Hilton HHonors - Hilton Sydney Trip Reports and Reviews

I just stayed at my first Hilton Hotel. Booked a room for New Years Eve so we could party without having to worry about getting home. I must say that myself and my fiancee were both very pleased with the service, and the extra little touches, such as free drink vouchers etc. etc, oh and the Koala chocolates. Well done Hilton, we will definitely use them again.

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Bring back the gimp upgrades :)

I have stayed at the Sydney Hilton in the past few weeks. I must say I have missed the attention and great upgrades I get at Hilton.
I have been on very deeply discounted stays and still got a great suite last week and a fabulous kingsuite(3 complete rooms with spa)
yesterday.
had a lovely dinner in the san francisco grill. one of the great hangouts of the 70s and 80s.
met some great people who have been there for 20 years who informed me that they are pulling the place apart and doing a drive through from pitt to george and the whole hotel will be in pieces for a year.
The exec lounge staff have a great attitude and the food and drinks seem to keep coming.
Makes me wonder why Ive been staying elsewhere!!
Anyway. anyone who wants to get a real feel for Sydney had better get in there before december.
There were only about 30 people in the restaurant and I met 6 people I havent seen for 10 years.
ill certainly be making this hotel my favourite again.

The Sidney Hilton will be closed a year! Was planning a stay in february...
I guess thats the reason for the no availability message i get trying to book online


[This message has been edited by beepee (edited 08-14-2002).]

I don't understand, what is so Sad?
The hotel is long Overdue for a Make-Over, It's not like they are closing it for good.
Hopefully they can do something with the outside of the building as well.

Marvella

Externally it is nothing impressive but the hotel itself is very nice imo. ( except for their valet parking. I found that they left the cars unlocked with the keys in the car and the window open down in the car park. Excellent for any car thief )

Dave

When is it closing??

They are saying the end of the year.
I do know it is not a pretty building but for those of us who grew up in the 80s in Sydney it brings back great memories.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marvella:
I don't understand, what is so Sad? </font>

It's sad because there is only one HH property in Sydney (and no, airport location doesn't count), and you are SOL if you planned an award stay in 2003.

Oh, dear! My sister and I will both attend a conference next December (2003) in Sydney and I was counting on being able to plan a GLO9 or GLON stay at this hotel! It will surely be a disappointment if the hotel is still closed then....

Guess we'll have to punt! Open to tips and suggestions...TIA.

This is indeed surprising, given that I currently have an award stay booked for the Sydney Hilton during April 2003 and no one has informed me that the hotel will be closed. It is true the entire hotel will actually be shut down during renovations?

I spoke to someone else at hilton res in sydney and they dont seem to know when the hotel is closing.
Apparently they have been putting this off for a while but all the staff at the San Francisco grill are very sure it is after Xmas.maybe they have just been put on notice.

No wonder I couldn't get an award or paid stay for next March (spring break) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif. The agent I spoke to was completely shocked that absolutely nothing (as in, nothing) was available for the time span she searched.

I wonder if the restaurant will also be closed? Their food is pretty good as long as you get in early enough.

On Channel 9 at 6pm tonite 29th August they have announced that the Sydney hilton will close in November 2002.
Apparently industrial action may follow.

I have a confirmed GLON award stay booked for 27th December to 2nd January. I haven't been told it will be closed. I'd have thought they would have stayed open until after the busy holiday period.

I've checked various dates throughout November and December on www.hilton.com (http://www.hilton.com) and it is showing as nothing available. When I checked on www.expdia.com (http://www.expdia.com) for dates in December it was showing availability. I'm confused. I've sent an email to Honors asking for clarification.

The major issue I have is that on checking Expedia and Travelocity I find there is next to no availability on New Years Eve and what little there is, is extremely expensive. Not good.

Found this in the Sydney Morning Herald:-

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/08/29/1030508094585.html

Not good at all. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

Anyone any idea what the legal position is here? I have a confirmed booking and rate (points). What are Hilton's obligations?

[This message has been edited by Gaza (edited 08-29-2002).]

Hilton will make an official annoucement on Friday 30 August at 11am Sydney Time.

It will be a $200m upgrade to the hotel. Sad to see so many have lost their jobs. Hopefully it will be excellent once re-opened and will be up there with the Westin.

[This message has been edited by kawoh (edited 08-29-2002).]

I stayed there last night to complete my 50,000 deal. Had a 41st floor Executive room and all of Hotel is looking pretty tired IMO, and a makeover is clearly overdue.

Absolutely no mention to me by check-in, check-out, or restaurant staff, or by letter from Management in room etc that there was to be an closure. Which is pretty silly, as many folks stay there often, and pre-warning them never can hurt.

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~ Glen ~

Kawoh I doubt that you have any legal position.
Are they going to keep a hotel open cause they have a person in on NYE??
I had confirmed boioking for the Westin in Melboourne for the Grande Prix about 3 yrs ago. 8t was suppose to open 2 weeks before the GP. It didnt. they caled me the week before and said they could get me into another hotel no where near the westin and no where near as nice for the same price.
I told them I only wanted to stay at Sheraton or Hyatt and they said that if I wanted the park Hyatt I would have to pay the $630 per night that they were asking.
They told me they would send me a nice gift to whatever hotel I was in.
I recieved 5 hand made chocolates after a reminder call.
I was expecting a bottle of Dom Perignon!

.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tinkybelle:
Kawoh I doubt that you have any legal position.
Are they going to keep a hotel open cause they have a person in on NYE??
I had confirmed boioking for the Westin in Melboourne for the Grande Prix about 3 yrs ago. 8t was suppose to open 2 weeks before the GP. It didnt. they caled me the week before and said they could get me into another hotel no where near the westin and no where near as nice for the same price.
I told them I only wanted to stay at Sheraton or Hyatt and they said that if I wanted the park Hyatt I would have to pay the $630 per night that they were asking.
They told me they would send me a nice gift to whatever hotel I was in.
I recieved 5 hand made chocolates after a reminder call.
I was expecting a bottle of Dom Perignon!</font>

Tinkybelle - It was me who asked about the legal position. My point is when I made the booking I entered in a contract with them to provide service i.e. 6 days accomadation. The fact that a short time before they are due to provide the service I contracted for they decide to close the hotel, IMHO, is a breah of contract. I have made other travel arrangements based on my plans that will now have to be altered.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kawoh:

It will be a $200m upgrade to the hotel. Sad to see so many have lost their jobs. Hopefully it will be excellent once re-opened and will be up there with the Westin.


</font>

I am reading $A400 million for the update Kawoh. Phew. Big dramas re the staff they let go in all media.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/08/29/1030508098882.html

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,5000835%255E1702,00.html



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~ Glen ~

According to the Fin Rev, Hilton Group purchased the hotel from the owner of the property for A$180m after an ongoing dispute with the owners to have them develop the property which they refused.

Now that they own it (purchased it in 2000) they will now be renovating it including making street front access to the lobby. Hopefully those empty shops in the building will get some tenants if they choose to keep them.

They will also be opening up a nice new gym there - which I believe will also be open for public membership.

[This message has been edited by kawoh (edited 08-30-2002).]

I have been staying at this Hilton since starting to visit Australia in the 80s. Always got a very nice, albeit smallish, room on the Exec level, as a Hilton Club member and later as HHonors Gold, regardless of rate paid. I quite enjoyed the English Club decor, and slightly old fashioned ambiance: though definitely not shabby and tattered. Not much changed from visit to visit over two decades, which I actually found a plus. For me it was a great location. I could just walk around the corner to David Jones and shop at Food Glorious Food for an array of goodies to take back to the room: wonderful Kostos prawns, salads, reasonably priced Hunter Valley chardonnays, warm brioche... Or spend an hour or two after a hot day of sight seeing in the darkened confines of their Long Bar, almost as legendary in the early days as the one at Raffles [or the Hyatt Chicago http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif ].

I generally split my Sydney stays between the Hilton and the old Wentworth, when it was a Sheraton. It too shared the English Club ambiance. When it changed hands, and left the Starwood/Sheraton fold, I moved over to the combo of the I-C and the Hilton [just can't stay at anyplace more than two or three nights...].

Will be interesting to see how they fix the place up. Sorry to hear that so many staffers will be out of work for the interim, though I am sure many will find jobs somewhere, even with Sydney's overbuilt hotel situation.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">for an array of goodies to take back to the room: wonderful Kostos prawns, salads, reasonably priced Hunter Valley chardonnays, warm brioche ... </font>

The party is definitely in your room next visit Shareholder. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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~ Glen ~

I too have an award stay planned starting on November 29th and have not yet been contacted. Any bets as to when Hilton will get around to informing its customers the hotel will be closed? Without Flyertalk I would not have known the hotel was closing. Thanks for the posting.

Diamon Desk have now taken this up with the hotel on my behalf. I've post the outcome.

I have just had a letter from Hilton Hotels of Australia Pty Ltd.

It said ,
We are writing to sdvise you that effective 29 November the Hilton Sydney is to be closed for an extensive refurbishment,at an appromimate cost of A$200 million.
The new Hilton Sydney will reopen in mid 2004.

GAZA!!sorry.
I have been told that Hilton well provide another hotel(yet to be advised) of similar style and in a good position so that the patrons will not be disrupted!
Will let you know as soon as I hear but apparently all bookings will be honored.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tinkybelle:
Will let you know as soon as I hear but apparently all bookings will be honored.</font>

Thanks tinkbelle. As usual FT seems to provide info ahead of the hotel/airline/etc. etc. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Well once again Im in house in a fabulous King suite.
The staff are still great!!
im getting all the info and will let u know as soon as I do!!!
met a girl from Chicago in the exec club(open for drinkies from 5.30 till 11pm!!!)
who hadnt heard of FT!!!!
has she been on the moon!!!!

Just received the following from the EMEA Diamond Desk.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Dear Mr. Gaza

Our office in Dallas is now dealing with all the reward reservation that have been made for the Hilton Sydney. They will be contacting you directly.</font>

Just received the following directly from the hotel:-

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Dear Gary

The Hilton is closing for renovation on 29th November for up to a period of 18 months. We are in close contact with Hilton Honours Customer Service in trying to ensure that Hilton can assist Honours members on redemption stays in finding alternative accommodation (at this stage, we can only offer Sydney Airport Hilton). At present we are unable to confirm exact details but we will certainly keep you posted.Should you wish to stay at the Airport Hilton instead please notify the Reservations Dept immediately on 61 2 9265 6067.

Please accept our apologies for this great inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

Should you wish to relocate and stay at the Airport Hilton, please notify us immediately so that we can confirm a booking for you.

Kind Regards

Carol Sta-Maria</font>

Staying at the Airport does not appeal one little bit!

I would ask for the Westin (pretty close nearby and a nice hotel) if they obliged. The Airport Hilton is way out near the airport and has no clubroom or exec floor.

Got a similar letter from Diamond Club, saying they'll substitute a similar property in SYD CBD.

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~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com (http://www.1Kflyers.com)

Just got a very prompt and polite response to a faxed upgrade request from the GM of the Sydney Hilton (regarding a late October reservation).

Unprompted he informed me that the hotel is closing at the end of November for 18 months for a $A400 million renovation.

Hopefully this means the hotel is being more proactive in letting guests know about the closure.

Mark.

.

[This message has been edited by Gaza (edited 10-21-2002).]

See this post for an update. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/005697.html)



[This message has been edited by Gaza (edited 10-21-2002).]

After staying on the opening night and not being that impressed with the rooms I left and sort of forgot about...Until I was there yesterday with a firend who was staying, I asked to see their room which was a deluxe...
Bloody room is the same as i booked for more money.!..

Anyway, I booked a Executive Room and the features are listed here...

Access to the exclusive Executive Lounge
1 x 26" LCD television
IP Telephony (a first for any Australian hotel)
Data, fax and high speed wired internet access at work desk
High speed wireless internet access
Blackout screens
Room safe
Remington 2000 watt hair dryers
Complimentary tea and coffee
Iron and ironing board
Pillow menu offering a complimentary pillow selection service
MAGIC - the one touch button for all guest services
Access to LivingWell Premier Health Club

Now compare this to a Deluxe room

1 x 26" LCD television
IP Telephony (a first for any Australian hotel)
Data, fax and high speed wired internet access at work desk
High speed wireless internet access in the room
Blackout screens
Room safe
Remington 2000 watt hair dryers
Complimentary tea and coffee
Iron and ironing board
Pillow menu offering a complimentary pillow selection service
MAGIC - the one touch button for all guest services
Access to LivingWell Premier Health Club

Only advantage is the lounge, which as a Diamond in included what ever room rate i am on....

Looking on the Hilton Site you can select Guest Room/ Deluxe room Both the same except you pay $35 more for the same room, or Exc which is still the same pokey room but you get exc lounge access for $75.00...

Trust me, for $75. in Sydney you can go a long way....and close to the Hotel are some ok bars..
Bit of a rip...

Oh well...live and learn

PS. Doing the Romace package...Champagne comes from France..Not Hunter Valley Sparkling wine which is what is being past off...Insist on Champagne which is what you booked for.!

I'm curious to hear reports from anyone else who has stayed there, especially after the opening week or two. There must be SOMETHING better about the hotel. :confused:

Saturday marked two weeks out from our wedding and also my birthday, so seeing I had been wanting to try out the recently re-opened Hilton, my partner booked us in for the night. I had been through the foyer of the property since it has reopened and liked what I saw, normally I’m not a big fan of modern architecture but for some reason it seems to come together well.

We stayed on one of the executive floors (36th) and after using the dedicated hhonors check in counter, we went straight up to have a shower before hitting the executive lounge. The decor and layout of the room was very pleasant, the annoying thing about the room however is that in order to let light into the bathroom they have a frosted glass panel separating the shower from the bedroom, so if you go to the bathroom in the night the bedroom gets lit up when you turn the light on.
After a quick look around the room we headed to the executive lounge for a couple of pre-dinner drinks. The lounge itself has a good feel to it, a few little nooks and cranny's where you can get a private table and even with the lounge at capacity (due to bledisloe cup) it was still relaxing and enjoyable despite not being very large. The sparkling was particularly nice and the canapés were sufficient enough to have been dinner. Alas we had a booking at glass so we had to restrain ourselves and after about 5 glasses of sparkling each we headed downstairs for dinner.

My first impressions of glass were that the ambience and decor are very much reminiscent of Cafe Sydney, same dark wood, low level lighting and crisp white linen, which I was glad of as the aforementioned is my favourite Sydney restaurant. Having read others reviews of glass's service and food, I wasn't setting my expectations to high however I have to say that the service was impeccable. Our waiter was attentive enough to ensure our glasses were never empty (both wine and water), we had fresh bread not long after we were seated, our plates were cleared promptly after each course and yet we never felt as though he was intruding or interrupting us which I think makes a huge difference to the experience. The food on the other hand whilst enjoyable wasn't worthy of the hype that has surrounded the restaurant. It was typical French bistro fare but nothing that left me thinking when I could next get back to experience it again. In fact I would go to Café Sydney or Manly Wharf Hotel long before I would go back to glass. The one thing that glass does do well is its wine list; the depth of the range isn’t matched elsewhere in Sydney. Got an itch that only a Penfolds grange can scratch? Well they have every vintage from the last 10 years. Their mark-up however is also the highest I have seen, a bottle we normally buy for $18.99 at our local was $72.

After dinner we went upstairs for a few cocktails at Zeta, which has a very groovy feel to it and I’ll definitely be back, before retiring for the night. I was surprised to wake around 2am to the sound of sirens and my surprise grew to annoyance when I realised that the window 30cms from my pillow was not sound-proof meaning that every ambulance that left central on a very busy Saturday night reverberated through our room. After fashioning some earplugs from cotton wool, I did manage to get back to sleep around 4am but I’m still wondering why when they renovated they didn’t put in soundproof windows.

Sunday morning we headed back to the executive lounge for breakfast but had to wait about 20 mins as it seemed everyone on the executive floors decided they wanted breakfast at the same time, no big drama however and we soon seated. One thing we did notice again on the Sunday morning was that the food in the bain maries was on the cold side of luke warm, will be interesting to see how long they last as they don’t seem to work very well (table next to ours was complaining about cold scrambled eggs so I’m not the only whinger). There was however a great range of food on offer, cooked breakfast of eggs and bacon (albeit cold), cereals and breads as well as a more European buffet of meats, cheeses and hard boiled eggs.

After breakfast we strolled back and packed up the room before heading down to checkout (the no-stop checkout docket was placed in our room but I had forgot to add my diamond/premium club discount). All in all an enjoyable weekend away from home but not something I’d be going out of my way to experience, next time I think we will forgo the hhonors points and either the four seasons darling park or Sheraton on the park instead.

I presume you mean Four Points not Four Seasons. It is amazing that the windows are not sound-proofed. When I went on a tour in January, they pointed out very boastfully that the windows were complete blackout for sleep at anytime, hardly helpful if you can still hear the noise of the city below.

I presume you mean Four Points not Four Seasons. It is amazing that the windows are not sound-proofed. When I went on a tour in January, they pointed out very boastfully that the windows were complete blackout for sleep at anytime, hardly helpful if you can still hear the noise of the city below.

Ahhhh yes indeed, see what happens when you have broken sleep :D

I am currently staying at the Sydney Hilton until tomorrow morning. Also checked in Sat night so we must have passed each other in the corridors. You have beaten me to a trip report but I'll add a some observations.

I like the modern funky feel. A friend of mine did some of the design so he was taking me through it all yesterday. However it does feel a bit cold and impersonal especially in the lobby which is way too small for a hotel of its size. Always busy down there not enough space.

Bad start to the trip as I pulled in I was greeted by a rather rude concierge guy who informed us if we stayed there for more than 15 mins we would be charged $22 and proceded to offer us no help with our luggage. Seeing as we are on route to London and Rome with lots of cases and we have a two year old it was not very helpful to see him them offer assistance to single male travellers with one small case while my wife had to struggle with a large case and a toddler.

On entering I was fuming :mad: and decided to have a good old shout at the Head Concierge. to his credit he was apologetic and checked us in (jumping the rather large queue) to find our room was not ready (at 4pm). We had booked a Junior Suite via Premium Club at very cheap rates ;) thanks to a very nice Hilton res person.

On returning from a brief shop we found out we had been upgraded to a King Executive Corner Spa Suite :D which was a virgin. Yes we were its first paying (if you can call it that) customers. Well all I can say is the room is bigger than most Sydney 1 bedroom apartments, with a bathroom that could house a small family. Makes for a very happy stay so far except it is so new it is lacking a few things that we have had to ask for, most noticeably a rubbish bin.

This room also has allowed us access (after a chat with my Concierge "friend") to the Executive Lounge which is also a nice bonus when you are not expecting it. Lounge is small but ok. Very similar to most other hotel Exec lounges I have been in. Nothing special but pleasant enough with good service and the usual fare.

Things like this obviously make the trip far better and I would be being very picky to find any fault with the hotel and service. They have done everything since our troubled arrival to make the stay enjoyable.

I have absolutely no complaints but if I was being honest I would not pay the sort of money they want for our room. I also think the Hilton is generally a bit overpriced and think there are better hotels in Sydney for the same sort of price range - Westin, Sheraton OnThe Park, Four Seasons to name a few.

As for Glass I can;t provide a review because I decided at the last minute not to try it. It looks very pleasant and I am sure I will get there at some point when not staying at the Hilton. Perhaps its me being old fashioned but I can't help feel it is not really a part of the hotel more a separate business venture by a Sydney restauranteur who really could have opened a restaurant anywhere in Sydney that would be popular. To me it is only going to make having a meal at the Hilton harder for travellers actually staying there. Bring back the San Francisco Grill and its old fashioned ways :)

Verdict: nice but overpriced. Up against lots of other good hotels in Sydney at similar prices so it depends for me on the best deal.

My son and I had a recent award stay at the Hilton Sydney for six nights at the end of July. I think if one is looking for a place to spend Hilton points, that this is a great use of points. It had what I was looking for in terms of location, executive lounge access, internet access and personal touch. I am a Gold member. Another thread here refers to the high cost of making a reservation here, so one does get a good value for the use of points. Life on the road is never a ten, but I have no qualms about giving the Hilton Sydney thumbs up and was quite happy with our reward stay.

Location: First of all it is located in a truly great city. We opted to take the train from/to the airport after a long flight from Boston. For first timers it was easy to do. We got a pass to use for the train system, which has a stop adjacent to the hotel. They also have a monorail outside the hotel, easy access to cabs, walking distance to the major tourist areas and restaurants. The Sydney Tower was right outside the window and by leaning towards the side of the window was able to get a nice picture of the sunrise over the water.

Executive Lounge: The big question was as Gold would we have access to the executive lounge? Checking in I asked about access to the lounge and it was no problem. We had a room on the 39th floor. I did not inquire about an upgrade as had heard the rooms were on the small size. We had breakfast each day at the executive lounge, which has a very nice selection for breakfast and a goodly number of seats. They have a delightful afternoon spread at three, which we did the first day. Since we were the busy tourists, we never saw what they had for cocktails, etc at night. Based upon what they had for breakfast and the afternoon I suspect it would have pleased me. The various staff people at the lounge were quite pleasant. We checked out here and they put our bags in storage.

Internet Access: The executive lounge has three complimentary computers. We came in several nights around nine and were offered something cold to drink. We never had to wait to use these computers. Thus we were able to easily be at contact with home.

Personal Touch: It is a big hotel, but we found the personnel to be quite friendly. In particular, Jordan Oppy, Executive Lounge Manager was most personable and professional. At one point during our travels in Sydney, we were pondering something. My son said “Dad we better check this out with Jordan.” When you’re on the other side of the world, not knowing a soul it is nice to have someone to bounce some miscellaneous things off. The consignee whose name escapes me at this moment, who has been there for many years obtained tickets for us to the Opera House. .

Room: Yes the room is not large. We could have used more storage space. The room is new, clean and bright. The bath and shower were nice. I have had a lot worst.

Miscellaneous: We were able to check in around nine in the morning. They actually had me down for two rooms. I had canceled a revenue room earlier. The lock in our room jammed one morning, which fortunately we returned for our camera and the cleaning gal was able to take care of it by going through an adjoining door. We requested double beds, but had king size bed and someone had to come and separate the beds. Each morning the Sydney Herald was left outside our door.

Great reports, thank you!
Russell Corr: I'm curious what your rate was, will you share?

In looking through prior reports on the reopened Sydney Hilton, it seems to me that most are done from the perspective of the leisure traveler, usually traveling with another person on a holiday or vacation. My visits to international destinations are frequently the same, but these reports seem to concentrate on the lounges and restaurants, which are helpful when traveling with a companion.

However, I recently traveled alone to Australia on business :( , and got a bit of a different view of hotel service and quality. As I had the occasion to stay at the recently remodeled Sydney Hilton on two separate stays, one weekend and one weekday, I thought I would share some observations of that visit from the perspective of a solo business traveler.

I arrived at the hotel at about 8:00am on a Saturday morning, fully expecting to have to wait for my room. As expected, not ready yet, but it will be in only about an hour. This is where the really outstanding part of my visit began.

I will not be very complimentary about the new Hilton in this review, but I will say up front that it is not possible to overdo the compliments toward the staff. They were, simply put, absolutely first rate, and about the only thing five-star about this hotel.

I was invited to wait in the Executive Lounge on the 36th floor while my room was being prepared. However, this hotel, like too many in my opinion, requires a key card to operate to ANY floor, not just the Executive. No problem, The CSR (not sure their official title) escorted me up to the Executive Lounge, and told the hostess that I was their guest while waiting for the room. When my room was ready, they would deliver my bag to the room and bring me the key in the lounge. Excellent.

As described in previous reports, the Exec Lounge is very nice, though it is divided by various walls that make it seem less open and therefore a bit smaller. However, the food spread out most of the day is outstanding. The Saturday breakfast included eggs, bacon, sausages, many types of breads with a toaster available, sweet rolls and muffins, lots of fresh fruit, cheeses, salmon and other fish, and of course lots of drink choices.

Later in the day the buffet, which is spread throughout the center of the lounge, offers a food selection that will keep you filled between visits to Sydney’s restaurants. Sandwiches, hot dishes, fresh fruit, lots of cheeses, fish, and of course plenty of drink. 3 Internet-connected computers are also available. The lounge is open until 11pm I think (might double check that).

There are lots of tables available for dining, and served, again, by a first rate staff. Always looking for a way to serve, they respond to every need quickly and efficiently. All tables are set with silverware and glasses, so you can get in and out quick if you are in a hurry. Overall, an excellent feature of the hotel.

This particular Saturday there was a parade down George Street honoring the AU soldiers of WWII. Gotta love a parade, so after a VERY filling breakfast, I went down to watch. Great show! When it was over, I assumed that since the hour had passed, my room should be ready, so I went inside to the check-in desk and got in line to check on my room.

Again, outstanding service. The CSR who checked me in originally saw me in line and rushed out to get me. She said she didn’t see me in the lounge, but my room was ready, my bag was there, and gave me my key. Little things like this type of extra effort really mean something, so up to my room I went. Unfortunately, this is where the happy part of this report ends.

As a business traveler, I come to look for certain things in hotels that I may not when on vacation. A desk large enough to work on, with electric outlets close and plentiful, and a desk chair that is comfortable and functional. Large windows for lots of natural light, and a good desk lamp for night work. A comfortable easy chair for sitting after working, or maybe eating if you order up room service to eat while working. A place to put your bag so you can get to it easily. A comfortable bed. Just simple stuff to allow for an easy trip. Unfortunately, the Sydney Hilton offers little of this.

To put it simply, this hotel is NOT for business travelers. First, the rooms are small. SMALL. The furniture is uncomfortable and hard, and what there is of it is in bad locations in the room. The desk is located away from a wall, with the back to the bathroom and facing the bed. If you want to plug things in you have to run the cord across to the wall. The bed is OK at best, not as comfortable as Westin’s, but passable. There is something that sort of looks like a small couch that you probably could sit on, but not to be comfortable. I used it to place my bag on, as there was nothing else in the room to serve that purpose. The big feature of the rooms apparently is the flat panel TVs. They are nothing worth writing home about, and actually don’t work all that great. I ended up working much of the time off the bed. At $450AU a night, that doesn’t cut it.

The bathrooms are about the only acceptable part of the room. They have separate tub and shower, and a sink that is adequate though a bit cramped. However, the bathrooms have a design flaw that Hilton is aware of, but not done anything about. I found it the hard way.

I decided to go out to get something to eat, as eating in the room would be impossible. I needed to take a shower first, but about halfway through the shower I happened to see outside the shower door. THE ROOM WAS FLOODING.

Apparently the drains from the shower are actually located at the shower door, with no lip or change in height of the floor between the bathroom floor and the shower floor, or the room floor. So these drains apparently clog very easily, and when they do, your room is underwater in about 2 minutes.

I grabbed the phone and called the “Magic” service (the catch-all service for anything you need), and within a minute or so several people appeared at my door with lots of stuff to bail out a room. Again, the people were great. Got the room cleaned up quickly, and the maintenance guy had the drain fixed too. A nice save by a top notch staff.

Between then and checkout, there were no other disasters, but items of note include a very noisy air conditioner, which is apparently standard in all the rooms, as I heard other guests complain of the same thing. Also a number of channels on the TV didn’t work, again apparently a hotel-wide problem.

Before checking out from this visit, I took the time to talk to the Guest Relations Manager, and expressed to her my displeasure with my visit. I also told her I was seriously considering canceling my return later that week. I requested nothing of her, and she offered only an apology, but I decided to return anyway to see if anything would be different.

Sure enough, on my return on Tuesday I was upgraded to a suite, one of their “Relaxation Suites”. FYI, those suites can be found on most floors as rooms numbered XX06, XX25, and XX26, with 06 and 25 being the corner rooms.

The suite was nice, about twice the size of the regular room, but that really isn’t saying anything. It has a separate seating area, and at least the somewhat larger desk is facing the window with lots of outlets available, and an adequate lamp. However, both the couch and chair are extremely hard and uncomfortable, not suited at all for watching TV or resting. Again, they went for form rather than function.

The bathroom is open to the bed area, with a large whirlpool tub between the sink/shower/toilet area and the bedroom. There are large frosted glass doors that come out of the wall to close off the entire bath area from the rest of the room. The separate shower has a soaking head above, and side jets along the shower wall, neither of which are in the regular rooms. However, once again a “special feature” that didn’t work. Also the jets on the tub shot water clear across the room (it was sort of funny now that I think about it), so you may not get use of that either. Not to worry, as the tub takes about 45 minutes to fill anyway. And to top things off, one of the 2 a/c units in the room didn’t work, and the other made a horrible noise, like the first room.

As others have noted, the common areas of the hotel seemed to get all the attention, and it shows. The lobby is very nice, the elevators are nice, and the restaurants and lounge areas are also nice. However, I pay for the room, pay a LOT for the room, and that part of the hotel apparently didn’t get much attention.

Unfortunately, the bottom line is that I really cannot recommend this hotel, at least not yet. It seems that they opened a few months too soon, and are using their high paying guests to beta-test this hotel. There are far too many defects and breakdowns to be acceptable, especially when they charge higher rates than many other better hotels.

It appears to me that this hotel went off the mark when they decided to design based on appearance and form rather than function. A prior post noted the hotel rooms had a funky appeal to them, and if you are on vacation or your honeymoon, I guess that’s fine. But when you need a room to work from, it is just a pain in the .... They put a lot of effort into the lobby and restaurant areas, and apparently little thought into the rooms. This has resulted in the excellent employees doing a lot of apologizing for the hotel.

Regarding upgrade chances, I have to say that if you’re Hilton Gold, your chances are near zero, especially on weekends. The best you can hope for is access to the Exec Lounge, and I would say that is borderline on weekdays, and not even that on weekends. For Diamonds, chances of upgrades to suites are slim to none, only it seems if you have a prior bad stay, or something goes wrong with your room, which is a distinct possibility. Otherwise, plan on being in a tiny room, but access to the lounge and great service.

Overall Ratings:

Location: 8
Appearance: 8
Lobby / Reception: 9
Executive Lounge: 9
Service: 10+
Regular Rooms: 3
Suites: 7
Value for the price: 2

OVERALL RATING: 5

This is a very average hotel. There are better in Sydney, and this is very disappointing to those of us who used to stay here and were looking forward to the “New Sydney Hilton”. I would recommend it up to about $250AU to $300AU, but only for a suite. Anything over $200AU for a regular room is a rip-off.

Bottom line; for now, use the Westin.

Thanks a lot for this great report which has made me reconsider my upcoming stay at the Hilton

Great reports, thank you!
Russell Corr: I'm curious what your rate was, will you share?


Sorry for the delay in replying i am overseas and having trouble connecting to the Net.

rate averaged out at $266 per night with the use of Premium Club vouchers but I think they did us a "favour" due to some of the problems we have been experiencing with the Premium Club.

Normal rate for the room we had i am told is somewhere between $600-800 Aussie per night. A great deal for us :)

rate averaged out at $266 per night with the use of Premium Club vouchers but I think they did us a "favour" due to some of the problems we have been experiencing with the Premium Club.



Tell me more. We are there in a few weeks. :p

Isn't the Suite rate only $A120 or whatever with the vouchers? Where was the "favour"?

Executive Lounge: The big question was as Gold would we have access to the executive lounge? Checking in I asked about access to the lounge and it was no problem. We had a room on the 39th floor.

You had no problem getting lounge access, and breakfast up there, simply being a HH Gold?

You had no problem getting lounge access, and breakfast up there, simply being a HH Gold?

I was on an award stay as a HH Gold yes.

Michael

Bottom line; for now, use the Westin.

The Westin has an awsome bathroom, and the shower doesn't flood!

Great offer just received for Diamond Club/Premium Club members - about one third usual price, and I assume GST is included




September Weekends

Stay any Friday, Saturday and or Sunday and enjoy overnight accommodation in a Hilton Guest Room for only $A125 per night.


Rooms are limited, to secure your stay:

1. Call Hilton Sydney on (02) 9265 6045
2. Print the voucher below and present to the hotel upon check-in

Offer is valid September 1, 2005 - September 30, 2005 inclusive. Valid for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights only. Rate advertised is the Hilton Premium Club Exclusive Rate certificate privilege, no further discounts apply. Subject to Availability. Must print and present email voucher upon check in.

Bit of a stay report that may interest others. I'll have quite a few stays here, so paid far more attention than I usually do at Hotels!

Some background.

Revitalising the iconic 1970’s Hilton building and 1980’s interior into a new look was a near 3 year, A$200 million dollar undertaking. A disaster of a time frame financially of course.

The London-based Hilton group has said the combination of the $200 million purchase price it paid for the site about five years ago, and the $200 million fit-out, made the Sydney property its biggest single-site investment - ever.

And the renovation I am sure was the LONGEST in any Hotel's history! It was closed totally for the duration. The penalty compensation costs to the builders for the ~year over-run were rumored to have exceeded the GNP of Africa. ;)

Personally I think they should have imploded the old girl entirely and started again totally from scratch. Right now they are stuck with all the silly tiny room windows in the original shell from 30 years back. And the rather tiny rooms. In the case of our room, both bathrooms remain untouched, so you wonder where the $200m all went!

Booked a Junior Suite using the $A110 (inc tax) Diamond Club voucher. Bit of a hassle getting it confirmed as they did not believe such a deal existed, but I am rather persuasive when I know I am correct. :D

Checked in about 11am yesterday. (Saturday.) Check-in/Cashier area is way too small for such a place, (only 4 or 5 positions it looked like) and was very "cold" in appearance. Very "cold" on your body too - it is right opposite sliding doors from car drop-off/taxi area. When those doors open, a blast of frigid air like the Arctic roared in on your back. No idea why, as it is kinda sheltered out there - but it did. Staffer agreed - she said it is a horrible position to work, and they hate it. They really need one of those circular panel 4 segment doors that many airports use for that reason.

This was purely a leisure stay, so I paid more far attention to the little things than I usually do in Hotels, when all you generally want to do is hit the room and crash after a long flight. @:-)

We found the floor buttons on all lifts really weird. They spread horizontally at waist level on 1 side of lift. You can't readily see numbers on them at all, as number is colourless embossed in the circular metal buttons. They light up beautifully in blue when you select them though. Lynn thought she had it figgered after about 6 trips and that floor 32 was top left button on each grid, but each lift button panel is configured differently. Wacko system.

The suite was not ready, but they invited us to wait in Executive Lounge upstairs on floor 36, and they'd let us know when room was ready and do keys for us there. That went without a hitch. Folks up there went and made us coffees very happily.

Executive lounge is LARGE for those with Gold Room Key access to it, and does have a lot of nooks and crannies. Seems to be open all day. 3 x free access working computers there - great idea for folks like us with no lap tops. Wish that was more common in USA and Europe.

Like the guest rooms, the silly little windows in lounge are appalling. Just a hangover from the old building, but dumb they ever did that on the old girl. Little vertical slits of glass like archer positions in an old castle and yards of wall in between. 'Medieval archer window slits' I called them. The view from up there in the Lounge should be great, but nowhere in there can you sit and experience it.

Same with rooms. We had 5 "archer slits" in the room. Crazy. Should have been near all glass expanses, being a high floor.

Walked into suite (3325) 30 minutes later. Highly disappointed. All the years of pre-hype about the "Six Star Flagship Hotel" had us expecting a STUNNING and breathtaking new room, in line with what we encounter in flagship Hotels in USA and Asia. Nope. :(

It just looked boring and un-inspiring and dis-connected right from the first moment you walked in.

Both bathrooms are exactly as they were 10 years ago I'd bet, or at last makeover. The myth that this hotel was completely gutted inside is just that - a myth it seems. Floors had the original old heavily worn/scuffed marble tiles, ditto the wall tiles and wide basic top bench top and basins. Grouting on floor and walls was old and yellowing, as was sealant along all edges similarly old and original.

Both toilets were old and of a very dated style. The tap-ware in main bathroom MAY have been new - but that was about it. Old style 1970s bath. Separate shower, also from last makeover tho. They should have installed Jacuzzi types in this type of premium room - the space is most certainly there.

Neither bathrooms had fans, or phones or input of the audio from TV/DVD. The latter I like if you need to visit the loo in middle of TV news or a movie etc. Every half decent hotel on earth has had in-bathroom phones for 20 years I'd guess. Toiletries were BVLGARI but very sparse - Lynn went looking for body lotion and there was none there. Even Best Westerns etc have that. :rolleyes:

Room decor was like the staff uniforms - absurdly "modern" and totally out of place for a leading Hilton. Every single person I have spoken to, or read comments on line who has seen or stayed in the rooms, has had this comment. I believe the ©Bart Simpson Elegant Design Salon® was used exclusively. Six cases of beer was his consultancy fee it seems. :cool:

The Male staff have been issued these incredibly stoopid looking totally ill-fitting collarless Space Cadet suits in a colour I'd call "gloomy green-grey". They look like unwanted studio extras from a Star Trek movie.

Far more suited to a yuppy/hip targeted Starwood "W" type hotel - and not a leading Hilton. You just chuckle every time you see these poor kids, and they too look uncomfortable about being dressed by Doctor Spock Exclusive Designs Inc.

Room furniture was a total mis-matched mess. A silly looking art nouveau and totally non-functional puke yellow Italian styled "chaise lounge" was rock hard. Huge square shaped lounge and matching chair were also hard and uncomfortable, and being a light cream type fabric will be ruined in 6 months I'd guess. You'd think hotels would learn about dark colours one day. :)

A strangely placed desk in centre of suite with a bizarrely modern black leather and chrome chair that swivelled back dangerously that was totally out of place. And matched nothing else.

Very large plasma type moveable TV screen, with separate DVD player both had a ton of really ugly wiring running from them. (I understand flat screens in regular rooms are much smaller.) Really visually intrusive. Both SHOULD have been professionally mounted on the wall above where they sat untidily, adding a classy and functional look to the gear. Rather than the present look that they had achieved, of being a hasty afterthought from some kind from an TV shop clearance sale, and just dumped onto a cabinet top.

There were 3 music CD's there, (clever choice of titles I must say) and a couple of interesting looking movie DVD's. There was no note whatever on mini bar menu as to what these cost - pretty dumb, as I am sure now and again guests would buy them if they liked what they saw/heard, and prices were sensible.

I probably would have bought Michael Buble if price was around usual retail. There was no mention of cost, so I did not bother to ask. And I bet a few honeymooners/1st time big hotel visitors will cheerfully souvenir the lot, along with their soap and toiletries and newspaper, and get a $200 charge on their credit card next day. :(

We decided to play a Michael Buble CD. It took us at least 30 minutes of wrestling with the quite misleading instruction sheet to figger out how to do that. There are 2 remotes and either was working the way we needed.

User sheet pointed to some little buttons on far right outer edge of TV screen to adjust. We hit one and the whole thing went dead. 15 minutes later we got it back with high volume you could hear 5 rooms away, that we could not change.

We hit the "Magic Button" and asked if someone could come and show us how, and maybe bring a new remote as this one seemed to be defective. ("Magic Button" is their way of stopping you phoning departments separately - you use that one button for all enquiries - also strange for a major hotel.)

Cheery young kid arrived who was generally as confused as us. He had new batteries, had new remote, and still nothing worked. He decided the only thing that worked were the tiny buttons at side that we could not see, as TV was angled to wall with that site touching wall. A mad system. Another guest concurred.

All staff seemed exceptionally young for a leading Hotel. All those we encountered were friendly and keen to please, to their credit. Looking like reject Space Cadets wearing ill-fitting green sacks was not their fault. :)

The room has a little red/green light type deal outside the door you can turn on to indicate you are happy/not happy to be disturbed. However the 4 gang switch for that has no indication whatever about that. Or any info in room about it. As they have the standard door hang deals as well - "do not disturb" one system clearly seems redundant.

The 5 vertical 'Medieval archer window slits' are tiny as pointed out above. None open. We wondered why there were just flimsy see-thru curtains, as we wanted to sleep-in next morning. Then we noticed a kind of thick blind kind of deal built into the window frame. The top 12" of so on each was hanging down. We tugged on one of these to pull it right down. Nothing happened. Odd. Tugged on all of them - getting more frustrated on each one.

Hit the "Magic Button" again as asked how to lower the blinds. Cheery girl says there is a switch near bed marked "blinds". Huh? Went and played with that. Another 4 gang light switch type deal does in fact lower all blinds electrically. However it says "Press" on it, and nothing else - like "Blinds"! No note in room anywhere telling guests about this that we saw.

I tell "Miss Magic Button" I predict half their fancy and expensive blinds will be very soon torn and ripped and mangled out of frustration of guests trying to sleep, unless they place a little sign somewhere clearly visible in room. Cost of signs a few $1000 and cost of replacing with new blinds 100 times that. She seems to cheerfully agree.

Those blinds I must say were brilliant at keeping the light out next morning.

From 5.30-7.30pm the Executive Lounge serves booze and food, so we'd done most shopping by then and headed up.

VERY full, and it was tough to find 2 seats together. A lot of staff work there we noted, both earlier that day, and then. Ample drinks, and they had a nice Western Australian bubbly we liked. Friendly staff wandered around and topped them up several times. Service stops at 7.30pm with no advance warning to us - so hint - top up your drink at 7.28pm. :D

They have quite a commendable spread of hot and cold food and sandwiches/snacks there - one of the better Hilton clubs you'll find in that regard.

At SYD Hilton I triple checked - there curiously is only ONE restaurant in the entire place. It is "Glass" - more a separate trendy business than a Hilton restaurant. i.e. it has "Star" chef Luke Mangan and if he moved next month their business would halve I'd guess.

I am amazed Hilton do not have anything else as an option, as "Glass" is not terribly cheap, and clearly too formal/pricey for many guests needs/purses for casual Hotel dining I can bet. (Main courses typically mid $30's mark but the lowest priced domestic bubbly, which is all we drink, is $64 a bottle, and we usually get through a couple of bottles, so dinner here for 2 would typically be $100s.)

Plus, you simply can't get a booking some nights as we discovered. I doubt there is any other large city Hilton anywhere in the world with only 1 eating option? :confused:

The Old Hilton had 3 places for meals - the San Francisco Grill was top of the tree, but the America's Cup Bar offered decent food, and there was a more formal place too in between the two - "The Market Place".

We checked at Marble Bar when having a drink and no sign of any food there. Only very basic Cafe Cano, the surprisingly small espresso bar at street level as you walk in doors, and a "GAB" (George Adams Bar) bar upstairs serving Tapas and bar snacks etc.

We tried to book "Glass" for dinner last night - did not mention my Hilton Dining card - just asked to see if there was space at ANY time.

NIET.

We had the friendly concierge at the Executive Lounge ask them, and she really was getting the: "Nope - 100% full" response, so it was obvious that was the deal. For ANY time of evening. In fact she had a lounge guest ask for her booking to move from 7pm to 9pm in the same call. So she cheekily asked them: "does that mean we can squeeze these 2 guests in at 7pm?" and also got a NIET.

We had breakfast in "Glass" this morning. Even at 10.45am the place was jam-packed - amazing. It gets so full for breakfast on weekends they usually refuse admittance to non guests they told me!

Probably the most comprehensive buffet breakfast I've seen anywhere on earth, and that covers a few 100 top rated hotels by now. :)

It is an expensive buffet breakfast ($76 for 2) but eating late it is basically an early lunch. Weird thing is there is absolutely no self serve coffee. You need to order it, and staff at an Italian machine pour it. As it was busy the girl there had about 50 orders and it took 15 minutes to get a coffee. Ridiculous. Having a few pots of self-serve brewed would help those who did not have 15 mins to wait for a morning caffeine hit.

Asked politely if a later than usual check-out was fine, so we could do some more shopping, and they were happy to OK 2.30pm. We appreciated that.

The one thing Hilton really has going for it is LOCATION. Right in the centre of all the retail CBD shopping in Sydney. I walked there from busy Town Hall station - only 100 yards away. The Queen Victoria Building with its 100s of shops is right across the road in George Street. The Pitt Street Mall and huge Myer and David Jones department stores are also only a minute walk away.

The famous Marble Bar is still thankfully untouched. Originally built as part of the Tattersall's Hotel in 1893 it was faithfully re-installed when the Hilton was built on that site in 1975. We popped down to have a drink in this gracious old Victorian bar, and were pleasantly surprised to see bubbly was only $A6 a glass - pretty amazing for that kind of place. In the USA it would run twice that. A rock band with mega amplifiers then set-up and we vamoosed - a rather strange entertainment choice for that elegant kind of place.

In summary, the lobby and our room interior were VERY similar to a Sheraton Four Points Darling Harbour suite, where I have stayed a dozen times. However that place must be 20-25 years old now. And runs way under Hilton rates. And the 4 Points suites are superb with wide accessible balconies that look right over Darling Harbour with nothing between you. No Hilton window even opens.

This was not a room from a brand new "Six Star" Whizz Bang Hotel that was refurbished for $200 million.

It is EXACTLY the kind of room you will find at 100s of USA and Asian Hotels that are presently rated around 3-4 star. Most average Sheratons/Hyatt's/Hiltons equal or generally readily surpass this room's interior. Near every room in Vegas outdoes it. We stay there again in a couple weeks and will be interested to see what we get then.

There is no feel whatever of "quality" or "discreet Class" to this Hotel. It is 20 un-connected styles and ideas all bolted and duct-taped together - badly. Everywhere you look.

Most great Hotels have an opulent feeling of taste and class and refinement oozing from them. From the lobby right through to the guest rooms. The public areas of the Waldorf Astoria are a joy to wander around. Ditto the Palace in San Francisco, or the Royal Hawaiian etc. They have "presence". They have elegance. The rooms are wonderful. The new Sydney Hilton has neither. IMHO.

We chatted to a very regular Hilton client in the lounge. He had stayed at the old place 100s of times it seems. This was his first stay and he agreed. "Cold" and "sterile" were words he used, and he agreed nowhere near as comfy a 'feel' as the old place.

Staff were good and most helpful and cheerful as I have pointed out - and that goes a long way. Silly omissions in the room like instructions and signs will occur eventually when the damage to blinds etc costs 100 times more than the room signs will! Yes it has only been open 6 weeks and these details will get ironed out I feel sure.

The totally mismatched and tacky room decor however will stay the same. It all looked like 6 artistic folks had input and none of it worked visually. Design by committee never works. No "flow" and certainly no symmetry whatever in the one room we stayed in. The stock standard (and well worn) USA hotel style 10 year old bathrooms was a real shock. And great disappointment.

This was a ~$A500 a night room, and as such was a sorry joke. Hilton seems to be panicking already on room rates it seems to me:

www.wotif.com.au/Search.jsp?refine=simpleSearch&country=1&region=2414

Most expected a superb new Hilton would be able to ask - and GET near top rates in SYD for quite a while especially until the "novelty" value wears off with biz guys who all need to stay there to chat about it with colleagues.

As you can see from link above the current real rate for standard rooms is already below Sheraton, Shangri-La, Intercontinental, W, Radisson, Four Seasons (Regent), Harbour Marriott etc, many of who are screaming for a re-furb ..... but still are getting a higher room rate than this "gleaming" and brand new Hilton. Sad.

The nearby Westin seems to be consistently commanding a far higher rate.

I was truly hoping for so much more from the new Hilton. I hope they cancel their expensive contract with the ©Bart Simpson Elegant Design Salon® and quietly start all over again. For 6 cases of beer, I'll gladly be a consultant too. ;)

Glen

glen at glenstephens.com

UPDATE - stayed again September 24 in an 'Executive Deluxe Room' - a detailed report on that, and our views on dining at "Glass" Restaurant can be found here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4639934&postcount=80

I think there is a general agreement that the "new" Sydney Hilton is a major disappointment. You were actually in one of the better rooms in the hotel, a corner suite. As I recall there are only 2 of those per floor, with one additional in-line suite. All the other rooms are half the size, and all with the crappy furniture. Too bad. They had the opportunity to outdo the Westin, and missed it by a country mile.

flyinbob - yes the end corner rooms of 32 and 33 are all they have - i.e. 4 total right now they told me. Odd. And at least one of these I can guarantee had been barely touched renovation wise.

Interesting you mention Westin. A well dressed bizoid I asked how he liked Hilton said: "the room interiors are crap. I usually stay Westin and that runs rings around this place".

Westin and Sheraton On Park are both a very short walk away - and with lower room rates, so the initial feedback must be a worry.

Hilton is the only game in town right NOW, but when the honeymoon is over, filling ~550 rooms each night will be a challenge on many nights I think. Especially from bizoids that they THOUGHT would flock to this place at top rate. :p

Thank you for the review oz ^ .h

Do you have any pictures of the rooms and floor layout? I would love to see (mis)matching furnishings.

Thanks for the review, and warning. When we travelled regularly to Australia in the 80s, this was one of the hotels we stayed at. The other was the Hyatt Kingsgate. At both, we had Exec Floor/Regency Club rooms and enjoyed the facilities. The Hyatt is no more, and it seems the Hilton remains unchanged in spite of all the massive investment. Unfortunately, as you point out, this is 2005 not 1985, so rather disappointing to read about the nature of the changes, or rather lack of them in the guest rooms themselves. Glad to read they did not touch the classic Marble Bar, though I wish there would be more such places that did not have music, live or even piped. People like to talk, and music just makes it impossible.

Another of my favourites from that period was the Sheraton Wentworth, long gone from that group, though I noticed it was still around last time I took a walk in the area.

But things change, and these hotels captured a certain period in Australia's tourist/international business history. [Never really liked the Regent, too sterile and the pipes made too much noise. Could never figure out why it was rated number one in the city back then?]

I stayed at the Grace Hotel on points in 2004 while the Hilton was closed. From what I've read about the new Hilton, I still wish we had that option! The Grace had history, charm, big rooms, and separate tub and shower stall, at least in the corner room that I occupied. Free full breakfast for Diamonds was excellent. The only feature lacking was an executive lounge. Oh well...now we have the slightly refurbished and mediocre Hilton :(

One should not underestimate that Hilton plans to expand the Conrad brand as their premium brand, so Hiltons will not become that luxurious, in some countries it is still enough for a 5* rating though.

Have not been to the Sydney Hilton, but the Hilton Vienna underwent the same process, a complete closure for 18 months IIRC.

And indeed you have to face some major downsides if you only renovate the old structure.While the rooms in Vienna are okay, the bathrooms are way too small.

Same with the only restaurant.When I was there the last time I went for a morning run in the nearby park and returned about 30 minutes later to still see the same couple in line to be seated for breakfast :o

I was there just a week ago, and I have to say the staff are far more impressive than the physical property itself.

Diamond Club in Malaysia refused to do the booking for me using my voucher, saying that the hotel will not accept the voucher till December this year. I thought fair enough since they have just reopened and bookings must be heavy. Just before I had my flights ticketed, I thought I just send them an email and within an hour they replied confirming that I was able to use my Diamond Club voucher !

Another great surprise was that the night before I left KUL, I checked my Hilton account online and found that they have upgraded my room to the Executive Floor. I am only HHonours Gold, and after the recent devaluation of Gold I thought the best I could hope for was a breakfast voucher, so this was quite a pleasant surprise.

I was given a room on the 38th floor which was really tiny. From the floor plan I would see that it was the smallest/narrowest room on the floor and there were only 2 such rooms on that floor. However, the "standard" rooms seemed only marginally wider based on the floor plan, maybe 1-2 ft wider. Since I arrived late and had to catch a domestic flight the next morning, the room size didnt bother me but I couldnt imagine myself spending a few days in such a small room. I thought the "standard" rooms at the Four Points were small, but this room gave a new dimension to the term "small". The "Darling Harbour Suite" at the Four Points which I stayed on my return from Cairns was about 3.5-4 times larger than this Hilton room :eek:

Leaving aside the size, I didnt like the room decor. Its nowhere near the standard of the Hilton Athens, let alone the Kuala Lumpur Hilton which were the 2 "new" Hiltons I have stayed over the last 12 months. The use of mirror was not artistically or tastefully done like the refurbished rooms in Westin Kyoto. Instead it looked more like a typical wardrobe sliding mirror, and there were 2 large mirrors in a small room. I also noticed that the room door-handle looked like it was designed in the 60's. The only thing modern about the room was the telephone with a display panel, the glass-top work desk, the small plasma tv and possibly the remote control blinds which I also had trouble trying to operate :D

I arrived too late to savour the evening cocktails but the continental breakfast was OK with a few hot dishes. Lounge (and other) staff were young and highly enthusiastic. The free internet access in the Lounge was most welcomed, but I found the high intensity halogen lighting too glaring making it difficult to read the keyboard.

Overall a pleasant short stay. I will probably return if I manage to get a good rate and only if I am having an overnight layover in SYD, the room is way too small for a vacation !

I was given a room on the 38th floor which was really tiny. From the floor plan I would see that it was the smallest/narrowest room on the floor and there were only 2 such rooms on that floor. However, the "standard" rooms seemed only marginally wider based on the floor plan, maybe 1-2 ft wider.

Out of interest, where can you see a "floor plan" for this or any Hilton?

Out of interest, where can you see a "floor plan" for this or any Hilton?

If the above is not meant to be a sarcastic remark, I was refering to the "floor plan" on the back of the room door showing the location of the emergency staircase etc

I thought you must have found a floor plan on the web etc. :p

Are the plans on door THAT much to scale??

Ones I have seen are just same sized boxes simply showing where each box is in relation to fire exit. Suites are 2 boxes.

If they showed the slightly smaller rooms as accurately being slightly smaller, wouldn't most guests go back downstairs and moan about getting a slightly bigger room on same floor? Be a nightmare for desk staff.

Glen

I thought you must have found a floor plan on the web etc. :p

Are the plans on door THAT much to scale??

Ones I have seen are just same sized boxes simply showing where each box is in relation to fire exit. Suites are 2 boxes.

If they showed the slightly smaller rooms as accurately being slightly smaller, wouldn't most guests go back downstairs and moan about getting a slightly bigger room on same floor? Be a nightmare for desk staff.

Yes, the "floor plans" on most hotel rooms are usually very much to scale.

When you next check-into the SYD Hilton, do take a look at the "floor plan" and see whether you are able to spot whether the second (or was it third ?) room from both ends of the building being slightly narrower ;)

Regarding the unchanged exterior windows, is it possible that the exterior of the building had architectural significance, or some type of landmark/historical status? In many placed, thirty years is the point at which a building is elibible to be considered for landmark or protected status.

I used to live in Sydney and the Hilton was right up there with the UTS (University Technology Sydney) tower in Haymarket in terms of unattractiveness. I would be very surprised if the Hilton had architectural significance.

PS UTS is also known to its students as the Ugliest Tower in Sydney :)

I take it you didn't care for it ;)

As I understood it the same design team that handled the Westin in Sydney was responsible for the Hilton redo.
Hard to believe with all that talent it wasn't a showplace plus extrodinaire that buries the Westin.And every other property around them>
I'm sure it still has to better then what it was in places?
I have yet to see a property upstage the Westin in Sydney yet.
Including the Westin Melbourne which was built after.
Thanks for the post.You are almost up to the average length of my trip reports :)

YIKES... sounds truly craptacular.

I've always had fabulous experiences at the Westin. Good to know I shouldn't even bother trying the Hilton.

- T

I think there is a general agreement that the "new" Sydney Hilton is a major disappointment. You were actually in one of the better rooms in the hotel, a corner suite. As I recall there are only 2 of those per floor, with one additional in-line suite. All the other rooms are half the size, and all with the crappy furniture. Too bad. They had the opportunity to outdo the Westin, and missed it by a country mile.

Staff: excellent
Executive lounge: excellent
Rooms: major disappointment (very small, very sterile; watered down version / unsuccessful imitation of Melbourne Airport / Auckland)
General areas: okay
Change from a category 5 hotel to a category 6 hotel completely unwarranted!

... Hilton is the only game in town right NOW, but when the honeymoon is over, filling ~550 rooms each night will be a challenge on many nights I think. Especially from bizoids that they THOUGHT would flock to this place at top rate. :p'm staying in Sydney early next Month; on available rates alone, the 4pts is getting my $$$. Given the information posted here it will take an unusual event before I would even consider this place.

While I don't doubt the reviews here can somebody please post some pictures here?
It is almost impossible to believe it's that bad
But as they say seeing is believing :p
These poor folks moved mountains to make this world class renovation happen
Burning with curiousity here
Thanks all

Well, I just arrived home from what I would consider to be a pretty good Hilton stay based on the last few (Hilton Auckland last weekend was _still_ not up to scratch!! Infuriating!!)

I had no trouble checking in. There was no dispute over the booking, which was a relief given the experiences some other FT'ers had with the Sydney res dept.

We were in room 3206, so pretty good view of the city. Nice room, but everyone was right about the bathroom - that peach toilet from the 80s is just not really acceptable for a room of that sort. Nice toiletries, great flat screen telly. The magic button worked, the lounges were quite comfy. Closing the blinds was a little bit of an IQ challenge, though.

Would also have to say I was totally ignored at the Exec Floor (as were my guests when they arrived). We were casually dressed and probably 10 years younger than everyone else there but to ignore us was totally out of line. In fact when I asked to speak to the manager about the situation, it turned out the main culprit was in fact the manager himself! I wasn't charged for the extra guest, however, so I guess it was a fair outcome.

Really slow service on the rooms. When we requested a wine list and champagne flutes they just took way too long to arrive. I know they were busy last night but it seems like the overstaffing everyone spoke about initially has perhaps been resolved?

Overall, not perfect but still pretty good compared with how I'm treated at the other properties. Really unimpressed that my king bed was two singles pushed together and also quite disappointed that the aircon was permanently on 25 degrees no matter what button we pushed!

Having said that, I'd definitely go back there again. (Gosh, it's pretty sad considering the problems that this was a really good Hilton stay!)

We were in room 3206, so pretty good view of the city. Nice room, but everyone was right about the bathroom - that peach toilet from the 80s is just not really acceptable for a room of that sort.

Lis - - interesting you agree re the old fashioned loos and bathrooms.

3206 is the mirror suite that we had. There are 2 on those floors - 3206 and 3225, and ditto for Floor 33. The "06" corner rooms should have the far better potential views than the "25" that look over the QVB basically, although through the tiny slit windows I guess it is all a moot point! If you had the Harbour Bridge on that side you'd only see a thin sliver of it!

To have 10-15 years old baths, showers, loos and fittings etc in a suite they'll sell for ~$500 is just inexplicable for a "6 Star" touted new property.

All the pre-opening hype about interior being totally gutted inside and starting all over again is simply a fib in respect to those rooms. Fib is the polite word for it. :p

I am making a booking now for next week, and hope they can find us something decent that HAS been totally re-furbished so I get a better picture on the hotel rooms.

Hopefully will have a happier report to make after that stay. :D

Lis - - interesting you agree re the old fashioned loos and bathrooms.

3206 is the mirror suite that we had. There are 2 on those floors - 3206 and 3225, and ditto for Floor 33. The "06" corner rooms should have the far better potential views than the "25" that look over the QVB basically, although through the tiny slit windows I guess it is all a moot point! If you had the Harbour Bridge on that side you'd only see a thin sliver of it!

To have 10-15 years old baths, showers, loos and fittings etc in a suite they'll sell for ~$500 is just inexplicable for a "6 Star" touted new property.

All the pre-opening hype about interior being totally gutted inside and starting all over again is simply a fib in respect to those rooms. Fib is the polite word for it. :p

I am making a booking now for next week, and hope they can find us something decent that HAS been totally re-furbished so I get a better picture on the hotel rooms.

Hopefully will have a happier report to make after that stay. :D
Any possibility the renovation isn't finished yet?

I did an award stay at the Hilton Sydney in August for six nights with my son age 12. It was a great use of award points and we were happy very campers. I would highly recommend the use of an award to the Hilton Sydney without reservation. I write this as a leisure traveler without any regard to the past history of this hotel, expectations of what it was going to be, etc. I posted my thoughts on another thread and have the link below for another perspective.

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=462641&highlight=hilton+sydney

Michael

FWIW, I found some pictures of the hotel here (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=108346).

I was thinking of staying here for 4 nights towards the end of December, when most of the other hotels are already sold out, but after reading some of the comments about this hotel I'm rather reluctant to go ahead and book. What do you think?

Ozstamps' withering review of the place notwithstanding, I had thought to book a room for the family here on our first and last nights in town next June (CX award travel, flights set early :) ). But the Category 6 80k/night valuation brought me up short. Is it worth it? I guess there are no other Hilton properties in Sydney... but given the Oz-report I'm inclined to just pay cash to stay somewhere else representing honest value. What would you do?

Ozstamps' withering review of the place notwithstanding, I had thought to book a room for the family here on our first and last nights in town next June (CX award travel, flights set early :) ). But the Category 6 80k/night valuation brought me up short. Is it worth it? I guess there are no other Hilton properties in Sydney... but given the Oz-report I'm inclined to just pay cash to stay somewhere else representing honest value. What would you do?

Knowing Ozstamps, I'd go with his and the other recommendations (-ve/or lack of) re Hilton Sydney and stay elsewhere!

I live near Melbourne and would not stay at Syd Hilton (paid or rewards) until they sort some of their issues. :td:

Ozstamps' withering review of the place notwithstanding, I had thought to book a room for the family here on our first and last nights in town next June (CX award travel, flights set early :) ). But the Category 6 80k/night valuation brought me up short. Is it worth it? I guess there are no other Hilton properties in Sydney... but given the Oz-report I'm inclined to just pay cash to stay somewhere else representing honest value. What would you do?

By 80k per night I assume you want 2 rooms.

IF they will guarantee you rooms XX25 and XX26, possibly on a high floor, THEN it might be worth it. Otherwise go for 4 Points at the harbor or Westin. Maybe something else in the area if cheaper. Hilton does have problems, but the biggest issue is that it has completely failed to live up to expectations, and their own hype. It is not nearly as nice as the Westin, and $200M it should be the gold standard in Sydney. They wasted it on things that look good (in their opinion, I guess), like furniture that you can't sit on. It was a big step down from what it used to be.

I was thinking of staying here for 4 nights towards the end of December, when most of the other hotels are already sold out, but after reading some of the comments about this hotel I'm rather reluctant to go ahead and book. What do you think?

Sorry. Nope. Big disappointment. For $200M Sydney Hilton should now be the premier hotel in town. Unfortunately it has taken a big step backward. I've never been a fan of *wood, but the Westin is now head and shoulders above Hilton in Sydney. IF Hilton will guarantee a XX06, XX25, or XX26 room, their idea of a "suite", then give it a go. Otherwise there are better choices. And let Hilton know you are not reserving there because of their miserable makeover. Might bring about changes.

I was thinking of staying here for 4 nights towards the end of December, when most of the other hotels are already sold out, but after reading some of the comments about this hotel I'm rather reluctant to go ahead and book. What do you think?
You can stay on the Horizon Club level of the Shangri-La for the same (or less) money, and have:
-Better View
-Better Room (in terms of both space and decor)
-Better Service overall
-Better Dining
-More personalized service by far in the Horizon Club
Enjoy SYD

Thanks for the advice and thanks also to Ozstamps for his very detailed report.

flyinbob, that's very helpful -- thank you.

ozstamps,

Saw your link to this thread in the UA forum. Thanks so much for the great report. You hit on so many points that would/will drive my crazy!

I'm supposed to stay there in late November for a conference. My room gets compped but I'm seriously considering paying for my own hotel somewhere else like the Westin.

Cheers.

I did an award stay at the Hilton Sydney in August for six nights with my son age 12. It was a great use of award points and we were happy very campers. I would highly recommend the use of an award to the Hilton Sydney without reservation. I write this as a leisure traveler without any regard to the past history of this hotel, expectations of what it was going to be, etc. I posted my thoughts on another thread and have the link below for another perspective.

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=462641&highlight=hilton+sydney

Michael

Do you recall your room number? Sounds like you were in one of the "suites", not a regular room. They are rooms ending 06, 25, or 26. Most regular rooms are noticably small, and 2 people feel very crowded.

ozstamps,

Thanks so much for the great report. You hit on so many points that would/will drive my crazy!

I'm supposed to stay there in late November for a conference. My room gets comped but I'm seriously considering paying for my own hotel somewhere else like the Westin.

Cheers.

The Westin is of course very close by .. a few 100 yards walk away. And reports back on that seem always positive to me.

The vibes seem pretty negative across the board about the interior of the Hilton.

The little annoying things that drive guests crazy are often simple and inexpensive to rectify as I pointed out, if management ever read threads like this, and pay attention.

I do hope they get around the actually renovating things like all bathrooms, toilets and showers soon, and that will assist. Right now their boast of total renovation of all rooms is quite simply a lie.

We are there for a stay next weekend, along with Lynn's daughter and boyfriend who are also staying, and I look forward to hopefully having a more favorable report to post here in a week. :p

I may even take some digital photos of the atrocious in-room furniture choices and post them here. :D

I'd like to capture the Puke Yellow non-functional Chaise lounge on film before they send it to the auctions! (Along with the ridiculous Star Trek staff uniforms I hope!)



Both bathrooms are exactly as they were 10 years ago I'd bet, or at last makeover. The myth that this hotel was completely gutted inside is just that - a myth it seems. Floors had the original old heavily worn/scuffed marble tiles, ditto the wall tiles and wide basic top bench top and basins. Grouting on floor and walls was old and yellowing, as was sealant along all edges similarly old and original.

Both toilets were old and of a very dated style. The tap-ware in main bathroom MAY have been new - but that was about it. Old style 1970s bath. Separate shower, also from last makeover tho. They should have installed Jacuzzi types in this type of premium room - the space is most certainly there.

Neither bathrooms had fans, or phones or input of the audio from TV/DVD. The latter I like if you need to visit the loo in middle of TV news or a movie etc. Every half decent hotel on earth has had in-bathroom phones for 20 years I'd guess. Toiletries were BVLGARI but very sparse - Lynn went looking for body lotion and there was none there. Even Best Westerns etc have that. :rolleyes:

Room decor was like the staff uniforms - absurdly "modern" and totally out of place for a leading Hilton. Every single person I have spoken to, or read comments on line who has seen or stayed in the rooms, has had this comment. I believe the ©Bart Simpson Elegant Design Salon® was used exclusively. Six cases of beer was his consultancy fee it seems. :cool:

The Male staff have been issued these incredibly stoopid looking Space Cadet suits in a colour I'd call "gloomy green-grey". They look like unwanted studio extras from a Star Trek movie.

Far more suited to a yuppy/hip targeted Starwood "W" type hotel - and not a leading Hilton. You just chuckle every time you see these poor kids, and they too look uncomfortable about being dressed by Doctor Spock Exclusive Designs Inc.

Room furniture was a total mis-matched mess. A silly looking art nouveau and totally non-functional puke yellow Italian styled "chaise lounge" was rock hard. Huge square shaped lounge and matching chair were also hard and uncomfortable, and being a light cream type fabric will be ruined in 6 months I'd guess. You'd think hotels would learn about dark colours one day. :)

Checked in again last night late to avail myself of the $125 sept coupons.(and retain my diamond status!)
Exec floor room and 1/2 bottle nice bimbadgen and lovely chockies.
For the deal its quite nice but I would not like to be paying the $305 quoted to someone else during my checkin!

Bearx220, don't forget you always have the option of visiting CC to see if someone wants to gift you some Westin or other points for some of your HH points that the other party could use elsewhere. One of the best things about CC is that usually you can find someone who needs your points as much as you need their points. Just a matter of negotiation.

Excellent point, upgrader, thank you. I do have a smattering of Marriott points -- not enough to put to use in this instance -- and Marriott seems to have some nice properties in SYD. I appreciate the steer.

The Westin is of course very close by .. a few 100 yards walk away. And reports back on that seem always positive to me.

...snip...

I do hope they get around the actually renovating things like all bathrooms, toilets and showers soon, and that will assist. Right now their boast of total renovation of all rooms is quite simply a lie.

...snip...



I've stayed at the Westin many times (as recently as Dec. 2003) and enjoyed it each time.

Your report about the bathroom was one of the main issues for me. Esp. when the Westin bathrooms have been so nice. I esp. like the shower. :)

Here's a vote for the Marriott Harbour property. It is about 1 block from Central Quay, great for sightseeing whether it is a bus or the ferry. I avoided the Hilton due to the scathing reports here. I've stayed at Four Points, Westin, and Marriot Harbour. All are good properties; I like the ease of access to public transport for tourists of the Marriott the best.

Well I was thinking of using some Hilton points & bringing my sister (who doesn't travel) for a holiday next year, but that's now off the list. Maybe we'll go to Athens or Amsterdam instead. Thanks oz for the detailed report.

BTW (not to change the thread) - the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo (the one mjm's co built) has the 'black-out' curtains & nice Plasma/dvd (plasma in bedroom & in bathroom as well). Even though I'm a Hilton/Marriott gal, I'll stay at GH when I'm in Japan. Ok, back to Sydney...anyone know how the Marriott is? PM if you do; don't want to hijack this thread. Cheers.

By 80k per night I assume you want 2 rooms.

IF they will guarantee you rooms XX25 and XX26, possibly on a high floor, THEN it might be worth it. Otherwise go for 4 Points at the harbor or Westin. Maybe something else in the area if cheaper. Hilton does have problems, but the biggest issue is that it has completely failed to live up to expectations, and their own hype. It is not nearly as nice as the Westin, and $200M it should be the gold standard in Sydney. They wasted it on things that look good (in their opinion, I guess), like furniture that you can't sit on. It was a big step down from what it used to be.
he did say first and last nights so that is 2 nights at 40k each!
I VERY much doubt that they will guarantee a specific room!
I was a very frequent guest and a 8 yr as diamond member!(OP IS GOLD) at the old hilton and both stays at the new one though I have been given an exec floor room certainly not a suite!
and that is a paid stay.
things may change and I certainly hope they do but very much doubt that they will!

IF they will guarantee you rooms XX25 and XX26, possibly on a high floor, THEN it might be worth it. Otherwise go for 4 Points at the harbor or Westin. Maybe something else in the area if cheaper. Hilton does have problems, but the biggest issue is that it has completely failed to live up to expectations, and their own hype.

It is not nearly as nice as the Westin, and $200M it should be the gold standard in Sydney. They wasted it on things that look good (in their opinion, I guess), like furniture that you can't sit on. It was a big step down from what it used to be.


Have to agree flyinbob. ^

And BearX220 as you can see from posts to this thread, my thoughts below are sadly, not alone. :(

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4551207#post4551207

I'd have to say this. Sydney costs 40,000 a night as a "6 Star" HH category. For a standard room there, that is just silly. It you get a suite of course it will be nicer, but no idea (or guarantee) that you will.

Right NOW it is simply not worth it. IMHO. I've stayed at several Hiltons in recent times for 20,000 miles a night (or less) that I have enjoyed far more. I stay again this weekend, (paid stay) and hope I have a more enjoyable room. A room at least that HAS been renovated. :mad:

As for other choices - SanDiego1k has offered hers for Marriott Harbor (be careful if booking as there are 2 Marriott's in CBD.) It is near Circular Quay, and I agree is handy to transport - and for Ferries far better than Hilton of course. However living here I must say the Hilton, on George Street, (our main city street) and 100 yards from Town Hall Station, and is an actual monorail station to Darling Harbour etc, is even better located for all other transport. Location is the #1 attraction of the Hilton.

They just need to do a decent makeover inside the rooms and they'd be near unbeatable as a CBD Hotel for BUSINESS visitors.

Compare 40,000 Hilton miles a night to 10,000 Starwood miles:

Sheraton On The Park
Sydney , New South Wales 0.0 mi 10,000
Category 4

The Westin Sydney
Sydney , New South Wales 0.27 mi 10,000
Category 4

W Sydney
Sydney , New South Wales 0.39 mi 10,000
Category 4

Four Points by Sheraton, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Sydney , New South Wales 0.24 mi 7,000
Category 3

All 4 places I'd prefer over a standard room at the Sydney Hilton. And at only 25% the miles that is saying something. I'd far prefer Four Points over 'W' - personal preference only. The Cockle Bay Suites at Four Points for a few 1000 miles more on award stays are 20 times better located than ANYTHING at Hilton, as Hilton simply has little water views possible and what they do have are VERY distant. Four Points suites literally look right out on wonderful 180º Darling Harbour views, and the sunsets are astounding from your balcony.

Darling Harbour (and Quay/Rocks) also has 100s resturannts and bars within 100 yards walk. Around Hilton in evening is like a ghost town for food in evenings.

Neither Westin or Sheraton have much in the way of water views to be fair to Hilton. I got the Presidential Suite at Sheraton once, with large balconies on 2 sides and that has the best view in Hotel of course, but even then they are distant. Hotel has a lovely setting in Hyde Park of course. I personally like it more than Westin. :p

Sharon - hope to see you in SYD, no matter which hotel you stay at. :p

A recent vote was cast (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4613090#post4613090) for Sydney Harbour Marriott elsewhere on FT, FWIW.



Your report about the bathroom was one of the main issues for me. Esp. when the Westin bathrooms have been so nice. I esp. like the shower.

Maybe I made too much of it but to book and get a suite with 2 bathrooms in a $200 million, 3 year, much touted '6 Star' total reonovation/re-build top to toe and find neither bathroom had been touched for about 10 years at least, was a real shock.

I felt like I'd been conned. The toilets IIRC were plastic. I can't swear to that but one for sure was 1980s boring pink/peach in colour, that I can guarantee you. The sort of tacky thing you'd find in a roadside Motel 6 in the USA for $39.95 a night.

I made another revenue reservation a few days back and mentioned this to girl at SYD who was handling the booking.

"Oh yes, none of those have been touched re the bathrooms" she said when I mentioned I was really disappointed with what I'd found. "Maybe they'll get around to them later on?"

That made it even WORSE in my mind! :mad:

Glen

Sharon - hope to see you in SYD, no matter which hotel you stay at. :p

A recent vote was cast (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4613090#post4613090) for Sydney Harbour Marriott elsewhere on FT, FWIW.



Maybe I made too much of it but to book and get a suite with 2 bathrooms in a $200 million, 3 year, much touted '6 Star' total reonovation/re-build top to toe and find neither bathroom had been touched for about 10 years at least, was a real shock.

I felt like I'd been conned. The toilets IIRC were plastic. I can't swear to that but one for sure was 1980s boring pink/peach in colour, that I can guarantee you. The sort of tacky thing you'd find in a roadside Motel 6 in the USA for $39.95 a night.

I made another revenue reservation a few days back and mentioned this to girl at SYD who was handling the booking.

"Oh yes, none of those have been touched re the bathrooms" she said when I mentioned I was really disappointed with what I'd found. "Maybe they'll get around to them later on?"

That made it even WORSE in my mind! :mad:

Glen
At least she was honest ;) It appears they may have ran over budget and said good enough nobody will notice. Or time ran out and they just wanted to get the doors open

Once I "stayed" at one of these, and it turns out they only had plastic drinking glasses. Can you believe that? I was so indignant that I checked out right away and went somewhere else.

Ever been to a Hampton?

I shall certainly avoid this hotel the next time I'm in Sydney!

And it's getting pretty hard to find a Motel 6 for that price these days too!
Ok Moderator. get back on topic! :D

(Ive always wanted to do that :cool: )

OT - Nope cblaisd, but we have Formule1 motels (also by Accor), which usually have clean, basic, rooms with microscopic bathrooms and are cheap. They make decent airport hotels (the ones in SYD and MEL are ok, the one in BNE I haven't tried yet). :)

Personally, I think the Hampton Inn chain is the best HHonors chain for the money.

FREE HSIA (I hear some USA visitors have problems finding HSIA).
FREE Breakfast
FREE Local Calls
100% Satsifaction Guarantee

Why pay big money for a full blown Hilton the charges extra for the above?

Just curious - what do we think the $200 mil was actually spent on?

Given the reviews on this & the other thread, Hilton's off my list & the Marriott that sandiego1k mentions is on it.

Cheers.

Boy, you guys, that is excellent guidance. Thanks to all.

We're now thinking we'll straight head into the country or up the coast upon first arriving in SYD, but then do three or four in-town hotel nights prior to flying home... and the Four Points sounds like a far better ticket, whether I redeem points or pay actual money. I would hate to drop 120k or 160k HHonors points, which seems to me, anyway, like a big dollop, and come away as disappointed as you all have been. The renovation sounds like a genuine misfire, and as I will be traveling with my son, it just won't do to have only one precious/upscale eatery on site with "ghost town" level options out the front door. I mean, he's flexible, but the trip is meant to be fun for him too...

I can't believe Hilton is so thin on the ground in one of the world's top ten cities.

I think that Ramada, HoJo's, Travelodge all have pretty low standards for franchisees, or don't inspect often, or don't hold them to standards.

Ramadas, Howard Johnson's, Days Inn, and some other forgotten-but-not-gone brands are all run by Cendant. Cendant properties comprise the worst franchise hospitality operations in America.

HGIs first, Hamptons second for me -- consistent, clean and well-priced. I hardly ever stay at a full-line Hilton anymore.

BearX220 - Four Poiints until Jan was Cat #2 and the best deal anywhere at that level.

Spring for the few 1000 extra a night and get an overwater Suite there. Easy walk to Chinatown and a large bunch of cinemas in George Street (as is the Hilton), which kids like too. :)

160,000 for the basic rooms at Hilton is just not worth even half that - IMHO.

Four Poiints until Jan was Cat #2 and the best deal anywhere at that level.

Believe it or not when Starwood first took over management of the hotel from Nikko, it was only Category 1 ! But that was before they refurbished the rooms.

Spring for the few 1000 extra a night and get an overwater Suite there. Easy walk to Chinatown and a large bunch of cinemas in George Street (as is the Hilton), which kids like too. :)

I believe you mean to say harbour/water view Suite when you wrote overwater Suite :)

.......and the Sydney Aquarium is just opposite the hotel .

Regarding the unchanged exterior windows, is it possible that the exterior of the building had architectural significance, or some type of landmark/historical status? In many places, thirty years is the point at which a building is eligible to be considered for landmark or protected status.

Non-NonRev - It was built mid 1970s and is really just a very basic rectangular shaped tower. Prior to that the site was a low rise 19th Century Hotel. xyzzy kindly sourced these exterior photos of tower, and posted earlier on the thread:

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=108346

And as you can see the structure is very basic and totally architecturally un-remarkable. And would have had no Heritage Order significance whatever AFAIK.

However unless they had imploded the thing, they were stuck with all the very unfortunate structural hangovers - such as the existing tiny slit windows. :rolleyes:

Glen

Just did another stay last night.
got my high floor away from lift from my profile and hlaf bottle of nice bimbadgen and lovely home made chockies.
had to ask for gold exec card but chearfully given. the spread at night was very good but right on 7.30 no more drinks.
all in all a great stay for $120 plus car parking!
I have a heap of future stays and wonder when I will get my old rooms at the end of the corridor :D
BTW flyertalk can NOT be accessed from the lounge computers :rolleyes:

BTW flyertalk can NOT be accessed from the lounge computers :rolleyes:

WHAT??? That's it. Bad enough about the "remodel", but this is just over the top. LOOTING AND BURNING I RECOMMEND!!!

BTW flyertalk can NOT be accessed from the lounge computers :rolleyes:

was that just yesterday afternoon/evening? or every visit?

i couldn't access flytalk from my office in AKL either during the afternoon/evening

there were some problems with FT yesterday

Just did another stay last night.

had to ask for gold exec card but chearfully given.

I have a heap of future stays and wonder when I will get my old rooms at the end of the corridor :D

BTW flyertalk can NOT be accessed from the lounge computers :rolleyes:

Ros -- you are a HH Diamond member correct? So why would you need to ask for Executive lounge access?

I'll try the computers just for fun this weekend to see if the block still exists. Maybe this thread has caused the access block to Flyertalk? :rolleyes:

Glen

Ros -- you are a HH Diamond member correct? So why would you need to ask for Executive lounge access?

I'll try the computers just for fun this weekend to see if the block still exists. Maybe this thread has caused the access block to Flyertalk? :rolleyes:

Glen
I understand the bathroom designers of the Sydney Hilton personally asked for your thread to be blocked :D

Ros -- you are a HH Diamond member correct? So why would you need to ask for Executive lounge access?

I'll try the computers just for fun this weekend to see if the block still exists. Maybe this thread has caused the access block to Flyertalk? :rolleyes:

Glen
Glen there was a LOT of Hilton sydney bashing before you came along :D

to try to answer your question

because the front desk girls dont bother to look and therefore gave me white keys instead of gold.
I dont know if that was the reason the lifts didnt work but I went back down and git them rekeyed and asked why i didnt have gold
this has happened every stay!
also the lifts werent accepting some cards yesterday.

was that just yesterday afternoon/evening? or every visit?

i couldn't access flytalk from my office in AKL either during the afternoon/evening
yes it was yesterday afternoon for about 1 hr. maybe that was it.
I thought it strange as the only other times I have been unable to access FT was in some of the Qantas BA and MAS lounges.

I am lost here. You do not need room keys to use the lifts IIRC? :confused:

Lynn and I laughed each time we used them as those stoopid floor buttons you could never read, and we fumbled around searching for the floor button we needed to press.

I do not recall ever needing to use room keys for high floor access of lifts, which I know in many Hiltons is the case.

Glen

I am lost here. You do not need room keys to use the lifts IIRC? :confused:

Lynn and I laughed each time we used them as those stoopid floor buttons you could never read, and we fumbled around searching for the floor button we needed to press.

I do not recall ever needing to use room keys for high floor access of lifts, which I know in many Hiltons is the case.

Glen

Yup, you do Oz. This is one hotel that requires a room key for ALL floors. Very weird, and annoying. OK for exec floors, but a pain for the rest.

I am lost here. You do not need room keys to use the lifts IIRC? :confused:

Lynn and I laughed each time we used them as those stoopid floor buttons you could never read, and we fumbled around searching for the floor button we needed to press.

I do not recall ever needing to use room keys for high floor access of lifts, which I know in many Hiltons is the case.

Glen
if you stayed there last week you should have noticed. :confused:

especially to access the exec floor.otherwise everyone would go there! :cool:

I understand the bathroom designers of the Sydney Hilton personally asked for your thread to be blocked :D

Who knows. :p

I did get a box today postmarked George Street, that I imagined contained an alarm clock gift in it. Do you think I should leave off opening it? ;)

Hey, the most under-used tradespersons they had in the $200 million budget were the "bathroom designers" by my observation. They simply did not exist. :mad:

When I check in I'll ask for: "a room with a new bathroom thanks, and no peach color 1980 plastic loos please" and see what kind of weird look I get. :)

It is Lynn's daughter's Birthday so have booked them a room as well and we'll take them to dinner at 'Glass' to see what all the fuss is about. @:-)

Glen

I'm thinking of staying there in 13 months for five nights, or I could stay at a Starwood property instead. I must admit that room size and bathroom quality are paramount. How can one determine which suites have the junk bathrooms and which ones have the good ones?

For that many points, a Nights & Flights II at the 4P Darling Harbour sounds better and better.

Who knows. :p

It is Lynn's daughter's Birthday so have booked them a room as well and we'll take them to dinner at 'Glass' to see what all the fuss is about. @:-)

Glen

ozstamps - I would like to give you a ^ for picking the Hilton Sydney for a special family occasion. Have a great time. Looking forward to your report.

BTW I did receive an e-mail from you, which apparently got deleted by my wife.

Michael

I believe you mean to say Harbour/water view Suite when you wrote overwater Suite :)

.......and the Sydney Aquarium is just opposite the hotel .

Well in post 9 above I had expanded the description, as you may recall:



Four Points suites literally look right out on wonderful 180º Darling Harbour views, and the sunsets are astounding from your balcony.

And yes the Aquarium is right underneath Four Points. Same as Maritime Museum, and they are building a large 'ozzie zoo' type deal right next to Aquarium right now! That is a perfect spot actually. ;)

Do you recall your room number? Sounds like you were in one of the "suites", not a regular room. They are rooms ending 06, 25, or 26. Most regular rooms are noticably small, and 2 people feel very crowded.

I know we were on Floor 39 and I will post the room number if I can find it. Well I located the bill and it shows shows Room 3904. My room was standard room. So I will put my two cents worth or is that 1.56. Australian cents?

The Hilton program I made the choice in the past to accumulate the majority of my stays and credit card purchases here. Overall I have been quite happy to be a member. I also participate in the Starwood and Marriott programs.

In getting ready for my trip to Australia I did read the old threads in FT. The old Hilton Sydney and Grace Hotel (Hotel designated by Hilton Sydney as replacement hotel while it was closed for renovations) received a fair amount of negative comments. This week I made award reservations for the two Hiltons (Waikoloa and Honolulu) in Hawaii. Again reading FT posts I note a fair amount of negative comments about these properties. One might say that FT’ers are very discriminating customers. Rightfully so as they put there money (company and personal money) into these hotel chains. I have long thought that human nature being what it is that the various Internet sites contain a tilt toward negative comments versus positive comments, but that is a whole other subject. I suspect that if I were to read up on the other alternatives to the Hilton Sydney on the FT boards, whether they are located in Sydney or elsewhere in the world they will also receive a fair amount of negative comments. The other side of the grass always seems to be greener.

Since we had Hilton points to burn, there was really only one choice for us with only one property is Sydney. Initially I had reservation with the Grace Hotel, which got transferred over. I flirted with the idea of using the Marriott as the bidding for travel site indicated as some real low prices the prior year, but not at the same level this past summer.

Before going from reading FT I knew that the rooms were on the smallish size. My approach was that it is a big city and that is the way it is. My initial post comments on lack of storage space (bureau draws). The blinds issue, hey my son likes to push buttons and he had it under control right away along with noting the buttons showing that you’re in or out of the room. The elevator he was in charge of swiping that card for the lounge and room floor. So we managed those chores relatively effortlessly thanks to him. Heck maybe next summer (Australia winter) I can send him over and he can be the “button kid”. I would be jealous, as he would get to wear one of those uniforms and hang with all those charming Australian Hilton girls. Opps maybe not as tipping is not the customer there.

Now the toilet! Yes of course it was different from the one at home (from USA). I remember there was nothing strange floating in it, it flushed ok and did not overflow. The thing was functional. I really don’t know what color it was. In the USA it seems as though the older toilets are better because they tend to have more force/pressure.

While some of comments are interesting even entertaining, it does seem that the question of where the 200M went, etc is not relevant to the persons thinking of staying there.

As I said in my initial post, no hotel is ever a 10. I have experienced floods in my room, toilet overflows; walking in on other people, people walking/trying to get in my room, key’s that don’t work, etc.

Since we got into discussing Hampton Inns, I thought that the nearest one to me is 20,000 points and the one closest to BOS is 30,000 points. After Sydney I did go to the Hilton Cairns, where it was 25,000 points a night. Using the Hilton VIP award for 175,000 points over six nights reflects an average of approximately 29,000 points. BTW regarding another thread, I would hesitate to use 40,000 points as a general rule of thumb of thumb for any Hilton property.

Now I have typed more than I ever want to on this topic. Now the Sydney Hilton is not going to ever be voted a top 100 hotel in the world. There will be others more aware of the hotels in Sydney than I, who will elaborate on other hotels advantages. I do note that some of the people pointing out the areas that need to be improved at the Hilton Sydney do continue to stay at the hotel. The beauty of FT is reading these posts and making your own personal decision as to whether you want to stay at this property based upon the range of comments.

I will reiterate what I said before that if your looking to spend Hilton points that the 175,00 points for 6 nights is a great use of award points. In general my comments regarding the Sydney Hilton location, executive lounge, Internet access and personal touch have been confirmed by others. Chuckling that I have typed this much about the subject matter. If I go back to Sydney I will certainly head back to the Hilton Sydney.

Have to agree flyinbob. ^

And BearX220 as you can see from posts to this thread, my thoughts below are sadly, not alone. :(

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4551207#post4551207

I'd have to say this. Sydney costs 40,000 a night as a "6 Star" HH category. For a standard room there, that is just silly. It you get a suite of course it will be nicer, but no idea (or guarantee) that you will.

Right NOW it is simply not worth it. IMHO. I've stayed at several Hiltons in recent times for 20,000 miles a night (or less) that I have enjoyed far more. I stay again this weekend, (paid stay) and hope I have a more enjoyable room. A room at least that HAS been renovated. :mad:

As for other choices - SanDiego1k has offered hers for Marriott Harbor (be careful if booking as there are 2 Marriott's in CBD.) It is near Circular Quay, and I agree is handy to transport - and for Ferries far better than Hilton of course. However living here I must say the Hilton, on George Street, (our main city street) and 100 yards from Town Hall Station, and is an actual monorail station to Darling Harbour etc, is even better located for all other transport. Location is the #1 attraction of the Hilton.

They just need to do a decent makeover inside the rooms and they'd be near unbeatable as a CBD Hotel for BUSINESS visitors.

Compare 40,000 Hilton miles a night to 10,000 Starwood miles:

Sheraton On The Park
Sydney , New South Wales 0.0 mi 10,000
Category 4

The Westin Sydney
Sydney , New South Wales 0.27 mi 10,000
Category 4

W Sydney
Sydney , New South Wales 0.39 mi 10,000
Category 4

Four Points by Sheraton, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Sydney , New South Wales 0.24 mi 7,000
Category 3

All 4 places I'd prefer over a standard room at the Sydney Hilton. And at only 25% the miles that is saying something. I'd far prefer Four Points over 'W' - personal preference only. The Cockle Bay Suites at Four Points for a few 1000 miles more on award stays are 20 times better located than ANYTHING at Hilton, as Hilton simply has little water views possible and what they do have are VERY distant. Four Points suites literally look right out on wonderful 180º Darling Harbour views, and the sunsets are astounding from your balcony.

Darling Harbour (and Quay/Rocks) also has 100s resturannts and bars within 100 yards walk. Around Hilton in evening is like a ghost town for food in evenings.

Neither Westin or Sheraton have much in the way of water views to be fair to Hilton. I got the Presidential Suite at Sheraton once, with large balconies on 2 sides and that has the best view in Hotel of course, but even then they are distant. Hotel has a lovely setting in Hyde Park of course. I personally like it more than Westin. :p
it is very unfair to compare starwood points at 3 to the $ fr elites
with 10 to the $ for basic and another 5
=15 to the $ for 2 tier elites so the as a 1-5 ratio so therefore
the 40000 is REALLY only 8000 spg so a bit above a cat 3
so 4 points or BKK high end or princess Kaihlani in HNL(YUCK)
-compared to
Hilton Waikola
Cavalieri
Waldorfs(LHR and NY)

there is absolutely NO comparasin!

then we get them for 29k if booking a GLONP at 175k for 6 nights so therefore
6000spg pts!
BARGAIN.
that is why I have not renewed my spg status and continue to frequent Hiltons to keep Diamond.
and I find there are more hiltons with exec club than spg :D
plus we usually(Sydney hilton PLEASE take note) get a suite!

then we get them for 29k if booking a GLONP at 175k for 6 nights so therefore
6000spg pts!
BARGAIN.
that is why I have not renewed my spg status and continue to frequent Hiltons to keep Diamond.
and I find there are more hiltons with exec club than spg :D
plus we usually(Sydney hilton PLEASE take note) get a suite!

I agree that (GLONP & ALON) 175,000 for 29,000 points average for six nights is good value. One can also use the new AXON award (125,000) for four nights at 31,000 points.

In general the use of 40,000 points for one or several nights does not represent the best value for any Hilton hotel.

You have been a long time customer and hopefully in due time you will get back to suite status.

I'm thinking of staying there in 13 months for five nights, or I could stay at a Starwood property instead. I must admit that room size and bathroom quality are paramount. How can one determine which suites have the junk bathrooms and which ones have the good ones?

For that many points, a Nights & Flights II at the 4P Darling Harbour sounds better and better.

I am not sure how many rooms/suite bathrooms were not updated. Their website does offer this info:


ROOMS & SUITES

With 577 exquisitely furnished suites and rooms, the new Hilton Sydney features:

(a) 251 Deluxe Rooms
(b) 185 Guest Rooms
(c) 97 Executive Rooms
(d) 16 Relaxation Rooms
(e) 15 Corner Relaxation suites
(f) 8 King suites
(g) 4 Junior Suites
(h) 1 Presidential Suite

It is clear from my last stay and that of Lis above (different suite #) that the (g) "Junior Suites" are largely untouched. So I'd avoid those until they are attended to. :td:

I'll try an 'Executive Floor Deluxe room' tomorrow, and see how that shapes up. Not sure whether they are (a) or (c) .. the latter I imagine.

And I have another booking in a few weeks time where I'll check what the "Corner Relaxation Suites" are all about. They apparently have Spas/Jacuzzis in there. Sounds good. :p

Glen

BTW flyertalk can NOT be accessed from the lounge computers :rolleyes:

I am pleased to report that has now been rectified. Posting from the Lounge right now. ;)

Up the SWANS. Yooo Hoooo. My bank account is many $1000s richer right now. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Glen

I am pleased to report that has now been rectified. Posting from the Lounge right now. ;)

^
I think we figured out that flyertalk was down last wed in the pm.

OK, as promised here is my report on Stay #2 at the new Sydney Hilton. I plan to stay here quite a bit in my quest for HH Diamond status this year, so have taken it upon myself to get to know the place very well, and the many room types, which at first glance are pretty confusing. I hope these detailed reports assist others to make the correct room selection - if you only get one chance to get it right! :cool:

Checked in about 1.15pm and all went well. Both rooms ready. Gives us 2 x room keys. One worked the lift the other did not. This is a MAJOR problem there the staff say .. many of the gold room keys simply do not work in the lifts for higher Executive floors. :rolleyes:

This time got an Executive Room for ourselves and for Lynn's daughter Gemma who was celebrating a birthday. I was told that "Executive Rooms" are identical pretty much to "Deluxe Rooms" interior wise - only difference being one has gold room key access to Executive Lounge, and the others do not.

We got 3816 and Gemma was 3809. Only 30 yards apart and on same side of corridor but warning - ALL the rooms sold as the same type are NOT the same. 3809 was down end of corridor and the sister room at other end is 3822. (This applies for floors 34-38 and may well also apply to lower floors - not sure.)

Avoid 3409+3422 up to 3809+3822 is my strong advice. These rooms are absolutely TINY. There is literally one metre/one yard from king bed end to the wall. True. Our room had space for the rock solid and goofy chaise lounge as well as the metre walk space, so in a small room that is a lot of space to lose. 3809 did NOT have a lounge of any sort due to the tight space. It was a real stretch to call this a "Deluxe Room." In any decent USA FOUR Star a "Deluxe Room" would have 2 x Queen or King beds. This room literally would not have fitted 2 beds and a desk it was so small. I was told 3416+3423 to 3816+3823 are slightly larger than other rooms on these floors. Ours (3816) certainly was much larger than 3809. 3816 was near lift, but no real noise level from that I experienced.

OK, now to the rooms themselves. New bathrooms, so that is a nice plus compared to the junior Suite we had last visit which had 10-15 year old bathrooms in it.

Separate large shower. In fact far too large for this room size, and as a result the basin/vanity area was less than a yard wide in total. Ridiculously small and being recessed, really cramped for an "Executive/Deluxe Room". Why they did not enlarge the bathtub to fit one of those Jacuzzi styles, and add a new shower to that beats me, as it would have allowed a ton more living space in these little rooms which really are FAR too small to have a separate bath.

Neither bathrooms in this or the suite had exhaust fans, or phones or input of the audio from TV/DVD. The latter I like if you need to visit the loo in middle of TV news or a movie etc. Every half decent hotel on earth has had in-bathroom phones for 20 years I'd guess. Huge mistake not adding these tiny little touches when doing a total and expensive makeover.

Toiletries were BVLGARI in suite but far more basic fare here.

The shower has a semi see-through frosted glass wall facing bed. So anyone going into bathroom means the bed gets a fair bit of light falling upon it at night. Pretty annoying in the middle of the night when one person visits bathroom, and other is asleep. As we found. :mad:

The living area is really cramped. A glass top work desk took up far too much of the room, and really should be placed against shower wall rather than being an "island", that dominates the room. And which you painfully walk into at night. :rolleyes:

Our room had a totally non-functional Italian styled "chaise lounge" that was rock hard. A really silly choice for any hotel. One circular pouffe type deal and that was it apart from the king bed.

The flat screen TV was much smaller than suite, but still a good size, and was at least integrated into the CD/DVD player, and far neater in appearance than the ugly wiring mess in the suite. And all rotated as one unit which was functional and smart. Unlike the suite, no DVDs or CDs were supplied. Still found it tough to get TV to work via the 2 remotes. Supplying a few DVDs/CDs for use and sale is a VERY smart idea, and just an extension of the mini bar idea, and a sure profit centre. As there were none here, did not try the unit.

This room had clearly marked buttons to operate the electric block out curtains. The Suites do need some signs for sure on that score as buttons are simply not marked at all. Same silly little "archer slit" vertical windows as rest of Hotel, instead of decent sized panes of glass to allow some views.

In-room amenities were very good and up to speed with what you'd expect for a new "6 Star" Hilton. Full coffee/tea making stuff with milk sachets, ironing board, 2 fluffy robes, 2 pairs slippers, in-room safe, large hairdryer, wine glasses, opener, new quite large well stocked mini bar, neat little business folio with post-it notes, paper clips, eraser etc.

It was Gemma's birthday which the Hotel knew at time of booking and hotel sent her a large personalised cake and fruit, with note from General Manager - a very nice gesture but delivering it at 10.30pm when they were fast asleep was really bizarre timing!

Dumped bags in room and headed out to watch the AFL Grand Final which my beloved Swans were contesting - had not won it for 72 years. I had $4,750 riding on this result. ;)

Went to P.J. O'Brien's Irish Pub to watch match and it was a real zoo - 1,000 people and 20 deep at the bar. Went back to Hilton and asked Concierge if he could suggest anything less frantic and less crowded. :-:

He pointed us to the Hilton GAB bar, which had 2 large Plasma screens and only 10 folks inside. Amazing. No-one had thought about that place. All nice and new and comfy, and a nice place to watch a Grand Final! They had a great deal for large gourmet meat pies (various fillings) plus a large beer or glass of wine for $A6.50. Unheard of value in the CBD, much less at a Hilton!

Better still, ran a tab AND I got 20% off all drinks and food via Premium Club at check-out, AND got Hilton points on it all, for 3 hours drinking and nibbling for the 4 of us. Then went back to Hilton Executive lounge after that for the excellent free nibbles and bubbly they have up there to 7.30pm. ;)

Had booked "Glass" Restaurant for dinner a week or so ahead - essential to get a table in that place. My previous stay they were 100% booked. This booking was for 9pm for drinks if we wished, and a dinner table for 9.30pm. We decided to skip the drinks and got down there at 9.37pm and Maitre'D seemed pretty shocked to see us as we "had not re-confirmed". Huh? Anyway, he steered us to the bar and staff gave us a Taittinger bubbly each to apologise for mix up - very nice gesture seeing I noticed it was $24 a glass on menu. :)

Ushered to our table soon afterwards. Excellent and professional service all through. Food is pretty expensive - starters $15-$20 and mains generally $35 and dessert etc just as pricey. Food menu surprisingly limited compared to huge wine list. Typical noveaux cuisine tiny serves - Lynn's Barramundi was literally 2 or 3 square inches in size with a couple of Balmain bugs perched on top. But very tasty she said. I had a sirloin steak - small but tender. We were not terribly hungry after an afternoon nibbling at GAB then Executive lounge, but if you were famished "Glass" is certainly the wrong place to head. :D

The white butcher's paper covering the white linen table tops was way out of line for a top restaurant at dinner I thought. A few $100 bill per table of 4 would cover a dollar or two linen laundering I'd imagine? Maybe OK for breakfast which is often messier, but for a Fine Dining place - not cool.

Booze cost is the killer at "Glass". We generally drink only bubbly, and the lowest price for domestic fizz was $A64 a bottle for Chandon, and it is simply absurd there is not a more affordable choice. Lowest priced white I saw was $35 for something costing a fraction of that in a bottle shop. And apart from that I recall everything else was $40+. Huge wine list. Most impressive. Much of the cellar is on view in Restaurant via the 'Walls Of Wine' which is a nice feature.

The very top end wine ran literally into $1,000s a bottle. Many seemed to have remarkably low mark-ups actually. 1996 Dom Perignon for $A338 and 1989 Grange Hermitage for $A400 are very near bottle shop prices. Odd they'd be so reasonably priced yet basic brands are marked up by ~400%.

The place was PACKED and new diners were entering way after 10pm, so right now this is THE hottest place to eat in Sydney. No doubt about it. Having the only rest-rooms a long hike away way outside the restaurant is a dumb idea, and you'd have to wonder what they were thinking with that kooky idea, as "Glass" seats a LOT of folks.

Had breakfast next morning at "Glass". We got there about 11am, but it was an absolute zoo. Now this place is expensive at $74 a couple, but price does not bother some folks it seems. A line about 15 deep to get near buffet area. Excellent food and selection and staff - as reported from last visit. And I'll make the same comment again re coffee - they are INSANE not to have some brewed coffee there for self serve. :mad: :mad:

Once again we needed to wait 15 minutes for someone to rustle up cappuccinos from the fancy machine. After I wake up I just need CAFFEINE and normal pour yourself filtered coffee is just dandy. This nonsense of needing to order it off waiter is dumb, as they are often so busy they forget as they did here. If you CHOOSE specialty coffee, sure do it that way, but right now that is the ONLY method to get a caffeine hit.

We have another stay in a few weeks, and hope to try one of the corner Relaxation Spa Suites. I understand these are about twice the room area of the Executive rooms. Look forward to reporting back then. :)

Glen

Another of my favourites from that period was the Sheraton Wentworth, long gone from that group, though I noticed it was still around last time I took a walk in the area.

My partner recently (about 3 weeks ago) stayed at the Wentworth - now a Sofitel, and she was pleasantly surprised by it (but also more easliy pleased than I am - and expected worse based on my paranoid ramblings). She had a big room with 2 queen beds in it. Her work compatriots complained about their small rooms.

It seems to me (reading here, I haven't been to the Sydney Hilton myself) that after some initial teething problems, the Sydney Hilton is getting its act together, and people are getting to know which rooms are good and bad. Would this be a correct assessment?

After the initial reports, I decided to steer clear, but the latest reports seemed to have toned down a bit...

We got 3816 and Gemma was 3809. Only 30 yards apart and on same side of corridor but warning - ALL the rooms sold as the same type are NOT the same. 3809 was down end of corridor and the sister room at other end is 3822. (This applies for floors 34-38 and may well also apply to lower floors - not sure.)

....and you didnt go back to the Front Desk to moan about how small Gemma's room was and try to get her a larger room :p :D :p

3809 was the exact same room that I stayed at 4 weeks ago !
It seems that they tend to assign this room to HHonors Gold members who use the Premium/Diamond Club vouchers :eek:

How much wider was room 3816 over room 3809 ? 2-3 ft or much wider ?

Was the breakfast in the main restaurant substantially better than the Executive Lounge ?

It seems to me (reading here, I haven't been to the Sydney Hilton myself) that after some initial teething problems, the Sydney Hilton is getting its act together, and people are getting to know which rooms are good and bad. Would this be a correct assessment?

After the initial reports, I decided to steer clear, but the latest reports seemed to have toned down a bit...

Yes, over time they seem to be coming around. Unfortunately they ticked off lots of people while they charged full price beta testing the hotel.

However, the fact remains the $200M makeover is a huge disappointment. Yes, you can try to avoid the "bad" rooms, though there are way too many of them. The truth is that places like the Westin or 4 Points remain overall better than the Hilton, which should by now be the jewel of Sydney.

The truth is that places like the Westin or 4 Points remain overall better than the Hilton, which should by now be the jewel of Sydney.

Has anyone here tried the Sydney Harbour Marriott? It's recently renovated and very close to the circular quay. Its probably not the "jewel" of Sydney, but my wife and I were very impressed when we stayed there last year. We're HH Gold, but do Marriott (no status) as a second choice. Our spotless, newly redecorated room (with great views of the bridge) was HUGE, and it had two fabulous baths. And our rate at the time was quite good.

....and you didnt go back to the Front Desk to moan about how small Gemma's room was and try to get her a larger room :p :D :p

3809 was the exact same room that I stayed at 4 weeks ago !
It seems that they tend to assign this room to HHonors Gold members who use the Premium/Diamond Club vouchers :eek:

How much wider was room 3816 over room 3809 ? 2-3 ft or much wider ?

Was the breakfast in the main restaurant substantially better than the Executive Lounge ?

Well we checked in around 1.30pm, and went out right away to watch AFL final on big screen, then went direct to lounge for drinks til 7.30pm. So did not even see Gemmas' room until next day. They are youngsters so simply said it was "great", so assumed it was identical to ours on same floor. :rolleyes:

Amazing you were in that exact same room. :)

I'd say 3816 is a good metre wider than 3809. As mentioned it had room for a chaise lounge at end of bed, and 3809 there was just a metre from end of bed to wall. A TERRIBLY small room - like an Ibis airport hotel in Europe size. :td:

You are correct in your earlier posts - the back of door fire escape map DOES show end rooms as being slightly less wide. Never knew they did those things to accurate scale!

To be honest we had breakfast both stays downstairs in "Glass" so have no idea what it is like in lounge, but that does appear to have a very decent spread. :)

mario33 - did you notice if your room 3809 had a telephone extension in bathroom?

Hilton SYD assures me these do. I certainly did not see one and I did glance around for it, but will correct my post if there is one in there. @:-)

Glen

mario33 - did you notice if your room 3809 had a telephone extension in bathroom?

Sorry, I cant remember whether there was a telephone in the bathroom.

However, I am inclined to believe there was one since I remember not wanting to take a call from the bathroom (for hygiene reasons :) ) and went back to the bedroom to take the call. Thought that was when I was staying at the SYD Hilton, but it could be another hotel :confused:

Here's a review of my stay in Aug (already posted elsewhere so apologies if you have already read it) which Glen has asked me to re-send.

Hilton Sydney
I like the modern funky feel. A friend of mine did some of the design so he was taking me through it all yesterday. However it does feel a bit cold and impersonal especially in the lobby which is way too small for a hotel of its size. Always busy down there not enough space.

Bad start to the trip as I pulled in I was greeted by a rather rude concierge guy who informed us if we stayed there for more than 15 mins we would be charged $22 and proceded to offer us no help with our luggage. Seeing as we are on route to London and Rome with lots of cases and we have a two year old it was not very helpful to see him them offer assistance to single male travellers with one small case while my wife had to struggle with a large case and a toddler.

On entering I was fuming and decided to have a good old shout at the Head Concierge. to his credit he was apologetic and checked us in (jumping the rather large queue) to find our room was not ready (at 4pm). We had booked a Junior Suite via Premium Club at very cheap rates thanks to a very nice Hilton res person.

On returning from a brief shop we found out we had been upgraded to a King Executive Corner Spa Suite which was a virgin. Yes we were its first paying (if you can call it that) customers. Well all I can say is the room is bigger than most Sydney 1 bedroom apartments, with a bathroom that could house a small family. Makes for a very happy stay so far except it is so new it is lacking a few things that we have had to ask for, most noticeably a rubbish bin.

This room also has allowed us access (after a chat with my Concierge "friend") to the Executive Lounge which is also a nice bonus when you are not expecting it. Lounge is small but ok. Very similar to most other hotel Exec lounges I have been in. Nothing special but pleasant enough with good service and the usual fare.

Things like this obviously make the trip far better and I would be being very picky to find any fault with the hotel and service. They have done everything since our troubled arrival to make the stay enjoyable.

I have absolutely no complaints but if I was being honest I would not pay the sort of money they want for our room. I also think the Hilton is generally a bit overpriced and think there are better hotels in Sydney for the same sort of price range - Westin, Sheraton OnThe Park, Four Seasons to name a few.

As for Glass I can;t provide a review because I decided at the last minute not to try it. It looks very pleasant and I am sure I will get there at some point when not staying at the Hilton. Perhaps its me being old fashioned but I can't help feel it is not really a part of the hotel more a separate business venture by a Sydney restauranteur who really could have opened a restaurant anywhere in Sydney that would be popular. To me it is only going to make having a meal at the Hilton harder for travellers actually staying there. Bring back the San Francisco Grill and its old fashioned ways

Verdict: nice but overpriced. Up against lots of other good hotels in Sydney at similar prices so it depends for me on the best deal.

I can vouch that what a lot of Fters have been mentioning here is true.

I just availed myself of the AUD125.00 voucher and got myself an upgraded room. With Lounge access cos of HH gold status.

I do however wish to point out that it is quite obvious that the staff know of the problems and do fix it if its very very easily fixable. Egs include the extrance to Pitt street where in the past, you had to press a button for the sliding door to open, now your presence is detected by a sensor.

As for DVd player and Tv problem, there is a colour photocopied and lamiated sheet which is supposed to be on top of the DVD player. The only reason why it won't be there is that an itchy hand or the naughty bunch of us might snatch it away, The lounge is small but staff fantastic and they know how to accomodate guests demands and be cheerful at the same time.

I would however caution Fters in future conversation with the staff. The hotel uses the Fidello reservation system which is very flexible in accomodating remarks and entries made by front desk clerks and so on. So far, no negative reporting on Flyertalk but i wouldn't take it for granted.

If you have used starwood, you know the fidello is used behind the scenes by starwood hotel staff to decifer guest behaviour. They even use it for security purpose for some starwood properties. At least for one starwod property here in sydney, i do know they have pictures of some guests on file on maybe another system and they keep it hidden from guests. At Hilton sydney, they tend to be quite transparent in their communication with guests.

What i don't get is the peach toilet mentioned in earlier posts. I was in room 3514. The dunny is exactly the same as the ones on level 4. Yes the bathroom is badly designed as there is no recess between the bathroom and the foyer, thats partly the reason why the room may occasionally flood. The sink is also small. The room when the room curtains are used is either bright or dark but even then, yes it is a bit on the gloom side but i suspect its a hilton wide thing. The room itself reminds me of Hilton Brisbane. The bathroom reminds me of Hilton Melbourne Airport... go figure...

I spoke to a sales staff team member, they do know about the smallness of the rooms and so on but to fix them altogether would be gargantuous so they are taking it one step at a time.

As for Glass restaurant, when i was there at dinner time, yes it was crowded but at breakfast time this morning between 8 to 9 am, it was so empty that one would think the hotel is deserted.

As for Marble Bar, some people may know but it is actually designated a historical conservation item if im not wrong. Hence a lot of the area is being kept to its pristine condition. They left it alone during the renovations.

I suspect that Hilton sydney was built with the young in mind, The older generation and the extreme conservative may not take the new Hilton too well as the atmosphere is one of funkiness, youthful cheerfulness and smiles. With the lighted lift button and technologically advanced phone i have ever seen in any hotel, im sure it has its criticism...

Other than that, i am in full agreement with earlier posts.

And yes, on certain computers, you would find that Flyertalk with Glen's post on it. I do like the computers. The screen is on the larger side.

I suspect that Hilton sydney was built with the young in mind, The older generation and the extreme conservative may not take the new Hilton too well as the atmosphere is one of funkiness, youthful cheerfulness and smiles. With the lighted lift button and technologically advanced phone i have ever seen in any hotel, im sure it has its criticism...



It certainly appears so with the collarless Space Cadet/Trekkie (I did note your FT handle - maybe that's why you like them?!) ill-fitting uniforms and hip hop room furniture.

For a hip "W" - all 100% perfect. Anyone booking a "W" knows that and expects that

But is that the traditional market for a "6 Star" Hilton? Does the silver haired 64 year old top bizoid in a $3000 suit and limo drop-off really WANT that look and that 'feel' for his chosen hotel?

If they do, the rest of the world top line Hiltons are wrong. They can't have it BOTH ways. :)

There are no kids with gelled hair in space cadet suits running around the Waldorf Astoria lobby, I can tell ya. :D

It certainly appears so with the collarless Space Cadet/Trekkie (I did note your FT handle - maybe that's why you like them?!) ill-fitting uniforms and hip hop room furniture.

For a hip "W" - all 100% perfect. Anyone booking a "W" knows that and expects that

But is that the traditional market for a "6 Star" Hilton? Does the silver haired 64 year old top bizoid in a $3000 suit and limo drop-off really WANT that look and that 'feel' for his chosen hotel?

If they do, the rest of the world top line Hiltons are wrong. They can't have it BOTH ways. :)

There are no kids with gelled hair in space cadet suits running around the Waldorf Astoria lobby, I can tell ya. :D


Oh well, maybe the silver haired guy just have to adapt to changing times... :)
but yeah, it would take an evolution for that to happen...

what i dun get is the Peach toilet?? from 1980s???
Maybe im missing something but i dun see how a dunny that looks new can be considered old?

Glen, any wise words??

IMHO there is a lot to be said for white bathroom fittings, and regardless of age, coloured ones tend to always look dated - could be worse and chocolate coloured or even stainless steel I guess!

IMHO there is a lot to be said for white bathroom fittings, and regardless of age, coloured ones tend to always look dated - could be worse and chocolate coloured or even stainless steel I guess!

You should take a look at the maroon coloured ones at the Hilton Batang Ai :eek:

If they do, the rest of the world top line Hiltons are wrong. They can't have it BOTH ways. :)

The new Kuala Lumpur Hilton may be an exception ;)

Very modern without being "funky" and the staff wears Star Trek styled uniforms :)

A little bit of goss' coming out of Sydney this weekend.

EDIT: Apparently this cannot be true as Hiltons do not stay at Hiltons! •DID Nicky Hilton check out of the Sydney Hilton? The rumours were flying thick and fast yesterday that the haughty heiress to the international hotel chain had left the swanky, revamped establishment for the InterContinental. Apparently Hilton, who checked into the Sydney Hilton on Wednesday, didn't like the fact that she couldn't open the window.

this is not true./
she was NOT booked into the sydney hilton she just was at the antzpantz party.

I do wish they would print fact and not fiction! :td:

Thanks Tinkybelle; The story made sense until you pointed out that Hiltons do not stay at Hiltons.

Still pondering how the windows made it in to the story. :cool:

this is not true./
she was NOT booked into the sydney hilton she just was at the antzpantz party.

I do wish they would print fact and not fiction! :td:

I thought the Hiltons didn't stay at Hiltons anymore (perhaps they were asked to stay away, if corporate was smart).

Every half decent hotel on earth has had in-bathroom phones for 20 years I'd guess. Huge mistake not adding these tiny little touches when doing a total and expensive makeover.
Here, I have to disagree with you. Meal-time-warning, but I really don't like it when somebody calls me from their bathroom. I don't want to hear you tinkling, I can wait five minutes.

Unlike the suite, no DVDs or CDs were supplied. Still found it tough to get TV to work via the 2 remotes. Supplying a few DVDs/CDs for use and sale is a VERY smart idea, and just an extension of the mini bar idea, and a sure profit centre.

Oz, did you happen to use the gift shop? Would there be space there for the owner to stock a small selection of DVDs/CDs for sale?

But I could see the DVDs being a problem with respect to the pornovision in-room-theatre contract that most hotels have. They don't want competition and all that. But at least an enterprising couple can take planning measures.

The in-bathroom phone has rung so many times over the years at the "wrong" time! However I avoid them where possible - especially the number I have seen fall off the cradle and into the bowl, just by being accidentally bumped!

I posted the below report from my stay in August, seems to be much along the lines of Glen's report (though no where near as exhaustive!)

Saturday marked two weeks out from our wedding and also my birthday, so seeing I had been wanting to try out the recently re-opened Hilton, my partner booked us in for the night. I had been through the foyer of the property since it has reopened and liked what I saw, normally I’m not a big fan of modern architecture but for some reason it seems to come together well.

We stayed on one of the executive floors (36th) and after using the dedicated hhonors check in counter, we went straight up to have a shower before hitting the executive lounge. The decor and layout of the room was very pleasant, the annoying thing about the room however is that in order to let light into the bathroom they have a frosted glass panel separating the shower from the bedroom, so if you go to the bathroom in the night the bedroom gets lit up when you turn the light on.

After a quick look around the room we headed to the executive lounge for a couple of pre-dinner drinks. The lounge itself has a good feel to it, a few little nooks and cranny's where you can get a private table and even with the lounge at capacity (due to bledisloe cup) it was still relaxing and enjoyable despite not being very large. The sparkling was particularly nice and the canapés were sufficient enough to have been dinner. Alas we had a booking at glass so we had to restrain ourselves and after about 5 glasses of sparkling each we headed downstairs for dinner.

My first impressions of glass were that the ambience and decor are very much reminiscent of Cafe Sydney, same dark wood, low level lighting and crisp white linen, which I was glad of as the aforementioned is my favourite Sydney restaurant. Having read others reviews of glass's service and food, I wasn't setting my expectations to high however I have to say that the service was impeccable. Our waiter was attentive enough to ensure our glasses were never empty (both wine and water), we had fresh bread not long after we were seated, our plates were cleared promptly after each course and yet we never felt as though he was intruding or interrupting us which I think makes a huge difference to the experience.

The food on the other hand whilst enjoyable wasn't worthy of the hype that has surrounded the restaurant. It was typical French bistro fare but nothing that left me thinking when I could next get back to experience it again. In fact I would go to Café Sydney or Manly Wharf Hotel long before I would go back to glass. The one thing that glass does do well is its wine list; the depth of the range isn’t matched elsewhere in Sydney. Got an itch that only a Penfolds grange can scratch? Well they have every vintage from the last 10 years. Their mark-up however is also the highest I have seen, a bottle we normally buy for $18.99 at our local was $72.

After dinner we went upstairs for a few cocktails at Zeta, which has a very groovy feel to it and I’ll definitely be back, before retiring for the night. I was surprised to wake around 2am to the sound of sirens and my surprise grew to annoyance when I realised that the window 30cms from my pillow was not sound-proof meaning that every ambulance that left central on a very busy Saturday night reverberated through our room. After fashioning some earplugs from cotton wool, I did manage to get back to sleep around 4am but I’m still wondering why when they renovated they didn’t put in soundproof windows.

Sunday morning we headed back to the executive lounge for breakfast but had to wait about 20 mins as it seemed everyone on the executive floors decided they wanted breakfast at the same time, no big drama however and we soon seated. One thing we did notice again on the Sunday morning was that the food in the bain maries was on the cold side of luke warm, will be interesting to see how long they last as they don’t seem to work very well (table next to ours was complaining about cold scrambled eggs so I’m not the only whinger). There was however a great range of food on offer, cooked breakfast of eggs and bacon (albeit cold), cereals and breads as well as a more European buffet of meats, cheeses and hard boiled eggs.

After breakfast we strolled back and packed up the room before heading down to checkout (the no-stop checkout docket was placed in our room but I had forgot to add my diamond/premium club discount). All in all an enjoyable weekend away from home but not something I’d be going out of my way to experience, next time I think we will forgo the hhonors points and either the Four Seasons darling park or Sheraton on the park instead.

The one thing that glass does do well is its wine list; the depth of the range isn’t matched elsewhere in Sydney. Got an itch that only a Penfolds grange can scratch? Well they have every vintage from the last 10 years. Their mark-up however is also the highest I have seen, a bottle we normally buy for $18.99 at our local was $72.



Great report. ^

Yes have to agree that wine list is something else. :)

As I pointed out above the markup at lower end is crazy high, but at top end are near bottle shop prices!

Glen

If you think the official attire of the Hilton employees is strange, you should check out the front desk people at the Marriott/Sydney Harbor. They are wearing bright red pajamas! It is quite startling.
There are no pay phones at all at the Hilton. I guess that is consistent with the modern ambiance they are projecting - use a cell phone!

Had to get down to SYD from BNE to do a little business, and seeing as i had a $120 Premium Club voucher left I decided to avail myself of Syd's newest hotel.......As an aside I am also HH gold working on Diamond.
I booked directly with the hotel 3 days out and they had plenty rooms at this "rate".
I left Syd airport at 5:30pm and made it to the Hilton righton 6:00pm.
I checked in at the front desk, but there was noone helping me with I suitbag, and two briefcases......funny that the young blonde lady that arrived at the same time did get some assistence.
nb -I am not young, blonde or a lady.... :D
The desk clerk welcomed me and checked my rate against the voucher I had.
Confusion spilled across her face as the voucher read $120 but the booking said $125 rate. What was she to do?????
She checked with her supervisor, who was also at a loss.
I am surprised that this has not occurred sooner.
I said that I was not going to quibble about $5 but that they should really get some info on this as I had another 2 of these vouchers that I would be using at this rate.
She looked vaguely happy at this and gave me my room card..3413, but gleefully advised that "she" had given me lounge access...oooooohhhhh thankyou, it is only on the T & C's as a gold member (Hehe) that I should get it.
Noone jumped up to help me with the bags so I staggered off in the direction of the lifts.
Stuck the card in to the slot and nothing happened..tried a total of three times before it finally worked. Note to self, when tired and cranky, slow down.

The room wasn't a bad size, I I really enjoyed being able to actually see the TV from the bed for a change. I liked the bathroom's decor and the layout of the room. The really good thing was the ability of my Dell to be able to get a great wireless broadband signal. I logged on and checked the emails. It then occured to me that there was no welcoming letter, or bottle of water or even one of those little chocolate pack thingies.
I looked at the room menu, but couldn't bring myself to pay $32 for a burger when I could spy Macca's, hungry jacks and a variety of other poor food choices within walking distance.

I ducked out and grabbed a pizza from a psuedo italian place and wandered back to my room.
I finally dropped onto the bed about 9:30 pm when there was a faint knock on the door. I threw my pants on and opened it to find a space cadet looking guy holding a tray with a little box of chocolates and a bottle of fruitjuice....
Fruitjuice !!!!
... ?
What happened to the booze I get at every other Hilton in Australasia????
oh well, it is only for the wife anyway.

i dropped the blinds (BTW, it was very easy to find the switches. They must have labelled them since Oz's visit.) This made the room v. dark.
I set the alarm for 6:00 and woke at 5:30. Turned on the LCD tv and surfed until it was time to get up.
I found a great iron and for the first time in a while managed to get my shirt crease free whilst staying in a hotel.
That is important.
I wandered up to the exec lounge and helped myself to a few expresso's and some eggs and read the paper for a while. The lounge was not full at all and made for a pleasent start to the day.
I went back to the room grabbed my stuff and went to check out.
When I checked my bill i discovered a small mistake on the bill.
Not the higher rate.
Not the phonecall back to my wife.
I had been double charged on the broadband.
It was almost exactly the amount I pay for a months unlimited access at home.
Got that sorted and got into a taxi back to SYD airport.

Total bill for the stay - $152.25.
Total number of expresso's - 3
Satisfaction in getting more than I expected - priceless.

I will stay here again, but not at full rate and not expecting more than a standard room.

I hope the hip young things working there realise the value of all customers and get over "themselves". :D

Cheers
Iain

She looked vaguely happy at this and gave me my room card..3413, but gleefully advised that "she" had given me lounge access...oooooohhhhh thankyou, it is only on the T & C's as a gold member (Hehe) that I should get it.
Iain

it absolutely amazes me that after all the discussion that anyone would think that the T and Cs state that gold or diamond is "entitled to exec club access outside the US!!!
It clearly states executive lever OR next best available room type.
Upgraded rooms are subject to availability!
.
it is a priviledge not a right!

but you are lucky she gave it to you.
I am diamond
I have stayed there 5 times and every time I have had to ask for access!!
even paying full rate on opening night!

it absolutely amazes me that after all the discussion that anyone would think that the T and Cs state that gold or diamond is "entitled to exec club access outside the US!!!
It clearly states executive lever OR next best available room type.
Upgraded rooms are subject to availability!
.
it is a priviledge not a right!

but you are lucky she gave it to you.
I am diamond
I have stayed there 5 times and every time I have had to ask for access!!
even paying full rate on opening night!

"QUOTE"
it is a priviledge not a right!

Those are very true words that we all all need to be reminded at times
Thanks for bringing that up. ^
That it extends to upgrading seats on jets as well as all other major program benefits.There are some things we should clearly be entitled too and other prviledges that we should come to appreciate and be thankful for.
Even though many of us feel like part owners of the company from our revenue support over the years ;)

I can honestly say that the good folks from Hilton as well as many of their hotels take exceptionally good care of me in almost every market I travel.
Though there are of course exceptions.
I have said many times before that there is clearly no better rewarding tier then the Hilton Gold level.
Gold HH tier challenges my top tiers at other programs.
Including the HH Diamond level at times. Something I am seriously giving thoughts about returning too.Obviously increased chances of award redemption the sole reason

Cheers

Just booked another 3 night stay for the Syd Hilton just before Christmas so I will update with another report then.

Used Premium Club vouchers but noticed a great advance rate for a standard room of $220 per night (less 20% of course for Premium Club) ;)

While some don't sound happy with the renovated Hilton, at least the company who did it didn't make the mess (http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/2005/11/02/1130823238799.html?page=3) that they are now making (http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17122409%255E953,00.html) while building a tunnel. :)

Anyone know if the Hilton Sydney has family rooms? I have tried numerous dates and it only allows a 3 person room. I need one for 2 adults and 2 children.

Thanks

Unless the 2 children are still in cribs, you need 2 rooms. Rooms are small, even the suites. Lots of info on this board about that particular Hilton. You sure you don't want to check with the Westin or another?

According to the UK website, it's a maximum of 2 adults and 1 child per room.
See Family Plan on this page:
http://www.hilton.co.uk/property/1018_Families.jsp?hid=11004085

According to the UK website, it's a maximum of 2 adults and 1 child per room.
See Family Plan on this page:
http://www.hilton.co.uk/property/1018_Families.jsp?hid=11004085
I think I will have to ring them to find this out. I stayed at the Hilton Avisford Park this year, and no family rooms or suites were listed. I called the hotel and booked a suite. The clerk said that they never post the suites or family rooms on the HH website. They always hold them back to let people book direct. I am hoping it is for this reason that I cannot book. I will report back with my findings.

I finally dropped onto the bed about 9:30 pm when there was a faint knock on the door. I threw my pants on and opened it to find a space cadet looking guy holding a tray with a little box of chocolates and a bottle of fruitjuice....
Fruitjuice !!!!

... ?

What happened to the booze I get at every other Hilton in Australasia????
oh well, it is only for the wife anyway.



Two good points and I agree with them both. ^

For the suite I had last stay, a faint tap on the door you simply do not hear with one of the 3 TV's on. Even with TV not on it is a stretch to hear it. Many hotels have discreet little doorbell deals and something like that is a bad oversight.

Yes have also gotten a few goodies (and yes that has included juice - and for ME that is a pretty funny gift!) and many hours after checking in.

Lynn's daughter as posted earlier was bought up a birthday cake very late at night - 10.30pm, when they were both fast asleep - about 7 hours after check-in! Nice gesture, but really dumb timing. Someone goes to great trouble doing those but the timing is way off.

All gifts have a classy card, with hand written note from manager Mike Nalborczyk, and would have far more impact and effect if received soon after check-in. @:-)

Ok so I'm off to the Sydney Hilton again at the weekend. Staying in a deluxe room for the first two nights and then a Junior Suite on the final night.

Won't be eating in Glass but may use room service for some of their food...from memory it is available in room.

Will post my comments back next week.

Bit of an update.

Have now done 5 stays at Sydney Hilton in the past 5 months since post #1, and all but one have been a very pleasant step forward from my first "Junior Suite" experience.

I've been upgraded a couple of times to the corner "Relaxation Suites" with spa, and they really are wonderful rooms. ^

Even the Relaxation Suites with no spas are very nice.

I was just unlucky to book and get a 'Junior Suite' first time in, that unbeknownst to me had not been fully renovated. None of them have been I am now told, and is apparently on the list of things to do. Just the untouched bathrooms walls and floor tiles and loos looked very unlike what you'd expect after spending $200 million.

So to the 8000 or whatever views of this thread so far, sorry if you were misled somewhat by the initial post. :cool:

For anyone booking a romance package or special occasion do opt to go the extra bucks for the Relaxation Suites with spas. The Jacuzzi bath is absolutely huge and has a plasma TV in there (there are 3 in the suite) and they have a full glass wall on the long side of the Jacuzzi, that looks out over the city. The tapware is awesome.

They have polished wood floor boards which I am never keen on in hotels, but I guess it is the trendy look these days? :)

Even the showers in these Relaxation Suites are pretty amazing with water jets shooting out of all sorts of unexpected places at you! You need a 5 minute course to figger out how to use it. :p

And an early post I made said the Junior Suite and Executive Room did not have a phone extension in the bathroom I could see - I am assured that was incorrect - I just must have missed seeing it!

The Executive Lounge is quite spacious, and despite the unfortunate 'archer slit windows' the entire hotel is stuck with, is a nice place for a Neptune bubbly (or 3) in the evenings before heading off to dinner or a show etc. I stay again this week so will check to see if reports elsewhere on FT of scaled back drinks and nibbles in Lounge are correct.

The fact there are 3 or 4 working computers in there is a HUGE asset to Hilton Sydney, and I wish more Hilton lounges offered that. Not everyone travels with a laptop, that is for sure.

The Health Club has a mind boggling array of equipment, large pool, and saunas and steam rooms next to each other, all set at slightly differing temperatures etc. From what I could see it was all complimentary for staying guests.

And the staff I have found at all times to be wonderfully friendly and helpful - whether at desk, concierge, room service. Unusual in so large a hotel.

The gooby grey collarless Space Cadet/Trekkie ill-fitting uniforms on the men are the most galling memory I have of the place. The female uniforms are tailored for each person so don't look too bad most times.

A male staffer told me the men's outfits are on a communal system that they choose off racks when signing in each day. No idea if that is correct, but if so, it may help explain why not one of the 100s of male staff I've seen wearing these formless sacks did them any justice.

If they were stenciled on back with "Inmate Of Long Bay Prison" it would not surprise anyone, as they have the distinct look of something designed by a penal institution.

I'll bet the house these daggy uniforms are quietly replaced within a year or so (if not sooner) with something far more suited for a '6 Star' Hilton premium hotel. Others guests I have chatted to in the lounge and in the hotel all seem to concur they look ridiculous and totally out of place on the men. In a "W" - they'd look perfect!

Anyone else had any stays there recently, and cares to share their thoughts? (Russell Corr perhaps. ?) :)

Stayed there for 1 night in Jan. Booked a regular room - was upgraded (as diamond) to Exec floor, with access to lounge. Amenity was 1 small bottle of orange juice - rather poor...
Lounge was good. Brekkie was very nice - escpecially smoothie juices.
I found room rather small and minimalist (though comfortable) for the premuim price, especially as it was an executive room.
Valet parking was good, and not ridiculously priced.

Main problem was that the corridor to room STANK of vomit. Had to hold my breath each time I entered the room. So I checked out early.

I always use Hiltons in Europe, but don't think I'd go back to Hilton Sydney in a hurry,as I just didn't feel impressed overall.

Bit of an update.

Have now done 5 stays at Sydney Hilton in the past 5 months since post #1, and all but one have been a very pleasant step forward from my first "Junior Suite" experience.

I've been upgraded a couple of times to the corner "Relaxation Suites" with spa, and they really are wonderful rooms. ^

Even the Relaxation Suites with no spas are very nice.

I was just unlucky to book and get a 'Junior Suite' first time in, that unbeknownst to me had not been fully renovated. None of them have been I am now told, and is apparently on the list of things to do. Just the untouched bathrooms walls and floor tiles and loos looked very unlike what you'd expect after spending $200 million.

So to the 8000 or whatever views of this thread so far, sorry if you were misled somewhat by the initial post. :cool:

For anyone booking a romance package or special occasion do opt to go the extra bucks for the Relaxation Suites with spas. The Jacuzzi bath is absolutely huge and has a plasma TV in there (there are 3 in the suite) and they have a full glass wall on the long side of the Jacuzzi, that looks out over the city. The tapware is awesome.

They have polished wood floor boards which I am never keen on in hotels, but I guess it is the trendy look these days? :)

Even the showers in these Relaxation Suites are pretty amazing with water jets shooting out of all sorts of unexpected places at you! You need a 5 minute course to figger out how to use it. :p

And an early post I made said the Junior Suite and Executive Room did not have a phone extension in the bathroom I could see - I am assured that was incorrect - I just must have missed seeing it!

The Executive Lounge is quite spacious, and despite the unfortunate 'archer slit windows' the entire hotel is stuck with, is a nice place for a Neptune bubbly (or 3) in the evenings before heading off to dinner or a show etc. I stay again this week so will check to see if reports elsewhere on FT of scaled back drinks and nibbles in Lounge are correct.

The fact there are 3 or 4 working computers in there is a HUGE asset to Hilton Sydney, and I wish more Hilton lounges offered that. Not everyone travels with a laptop, that is for sure.

The Health Club has a mind boggling array of equipment, large pool, and saunas and steam rooms next to each other, all set at slightly differing temperatures etc. From what I could see it was all complimentary for staying guests.

And the staff I have found at all times to be wonderfully friendly and helpful - whether at desk, concierge, room service. Unusual in so large a hotel.

The gooby grey collarless Space Cadet/Trekkie ill-fitting uniforms on the men are the most galling memory I have of the place. The female uniforms are tailored for each person so don't look too bad most times.

A male staffer told me the men's outfits are on a communal system that they choose off racks when signing in each day. No idea if that is correct, but if so, it may help explain why not one of the 100s of male staff I've seen wearing these formless sacks did them any justice.

If they were stenciled on back with "Inmate Of Long Bay Prison" it would not surprise anyone, as they have the distinct look of something designed by a penal institution.

I'll bet the house these daggy uniforms are quietly replaced within a year or so (if not sooner) with something far more suited for a '6 Star' Hilton premium hotel. Others guests I have chatted to in the lounge and in the hotel all seem to concur they look ridiculous and totally out of place on the men. In a "W" - they'd look perfect!

Anyone else had any stays there recently, and cares to share their thoughts? (Russell Corr perhaps. ?) :)
Gee glen sounds like some one has almost GOT to you :D :D

Ive done 10 stays
never got a relaxations suite
am diamond
:rolleyes:

Glen most probably must have got the attention of the front desk manager or the former lounge manager shane. i wouldn't be surprised if he had to be assertive a bit to get one of the 27 or so suites in the properties.

I have got a direct reply from the PA to Mike Nalborczyk advising of the following:

Dear Mr. trekkie

Thanks for your feedback following your recent stay with us. I was most concerned to learn of the problems you experienced and sincerely apologise for these shortcomings.

With regards to upgrades for Gold and Diamond members, the policy is to upgrade to Executive rooms but excludes suites. I hope this clarifies the situation. ........Our Executive Housekeeper has also been informed about the odour you mentioned on Level 35 and we have now taken the action to eliminate this.



..............

Yours sincerely

Mike Nalborczyk
Hotel Manager

---------------------------------------------------------------------
as you can see, the policy is to upgrade to exec floor but exclude suites. so to fellow diamond and gold members, please do not expect a SUITE as you won't get one.

cheers

..Our Executive Housekeeper has also been informed about the odour you mentioned on Level 35 and we have now taken the action to eliminate this.



..............



cheers


Hmm. I was also in floor 35 and had that terrible odour (see my post above) - I see you also complained!

Glen most probably must have got the attention of the front desk manager or the former lounge manager shane. i wouldn't be surprised if he had to be assertive a bit to get one of the 27 or so suites in the properties.

I have got a direct reply from the PA to Mike Nalborczyk advising of the following:

Dear Mr. trekkie

Thanks for your feedback following your recent stay with us. I was most concerned to learn of the problems you experienced and sincerely apologise for these shortcomings.

With regards to upgrades for Gold and Diamond members, the policy is to upgrade to Executive rooms but excludes suites. I hope this clarifies the situation. ........Our Executive Housekeeper has also been informed about the odour you mentioned on Level 35 and we have now taken the action to eliminate this.



..............

Yours sincerely

Mike Nalborczyk
Hotel Manager

---------------------------------------------------------------------
as you can see, the policy is to upgrade to exec floor but exclude suites. so to fellow diamond and gold members, please do not expect a SUITE as you won't get one.

cheers
EXACTLY the conversation I had with the front house res manager in late december.

Hmmm. I was also in floor 35 and had that terrible odour (see my post above) - I see you also complained!

I stayed there last night on 37 and out of curiosity went down to 35 to see if that odour was still there.

It was. My ladyfriend said as we got out the lift (had not mentioned it all to her to see if she mentioned anything) and as we walked down corridor - "boy there is a weird smell here - like smelly feet or something"

So whatever they used to neutralise it is still taking its time to work. Was not overpowering, as it sounds like it was in January but must have been terrible then.

Who'd run hotels when you hear of stories like that?

My bad news was this morning I went to collect a gown and dress shirt I'd left there in my suite wardrobe in a late November stay.

A couple days after that stay I phoned hotel to report it. They said security would check, and contact me.

They did, most efficiently, had found the items, gave me a code number they were filed under, and said anytime within 3 months I could collect them. (I think I could have paid $25 to be mailed but knew I was staying a couple times within 3 months anyway.) Thery said they'd mark the goods as to be collected by local owner, and all was sweet.

Go to concierge desk, give them that number, and name of guy who had called me months back, and wait, and wait, and wait.

Eventually a security guy appears and sheepishly advises they have been given to charity!

Advise him if the 3 month rule still holds and he says yes it doe. Ask him it 3 months from early December has arrived yet, and he agrees it has not.

The gown was a blue silk Dior I bought in Europe, and really liked, and it is not only the cost, but the fact I doubt I can replace hit here in a similar fabric.

Security apologises and says someone will contact me to discuss what the hotel can do for me. Anyone got any idea what they would usually do in such a case?

I've scanned through the thread and haven't seen anything regarding treatment of Diamonds. I'll be staying at the Hilton from March 29 - April 1 (I just couldn't pass up that UA fare).

I've scanned through the thread and haven't seen anything regarding treatment of Diamonds. I'll be staying at the Hilton from March 29 - April 1 (I just couldn't pass up that UA fare).

As a diamond, I got an upgrade to executive floor, including free breakfast in the lounge. Amenity was one small jar (330ml) of orange juice, plus (I think) water.

My last stay at SYD Hilton I went to collect a gown and dress shirt I'd left there in my suite wardrobe in a late November stay.

A couple days after that stay I phoned hotel to report it. They said security would check, and contact me.

They did phone back, most efficiently, had found the items, gave me a code number they were filed under, and said anytime within 3 months I could collect them. (I think I could have paid $25 to be mailed but knew I was staying a couple times within 3 months anyway.) They said they'd mark the goods as to be collected by local owner, and all was sweet.

Go to concierge desk last stay a month or so back, give them that number, and name of guy who had called me months back, and wait, and wait, and wait.

Eventually a security guy appears and sheepishly advises they have been given to charity!

Advise him if the 3 month rule still holds and he says yes it does. Ask him if 3 months from early December has rolled around yet, and he agrees it has not.

The gown was a blue silk Dior I bought in Europe, and really liked, and it is not only the cost, but the fact I doubt I can replace it here in a similar fabric.

Security apologises to me and says someone will contact me to discuss what the hotel can do for me. They never did. No-one did. Anyone got any idea what they would usually do in such a case?

I've stayed there 5 or 6 times since it opened, and wonder if anyone else has had a Hilton lose something they said they'd put aside for collection?

My last stay at SYD Hilton I went to collect a gown and dress shirt I'd left there in my suite wardrobe in a late November stay.

A couple days after that stay I phoned hotel to report it. They said security would check, and contact me.

They did phone back, most efficiently, had found the items, gave me a code number they were filed under, and said anytime within 3 months I could collect them. (I think I could have paid $25 to be mailed but knew I was staying a couple times within 3 months anyway.) They said they'd mark the goods as to be collected by local owner, and all was sweet.

Go to concierge desk last stay a month or so back, give them that number, and name of guy who had called me months back, and wait, and wait, and wait.

Eventually a security guy appears and sheepishly advises they have been given to charity!

Advise him if the 3 month rule still holds and he says yes it does. Ask him if 3 months from early December has rolled around yet, and he agrees it has not.

The gown was a blue silk Dior I bought in Europe, and really liked, and it is not only the cost, but the fact I doubt I can replace it here in a similar fabric.

Security apologises to me and says someone will contact me to discuss what the hotel can do for me. They never did. No-one did. Anyone got any idea what they would usually do in such a case?

I've stayed there 5 or 6 times since it opened, and wonder if anyone else has had a Hilton lose something they said they'd put aside for collection?
when did u find out that the goods were no longer there?

when did u find out that the goods were no longer there?

As I think I posted pretty clearly (?) - when I last stayed there, and asked for them to be fetched from out back from storage.

You didnt say the date :rolleyes:

you left the stuff there in november this is april :confused:

If you found out in feb why wait till now to complain? :(

You didnt say the date :rolleyes:

you left the stuff there in november this is april :confused:

If you found out in feb why wait till now to complain? :(

:confused: :confused: I think that the OP clearly indicated that he arrived at the hotel within the 3 month period and asked for the items. He posted that the hotel security agreed that he had come for the items withing the prescribed time frame. :confused: :confused:

I guess you did not read the unedited post tinkybelle. That's fine with me.

Someone might have some input on the issue involved with the post. Hope so. :)

Thanks grayland. We posted at same time code. Thought I was dreaming there for a moment about what was typed. ;)

This kind of thing Hilton presumably has a policy covering?

I guess you did not read the unedited post tinkybelle. That's fine with me.

Someone might have some input on the issue involved with the post. Hope so. :)
I think I am dreaming

what unedited post :rolleyes:

you stayed in nov 06
you left so called expensive and precious stuff there even though you live 6 km from the sydney hilton
you left the stuff there in nov so that is late feb
its now april

I asked a simple question



any legal person would ask the same thing :(

I'm with you, Tinks.

From OP's description of the timing -- "Late November", "Couple of days after" and "month or so back" -- sounds as though he originally checked out approx. 30 Nov. and called them to hold the goods on approx. 3 Dec. As the security guy admitted that (technically) "three months" had not yet elapsed, sounds as though OP appeared to claim the goods roughly 2/3 March.
In such case it doesn't seem overzealous for staff to decide declare the property as "abandoned" after 85+ days with no sign of the concerned local owner. Moreover, they could well have been tagged as of when they were turned over to Lost Property (Late Nov.), with the "local owner" info added to that date?

actually the cynical side of me would say no, ozstamps doesn't deserve anything at all. The sympathetic side would yes but only if he asks nicely,politely, appropriately and not demand.

Ozstamps did post this exact same story as part of trip report on either the qantas board or here in the hilton forum some time back. And ozstamps did post at that point that the hilton rep said someone from guest relations would contact him. The item in question was a blue gown which he claimed was unreplaceable from Europe.

Im assuming that no one did contact him. and like tinkybelle, the cynical side would have to ask why did ozstamps waited until now to ask for remedies/compensation.

The gown was a blue silk Dior I bought in Europe, and really liked, and it is not only the cost, but the fact I doubt I can replace it here in a similar fabric.

Personally, I don't get emotionally attached to my clothes. However, if I did, I would have either had the items mailed or gone to fetch them right away (along with a handsome tip for their fine customer service).

Did Hilton screw up? Yes, technically they threw the garment away within the 90 day period that they promised they'd hold it.

As far as remedies go, I think we can look at airlines who lose passenger's luggage as a guideline. Had Qantas lost your blue silk Dior robe, how much would they have given you? I daresay a used robe (even a designer one) wouldn't get you much. And you admit that it's irreplaceable, so what COULD they offer you that would make you happy?

Lie and learn, my friend. If something is valuable to you, you've got to treat it in kind. Personally, I'd imagine some poor person was enjoying my nice silk Dior robe and forget about it.

I've gotten them to reimburse me for clothes that were lost due to the cleaners. Made them pay purchase price for it after some arguing that you can't depreciate clothes that you can't find. I have to replace them, not donate them to charity.

However, immediately at the time of loss I was all over Management about it. If it had been brought up immediately your odds of getting something back are much higher, or at least the value of what you get.

Since so much time has passed it will be much more difficult to get higher compensation.

You should start by immediately calling the hotel direct and asking to speak to the Management. The fact that you have a lost item claim number will help, as they can at least go back to research their logs of found property; which may also have the donation to charity recorded. However, proving the value of the items will be challenging.

So call the hotel direct, explain "your ignorance" in trusting that someone was going to call you, and you now realize they obviously aren't. How should you deal with this now.... etc, etc...

I think compo is due here - but IMO it will be challenging to arrive at a resolution, as so much time has passed and they lost the opportunity to follow up. Now the OP will have to reestablish the line of communications and reconstruct the entire chain of events for them, I suspect.

How much compo? They will be unable to replace the item, according to the post. I also imagine it was used, and even an insurance company would decline to offer more than the replacement value as is. The hotel would likely see the easier way as an offer of lodging or services to a somewhat frequent customer, for which they will claim a retail price and will cost them considerably less, than cash.

I might restate what happened and the stay frequency in a letter to the GM, and at that time make a reasonable and doable request they can consider and accept or counter offer to. Since going to Europe and getting a duplicate item is out of the question, I'd negotiate for accommodation.

YMMV, and I'm a seppo sitting here in the US, so...

Other than the time you asked for the items and found they had been given away, did you stay at Sydney Hilton any earlier time within the 90 days?

According to an earlier poster you live 6km away and you couldn't, didn't pick up the precious item?

Something missing in this story if the 6km distance is correct. :confused:

usually has to do with,

yes, I think you deserve something but I have no idea how to get it

yes you deserve something, try the FT email

no, you left it too long and you should have called earlier or arranged to have it dropped off.

Please confine yourself with answering the question asked, and refrain from commenting on a poster's motives or agenda.

thansks

squeakr

Mod Hilton

the proper response to a question asked on the forum ... usually has to do with,



yes, I think you deserve something but I have no idea how to get it

yes you deserve something, try the FT email

no, you left it too long and you should have called earlier or arranged to have it dropped off.


Thanks squeakr - some very wise and helpful advice for members to heed IMHO. ^

I think compo is due here - but IMO it will be challenging to arrive at a resolution, as so much time has passed and they lost the opportunity to follow up. Now the OP will have to reestablish the line of communications and reconstruct the entire chain of events for them, I suspect.

How much compo? They will be unable to replace the item, according to the post. I also imagine it was used, and even an insurance company would decline to offer more than the replacement value as is. The hotel would likely see the easier way as an offer of lodging or services to a somewhat frequent customer, for which they will claim a retail price and will cost them considerably less, than cash.

I might restate what happened and the stay frequency in a letter to the GM, and at that time make a reasonable and doable request they can consider and accept or counter offer to. Since going to Europe and getting a duplicate item is out of the question, I'd negotiate for accommodation.



JDiver and MacGuruTX - thanks for responding to the matter at hand with some good suggestions. :)

As I posted I have the names and date and check number re the original security staffer who was most helpful and phoned me at home to say my goods had been located and were awaiting collection on a future stay or personal visit within 90 days, and he said goods were clearly tagged to that effect. And I do have the name and date of the security person who advised me the personal property had been destroyed/disposed. He also advised my record would be noted thus, and was most apologetic it had occured.

My thread really was based on whether there was any Hilton policy re this situation others had encountered in the past. Your suggestions makes sense to contact the brass, and JDiver you are right, an accommodation request is probably the most amenable option to them. The garments were both pretty expensive, and the original recovery log (which they can still access) outlined specifically what was involved.

Glen

As I think I posted pretty clearly (?) - when I last stayed there, and asked for them to be fetched from out back from storage.

I am sorry, but I have to disagree. Your orginal post is a bit confusing as to when you remembered the forgotten items and when you asked for their return. Dates would have helped.

I always check the room one last time before I leave. If I leave anything in a hotel room, I consider it gone. I will contact the hotel for lost items, but if they can not find it, I do not consider it their problem. It's my problem because I did not follow my routine for packing and checking out.

Here (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5350105&postcount=101) is ozstamp's original report on the problem. It's unfortunate that the hotel didn't follow up as promised at that time.

Good luck, and let us know the outcome.

I always check the room one last time before I leave.

I do too, but these things do happen. Once, I left a cell phone re-charger attached to the plug in the wall. That's not even on my double-check list. When I called the hotel later in the day, they said it would be posted to me promptly. I'm still waiting (2 years). :rolleyes: :D

ozstamps, has there been any resolution to this problem?

It's unfortunate that the hotel didn't follow up as promised at that time.

Good luck, and let us know the outcome.

Thanks Carol, and am happy to report a satisfactory resolution was achieved in this matter. ^

Contacted the Management there, and they were happy to address the matter as best they could. I had a low priced stay booked for last night anyway, and asked if I might be guaranteed a Suite to settle this matter.

This was agreed, and I was offered my choice of room in advance. I chose the type with the huge jacuzzi that have the glass walls that look over the city. They also sent up a very nice bottle of Champagne on ice.

We watched the plasma TV in the spa sipping bubbly last night, and think we got a very fair deal. The guaranteed upgrade more than compensated for the clothing destroyed in error.

A 'win win' for both parties IMHO. :cool:

^ ^ A very civilized solution :D ^ ^

Does gown have a different meaning down under than it does here in states? (Trying to picture Ozstamps in a blue Dior gown).

The term dressing gown is what we are using here, not ball gown. :D

Altho I was forced by the priest to buy a brown dress/skirt from a nearby Arab store to cover men's short pants, in order to enter a church last November in Nazareth during the FT Israel Doo.

To the apparent amusement of several digital cameras: ;)

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kdembros/detail?.dir=3195&.dnm=46b9.jpg&.src=ph

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kdembros/detail?.dir=3195&.dnm=e440.jpg&.src=ph

Great Photo :D

But to be honest: You were not "forced to buy" but just asked to behave yourself according to local standards. Bare legs in a church might be ok in Oz but for sure not in Israel.

Cheers
T.

I do too, but these things do happen. Once, I left a cell phone re-charger attached to the plug in the wall. That's not even on my double-check list. When I called the hotel later in the day, they said it would be posted to me promptly. I'm still waiting (2 years). :rolleyes: :D

ozstamps, has there been any resolution to this problem?

I've done exactly that as well -- left a cell phone charger plugged into the wall at a hotel in Philly. I called the hotel within 30 minutes of checking out and they said it wasn't found. I find that hard to believe but life went on. Somehow, it made me feel better to know I'm not the only one to have done that.

Great Photo :D

But to be honest: You were not "forced to buy" but just asked to behave yourself according to local standards.

.

Agree .. we'd been out swimming at a hot springs right before and our trusty FT guide Dovster forgot to remind us to pull on some jeans - which we all had by the way - on a bus parked half a mile back. I thought the white hoops matched my Nike's very nicely.

The priest cracked up when I turned up in the $10 dress. But it covered my legs so he was cool. ;)

Bumping this thread to say I have the same sort of question -- we're staying at this hotel with our 12-year-old son in a few weeks; does anyone know if they have any rooms with two queen beds, or "family rooms"? Is there any chance they will upgrade a Gold into a family room or suite if I send an advance request?

As flyinbob mentioned, rooms at the Sydney Hilton really are compact. I stayed there last week and didn't see any rooms with 2 queen beds. I wasn't in a suite, but even they looked pretty small. I'd probably phone the hotel directly to ask whether they have any rooms that meet your needs.

all rooms at sydney hilton are of the same size as before the renovations and date back to 1970s. Room sizes usually are abt 25 sq metres. for a family to comfortably fit 2 adults and 2 children, you might want to consider connecting rooms. i.e 2 rooms. The relaxation rooms/suites are around 42 sq metres. As far as im concerned, i have never seen extra beds being offered as the rooms are too small to accomodate them. They are modern though with lcd/plasma tvs and dvd players in every room and voip phones.

Bumping this thread to say I have the same sort of question -- we're staying at this hotel with our 12-year-old son in a few weeks; does anyone know if they have any rooms with two queen beds, or "family rooms"? Is there any chance they will upgrade a Gold into a family room or suite if I send an advance request?


Hilton Sydney Upgrade to suite!!
:D :D :D :D :D
absolutely not!
I have had numerous discussions with their res manager. she stated that at no time will a Diamond be upgraded to anything but an exec room.
and I have never ever seen a room with 2 doubles.
you will definitely not be able to accommodate 4 unless you are in the grand suites at the top.

gp to the sheraton on the park if plat and u will almost definitely get a suite

or the 4 pts and book one. someone in the starwood forum should have a 50% off voucher

Thank you everyone. Armed with your testimony I've emailed the hotel direct asking for accommodation. If they say all they can manage is a king bed plus rollaway for number one son, I think we'll cancel and move. Either Marriott in central Sydney can confirm two double beds. (Appreciate the guidance on the Four Points and Sheraton on the Park, tinkybelle, but alas, I've no Starwood status.)

I find it really, really hard to believe the only Hilton property in Sydney can have gone through this massive, costly, top-to-bottom renovation and still profess itself unable to put up two adults and one kid. Every hotel in Christiandom has rooms with two queen beds. The Sydney Hilton rooms by all accounts are small enough; I don't want the stub-my-toe-on-the-rollaway experience for four days -- we will have been camping already, earlier in the trip! -- and my kid, whatever else one may say about him, is a big 12-year-old and entitled to a proper bed.

Hilton Sydney Upgrade to suite!!
:D :D :D :D :D
absolutely not!
I have had numerous discussions with their res manager. she stated that at no time will a Diamond be upgraded to anything but an exec room.


IMHO that is bad attitude from the hotel's part. If I can get a suite at the IC or spacious room from PH why on earth would I stay at the Hilton?

So, I need one night in SYD June 13th, and I'll be right in the CBD area.
I was going to book the Hilton as I haven't used SPG in eons. I stayed at the Westin for a couple of nights last time I was there (didn't even bother to get SPG credit).
Best rate showing on the web for Hilton is $240 AUD, seems a bit steep for a closet in a mediocre hotel where I may not get upgraded.
We don't have a corporate rate at that property, any other helpful suggestions? (especially from anyone who lives in SYD!)
thanks

Best rate showing on the web for Hilton is $240 AUD, seems a bit steep for a closet in a mediocre hotel where I may not get upgraded.We don't have a corporate rate at that property, any other helpful suggestions? (especially from anyone who lives in SYD!)
thanks

Mediocre hotel? I think not. We were just there on an award stay and were upgraded to a nice executive room. Very modern. In my view this is an outstanding property, definitely one of the best I've stayed at in a while. The rooms are smallish, but that is the only complaint I had.

Just to button this one up: I'm sure it's a very nice property, but it's clearly not for families. I had a very civil email back from the Sydney Hilton saying no standard room in the hotel will accommodate more than two people who like sleeping together, and offering to sell me an adjoining room for my son for another AUS$270 per night... OR upgrade to a Relaxation Suite, in which a rollaway bed will fit, for an additional AUS$200/night.

I cancelled the award reservation and booked in at the Marriott on Circular Quay, which will guarantee a room with two double/queen beds. I mean, for goodness' sakes.

So I was able to confirm a 6 nights stay at the Sydney Hilton (GLONP2), but they could not confirm a non-smoking room, nor a king bed, however, I see that both seem to be available at the hotel for at least part of the stay (standard room for part of it, deluxe for part of it). I tried doing a mock award booking on the web (I made my booking over the phone) and it said there was availability (as seen on the availability calendar) but it could not see any rooms available. I tried all combinations of bed type and smoking preference and they all end with the "No rooms available that meet your criteria" message. Is this a standard problem (not being able to confirm room preferences at Hilton Sydney)? Is it something the Diamond desk would be able to take care of?

Recently Hilton Sydney have been installing new fridges in their executive floor rooms that electronically record items aken from the minibar.

Image my shock horror whne I read the minibar price list and I quote:

"kindly note that there will be a $15 charge when products are removed for the purposes of storing personal items".

INCREDIBLE

Outrageous :td: :td:

I makes you wonder what type of moron comes up with these "policies". :rolleyes:

The laughable Internet fees charged by some properties run a close second to this one. :td:

INCREDIBLE indeed! What's next? Selling coat hangers at the check in? :rolleyes:

As I recall the Hiton at Melbourne Airport has the same policy but didn't notice until after we had put some water in the fridge. Wife grovelled nicely and it was refunded

We that wouldnt be so bad if they ahd alcohol all day like paris and rome and they let you take soft drinks back to the room but they absolutely dont!When you go there
just order ice buckets to be refilled a few times a day they will get the message!
that is very naughty of them !

Yes the rooms are small :) so small, that the little mini bar area is tiny. The little note about 15 dollar fee was under something. I didnt notice it for 2 days til I checked out. Luckily I didnt mess with it, at checkout there were only 2 tellers :) and 30 people in line. I said screw it and left. Bill totaled out perfect 4 days later. :)

We waited YEARS for the Hilton Sydney to finish their "remodel" and this is what we get. I've tried it 3 times so far, and been disappointed every time. Now this nonsense. Too bad. I'm now a Westin user in SYD.

Yes the rooms are small :) so small, that the little mini bar area is tiny.



Well, not all rooms are small. ;)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=469353&page=1

I was last there a month or two back in a suite - and no fridge charge or auto charge system fridge in the room. Have stayed in SYD many times and never seen one to be honest.

I was however in the BNE Hilton for 3 nights a few weeks back where the same "instant charge" deal applies.

These fridges are fairly common overseas I find. I always take all the stuff out I need to move to place my own beverages in. I leave Hotel stuff neatly stacked somewhere.

And ALWAYS before checking out, I phone ahead to desk to tell them I have replaced their stuff, and they can send someone to check - if they wish.

Saves having a possible scene at front desk on check-out. @:-)

Has never been an issue. Never been a charge. They simply void it all in my absence. :cool:

Wow I just read the trip report in that link and I disagree with most of the commentary there. We had an upgraded room when we stayed at the Sydney Hilton in April and found it to be excellent. Not sure if it was the same kind of sweet as we only had one bathroom. The "rock hard" chase lounge was very comfortable, as was the desk chair. TV and DVD player were great and the remote was easy enough to figure out once you played around with it. Modernish bathrooms were nice as well and we had an awesome view from our room. No holdover fixtures or flooring in our bathroom. Huge ^ .

I personally really like the modern decor in the hotel room. All the usual "old world" crap gets old and boring. Yet it was a little sterile, but still nice. I do agree the elevator control panels were weird though. We ended up flying by the executive floor several times on the way to the lounge (we were two floors below) because the key reader wasn't working. The Marquette in Minneapolis has the same annoying system and it sucks there too. Room wasn't overly big (the suite was about the size of an average room in many hotels) but it wasn't tiny either. Overall though, I am looking forward to staying there again soon.

As for the executive lounge it was excellent. Great breakfast, friendly staff, free internet access, all day soda access. Can't really ask for anything more. Someone above mentioned not being able to take stuff back to their room, but I didn't have any problems with that. In fact, when I went to get cokes for us, one of the folks in the lounge offered to get it for me and asked if I'd like anything else to take back. Great service in the lounge. And at reception as well.

The $15 fee is lame though. It wasn't in place when we were there so it must be new. We actually traveled around with a fold-flat cooler while in Australia (we drove from BNE to the gold coast then on to SYD) and found it to be great. When it was empty it folded flat (it was soft plasticy material so very foldable/bendable) and could fit in the outer pocket of our suit case. I just filled it up with ice and off we went. I suppose they'd get tired of me calling down for 3-4 buckets of ice every day or so, but if they want to charge the fee but oh well.

When im at Melbourne Hilton, what i did was call housekeeping and ask them to remove all the stuff from the minibar fridge. No charge.

Am i right to say that even if you ask housekeeping to remove the stuff from the fridge, there is a charge of AUD15.00???

What i don't like about hilton sydney is that while the staff try to be nice, they don't treat gold/diamond members well. I stay quite a bit at Hilton and never push the staff for extraordinary treatment but not once have i ever been upgraded to the junior suites/ relaxation rooms. In fact on a few occasions, i have been downgraded to a smaller room, the ones without the chaise lounge and just a green chair. In fact, if it wasn't for me complaining in a recent survey that their food offerings have been diminished, i would never see sandwiches or crepes, albeit on smaller serving plates compared to before. In fact, on the stay immediately after i did the guest survey, tomatoes suddenly appeared in the lounge for breakfast one morning and the evening cocktail suddenly increased to 2 hot food offerings. But a friend of mine who stayed there at a different period told me the food offering was reduced again. I have also got my late check-out denied by a receptionist who didn't even bother to check and just said no, we are full tomorrow. Can i get opinions whether this is typical?

I saw similarly absolute rubbish at the Hyatt of Downtown Chicago: The sign said that the minibar fridge was not cold enough to keep foods at temperature low enough to obey health regulations :D & that personal leftovers would be thrown away by staff & a US$25 fee charged for a cleaning fee :rolleyes: !

Wow I just read the trip report in that link and I disagree with most of the commentary there.


Well it is a 100+ post thread, and perhaps you did not read other than the first post?

I think if you read the thread you'd find most there basically agreed with you. :)

Add your comments perhaps, if you had a recent stay?

Well it is a 100+ post thread, and perhaps you did not read other than the first post?

I think if you read the thread you'd find most there basically agreed with you. :)

Add your comments perhaps, if you had a recent stay?

Hehe.. maybe I'll try wading through that sucker this weekend. Too much work going on now. I just glanced at the main post and didn't read the rest (lazy I know!). :)

Spent three nights at the Sydney Hilton, arrived early am on Saturday, was able to check in with no problem at 0730, received an upgrade to the executive floor and was directed to the executive lounge for a free full breakfast. I still can't get over the space cadet uniforms, but the hotel staff were very cooperative and helpful. Frankly they thought I was nuts to want to play golf after flying all night, but they were able to get me a tee time at a local course :D

Personally I think the Glass restaurant is rather pretentious, but I'm just not into that type of food. The room was comfortable, but the phone system was not convienent and I had to get help to call AT&T as the old crib sheets have been removed from the rooms.

Also, they have added US Fox News Channel since the last time I was here, so I don't have to put up with CNN!

Also, they have added US Fox News Channel since the last time I was here, so I don't have to put up with CNN!

Some people seem to prefer Faux news over real news.

So it's been awhile since a trip report on this property.
Can anyone tell me what a Diamond can expect?

HILTON SYDNEY 1 ROOM SLEEK AND MODERN ROOM DESI
488 GEORGE STREET 4-POINT BATHROOM,SPACIOUS DESK
2000 SYDNEY AU RATE-325.00AUD PER NIGHT
FONE 61-02-9266-2000 CANCEL BY 04P DAY OF ARRIVAL
FAX 61-02-9265-6065
GUARANTEED LATE ARRIVAL
CONFIRMATION

What type of room will I get?
Thanks in advance!

So it's been awhile since a trip report on this property.
Can anyone tell me what a Diamond can expect?

HILTON SYDNEY 1 ROOM SLEEK AND MODERN ROOM DESI
488 GEORGE STREET 4-POINT BATHROOM,SPACIOUS DESK
2000 SYDNEY AU RATE-325.00AUD PER NIGHT
FONE 61-02-9266-2000 CANCEL BY 04P DAY OF ARRIVAL
FAX 61-02-9265-6065
GUARANTEED LATE ARRIVAL
CONFIRMATION

What type of room will I get?
Thanks in advance!
I was there on Government rate, was upgraded to the Executive Floor Nice King bed room, executive lounge, got free breakfast and paper.
r,
jim

I was there on Government rate, was upgraded to the Executive Floor Nice King bed room, executive lounge, got free breakfast and paper.
r,
jim

How was the room and lounge food? Will they give me lounge access as a Diamond even if I do not get a room on the Exec. floor?

I had a non-exec room, but they gave me access to the lounge. Breakfast was eggs, sausage, toast, along with the typical non-US bread, cheese, deli meats type of stuff. They also said you can ask for pancakes, waffles, whatever other stuff, and they'll bring it up.

They also have food for dinner (they call it pre-dinner, but it can be filling, and fairly decent)... It's nice. Also a few computers for free internet access.

Yes, the uniforms are a hoot, but good staff there in the lounge.

I had a non-exec room, but they gave me access to the lounge. Breakfast was eggs, sausage, toast, along with the typical non-US bread, cheese, deli meats type of stuff. They also said you can ask for pancakes, waffles, whatever other stuff, and they'll bring it up.

They also have food for dinner (they call it pre-dinner, but it can be filling, and fairly decent)... It's nice. Also a few computers for free internet access.

Yes, the uniforms are a hoot, but good staff there in the lounge.
Concur on the uniforms! I tried the pancakes once, wasn't impressed... FWIW.
r,
jim

i think i should try the pancakes next time. Do they charge for pancakes, omlettes and waffles?

I tried the pancakes once, wasn't impressed... FWIW.

Are the pancakes the usual american style or the thin crepe-like type ?

Ok, a little action on this thread.
So not worth paying for the Exec. floor but good food spread.
Do not expect a suite upgrade.
Anything to add?
Thanks so far

I have to say that I found the staff friendly and helpful but:

1. Saturday night was a nightmare owing to serious noise inside and outside the hotels. Endless Police and ambulance sirens all night, coupled with three women across the hall coming and going all night, shouting down the corridor to each other and being generally noisy.

2. Security came but missed them.

3. Staff at check-out knew nothing about my problems and didn't offer to do anything.

Won't stay there again, unless I'm out all night as I suspect it is easier to sleep in the day!

3. Staff at check-out knew nothing about my problems and didn't offer to do anything.


If you had a bad stay you should let Hilton know. I don't know if you get one those emails after your Hilton stay but if you do just reply with the facts.

Alternatively you can contact Hilton's Guest Assistance Department. Typically I have received a Be My Guest certificate.

Glen most probably must have got the attention of the front desk manager or the former lounge manager shane. i wouldn't be surprised if he had to be assertive a bit to get one of the 27 or so suites in the properties.

[snip]

With regards to upgrades for Gold and Diamond members, the policy is to upgrade to Executive rooms but excludes suites.I've stayed there several times, and am always given lounge access, and am usually told I'm in an executive room. However the rooms are always exactly the same: small and modern. Electric black-out blinds inside the windows that raise and lower by a bed-side switch; glass-top desk with modern chair in between bathroom and bed; chaise lounge opposite bed, next to ottoman and floor lamp; tiny bathroom with separate tub and shower; small mini-bar area oppose bathroom door. The shower is nice enough but water always drenches the bathroom and floor when I shower. If the rooms are going to be that small, IMO it would be much better to eliminate the tub in half the rooms and use the tub space for a bigger shower, and use the shower space for a bigger sink area. As it is now, the sink is crammed next to the shower, and there is zero counter space. The tiny shelves are packed with hotel standard signage about how they prefer not to wash anything.

On my most recent stay I learned that Shane has is no longer there. A shame, as he was always very nice.

The rooms are smallish, but that is the only complaint I had.I've always enjoyed staying there. The rooms are small, and the lounge food in the evenings can be rather poor, but it's still extremely nice compared to most U.S. Hiltons, even if it does suffer by Asian standards.

Recently Hilton Sydney have been installing new fridges in their executive floor rooms that electronically record items aken from the minibar.

Image my shock horror whne I read the minibar price list and I quote:

"kindly note that there will be a $15 charge when products are removed for the purposes of storing personal items".

INCREDIBLEI hate those!

They also have food for dinner (they call it pre-dinner, but it can be filling, and fairly decent)... It's nice. Also a few computers for free internet access.Unfortunately, Internet access is only free if you use their computers. I prefer to use my own laptop, as I know no one has installed a keystroke logger on it (plus the keyboard is not all germ-infested). Internet access is very expensive there. I was disappointed in the evening food, but the breakfast is nice.

Just returned from an award stay

Managed to check in and get straight to room at 0830. Found I had been upgraded to a Relaxation Room which had a fantastic bathroom and lounge access.

Lounge was one of the better ones I've been in with nice breakfast and evening snacks and free drinks.

All in all an excellent place to stay. Nicely located and smart.

I have to say that I found the staff friendly and helpful but:

1. Saturday night was a nightmare owing to serious noise inside and outside the hotels. Endless Police and ambulance sirens all night, coupled with three women across the hall coming and going all night, shouting down the corridor to each other and being generally noisy.

2. Security came but missed them.

3. Staff at check-out knew nothing about my problems and didn't offer to do anything.

Won't stay there again, unless I'm out all night as I suspect it is easier to sleep in the day!

You think thats bad, I stayed there the night of the MTV music awards a few years ago, we had huge black body guards outside each room (guarding Jessica Simpson) and her cronies making a huge racket, also the bell boy throwing bags into the end lock up room. Apararently, they arrived late at night, and then checked into their room at 1am after the awards!!!!

Stayed at this Hotel last night as a gold so just offering another data point

Was not upgraded (from my standard room) and received a "Sorry we could not upgrade you" voucher. It offered three choices 1) a bottle of wine sent to my room, 2) $35 F&B credit, or 3) 1000 HH points. It was professionally produced (so I assume these are used a fair amount and noted that these were specifically for gold members)

I used the F&B credit for breakfast (which I might add, unsurprisingly was significantly better than that offered in the lounge (that I did get access to on my previous visit))

Jeff

This must be one of the most overrated (category 6 !!) Hiltons in the system:

- room – size: prison-like and very cramped;
- room – “character”: minimalistic; Scandinavian standard minus 9 (on a 10- point scale);
- check-in staff: amateuristic with a big chip on their shoulder.

Has any one stayed recently and have you been allowed access to the lounge? I have read the various threads on the Sydney Hilton and see that a few posters referred to a change of policy for Gold & Diamond members regarding the Exec Lounge that came into effect early this year (January??) so just wanted to get an update from anyone who has stayed recently. I am diamond, but really like the lounge access - so if I wont get it I will book somewhere else more convenient to Circular Quay. Thanks M.

Diamonds should get it no sweat.

I've stayed about 10 times on lowwwww rates, and always get it, and always an upgrade mostly to Relaxation Suites with spas.

Schmoozing at the desk helps. :)

Booking for a week or so and will see how that goes.

Glen

Second that Ozstamps :)

Last stay got the largest suite on the Executive Floor (complete with seperate lounge and jaczuzzi on el cheapo rate !)

Staff at reception tend to remember me (only stay 2 or 3 times a year !)

Even given free breakfast downstairs and Lounge Access..staying again in a couple of weeks will report back.

Just stayed at Hilton Sydney in August 2008.

I am a HH Diamond and booked King Deluxe Room. Upgraded to exec floor with lounge access.

I enquired about upgrade to relaxation suite/room but they said exec rooms were available so could not upgrade us.

Can HH Diamonds check in at the exec lounge if they don't book an exec room??? I heard someone get upgraded to a king relaxation suite in the exec lounge. Maybe they give more upgrades if you check in at the exec lounge?? Any ideas??

Now about the stay:

Exec room is meant to have free bottled water. When we entered the room, no free water in sight. So I called housekeeping and 2 bottles were sent up.

Next day, still no free water after the room was cleaned. Called again and 2 more bottles sent up.

The lounge food is quite good.

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, breads, pastries, fruit, cereals, yoghurt, juice, tea & fancy coffee.

Afternoon tea: One lonely cake, nuts and chips, soft drinks

Pre dinner: Sandwiches, sausage rolls, ham and cheese croissants, full bar service

Chucksta

So I am booked into an Executive Room at the Sydney Hilton next week and I am wondering how do people go about checking in at the E Lounge given that the lift is keyed access? (from what I remember about my last stay anyway).

Thanks!
M.

Just come back from two stays at the hotel - upgraded to Relaxation Suites (of varying sizes) on both stays and treated exceeding well in the Executive Lounge - had a table hled for me on the last night when it was full - also treated to full breakfast at the Glass restaurant on the second floor. No problem accessing Lounge without a key on arrival. Given these benefits as a Diamond and long time guest - every year since 2001 apart from the closure :)

Three stays this year of varying lengths. One upgrade to Executive floor (first stay), one upgrade to Relaxation Suite (unbidden) and one upgrade to Relaxation Suite (me asking nicely).

Pity to have so much space for one person. Never seems to happen when I travel with Mrs. NWStu.