Hilton HHonors - Hilton Auckland & Melbourne

Hi All,

After several years of lurking, I felt it time to come clean and start using FlyerTalk as intended. I have found FT to be a tremendous source of information. Thanks to Harold, I am become a total miles and points hound (which is of course the reason I am in the position of posting this question).

I (and family) will be arriving in Auckland August 13 for three nights at the Hilton before heading to a time share for the next seven days. We then fly to Melbourne for a GLON (done before the point increase - thanks again FT).

My request is how to learn the email address of the hotel managers and/or concierges. I searched the hotels' facts page and did the Google thing to no avail. Calling from the states doesn't excite me either. Both reservations have my Diamond number, so I am hoping for the room upgrade and general excellent treatment of Diamond members. I just spent two days in the Cancun Hilton where they took very good care of me (despite TS Bill being in the neighborhood).

Any suggestions on how to obtain this information will be most appreciated. I have done quite a bit of research on both properties and things to do in the area. FT has been a great resource. Despite being a "newbie" poster, I intend to post a report in this forum of my experience at these hotels. If I am really inspired, I will post the trip in the Trip Report forum. This will be my first trip down under and I am really looking forward to QANTAS "J". Harold is incredibly jealous.

Thanks in advance.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gava1:
Harold is incredibly jealous.</font>

Yes. Yes I am.

I guess my other questions regarding email addresses for the hotel management was a bit too specific. I do have a couple of more questions for those who have stayed at these properties.

1. For a variety of reasons, driving on the left following sleep deprivation not being the least, I won't be renting a car from the airports and will take a cab to the hotel. What fare should I expect for four people with luggage? My expectation is we will likely need a larger (i.e. van) for transport. This question applies to both destinations. BTW, I do plan to rent cars once I get situated.

2. Are there recommendations for reasonable dining within 5 - 10 minutes of these hotels? I am pretty adventurous in what I will try. Sadly, I can't say the same for the rest of the family. Also, I look forward to a cold local brew anytime.

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to FT

You can stay at the Hilton physically at the airport in MEL.

I too like to get "settled" before the "new rules" driving. Cab to city and rent car at city office. Lots of rental firms let you drop off at another depot free (check with yours...ie one way rental).

As for the cabs. The ones I have taken would be overwelmed by 4 people and luggage. Best make sure this will work, you might need two otherwise.

As to fares, many hotel sites (Hilton, Hyatt) have "Directions" as a choice. Clicking on this will usually give you the rates for taxi, shuttle and bus. Most cab drivers do not expect tips, only a easy round up to avoid making change.

Driving in Auckland will be slightly easier that MEL, and when you get outside of Auckland the traffic quickly disappears. both will have horrible "rush hours" for you to avoid, if possible. Some of the other cities in NZ, Wellington for example, are a bit busy. Most have so little traffic that the change will not be much of a problem.

Rental cars. They tend to be a bit smaller, so make sure to get one to meet your needs. Even a full size car has some issues with material baggage for 4 people. No one wants to ride with luggage in their lap! Also make sure you get an automatic transmission, do not take this for granted, even if you rent from a major!!! (unless that is not a problem for you).

Insurance. If you depend on your cc for some of your back up insurance, remember some "cars" are not covered, esp trucks, vans,etc that you might want with your size group. Check the cc site for you brand and color of card. Further, some insurance is required in AU, and it will be included. Be prepared for a deductible of $3500 for collision!!! You can pay this down to a couple hundred, but it will cost $20+A per day.

Hope some of this is helpful. We have traveled there several times and are getting a bit more helpful for others.

How soon do you go? I'll return from a stay at the Hilton Auckland in early September and will be glad to bring back a report.

In the meantime, I'll be watching for answers, as well!

JP

Shame on me for not specifying which Melbourne property. We are at Hilton on the Park across from the Cricket Grounds. I will be doing a trial pack this week to confirm if I need two cabs. Sure would be nice to avoid that expense. I am leaning towards Scottie Rental in Auckland and am still looking for an inexpensive option in Melbourne. I prefer a stick, but drive an automatic. My trusty Diners will come in handy for the insurance.

Thanks for the tips.

I arrive in Auckland August 13 and leave from there Aug 23 for six nights in Melbourne. I plan to post a trip report (obviously will be my first).

...and if you ever figure out how to make one of those right-hand 'hook turns' in Melbourne, let me know.

The right hook turns are a true joy.

To perform this neat trick:

As you approach a right hook intersection intending to turn right stay in the left lane.
As you enter the intersection stay as far left as possible and pull your car in front of the oncoming traffic from the cross street.
Wait there, right indicator on, parked at 90 degrees to the traffic waiting to enter the intersection from the left. (Only enough space for two or three cars to do this).
You are now governed by the traffic light for the cross street - do not move until the light goes gress for the cross street.
When the light goes green turn hard right 90 degrees and proceed down your street of choice.

For a luagh find somewhere that overlooks one of these intersections and observe at rush hour - you'll appreciate the effeciency in the move and it's as neatly put together as some ballet.

P.S. Do not try this in a car with out of state number plates. Locals enjoy the spectacle of a non-victorian trying this move and will honk you for any infraction...

One more thing. I was offered a diesel car for a little less money AND and much lower fuel bill. I passed because I am not that adventurous, maybe you are.

I've got my car reservation with Scotties. They've been very responsive to any questions I have, including "will my car have a cd or tape player?"!

Note that a level of insurance is provided with rentals in NZ. Diner's may well provide additional to lower the deductible--might not hurt to call them & see. Also, many of the budget rentals request cash payment rather than credit card, and add a bank fee if you use the cc.

My only experience driving on the left was in Britain over New Year's 2000. The round-a-bouts did much to improve my prayer life!

JP

Bump.

I know this is a specific question. I plan to use the concierge services pretty much starting the day I arrive (dinner reservations, shows, etc.). In previous reservations at Hilton properties I have started a dialog before I arrived and found that to be reasonably effective.

Any assistance would be welcome

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gava1:
I plan to use the concierge services pretty much starting the day I arrive (dinner reservations, shows, etc.). </font>Unfortunately I don't have the contact. But, the different concierges (and bellboys) at the Auckland Hilton were able to take care of my requests w/o any problems or fuss... even without knowing that I was a Diamond.

The concierge arranged for my Louis Vuitton Cup tickets to be picked up and a bellboy drove a distant food mart to pick up some snack we needed to bring back to the US but weren't available at the local mini-marts.

A snail mail letter would be more personal and lay the ground work better I believe. Address on hotel site

gava1, I'll also be in New Zealand from 8/17-8/24. If you don't mind me asking, I was just wondering if you were planning to attend any special events or make any off-the-beaten-track trips... just looking for ideas. thanks.

drjhwang, I will only do the north island based upon recommendations from a number of sources (including flyertalk). I have a growing collection of travel books to augment those sources. I definitely recommend you checking out the FT Travel forums for NZ tips. We won't be doing any of the extreme activities much to my teenage sons dismay. We will be spending three days in Auckland visiting the sights in and around the city, taking ferrys around the bay to see some of the surrounding communities. Things I want to do is take in a rugby game and possibly a show. The balance of the trip will use a time share near the bay of plenty as a staging point. Destinations include the thermal features at Rotura, the hot sands beach at Coromandel, the glow worm caves south of Hamilton, a trip down to Wellington, and also over to Hawks Bay as I understand the wine is very good there. It will be quite a bit of driving (on the left no less!). However, I will be in a place I have wanted to see since I was a kid. I still need to come back in the summer and go to the south island.

If you haven't found the site www.purenz.com, (http://www.purenz.com,) I recommend it for a good overview of things to see and do.

If you don't mind me putting in my 2 cents, I have some recommendations for Auckland based on our stay there last year. Drive up to the Bay of Islands and take the "Hole in the Rock" boat tour. It was great, and we saw several species of dolphins on the trip as well as driving through a huge gap in a rock in the ocean. Others spent double to take a different tour featuring a swim with the dolphins. We witnessed them jumping into freezing cold water in wet suits, screaming at the top of their lungs, and then sadly struggling to swim after the fleeing dolphins. Quite amusing for us since we didn't get wet!

Also, we quite enjoyed the sheep show at Roturua. We got the 5 Star Attractions pass and went to all 5 places in one day. All were great, and we liked seeing the different varieties of sheep on stage. We didn't get to do the blackwater rafting at the Waitomo Caves, but we heard it was awesome! We did blackwater raft on the south island, but it wasn't supposed to be as good as Waitomo.

The Hilton on the Park in Melbourne is great, and you can walk to the site of the Aussie Open and to the city. If you go to the park at night (dusk), large possums come out to feed. We went to feed them bread one night.

If you want a great steakhouse, try Vlados in Richmond not far from the Hilton by cab or car (1-2 miles). It is a price fixed meal of appetizer, salad, main, and dessert at about A$65 each. It is well worth it, and you will leave feeling very full. If you don't like meat, this isn't the place for you as you have a choice of 5 cuts of meat for a main and a choice of strawberry crepes or ice cream with strawberries for dessert, but the appetizer is chef's choice of meats.

In Auckland, the Hilton is easy walking distance to the America's Cup Yacht, and you can pay to take a sail on one. They will even let you steer for a few minutes. This was a highlight of our trip to Auckland.

Have a terrific time, and I can't wait to read your trip report!

Aussiemate

gava1, thanks your trip sounds great. i did find that website already, but haven't had time to do my usual preparation for a trip like this. i'll have to go through the site more thoroughly soon.

aussiemate, i'm really interested in the yacht experience. how would i go about scheduling a trip like that and how much did it cost?

thanks!

gava1, one more question: any particular reason you are going with Scottie rental rather than a US chain?

[This message has been edited by drjhwang (edited 07-30-2003).]

drjhwang, I am going with Scottie on the basis of recommendations from FT posters. I have exchanged several emails with the people who run the operation there (try that with Hertz). I am probably less than three rentals away from Presidents circle with Hertz and their best deal was still over $100 more than Scottie. I will probably get an older vehicle, but that is fine for me as long as it works.

Aussiemate, thanks for the tips. The steak house will be a good choice. I will also look into the sailboat options.

12 days and counting.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gava1:
My request is how to learn the email address of the hotel managers and/or concierges.</font>

front desk manager hilton melbourne is

graham barlow
e-mail: fom_melbourne@hilton.com
switchboard tel# 61 3 9419 2000
fax# 61 3 9419 2001
direct tel# : 61 3 9412 3078

sorry , i do not have any information on the hilton auckland , i am not staying at hilton there.



[This message has been edited by sunseeker (edited 07-31-2003).]

drjhwang and gava1,

For the yacht trip, the Hilton's concierge can help you book it. We showed up in Auckland on Dec. 23 and were able to get the last two seats on the 24th. We didn't know about the yacht until we were walking from the Hilton around the pier and saw a sign posted on the yacht in the evening with a phone number and the price. It was NZ125 per person which seems pretty fair for a two-hour ride of a life time. Here's a website (and phone number in NZ 0800 80 84 80)with some information:

http://www.holidayshoppe.co.nz/flyer/americas_cup.pdf

I can't wait to hear about your trips. I'm very jealous! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Aussiemate

It will take a road trip, and a few hours drive from Auckland (so you'll need to find a place to stay overnight -- and no Hilton's nearby), but I'd strongly suggest stopping at the thermal baths and see a Maori cultural show at Rotorua. It's worth it.

See:
http://innz.co.nz/accommodation/rotorua

Or, stay in Taupo, which is what I'll do next time I go back (it's kind of like Lake Tahoe, yet not quite as commercial, and not too far from Rotorua).

Beautiful scenery!


(edited for spelling)

[This message has been edited by elbidercni (edited 07-31-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gava1:
...Both reservations have my Diamond number, so I am hoping for the room upgrade and general excellent treatment of Diamond members...</font>

I hope that contacting the hotel ahead of time works out better for you. Just remember not to expect BOTH breakfast buffet AND a room upgrade in Auckland. I had an argument about this issue at checkout, as you might have already read in my past post:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/007961.html

But it is a great hotel and a wonderful country (as is Australia). Have fun. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


(edited to correct the link)

[This message has been edited by elbidercni (edited 07-31-2003).]