakfast certificate was inside along with the key. All I had to do was show my credit card, take the folder, and I was off to my room. I love it when I don't have to ask for my Gold benefits.

Plus instead of checking in at the main counter, they have HH members checking in at the special stand where airline crews check in. I didn't have to wait at all.

Too bad Seattle Airport DoubleTree charges $12/day for parking! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Is there a way for anyone to get free parking at this property?

I had two stays at a Doubletree in the past week.

At Doubletree Grand Key Biscyane, Miami, I had mixed results. I really appreciated the fact that I was upgraded to the junior suite without asking, but when it came to the matter of complimentary breakfast, nothing worked.

Even after showing a copy of rules, I could not make them change their mind. Normally the night staff is new, so I tried asking the morning staff. Finally went ahead and paid for the breafast at the hotel.

Not that I mind paying for it, but if it is a perk slated in the rules, I have a right to get it. Funnily, had no problems at the Doubletree Club, Atlanta.

On a lighter tone, it beats the Seattle Airport DoubleTree on parking charges. $ 16

Staying at the Doubletree San Diego Mission Bay on a priceline stay now. Expected nothing. Got breakfast coupons, upgrade to exec floor with lounge, and turndown service ( more yummy cookies). When the checkin gun was checking me in and I said thank you - he said well - we do like to take care of our diamonds- now if we could get all hiltons to think that way http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif