Hilton HHonors - Hilton HHonors Properties: Suggestions For a Winter Getaway

Hey folk! Maybe I can get a few suggestions. My wife and I are looking for someplace to visit during late November or early January. We don't mind cool weather, however we don't want the deep chill (sub-50 degrees Fahrenheit, we're CA people). Where would you go with these restrictions:

- Non-premium Hilton family property
- Anywhere in Europe, the Caribbean, South/Central America or Mexico.
- 6 night stay in the same hotel
- Have visited London, Paris, Rome & Milan out of the locations listed.

Any suggestions? Thanks, Ken!

Have you thought about the new Cabo Hilton. I thought others had gotten award stays here as a "non-premium" property.

$398 fares on UA to EZE (Buenos Aires)!

The Hilton BA is supposed to be GREAT

Cancun Hilton is pretty nice: superb beach, good service, laid back. A day trip to Chichen Itza one day, Tulum ruins another. We had a ball over 6 nites.

It's funny, I was concentrating so hard on the European and South American options that I totally overlooked Cancun and Los Cabos. Has anyone actually been to the new Cabo resort?

The idea of visiting Argentina has always been interesting to me, however they still seem to be in quite a bit of political turmoil.

In Europe, how is Malta weather during the winter months?

Looking at destinations in Europe, here is a question for anyone familiar with the areas:

Would you choose Malta or Barcelona for late December, early January?

How about the Conrad resort in Punta del Este in Uruguay. Sounds fun. Most of the rooms have ocean views. There's a great beach.

You can either fly into Buenos Aires or Montevideo.

AA and UA have a fare from SMF to Montevideo for $498 plux taxes and fees for travel through the end of March. That's about 15,000 base miles round trip, if you route through JFK (for AA) or IAH (for UA).

That's enough for gold status on AA!

I smell mileage run!!!

Hi TravelManKen,

Malta would likely be warmer in late December/Early January.

Barcelona will still be reasonable although it might be cool at times and you could have showers/rain during your stay ( Barcelona is a beautiful city to visit though)

Regards
TBS

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TravelManKen:
Looking at destinations in Europe, here is a question for anyone familiar with the areas:

Would you choose Malta or Barcelona for late December, early January?</font>

TravelmanKen,
Malta has a nice new Hilton and the weather is good for late December and early Jan. But six days in Malta will be a bit much unless you and your wife want to just chill.

How about double dipping between Malta and Southern Italy? Maybe, staying at the Hilton Sorrento Palace for few nights?

I've never been to Barcelona so I can't comment. But planning to go in mid-January on my way to Costa del Sol and Gibraltar.

AndrewM

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TravelManKen:
Has anyone actually been to the new Cabo resort?</font>

see: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/005612.html

My friends that live in Barcelona didn't think that the Hilton Barcelona was in the most convenient location for tourists when I visited there two years ago - they got me accomodations in a very nice 4* right in the center of things instead.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AndrewM:
TravelmanKen,
Malta has a nice new Hilton and the weather is good for late December and early Jan. But six days in Malta will be a bit much unless you and your wife want to just chill.

</font>

Here's a second to that observation. I did 6 nights in Malta last November (There's a trip report in that thread, if you search for it). My Girlfriend and I had a great time, and the property was fantastic. Upgraded room (Gold) was nice with a balcony and fresh fruit basket. And the lounge was very nice. Choice of breakfast in the lounge or buffet. Tons of positives about the place.

But, there isn't a ton to do. We went scuba diving for two of the 7 days, and lost one to flying in/out, and still managed to see the entire island and have some downtime. It wasn't incredibly warm then, but nice enough that we could get away with shorts during the day and khakis at night.

I'm doing a week at St. Lucia this year, but that's a premium property, so it doesn't fit in your criteria.

S.

I would vote for Cabo and Cancun. Tons of stuff to do at each loacation.

However, for a just 50,000 more points, you could spend 6 nights in Key West.

I'm looking for a winter get away to warm weather for Xmas present to my husband. What is the best Hilton in Florida? How about Puerto Rico?
Thanks

The Caribe Hilton in San Juan is a great place. Close to Old San Juan and its got its own private beach.

Don't forget Phoenix & Scottsdale! Squaw Peak & Tapatio Cliffs are very nice properties.

JP

What are the temps in Arizona in early Jan or Puerto Rico for that matter?I'll be using points and can get a room at the Caribe Hilton.Is it worth 130000 points?
Thanks for the help.

Phoenix is really nice in Jan. I lived in AZ for 3 years and I miss the winters there!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lahout:
What are the temps in Arizona in early Jan or Puerto Rico for that matter?I'll be using points and can get a room at the Caribe Hilton.Is it worth 130000 points?
Thanks for the help.</font>

http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/DisplayNORMS.asp?Ai rportCode=KGEU&SafeCityName=Phoenix&StateCode=AZ&Units=none&IATA=PHX (http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/DisplayNORMS.asp?AirportCode=KGEU&SafeCityName=Phoenix&StateCode=AZ&Units=none&IATA=PHX)

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Bob


[This message has been edited by AZ_MISMAN (edited 10-15-2002).]

I think the best Hilton in Fla is the Key West Hilton. It's a great hotel and a prime location.Key West is a lot of fun.

www.keywest.com (http://www.keywest.com)

http://www.solboricua.com/geogr2.htm

Does anybody have any suggestions (3-4 days) for a 1-2 connection jaunt direct from the Airport (East Coast) to a warm, inviting, sunny Hilton?

I would like to burn points for the flights, 60K on US and no more than 60K-75K on Hilton.

Thanks,

G

How about San Juan, or Nassua?

The Nassua Hilton has its own little beach for relaxing, and you can take a taxi over to Paradise Island and the Atlantis Resort for an evening out (but don't try to use their pools, but you can use their casinos). Or, take a short boat ride out to the Blue Lagoon Island for a day (fantastic beach with lots of free hammocks -- I can feel the waves of the ocean already).

Come to Phoenix & check out one of their resorts! Do a search here on Squaw Peak & Tapatio Cliffs

JP

San Juan is nice - a relatively quick flight, too. The Caribe Hilton is very nice - rooms are on the small side, but just fine.

Hello all, Im trying to put together a warm weather trip for april. Any thoughts? I have heard good things abou the property on St. Lucia, but would love some thoughts on other properties and what the best value for points is. I have about 200k right now

thanks!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chicagomarc:
Hello all, Im trying to put together a warm weather trip for april.</font>

If you mean April 2003 you probably will have a tough time getting award space as it is quite close to the date. St. Lucia is tough to get. But always give it a shot, this is just a warning.

I personally do not like being cooped up on a resort w/o much other stuff to do. For a Caribbean destination, I would vote for the Hilton Caribe in San Juan Puerto Rico, the most overlooked island in the Caribbean IMO.

You might consider the Coral Resorts (there are 4) on the island of the Dominican Republic. There is a thread titled “Hilton enters all-inclusive” or something like that. The reward codes for the Coral Resorts is in that thread.

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I am a diamond member and would like to book a HHonors vacation this winter someplace warm in the continental US. We have a new born that will be 6 or 7 months old. Any recommendations??

This may not sound like the place to be with a newborn, but what about the Keys?

There is a Hilton property called Sunset Key guest cottages. It is on a tiny, private island right off of Key West and it has a nice beach there. The units have full kitchens which would be helpful with a newborn. www.sunsetkeycottages.hilton.com (http://www.sunsetkeycottages.hilton.com)
I have not stayed at this property but I have heard from friends/relatives that it is great.

As I understand it you can not use points to book at the Sunset key. Am I correct?

Sorry, I forgot to mention this property is pricey and they may not allow you to use points for free nights--I am not sure.

Hilton also has a nice location in Key West right on the water. It is near the Sunset Pier and the Sunset Celebration. It offers terrific views of the sunsets and you can use points for free nights at this location.

Southern Arizona?

Also if you're considering Florida, you may want to search the threads for the Hilton on Marco Island, near Naples in the southwest tip of the state. Good beaches, quiet, relaxing area.

bj-21.

Any one have any good suggestions for a mini vacation with kids in the northeast during the winter ??

I am diamond with a ton of points to burn ??

thanks

scott

Some general suggestions, without knowing more about what your interests and tastes are or how far you want to travel would include:

New York City: The Embassy Suites (downtown) or the Double Tree Suites in Times Square might be worth considering because they offer two room suites. If you are traveling with kids, I assume you'd love having the extra space. NYC has a plethora of activities and some of the world's best dining options in every price range.

Quebec City: The Hilton there is very nice and has a fabulous lounge. The kids (and probably you too) will love the rooftop heated pool that is OPEN during the winter. It is a surreal experience swimming outside when it is cold. When we were there it was snowing very hard and we were tossing snowballs in the pool. The way it is designed you get in the pool inside the building (so you never get cold as long as you stay in the toasty water) and swim past some flaps to the outdoor section. Quebec is a magical city, especially the old walled part of the city, and has many neat shops and fabulous food, and an amazing toboggan run. The Hilton is in a great location to go exploring the city without a car. Quebec has underground shopping areas where you can browse without going outside.

Montreal: The Hilton Bonaventure also has a rooftop pool and a decent (albeit much smaller) exec lounge. The city has much to offer and also has a huge shopping area underground. Just like in Quebec City, the underground mall has access from the hotel, so you can explore quite a huge portion of the city without a coat.

If you decide on any of these, please say so because I can give you much more information about each of these wonderful places once you narrow down your choice.

I don't know if this is considered NE or MidAtlantic, but we really liked the Embassy Suites at BWI. Great location for quick trips into DC or Baltimore and nice indoor pool area WITH a lifeguard. Really HOT hottub (getting harder to find this lately, most of them are just tepid) but kids are not allowed in the hot tub. First place I have seen this enforced. We got a corner room, and living room area was about 30% larger than standard ES rooms.

Ottawa: Hilton Lac Leamy - several reviews available. Great location. Museums and other tourist attractions for the kids during the day, nice casino for you & the Mrs. in the evening. Outstanding Gold and Diamond treatment.

The Hilton in Lake Placid? I have never been there, but its always on my 'future trip' list.

My husband has diamond status this year and we would like to take my sister and her husband with us for a week in the sun from Dec. 26-Jan. 1. We were thinking Hawaii, but we have been there twice in two years already.

If you were going to spend a week at a warm-weather Hilton, which would you choose? We know it will be crowded, so we're prepared to deal with that aspect. Sister is a teacher, so that's the only week we can go.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Maybe Auckland, NZ? Just watch out for possible cruise ships arriving outside your window!

We are looking at one of the all inclusive Coral hotels in the Dom Rep. I think they are 40-50,000 points a night. I know I worked in the Dom Rep for a couple of months one year and had a blast.

Have done both Cancun and Cabo during that week and had a great time at both. Cabo is a bit quieter if that's what you're looking for.

While both Cancun and Cabo are great properties, I would think that Cancun would be warmer in late December.

A U S T R A L I A !!!

Phuket Arcadia Hilton. Its a great property and if you're using points its the best deal in the HH system. Diamonds are very well treated.

With time being limited, I think we will try to keep it to the Caribbean or Mexico -- a 14-hour plane trip from Chicago cuts into the week :) But we have been eyeing Phuket for a trip on our own this fall -- good to know!