Bluehen1
Apr 6, 04, 8:21 pm
Was away from FlyerTalk last week on a trip to Europe with my mother which was her Christmas present. We stayed in the Millenium Hilton NYC, Amsterdam Hilton, Paris Hilton, Conrad Brussels, Amsterdam Hilton Schiphol, and Millenium Hilton again. The Millenium Hilton stays were paid (double points rate) while the European Hilton stays were with points. All in all, a fantastic trip and my mother was suitably impressed with what my Diamond status received.
Millenium Hilton NYC (3/26-3/27)
I arrived first to make sure I could pick her up at NY Penn Station since she was coming in from Schenectady, NY. Couldn't believe how convenient the hotel is. Newark was our airport of choice and the WTC Path station is right across the street. No real struggle with bags. Upgraded to parlor suite on 54th floor (5407) with a view of Ground Zero (first time for me to see it). Two full baths in the room. Plasma TV in sitting area and regular TV in bedroom. Mom impressed when she arrived. American breakfast coupons were received that could also be used towards menu items. Decent selection on buffet. Easy in and out including a late checkout (2 PM). High speed internet available if you remember your CAT5 cable. No coffeemaker in room. Received two bottles of water.
Amsterdam Hilton (3/28-3/30)
Room was not ready when we arrived at noon. Left bags with bellman and headed to the Van Gogh Museum. Returned when finished with the museum since neither of us slept on the plane. Received room 815 with a view overlooking a canal. The hotel's located in a residential area so it was nice and quiet. Van Gogh museum about a 10 minute walk away. Tram #16 to Centraal Station located two blocks away. A lot more convenient than I thought. Access to Executive lounge on top floor granted. Never was too busy up there. Good breakfast and a nice selection of drinks in the evening. A nice place to wrap up a day. Received two bottles of water.
Paris Hilton (3/30-4/1)
Arrived after 11 PM. Taxi ride from Gare du Nord (Thalys) was really quick that late at night (8 EUR). Received room 718 with a view of the Eiffel Tower from the balcony. Waiting in the room were orchids, a bottle of wine, a tin of cookies, and some nice pastries/candy (never could figure out which they were). Mom's first time to Paris and the ET was light up at night. She fell in love with it right there. Access to Executive lounge granted. Was surprised by how small it was. A decent amount of food to choose from. There was a pharmaceutical sales rep meeting so the place wasn't all that quiet though it was still a nice place to relax at the end of a busy day. More frustrating was the ride to the train station after departing since it was rush hour. Turns out I misjudged the time of our train so we were 1:25 early instead of 0:25.
Conrad Brussels (4/1-4/2)
Arrived at around 10 PM. Received room 502 which overlooked the courtyard. Room was a good size (and the first King bed we saw). Bathroom was a bit opulent but it impressed Mom. No executive lounge so we had drinks in the bar which was a bit smoky, but OK. Stayed only one night, but had a very good breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. Stored bags and toured Brussels. Came back and had a nice bit of tea (not the full afternoon tea that's offered... just tea for us) before heading off to the train station. Definitely the place I'd stay again if I'm back in Brussels. Didn't notice any bottles of water but received cookies and Godiva chocolate easter eggs (more than made up for not having water).
Amsterdam Hilton Schiphol (4/2-4/3)
Arrived pretty late at night. Decided not to wait for the shuttle but walked it. Not too bad considering all the stuff we had with us. Received room 723. Typical airport hotel room. High speed internet available at 10EUR for an hour or 15EUR for the day. Breakfast was a nice buffet. Strangest thing happened while at breakfast. The hotel had a guy arrested for not paying for breakfast. He tried giving a fake room number and had grabbed a newspaper off the door. No free bottles of water but got stroopwaffelen (syrup waffles).
Millenium Hilton NYC (4/3-4/4)
I know I already reported on this hotel but had to mention it again. Second stay in a week (for $100 less a night) and we were upgraded to the 55th floor. Got room 5502 which is otherwise known as the Mayoral Suite. Fantastic room with a kitchenette, dining area, two plasma TVs (in bedroom and sitting area), and one and a half baths (full bath had jacuzzi). No coffeemaker again. Same breakfast as before.
The rooms we received at the Hiltons were fantastic. Not really a bad thing to say about any one of them. All the personnel we interacted with were kind and helpful. All in all, a great trip!
Millenium Hilton NYC (3/26-3/27)
I arrived first to make sure I could pick her up at NY Penn Station since she was coming in from Schenectady, NY. Couldn't believe how convenient the hotel is. Newark was our airport of choice and the WTC Path station is right across the street. No real struggle with bags. Upgraded to parlor suite on 54th floor (5407) with a view of Ground Zero (first time for me to see it). Two full baths in the room. Plasma TV in sitting area and regular TV in bedroom. Mom impressed when she arrived. American breakfast coupons were received that could also be used towards menu items. Decent selection on buffet. Easy in and out including a late checkout (2 PM). High speed internet available if you remember your CAT5 cable. No coffeemaker in room. Received two bottles of water.
Amsterdam Hilton (3/28-3/30)
Room was not ready when we arrived at noon. Left bags with bellman and headed to the Van Gogh Museum. Returned when finished with the museum since neither of us slept on the plane. Received room 815 with a view overlooking a canal. The hotel's located in a residential area so it was nice and quiet. Van Gogh museum about a 10 minute walk away. Tram #16 to Centraal Station located two blocks away. A lot more convenient than I thought. Access to Executive lounge on top floor granted. Never was too busy up there. Good breakfast and a nice selection of drinks in the evening. A nice place to wrap up a day. Received two bottles of water.
Paris Hilton (3/30-4/1)
Arrived after 11 PM. Taxi ride from Gare du Nord (Thalys) was really quick that late at night (8 EUR). Received room 718 with a view of the Eiffel Tower from the balcony. Waiting in the room were orchids, a bottle of wine, a tin of cookies, and some nice pastries/candy (never could figure out which they were). Mom's first time to Paris and the ET was light up at night. She fell in love with it right there. Access to Executive lounge granted. Was surprised by how small it was. A decent amount of food to choose from. There was a pharmaceutical sales rep meeting so the place wasn't all that quiet though it was still a nice place to relax at the end of a busy day. More frustrating was the ride to the train station after departing since it was rush hour. Turns out I misjudged the time of our train so we were 1:25 early instead of 0:25.
Conrad Brussels (4/1-4/2)
Arrived at around 10 PM. Received room 502 which overlooked the courtyard. Room was a good size (and the first King bed we saw). Bathroom was a bit opulent but it impressed Mom. No executive lounge so we had drinks in the bar which was a bit smoky, but OK. Stayed only one night, but had a very good breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. Stored bags and toured Brussels. Came back and had a nice bit of tea (not the full afternoon tea that's offered... just tea for us) before heading off to the train station. Definitely the place I'd stay again if I'm back in Brussels. Didn't notice any bottles of water but received cookies and Godiva chocolate easter eggs (more than made up for not having water).
Amsterdam Hilton Schiphol (4/2-4/3)
Arrived pretty late at night. Decided not to wait for the shuttle but walked it. Not too bad considering all the stuff we had with us. Received room 723. Typical airport hotel room. High speed internet available at 10EUR for an hour or 15EUR for the day. Breakfast was a nice buffet. Strangest thing happened while at breakfast. The hotel had a guy arrested for not paying for breakfast. He tried giving a fake room number and had grabbed a newspaper off the door. No free bottles of water but got stroopwaffelen (syrup waffles).
Millenium Hilton NYC (4/3-4/4)
I know I already reported on this hotel but had to mention it again. Second stay in a week (for $100 less a night) and we were upgraded to the 55th floor. Got room 5502 which is otherwise known as the Mayoral Suite. Fantastic room with a kitchenette, dining area, two plasma TVs (in bedroom and sitting area), and one and a half baths (full bath had jacuzzi). No coffeemaker again. Same breakfast as before.
The rooms we received at the Hiltons were fantastic. Not really a bad thing to say about any one of them. All the personnel we interacted with were kind and helpful. All in all, a great trip!