Hilton HHonors - Euro Lounge v USA lounge

Just completed a visit to USA, and stayed in the San Fran Hilton, with lounge access as HH Gold. Snax and soft drinks were free, but I was charged for a beer. Is this normal in the USA, as my experience is that everything is free in the lounge in Europe?
(PS Not a complaint, found the hotel and lounge, and indeed city all to be great http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif)

(OT - Also found this with AA lounge at airport v BA lounge at LHR and also LAX)

It varies from hotel to hotel. Some hotels in the US give free beer, etc. in the lounge. Others don't.

Dear Weeflyer:

You are correct....very, very few hilton honor lounges give away beer/alcohol.

We went to London and I was very surprised to see how they poured FREE beer/alcohol at the Park Lane. Now THAT I could get use to!

The only Hilton that I know of that has a free happy hour (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) is the Hilton in Woodland Hills, CA. Not only that, but they actually have DECENT beer and I didn't drink any of the alcohol, but I was good stuff...nothing cheap. They were serving BASS beer. This was very good news to me because I won't even bother if they serve Bud/Miller...life is too short to drink that beer (sorry Bud lovers...and I know there are plenty of you out there!).

There was one other hotel that gave out free beer...I think it was a Double Tree...I can't remember where (California)...and I was very surprised about that one.

Don't forget about the Embassy Suites happy hour. Although more often than not all they have is the Bud/Miller and I always pass their too. I go to the bar and buy a good brew on tap.

Enjoy!

Dawn

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kymbakitty:
Dear Weeflyer:
Don't forget about the Embassy Suites happy hour. </font>

Good point - I also had some decent micro-brewery stuff in the Flagstaff Embassy Suites on this holiday (and good breakfast!). Also been free in Dusseldorf and in the Netherlands, and I was wondering if it was a country by country thing, or by hotel. Seems to be the latter.

Yep gotta love that Woodland Hills Hilton. Nice lineup of hor d vours too.

The Christiana Hilton (Wilmington DE) has *FREE* booze (nice top shelf stuff too) 5-8 PM with about $2 honor charge after that, Great food too.

HI N Lynnwood WA has *FREE* wine and beer 5-7 PM.

DT San Diego Hazard RD *FREE* wine and beer 5-7 PM.

MisterNice

Free wine, beer, and cocktails at The Drake Chicago every evening.

Hi Weeflyer.

I always think it's a pity that our nearest 5* hotel - The Caledonian - doesn't even have a lounge (Yes i have written to Dagmar the manager but to no avail).

It must be the only 5* in the UK or premium hotel in Europe without a lounge.

It is a bit of a shock to go to the US and have the Honor Bar in the lounge. Mind you it is amazing the generous nips that can be poured!!!

Cheers

Alan

PS Can i put you on the Scottish FT list for the occasional social pint?

London, Ont - free booze at night (wine and beer). Supposed to be two drink max, but enforcement is spotty. Be nice and pleasant to the hostesses, and you'll be fine.

Hampton Inn - Warren, MI. No lounge, but free "dinner" Mon-Wed including beer. The dinner is actually filling, and eliminates to need to go out to a restaurant (though there are plenty nearby). I'll be there tonight! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif