Hilton HHonors - Hilton Quebec Trip Reports and Reviews

I know that a few people have said good things about this hotel and the service seems friendly. But I wonder if they stayed here as an award stay.

Checked in with an award stay for the weekend. No Executive floor room given (told all occupied). Told I was given a deluxe room. I am not sure what the difference is. No special amenities whatsoever. No access provided to Executive lounge (too full whatever that means). I was told, to quote, "full price paying customers are occupying the Executive Lounge and complaining of no space to sit". The lounge is on the ground floor. I see very little activity. Executive floor rooms are available for booking on the website.

I had to specifically for the lounge access. Only then did they volunteer to provide breakfast certs for the restaurant. Thought they had put it in the key envelope. I see that they never gave me those.

What is it about North American Hiltons that make them so grudging about the benefits and make them lie at times? I have never had a problem with European Hiltons who really treat Golds so well.

Does Hilton Honors customer service follow this up with the Hotel in the same way Starwood Customer Service does so efficiently? I believe this is a complete breach of HH terms.

AVEZ-VOUS PARLE' FRANCAIS?
J'y serai de lundi soir 23.IX.--jeudi matin 26.IX.

I plan to stay there on Mon. 9/23 PM--Thu. 9/26 AM.

Tuesday was unavailable for awards, so I left a message on Madame Rouleau's voicemail in French & she overrode it & approved my HHonors stay.
Les Quebecois ask only that we TRY to speak French.

------------------
Play the travel game 3 vacations into the future! :)

It is fine if the Hotel something over and above what it needs to for speaking French. Surely, you are not suggesting I try speaking French to get what is obligatory on part of the Hotel as part of HH T&C... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

My wife was denied breakfast certificates last year at the Vancouver Airport Hilton even though she was HHonors Gold. She went ahead and ate at the hotel restaurant and paid for the meals. When she returned I wrote HHonors and explained the situation. She was contacted within the week by the YVR Hilton and the meal charges were all reimbursed.

In our experience the HHonors customer service has been good at dealing with the hotel.

I am afraid the Hilton Honors was useless in this case. I just got a letter that basically said "We don't know why they did not give you an upgrade if there was a room available as you say (Note: this after I sent them a booking reservation). Here is 2000 points for your inconvenience".

This is so insulting, I am very disappointed. Not because I wanted points but because I wanted an explanation from the Hotel. That way there is at least a chance that the Hotel will not try this again the next time with someone else if they will be called up to explain each time.

It looks like Hilton Honors did not even bother to contact the Hotel.

SPG Customer Service, on the other hand, is excellent about following up. Certainly the Freddies reflect that.

Hilton Honors Customer Service should be ashamed of itself. It is just one e-mail away from completely losing me as a customer.

venk, did you contact the GM of the hotel? It's probably worth it still if you haven't. A quick phone call could get the response you're looking for.

Just completed a 3-night vacation stay at the Quebec Hilton.

In a sentence: This was a great stay at a great hotel in a great tourist city.

Details: Booked a cancelable $205.00 Canadian rate that had "Sunday Free". So I thought that was a good deal.

Arrived and front desk directed me to the executive lounge for check in - which is on the first floor right next to the desk.

The hostess gave me keys, etc. But then preceded to inform me that since there was a second person staying with me (Mrs. BJfly), there would be an additional fee of $20.00 a night. I thought that HH had a benefit of spouse stays free, but she said no. That was annoying.

But the room upgrade was great - high floor with a fantastic view of the old city, river, etc. Room iself was average sized, clean, with new furniture. Chocolates and a small water on the desk as a welcome amenity. Turndown each night with chocolates. No noise from other rooms.

Pool was impressive with sun until late due to western exposure. Also a large terrace for sunning. Workout facilities very good - I think it operates as a gym for locals.

Executive lounge was as nice as any I have been in. Breakfast was good. Happy hour was exceptional with open bar and hot and cold munchies.

Location very close to old city and quite convenient. Didn't eat at the hotel other than breakfast.

Great stay. Would definitely recommend it. And I got a refund for the extra $20.00!

BJfly

Merci, M. BJfly, for the report! If you stayed on a qualifying HHonors saty (not Priceline.com, etc.), the rules say:

"Spouse stays free: When you travel with your spouse, he or she stays free in your room on every qualifying HHonors stay. (Does not apply to package features and not available at Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites® or all-inclusive hotels.)" From HHonors members T&C, for ALL HH members.

As they say in Boston, you may have ordered the salmon, but you got scrod. ;)

You were entirely entitled to a refund of the $20 per night you paid for Mrs BJfly. (HHonors Benefits - Membership (http://www.hilton.com/en/hhonors/benefits/membership.jhtml).


Cheers,

<snip> The hostess gave me keys, etc. But then preceded to inform me that since there was a second person staying with me (Mrs. BJfly), there would be an additional fee of $20.00 a night. I thought that HH had a benefit of spouse stays free, but she said no. That was annoying.
<snip>

My wife and I decided to take a vacation this fall as our last child is away at college and we are free to do as we wish. :D With the Double points promo (over $1300) for Sept. and Oct., we decided to maximize our Hilton Points to see if we could get another ALON when I retire in a few years (we already have enough for one). Went on the web site and saw a $195 per night (CAD) at Quebec City. I called the hotel, but the nice lady there said that she could not give me that rate. I thanked her and went back on line and booked the room. It turns out that we could only get it from Wed, Sept 22 thru Sat, Sept 25.
Well, we drove up (from NJ) and got there mid afternoon. We parked in the underground garage, and walked up to the check-in area. We went to the HHonors area, and "flashed" my Gold card, told them who I was, and the receptionist asked me to please follow her, and we went into the Executive Lounge, which was thru a locked door, adjacent to the check-in area. Gabriel met us there, welcomed us to the hotel, and proceeded to check us in. When I asked him if we got a "good room", he answered that we did, "It has two windows" and was a mini-suite. Well, we finish checking in, get the two keys, and went to the room, Room 1826. It turns out that it is a corner suite, and indeed, has two windows. King Bed, and a separate sitting room with large table and couch. It had a view of the Parliment Building, and the walled upper city, and we could also see the river.
Went to the Lounge for snacks, and they have heavy munchies from 5:00 to 7:00, and a FREE Open Bar from 5:00 to 10:00. The munchies were fried shrimp, chicken wings, several cheeses, other cold things which I could not identify, but were yummy (salmon, foi-gras, and other filled puffs). Very Nice.
Breakfast was several types of pastries, cereals, fresh OJ, Coffee, Teas, etc. The concergie was extremely helpful in making reservations, sightseeing suggestions, etc. She made lunch reservations for us at the Parliment Dining Room (which was delecious), a tour of the Parliment Building, etc. She also was able to extend our reservation thru Sunday which allowed us to have an extra day, including attending Mass (in French) at St. Ann's Cathedral.
All in All, we had a wonderful time in Quebec City, and the stay at the Hilton had a large part in it.

DD

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. My wife and I stayed at this hotel in August on a Priceline stay. We paid $70/night US and still got a very nice room. Flashing my Gold card had no effect, though, so we didn't get a room upgrade or access to the lounge. We still had a great time.

Hilton had a large part in it.DD

I agree that the staff at this hotel are very accommodating. I had booked in to another hotel next door, as I couldn't get a good rate at the Hilton. But when I arrived in Quebec City I went to the Hilton before checking in to the other hotel, and they matched the rate. And then upgraded me as I was a Gold at the time. Also agree that the views are stunning. ^ ^

We went to the HHonors area, and "flashed" my Gold card, told them who I was, and the receptionist asked me to please follow her, and we went into the Executive Lounge, which was thru a locked door, adjacent to the check-in area. Gabriel met us there, welcomed us to the hotel, and proceeded to check us in. When I asked him if we got a "good room", he answered that we did, "It has two windows" and was a mini-suite.

DD

Gabriel is one of the top Concierge I know in the hotel business. I always try to greet him in Spanish, as he is native from Mexico. He's a great guy to have on your side when you have problems while at the hotel..

I'm glad to hear your stay was great. Quebec City is indeed one of the most well kep secret in North America!!

We stayed at the Quebec City Hilton for five nights - from Wed. to Sun. On Sunday night as we entered the Lounge, Gabriel greeted us by name - quite a feat in my opinion.

DD

I totally agree. It is one of the best hotels, and far cheaper than the overrated Chateau Frontenac. One of the features of the Quebec Hilton is the terrific swimming pool and gym. I believe the pool is open year round with an inside entry to an outdoor pool.

The Toronto Aiport Hilton and the downtown Toronto Hilton have a similar swimming pool arrangement. It is something to be swimming outdoors as the snow falls!!!

We stayed at the Quebec City Hilton for five nights - from Wed. to Sun. On Sunday night as we entered the Lounge, Gabriel greeted us by name - quite a feat in my opinion.

DD

I can quite easily picture Gabriel greeting you by a "Hello Mr and Ms DoggyDaddy!" :D :D

ygm :)

thanks

Scott

I've weeded through the threads I could find on this hotel and most are from a few years back. Hoping anyone who has stayed recently could tell me:

1) How good they are about upgrading Golds when upgrades are available.

2) If they are good about extending lounge access to Golds or do you sometimes get told it's too full (saw that on one old post)? If full, is breakfast readily offered or need it be pressed for?

3) Someone mentioned comped parking from either Gold or from staying on Exec floor. Is this a policy? (it would great impact my decision to rent a car or not)

4) Any other tips :) I haven't been to Quebec City in about 14 years so I'm well looking forward to it!

I've stayed there about five times in the last couple years. I'm Diamond, so can't tell you about Gold U/Gs I'm afraid, but I've always been treated well.

However, I've never been offered complimentary parking. (And nearby parkades aren't significantly cheaper, either). If you're only visiting the old city, downtown, etc, it's pretty easy to walk everywhere, though.

I've weeded through the threads I could find on this hotel and most are from a few years back. Hoping anyone who has stayed recently could tell me:

1) How good they are about upgrading Golds when upgrades are available.

2) If they are good about extending lounge access to Golds or do you sometimes get told it's too full (saw that on one old post)? If full, is breakfast readily offered or need it be pressed for?

3) Someone mentioned comped parking from either Gold or from staying on Exec floor. Is this a policy? (it would great impact my decision to rent a car or not)

4) Any other tips :) I haven't been to Quebec City in about 14 years so I'm well looking forward to it!

As a Gold, I'm always upgraped to an Executive room and have access to the lounge. When you try to check-in at the regular front desk, you are usually redirected to the lounge which is on the same floor for the check-in process.
To be sure they recognize your status, mention you are Gold in the commentary section when you book; they probably ask you to show your card the first time but they will enter the expiration date of your Gold card in their computer, so upgrade will be automatic on your next visit.

Executive room are not larger than standard room but offer more amenities and have a more classy decor. Rooms are well maintained but need to be updated in my opinion. Lounge is really nice especially if you like classic Old World decor. Free alcoholic beverages are available from 5PM to 10PM. Appetizers are served from 5PM to 7PM. The place may be crowdy when the hotel is full. A basic continental breakfast is also served in the morning.

Parking is not comped at this hotel. The garage is operated by a third-party and costs about $18CDN for 24 hours. Major renovations are being done currently and the entrance of the parking have been moved. It might worth to use the Valet service.
Enjoy Quebec city.

Thank you There Yet? and Nomade.

I noticed on my resy that they have preblocked me in a Deluxe riverview. Hopefully that is just a backup in case they can't give Exec floor on arrival :)

The lounge sounds great. I'm used to the one in Toronto so expectations are high. I'm sure this can't compete on view but sounds like it will on drinks and food.

One more question though: It seems I've read a fair bit about people checking in at reception only to be moved to the lounge for check-in. Is the lounge checkin for Gold/Diamond or is it only applicable once you have already been upgraded to Exec floor? I guess I'm just wondering why one would not just proceed to the lounge to begin with if Gold or higher.

PS: Using a PointStretcher award (what a thrill to find one :) ) so i hope that does not negatively impact upgrade treatment....

If I remember correctly, the only way you can enter the Lounge is with a key card. We had extended our stay and the card (room key) did not work on the last day. This was easily corrected.


DD

FYI: we had a nice stay and my review is now posted: Hilton Quebec review (http://traveltips.typepad.com/hotel_reviews/2007/05/hilton_quebec_q.html)