Hilton HHonors - Is it justifiable to spend 35K points for 1 night's award?

Okay I guess I should decide with my wallet...

But GBP 165 + 18% tax comes to around US$330 a night. And that's only at the Paddington Hilton in London.

Or else it's 35K points for one night. No Saver award.

What do you think?

Okay I guess I should decide with my wallet...

But GBP 165 + 18% tax comes to around US$330 a night. And that's only at the Paddington Hilton in London.

Or else it's 35K points for one night. No Saver award.

What do you think?

What I would do is Priceline a hotel using biddingfortravel.com information and/or save the points for a better use once the account hit 150k or 175k points.

Do you need to stay at the Paddington Hilton? Hilton.co.uk often has better rates than Hilton.com just for your note.

Personally I'd spend the points--and have done so. With the poor dollar exchange, UK hotels are pricey by my standards.

What I would do is Priceline a hotel using biddingfortravel.com information and/or save the points for a better use once the account hit 150k or 175k points.

Do you need to stay at the Paddington Hilton? Hilton.co.uk often has better rates than Hilton.com just for your note.

Thank you.

Yes I do need to stay at the Paddington Hilton only because of the Paddington Express to the airport. My next day's flight departs at 730am and the HEX has a departure at 530am!

I'm already DM HH member and have over 270K points in my account now. However I have not been staying at HH properties that much and will lose my status next year.

I've checked the Hilton.co.uk site. It's giving me the same rates that I already have now. The lowest rate is still the GBP 165 one.

Thanks , linsj. I think I'll do that now.

At that price to points spent, linsj is correct that you are getting a good use of your points.

HOWEVER, I agree with GU Wonder in this case, since it would appear that what you should be doing is a PLN stay at one of the Heathrow airport hotels, rather than the points spend at the Paddington.

Then, you can use your points next year or whenever, at a property at good points/$ ratio and that is not near an appropriate PLN property.

At that price to points spent, linsj is correct that you are getting a good use of your points.

HOWEVER, I agree with GU Wonder in this case, since it would appear that what you should be doing is a PLN stay at one of the Heathrow airport hotels, rather than the points spend at the Paddington.

Then, you can use your points next year or whenever, at a property at good points/$ ratio and that is not near an appropriate PLN property.
But, what if the OP doesn't WANT to stay near the airport? (That would appear to be the case.) Airport hotels are usually a cheaper option than hotels in the center of a city, but may be undesirable for other reasons.

If you're staying there for only one night and want that hotel only because they have an early ride to the airport, then I agree with the other posters that staying at the airport is the way to go. If there something else driving the stay or you will be at the location for more than one night, then 35K points for a $330/night room is a good deal.

I've been able to get good LHR hotels on PriceLine for less than $100/night, all in. They go up to ~$150/night in the high season, but I'm pretty sure you'll get a good deal in late October.

At that price to points spent, linsj is correct that you are getting a good use of your points.

HOWEVER, I agree with GU Wonder in this case, since it would appear that what you should be doing is a PLN stay at one of the Heathrow airport hotels, rather than the points spend at the Paddington.

Then, you can use your points next year or whenever, at a property at good points/$ ratio and that is not near an appropriate PLN property.

Thanks for your reply. I'm talking to HHonors Customer Service as I write this. I'm still trying to get the award room.

I need to stay in London in the city. Otherwise I would have opted for some other airport hotel at Heathrow. Similarly there are other hotels available in London from Priceline. But the only reason I am staying at the London Paddington is due to the Heathrow Express. My early departure next day (Fri) is at 730am, and would like to be able to take the 530am train to the airport. It's not justifiable to stay somewhere else, and would have to get up even earlier in the morning, grab a cab, or limo and then travel to the airport.

The Diamond desk is trying to get me the room now. They say I need 3 days to make such a request.. which I do. So will let you guys know. I think I liked it better when the Paddington had rates once upon a time ago of GBP 89. But then again, that's when it just opened!

Thanks for all your comments.

But, what if the OP doesn't WANT to stay near the airport? (That would appear to be the case.) Airport hotels are usually a cheaper option than hotels in the center of a city, but may be undesirable for other reasons.

It is often quicker to get from the Paddington Hilton to Heathrow than get on one of the Hoppa buses that loop around the hotels. You also get the added certainty of knowing (assuming no train problems) exactly when you will be at the the terminal, which is helpful early in the morning. It is perfectly feasible to leave the hotel at 5.27 to get the 5.30 train and be in terminals 1-3 for 5.50-5.52.

It is often quicker to get from the Paddington Hilton to Heathrow than get on one of the Hoppa buses that loop around the hotels. You also get the added certainty of knowing (assuming no train problems) exactly when you will be at the the terminal, which is helpful early in the morning. It is perfectly feasible to leave the hotel at 5.27 to get the 5.30 train and be in terminals 1-3 for 5.50-5.52.

For people who has not stayed at airport hotels before - especially at Heathrow... the Hoopa buses are a nightmare to take. They are not free, they are infrequent, and they loop all over the place and don't go to Terminal 4! You need to get off the bus at T1/2/3 and change to the airport express.

And I do know London... I have lived there before in the past... getting around London at 5am is not fun!