Hilton HHonors - Hilton On The Park Melbourne Trip Reports and Reviews

Checked into the Hilton Melbourne today. Hotel is located in East Melbourne, directly opposite the MCG, so great for sports lovers. The hotel is maybe 30 years old ( i may be wrong) but is reburbished inside. The executive floors are on level 17 and 18.

When i checked in, I mentioned I was a gold and they checked with the manager in the back office and confirmed they could upgrade me to an exec floor room. I had the choice of Level 18 (smoking floor) or Level 17 (non-smoking floor). THe club room is on the smoking floor - level 18.

I was given my pass and ushered to my room. There was complimentary apples in the room, but nothing else. The bottled water was all pay.

The room is smaller than most hiltons i've found. The decor is clean and well kept. The bathroom is very small too and includes a tight bathtub.

There is a pull out desk for computer access, definitely not the nicest way to use ur laptop or do work on. I like the layout of the hilton brisbane and space there much more, and the rooms are typically cheaper too.

Had breakfast in the lounge, unfortunatley they do not serve any warm food. Choice of cereals, fruits, yoghurts, smoked salmon and hams, toasts, muffins and pastries. Juices, tea and coffee. I was kind of shocked to find they didn't have eggs, bacon, sausages, etc. Even the hilton brisbane has the eggs. I'd personally prefer to get a voucher to eat down in the buffet than upstairs, just basically for sheer variety.

Spent a wonderful day out in Bridge Road, Richmond which is where the shopping at factory outlets is, just took the tram outside the hotel, took literally about 10 mins to get there. Did some shopping and went to the city to get some lunch at one of my favourite japanese cafe/restaurants which i always go to in the city called 'Yoyogi' - great value meals about A$6.20 for yaki soba and A$7.90 with oyaku don with miso. Very nice!

Later in the day, i walked up the road (Elizabeth street) to franklin street and turned left and went to the Queen St Markets, beware they close around 4pm, so tyr and get there before then. There are some cheap internet cafes on elizabeth before franklin street.

I caught the tram back to the Melbourne Train terminal and then caught the crossover tram back to the hilton. A tram ticket costs A$2.60 for 2 hours in zone 1 which covers almost all of the main city and surrounds area. U do not buy it from the tram driver, u just jump in and then when ur ready, pay at the machine. The machine hours work by giving u the next 2 hours after the current hour. Example, 3:15, gives you until 6:00, 3:55 gives you until 6:00. You are required to enter your card into the green readers everytime u board the tram, people rarely do though. U can do a short trip tram ride for A$1.70. I dont think u can buy it on the trams but there is a full day tram ticket for A$5.20 or so which may be better value for some.

Got back to the hotel and chilled out for a while and then went up to the clubroom for evening canapes and wine. Had a wonderful glass of red. The evening canapes were good, though they didn't replinsh as they should have sadly - only got one satay stick and had to fill myself up on a few carbos. They had smoked salmon wraps, satay, sushi, sundried tomatoes, brie and near the tea and coffee, biscuits/cookies.

Came back and did some work for business the next day.

All in all, i'd rank the hilton melbourne a 6/10, and a 4/10 for value for money (considering it is A$220/night+ usually). I'm a hard marker!

Oh one nice thing, during the day a gentleman came by and offered me my gold amennity of a bottle of red wine. Very nice, thank you hilton. And the green apples are great and crunchy.

so was this a 'double miles and wine' promo?
let us know how long it takes for the stay to show up in your account...

No, not a double miles and wine promo, but it seems Hilton's in Australia always seem to give wine on stays for gold/diamonds. I've always had my wine except once... anyone else had any experiences?

Excellent review Kawoh - Thanks for posting it. Stan

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kawoh:
No, not a double miles and wine promo, but it seems Hilton's in Australia always seem to give wine on stays for gold/diamonds. I've always had my wine except once... anyone else had any experiences?</font>

I never got wine either at Sydney or Melbourne Aiport recently

Dave

I have stayed at the Sydney Airport 4 times and finally on a 6 day stay I ASKED where the amenity was and they (reluctantly) sent red wine and strawberries.
Sydney Hilton bottle of red 1st time and large bowl of fruits second time-but the suite upgrade was fantastic.
Adelaide Hilton stayed 4 times NEVER got an amenity.

"Sydney Hilton bottle of red 1st time and large bowl of fruits second time-but the suite upgrade was fantastic."

I seem to recall a bowl of fruits at the Sydney Hilton, plus I also got a nice suite upgrade.

Dave

fran, the miles took about 1 month to appear into my f/flyer a/c and about 3 weeks for the hhonors points. hilton brisbane is markedly quicker, as was the sydney hilton.

I stay at the Hilton Melbourne on the Park regularly, the main reason is because of their HH Gold benefits and because I use it to keep my status at hilton (I'd only stay here because it was a hilton property and it acknowledges hilton status).

The hotel is a good 10 - 15 min walk from the edge of the CBD. It is alongside a park and the MCG. Excellent for early morning jogs. The tram is just outside the hotel, which can take you down to richmond or into town. Depsite the location it's always easy to get a cab and there is a cab rank outside the hotel.

Food nearby isn't a good option as it's in an awkward position. Hotel food and service is medoicre to say the least.

As a HH Gold, have ALWAYS received an upgrade, on all occassions except the last 5 (where i've been put in a lower level suite (10-11 floors) with lounge access), i've been put on the executive floor (for some reason I seem to get a 50/50 chance of getting the same room each time!), the rooms are nice, though a little on the small side (perhaps the one I ususally get), bathrooms are a little dated, and the hotel lifts are notoriously slow (I find it easier taking the stairs to the lounge when i'm staying there rather than wait for a lift). Always a fresh supply of green and red apples on the executive levels near the lifts.

The lounge breakfast is mediocre by Hilton Australia / Asia standards, cold continental breakfast in the lounge (always got lounge access when I stay there) and I usually book the lowest rate on hilton.com. Breakfast has danishes, salmon, cheese, yoghurts, cereals, fresh fruits including plenty of berries, toast, dried fruits.

Evening canapes are nice, with free flowing alcoholic drinks and delicious snacks including wraps with salmon, satay, spring rolls, samosas, nuts, crackers, cheeses, very nice indeed.

The last 5 times i've been upgraded to an end suite on either the 10 or 11th floors with lounge access. Haven't used the gym or pool in the hotel. Local calls are reasonable and untimed.

Yes, was upgraded to a suite (to my surprise as a HH Gold - they must now know i'm a regular/returning guest). The suite has a lounge area, queen size bed, spa bath (large bathroom), seperate study / work desk (unlike the other rooms where it's built into the TV) and dual windows overlooking the MCG and Parks.

If you look carefully there are some very good advance purchase rates for hotel at A$125 / night (less than US$100 per night) inclusive of taxes.

They are always efficient at recording points, miles and stays to my a/c.

Hilton Melbourne Airport - continental breakfast, have been upgraded to a range of very very nice rooms!, no lounge, get 1-2 free drink vouchers on arrival, nice but way way way out of town, good on your last night after work if you have an early flight back to SYD or somewhere in the morning. Nice noodle place at the airport where you can buy some dinner and take it back to the room.

All the best,

kawoh.

A word of warning....

I have just checked in and we were given a room,...I went in turned around and came out..

just the worst hilton room ever.!!..

everything was about 100 years old worn and grubby...

I was then given another room...Either these fools are deaf or i did not explain myself,...this was even worse...I am now in the business centre waiting for the third and final offering...

I have just held a room at the westin..

What a $hit hole the Melbourne On the park is...never in my wildest dreams did i expect this...

And it was $240...

Avoid at all cost trust me...

Huh. I have always had very good rooms at Hilton on the Park. Clean, modern, spacious. I am HH Gold if it makes any difference.

I am Diamond....!...

I wish I had my camera...I am being told that the hotels is full....Now thats great but I still thing the Hotel is just terrible...

If i had to pay for a room like that i would be as sick as a pig..I have stayed at better Hamptons than this....

Gotta agree about the worn out rooms. They are more than a little frayed around the edges. My last night in MEL I moved to the airport, and found it to be one of the best Hiltons around. Clean, new, short walk to the terminal, and one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in.

Maybe when they finally finish the SYD Hilton renovations they will take a look at the Melbourne on the Park.

Try the Sheraton South Gate. I stayed there for a month a couple of years ago and it was great.

Z

Stayed there for 2 nights almost exactly a year ago, and found the hotel to be quite nice. Upgrade to a large "suite", which was one room, but had a living room area. Bottle of wine in the room as a welcome ammenity, and nicely appointed. Public areas were nice, as was the executive lounge and the pool area. I didn't see any evidence of they type of delapidation described in your posting.

I think you could find adjectives to describe your opinion of the location without using profanities - even if you use a "$" to change the first letter.

BJFly

Can I agree with parts of different people's post?

I was there in Oct for 1 night on an award night and they upgraded me to a corner jr. suite living area and bedroom, amenity (nice chocolates), access to lounge where I caught the last half hour of cocktails and breakfast the next moring. The cocktails and breakfast are decent, the best thing about it was the juicer so you can make your own fruit or vegetable juices.

The room is definite okay but you can see some signs of wear and tear on some of the furniture if you look closely. I went to the whirlpool and can observe some cracks and other things on the ceiling so maintenance is not spotless. The bed and surrounding in the Hiton was no competition versus the Park Hyatt Melbourne where I booked the next night also on awards. The Hilton is good for shopping, around the area and there is a rather nice wine store down the street and a cafe call Laurent with excellent french style bakery stuff. Definitely decent enough but if you have high standards or if you checked in late when the place is full, choice may be more limited.

Just my 2cents.

To end the story, I spoke to the manager who was not that helpful, we exercised our right to cancel and made a booking at the Westin on Collins.
Night and day, the Westin was leaps and bounds better than the Hilton, when the check agent at the Westin heard we had come from the Hilton and why he responding with the comment that the Hilton was really good for there business.

And the rate was the same.!..

I have really found the Hilton to be hit and miss when the hotel is leased or managed by other, as in the case of Melbourne.

So much for the Home away from Home slogan on the website...

Not sure where they live..!..

I am kicking myself as i decided to re-qualify as diamond over starwwod plat.!...

Ferrari

I can only imagine that your expectations are in line with your moniker. There is NO comparison between the Westin and Hilton on the Park. One is 5 star and the other 3. The rates are NEVER aligned. I can only imagine the Canada Melbourne journey was too tough. I am mystified when you discuss rates when you were on an award stay. You would enhance your credibility if you spell and grammar checked your posts.

I stayed there for 8 nights in January and have to advise that it's a lovely place, IMHO. For 4 nights I had the large suite which is just 1 room but has a living room area. It was quite nice and had a huge whirlpool in the bathroom. The other 4 nights I was on the executive level in a smaller room that was still quite comfortable. The only downside was that when I was not on the executive floor, I wasn't allowed access to the lounge although I did get a huge free breakfast at the buffet downstairs.

I heartily recommend the hotel. Not only is it very pleasant, but if you are going there for the Australian Open it's right next door and I loved being able to walk to the matches.

There also is a great health club in this property including workout facilities, treatments (massage, etc), sauna and stem, outdoor pool as well as a lovely outdoor whirlpool hot tub with water falls.

Ferrari

I can only imagine that your expectations are in line with your moniker. There is NO comparison between the Westin and Hilton on the Park. One is 5 star and the other 3. The rates are NEVER aligned. I can only imagine the Canada Melbourne journey was too tough. I am mystified when you discuss rates when you were on an award stay. You would enhance your credibility if you spell and grammar checked your posts.

For your information.

1. I was not on an award stay.
2. I did not travel from Canada
3. who gives a stuff if the grammer and spelling is not spot on, you get the drift...

Well, I did three nights three two weeks ago.

My comments card final comment was "I hope you close down very quickly".

I wish I had run away to the Westin.

Is it just me or are all Asia/Pacific Hiltons very bad at recognising HH status, only the Hilton CNS has managed it so far. Hilton SIN, Conrad HKG and Hilton AKL have all made a faux attempt at it.

In my around the world in 28 days trip report there is a full rundown on the delights of the Hilton MEL.

I spent a week there in April. Bedspreads and upholstery were a bit tired and the lack of fast internet except in the executive lounge was discouraging. The top two floors are club level and the club was wonderful. Could watch footie at the MCC. Breakfast was continental but very nice, and the nibbles and drinks at night were more than fine. The staff in the club were excellent.

Overall, I thought the staff were excellent; furniture and upholstery could stand an upgrade, but I'm going back next year. No question. Location across from the MCC, beside a lovely park, and on the tram line made for a great location.

I'm not sure why all the comparisons to the Westin? The Hilton on the Park is a lower category. Except for when it is sold out because of area events or functions, it is significantly cheaper than the Westin.

(A good pricing guide is http://wotif.com.au/Search.jsp?country=1&region=1758)

It's not the best hotel in Melbourne, nowhere near, it's just a solid typical no frills Hilton. Surprised to hear about problems not honoring status though - I've always gotten an upgrade to a suite or executive level, access to the lounge, a bottle of wine, chocolates and some fruit.

Despite sometimes living in Melbourne, I use to take a room at the Hilton when a test match was on at the MCG, and used it as a base during lunch, tea and rain delays.

The top two floors are club level and the club was wonderful. Could watch footie at the MCC. Breakfast was continental but very nice, and the nibbles and drinks at night were more than fine. The staff in the club were excellent.

No question. Location across from the MCC, beside a lovely park, and on the tram line made for a great location.

Floors 17 and 18 are Club Level. Floors 19 and 20 are NOT.

Staff in the Club were just as useless as the rest of the place.

Location is very good.

Maybe good news for critics of this property. The Victorian planning Minister has over ruled the Melbourne City Council and approved the planned redevelopment of this property and surrounding area.

The redevelopment is planned to be finished in time for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.



The Government overrides Melbourne City Council to approve a hotel redevelopment.

Planning Minister Mary Delahunty has used the Commonwealth Games to justify the controversial approval of a $110 million redevelopment of the Hilton and MCG hotels in East Melbourne. The project includes a new apartment building almost twice the site's 24-metre height limit.
.....
Thakral's Victorian development director, Dan Kolomanski, denied that the Hilton group was threatening to leave the East Melbourne hotel - built in the 1970s - because it was run down and not well located.

But he confirmed his company was considering selling the hotel if it did not win approval for the apartment tower.


http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Hilton-upgrade-before-Games/2004/12/16/1102787212786.html

I had a 4 night award stay just 2.5 weeks ago. I'm only Gold yet I got a beautiful, large, 1 room 14th floor corner suite (rooms end with 13) with a great CBD view from the side window and the Yarra/Melbourne parks from the 2 front windows. I did not get lounge access but I did get free continental breakfast in the lobby restaurant. The furniture had some minor scratches and marks, but overall it was a great, very clean room. I had a mini stereo with a CD player, large desk, very comfortable king bed, a nice sofa with a lounge chair and tons of room. The carpets had no stains, either in the room, the 14th floor or the lobby. I've seen reports stating otherwise. The only minor problem was the location of the TV. It was in a floor level TV center. If you wanted to watch it from the sofa you had to turn the whole thing around and then again if you chose to watch it from your bed. Also it was just a little too low for VERY comfortable watching from the bed. It was ok, but it should have been higher. TV stations are very limited unless you want to pay for movies.
I didn't watch much tv so no big deal for me.

The location is couple of blocks away from CBD, but it also has the feeling of a park like setting. The tram stops right in front of the hotel, runs every few minutes and it takes only few minutes to the center of CBD and Yarra river promenade. I actually preferred this location. The CBD area is very busy and noisy. The daily tram pass was AUS$5.90. You could purchase one at the 7-Eleven just up the street.

I was lucky to be in Melbourne during the filming of a new Nicolas Cage flick "Ghost Writer" They practically took over the Yarra river right in front of the promenade where the foot bridge is. It was weird seeing American type sheriff cars, motorcycles, boats and helicopter, with guys in regular and SWAT sheriff uniforms running around, while sitting at one of the outdoor cafes sipping some great local wine and chatting with the locals.

A good day trip is St.Kilda Beach. 2 trams, about 20-25 minute total from the hotel. Nice beach, some nice beachfront cafes and a main drag with more restaurants, cafes and shops. I would not recommend swimming as it's way too cold, but for sunbathing and just relaxing it's a nice break from the city.

I had wonderful 4 day weather. It was sunny and warm during the day, in the low 50s during the night. Perfect.


One more thing. I was able to catch a weak wi-fi signal in my room. It was slower than what I'm use to, but it was also free. :D

Here's an update on our recent 4 day stay at the Hilton on The Park, Melbourne. Like Andrzej, we were also given a large junior corner suite on the 17th floor(1714) overlooking the huge park with all the autumn tree colours and great views of the CBD lit up at night. Room even had a dining table as well as comfortable sofa and chair, coffee table and modern ceiling lighting which could be controlled and dimmed from the bedside unit, as could the air conditioning. We also received a botle of red wine and some chocolates in the room as well as being given access to the Executive Floor as Diamond. Ate in the Gallery restaurant for full breakfast as this was included in rate and also tried dinner there one evening - very reasonable and good value. Used the tram from outside the hotel and a day ticket could be used on any tram around Melbourne. Enjoyed the stay and liked the hotel although the weather was quite cold.

I did read that they are shortly going to commence refurbishing the hotel. They are going to build apartments over the ballroom, and have acquired the MCG hotel/pub next door and are to refurbish that as part of the Hilton and have it open daily instead of just occasionally They have also acquired the building round the corner oppsite the park and I think that was to be incorporated into the hotel somehow. The hotel rooms are also to be refurbished and it would appear that some of this work will even be on-going when the 2006 Commonwealth Games start, which is surprising considering this must be one of the closest hotels to the Games.

I stayed for 3 days using the "See the Unseen" special. Pay for 2 nights, get the 3rd for free. I think the dates were Feb 2, 3 and 4th. A$220 a night for the paid nights. I arrived at 11am, and my room wasn't ready to be checked into yet. I just went up to the lounge and waited, and then they notified me when it was ready.

I got a corner room, which was quite large, with good views of the park, the new stadium (cricket?), and the Rod Laver tennis stadium.

I thought the lounge decent, and the food was okay, but nothing out of the ordinary. I guess I got spoiled in Sao Paulo last year for lounges. The spread there was just amazing, and I haven't seen anything close to it yet.

I was disappointed in the desk staff. I had a business meeting set up for 1pm. I had gotten a wake up call earlier in the morning, and I guess the phone was barely out of it's cradle, and hence off the hook. My associates had arrived, and were told that they would send someone up to see if I was there. It never happened. Finally one of them came up and knocked on my door.

The hotel said that they weren't sure if I wanted to be disturbed! I thought that they could have sent someone up to check at least, instead of lying to my guests, and having them sit there for 30 minutes.

Posted this earlier this year

Hilton Melbourne on the Park

An imposing hotel some way from the CBD overlooking Fitzroy Gardens, typically a 10-15 minute walk to the edge of the main CBD and shops and restaurants. Avoid this property on Saturday nights as the Gardens are a popular wedding venue and property is very, very busy.

Front desk service was appalling – 15 minutes to check in and 20 minutes to check out. We didn’t receive a bill overnight so we couldn’t use Express Checkout. No upgrade again and given a small dark room with furnishings that are in dire need of replacing. Again no amenities in evidence. Bathroom small, dark and smelly.

We had chosen this property because it has an outdoor pool and we were looking forward to relaxing by the pool for a day. Unfortunately the pool has been closed for some time for maintenance but this was not mentioned on our booking or on the website. Complained to the Duty Manager but he really didn’t have a clue. I suggested that we have access to the Executive Club as Diamond members which he gave us. The Executive Lounge is very small and we couldn’t get a seat until gone 7PM. Christine took very good care of use but again the lounge closes at 8PM. We had breakfast in the lounge but most of the food and drink was gone and wasn’t being replenished.

Compared to the Hyatt properties in Melbourne then this is definitely the poor relation.