Hilton HHonors - Consensus - Hilton in Europe/UK

My primary interest in getting hotel points is European travel. I've cashed in two Hilton awards so far, Paris and Rome. Both locations/properties were outstanding (to us).

The consensus of this forum seems to be that Hilton on the Continent is very good (in general), but Hiltons in the UK, and London in particular, leave a lot to be desired.

My plans are to use my Marriott points for places like the Renaissance Chancery or County Hall in London, and Hilton for everywhere else in Europe.

I realize this is a gross oversimplification, but that's the impression I get. Am I right, or have I just been reading the wrong threads?

Hi,

Outside London Hilton & HI (HI & HIE) leave alot to be desired IMHO unless you have a low threshold over quality.

Most of the HLT properties have been acquired from other (failing) chains and are possibly franchised with little incentive to Honor (sic) chain wide benefits, some being quite evil, others attempting to satisfy from a somewhat aged and unfresh stock of rooms.

There are exceptions and in most cases if you start by expecting just a standard room, with standard facilities and no amenties you will be pleasantly surprised. If not then complain immediately, waiting to complain and moan at check out is pointless and negative feedback on FT only serves to warn others off not address the problem.

Outside of HLT/HI there is sparse coverage by international chains (Mariott, Hyatt etc) so you have the choice of the smaller UK focused hotels (MacDonald, Thistle, Copthorne etc) which can excel but with no guarenteed benefits unless you pay. Try www.uk.laterooms.com as a useful resource which many business people use to escape the corporate travel policy.

I've found the London properties to be very nice, though service is a bit off from time to time. Park Lane, Paddington, Metropole all get good reviews in general, for location and accomodations. The Waldorf and Trafalgar are very good, and the Conrad London is very nice, though a bit out of the way. I wouldn't go out of my way to avoid these hotels.

London Hiltons are generally quite good, even on our award stays at the Conrad and the Waldorf. At the Waldorf, got upgraded to a junior suite, very nice breakfast included, all that on points for a lowly gold member.

Our experience on the continent using point has been excellent; Rooms in executive floor, lounge access with very nice offerings at Rome airport and Cavalieri, and Vienna Plaza. We also got invited to use the lounge at Budapest Hilton even though we were not guests, just wanted to check out the hotel for future stays.
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