The _Banking_Scot
Jul 2, 02, 2:06 pm
Hi,
Just returned from two weeks in Las Vegas (interspersed with a weekend in PHX as a HH Gold).
Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale ( 2 nights)
Arrival: 21st June
Departure: 23rd June
Room 708
Rate:$55 per night
I arrived at the Hotel on East Indian School Road at 2pm and was given a choice of a high or low level room. I chose high. My continental breakfast coupons were given automatically without asking.
My room was a parlour suite apparently with a separate living area with a pullout sofa and tv separated by the hallway with the bathroom/microwave/fidge and coffee maker.
The actual bedroom as a result is smaller than in the other rooms but was still comfy with a king size bed and cupboard. The room was quiet, cool ( witha good a/c) and kept tidy during my stay.The bathroom was standard size but good and clean.
The hotel has a self service laundry on the third floor which I used (30 mins for washing & 30 mins drying for $1 per machine
The Pavillion pantry stocks the essentials.
The fitness centre is good and the pool is good and open to 11pm (you do hear the traffic on the road)
The hotel is ideally situated for Old town Scottsdale (across the road) and around 10 mins walk from the Fashion Square Mall ( nice and hot in the 100 degree plus tempreature).
I had dinner in the restaurant and was the only person at dinner. Our waitress, Donna was excellent and provided great service. she mentioned that I was only the second perosn there that evening after an older couple had left.
The hotel is also close (10mins) to a shopping centre with a Fry's supermarket.The check out man even gave me the discound for using the Fry's card despite not having one as I was visiting which was good.
On the second evening I was the only person in the restaurant and got talking to Donna.I was quite frankly shocked when she mentioned the wage she was getting ($4.50 /hour)- at that level no wonder staff need tips- ,( she mentioned that Arizona was a "right to work" state) but thet the HGI was paying better than her second job ($3.50 per hour) and was generally working 15hour days.
On my final day I asked for and got a late check out at 2pm.
I had lunch at the restaurant again(Donna was doing the Sunday breakfast and lunch sittings), again being the only person there and she mentioned that the previous week had been hectic with a large number of people coming down at closing time. She mentioned that a table of americans at breakfast had coupons worth around $28 and had not left a tip. I had coupons and left around a $2 for excellent service at breakfast ($5 at dinner) and that taxes applied to tips calucated on the receipts.
She even phoned the Pointe Hilto Tapatio CLiffs resort to see if they could plic me up as I did not have a car. After being told that it would still cost $35-40 she offered to drive me up there once she clocked off at 2pm.
I filled in several guest comment cards commending her for her service.
After dropping me off at Tapatio she even refused $10 even to help cover the gas costs saying to save the money for gambling in Las Vegas.
Overall The stay was excellent with Donna being one of the best Hilton employees that I have come across going above and beyond the call of duty and I will be commending her in an email to flyertalk@hilton.com ( and posting a $10 note in the post)
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs
Room 2063
Rate: $89
Arriving: 23rd june
Dep: 25th June
I arrived at check in at 3pm and went to the HHonors check in line and was seen immediately. I was asked whether I wanted to pay the $10 resort fee ( which did include several discounts apart from the access to the fitness centre ) and unlimited coffee supplies. I initially said yes but after the check in agent mentioned that I had free access with my Gold Card I changed my mind. He said if I did want to pay to come back that evennig I got a letter and my brakfast coupons were presented to me automatically.
The room was in the main building by the gate to the adult pool on the gound floor ( the connection to the main building had the ground floor as 1). I was slightly diapointed with the location of the room and it was obviously no upgrade. The room was nicely decorated in south western style and was similar to the Parlour suite in the HGI described if slightly larger above but with no fidge or microwave. There were sliding doors between the bedroom/hall and hall/living area. The letter welcomed me to the resort and gave me two bottles of water from the minibar.
Water pressure in thr shower/bath was slightly lower than in the HGI(location?)
The balcony was in the shade overlooking the car park from partly below so I did not use it.
The resort itsel is wonderful with many buildings and the Falls village with the two main pools ( slightly shallow at 4feet max) and the 138 ft enclosed waterslide (you go down in almost complete darkness which is fun the queues were never more than 7 or 8 long and often I was the only one.
The fitness centre was good if a bit of a hike from the main building.
The resort is on the side of a hill so there is a bit of walkling outside in the heat but there are walways and shuttle transportation around the resort.
I went to the Point in Tyme for my continental breakfast (full buffet around $4 more) and was good although dinner was a bit expensive.
I had lunch at the cascades cafe which was good (burger).
The Different Pointe in Tyme restaurant is more upscale and more expensive).
The landscaping is done very well with a replica of Havasu falls in the Grand Canyon which was done excelently.
They even offered desert hikes at 6:30am on Tuesday my departure day which i decided not to go on. but went for a 5 minute hike up the path behind the resort and was amazed by the natural beauty.
The slides closed at 7pm although the mian pools were open unitl 10pm and the adult pool was open untill 11pm which was good for a late swim
On the day I left there was a sign saying that the Grotto pool would close at 4pm for a private party (convention going on with activities the night before and the hotel was fairly full)
The offer an hourly airport shuttle ( a large sedan) for $18 which i took back to PHX on Tuesday and was quick ( and saved around $20 on a taxi fare)
The looby area is well decorated with a moring coffe bar although the gidt shop is a little expensive.
There are no shops/restaurnats in the immediate are so if you are staying for more than a few days then you will need a car to explore the area although they do offer a complimentary daily evening shuttle to their sister property Squaw Peak starting around 5pm.
Overall a very good resort ( not too many children and the only dispointment was the room location ( although it was quiet and well soundproofed from the neighbours (both occupied and I heard nothing) and the gate to the pool which is direclty opposite 2063)
Regards
TBS
[This message has been edited by The _Banking_Scot (edited 07-02-2002).]
Just returned from two weeks in Las Vegas (interspersed with a weekend in PHX as a HH Gold).
Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale ( 2 nights)
Arrival: 21st June
Departure: 23rd June
Room 708
Rate:$55 per night
I arrived at the Hotel on East Indian School Road at 2pm and was given a choice of a high or low level room. I chose high. My continental breakfast coupons were given automatically without asking.
My room was a parlour suite apparently with a separate living area with a pullout sofa and tv separated by the hallway with the bathroom/microwave/fidge and coffee maker.
The actual bedroom as a result is smaller than in the other rooms but was still comfy with a king size bed and cupboard. The room was quiet, cool ( witha good a/c) and kept tidy during my stay.The bathroom was standard size but good and clean.
The hotel has a self service laundry on the third floor which I used (30 mins for washing & 30 mins drying for $1 per machine
The Pavillion pantry stocks the essentials.
The fitness centre is good and the pool is good and open to 11pm (you do hear the traffic on the road)
The hotel is ideally situated for Old town Scottsdale (across the road) and around 10 mins walk from the Fashion Square Mall ( nice and hot in the 100 degree plus tempreature).
I had dinner in the restaurant and was the only person at dinner. Our waitress, Donna was excellent and provided great service. she mentioned that I was only the second perosn there that evening after an older couple had left.
The hotel is also close (10mins) to a shopping centre with a Fry's supermarket.The check out man even gave me the discound for using the Fry's card despite not having one as I was visiting which was good.
On the second evening I was the only person in the restaurant and got talking to Donna.I was quite frankly shocked when she mentioned the wage she was getting ($4.50 /hour)- at that level no wonder staff need tips- ,( she mentioned that Arizona was a "right to work" state) but thet the HGI was paying better than her second job ($3.50 per hour) and was generally working 15hour days.
On my final day I asked for and got a late check out at 2pm.
I had lunch at the restaurant again(Donna was doing the Sunday breakfast and lunch sittings), again being the only person there and she mentioned that the previous week had been hectic with a large number of people coming down at closing time. She mentioned that a table of americans at breakfast had coupons worth around $28 and had not left a tip. I had coupons and left around a $2 for excellent service at breakfast ($5 at dinner) and that taxes applied to tips calucated on the receipts.
She even phoned the Pointe Hilto Tapatio CLiffs resort to see if they could plic me up as I did not have a car. After being told that it would still cost $35-40 she offered to drive me up there once she clocked off at 2pm.
I filled in several guest comment cards commending her for her service.
After dropping me off at Tapatio she even refused $10 even to help cover the gas costs saying to save the money for gambling in Las Vegas.
Overall The stay was excellent with Donna being one of the best Hilton employees that I have come across going above and beyond the call of duty and I will be commending her in an email to flyertalk@hilton.com ( and posting a $10 note in the post)
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs
Room 2063
Rate: $89
Arriving: 23rd june
Dep: 25th June
I arrived at check in at 3pm and went to the HHonors check in line and was seen immediately. I was asked whether I wanted to pay the $10 resort fee ( which did include several discounts apart from the access to the fitness centre ) and unlimited coffee supplies. I initially said yes but after the check in agent mentioned that I had free access with my Gold Card I changed my mind. He said if I did want to pay to come back that evennig I got a letter and my brakfast coupons were presented to me automatically.
The room was in the main building by the gate to the adult pool on the gound floor ( the connection to the main building had the ground floor as 1). I was slightly diapointed with the location of the room and it was obviously no upgrade. The room was nicely decorated in south western style and was similar to the Parlour suite in the HGI described if slightly larger above but with no fidge or microwave. There were sliding doors between the bedroom/hall and hall/living area. The letter welcomed me to the resort and gave me two bottles of water from the minibar.
Water pressure in thr shower/bath was slightly lower than in the HGI(location?)
The balcony was in the shade overlooking the car park from partly below so I did not use it.
The resort itsel is wonderful with many buildings and the Falls village with the two main pools ( slightly shallow at 4feet max) and the 138 ft enclosed waterslide (you go down in almost complete darkness which is fun the queues were never more than 7 or 8 long and often I was the only one.
The fitness centre was good if a bit of a hike from the main building.
The resort is on the side of a hill so there is a bit of walkling outside in the heat but there are walways and shuttle transportation around the resort.
I went to the Point in Tyme for my continental breakfast (full buffet around $4 more) and was good although dinner was a bit expensive.
I had lunch at the cascades cafe which was good (burger).
The Different Pointe in Tyme restaurant is more upscale and more expensive).
The landscaping is done very well with a replica of Havasu falls in the Grand Canyon which was done excelently.
They even offered desert hikes at 6:30am on Tuesday my departure day which i decided not to go on. but went for a 5 minute hike up the path behind the resort and was amazed by the natural beauty.
The slides closed at 7pm although the mian pools were open unitl 10pm and the adult pool was open untill 11pm which was good for a late swim
On the day I left there was a sign saying that the Grotto pool would close at 4pm for a private party (convention going on with activities the night before and the hotel was fairly full)
The offer an hourly airport shuttle ( a large sedan) for $18 which i took back to PHX on Tuesday and was quick ( and saved around $20 on a taxi fare)
The looby area is well decorated with a moring coffe bar although the gidt shop is a little expensive.
There are no shops/restaurnats in the immediate are so if you are staying for more than a few days then you will need a car to explore the area although they do offer a complimentary daily evening shuttle to their sister property Squaw Peak starting around 5pm.
Overall a very good resort ( not too many children and the only dispointment was the room location ( although it was quiet and well soundproofed from the neighbours (both occupied and I heard nothing) and the gate to the pool which is direclty opposite 2063)
Regards
TBS
[This message has been edited by The _Banking_Scot (edited 07-02-2002).]