Hilton HHonors - Diamond status and 200,000 points - where would you go for a reward stay holiday?

Hello – have read through many threads on here and it’s been a very useful resource. Hoping you can help us with some suggestions!

My partner had to “live” in a Hilton for a year when working away from home and in this time obviously accrued lots of HHonors points and Diamond status.

Thankfully he is working from home again now, but this means our diamond-days will soon be drawing to an end, so we’re hoping to use most of the remaining points (over 200,000) for a holiday, and are looking for suggestions on the best place to go to make maximum use of the diamond status whilst he still have it.

Last year we used about half the points on a six nights reward stay in the Conrad HK which was absolutely superb. We loved Hong Kong but staying in the Conrad really made the trip, and we spent rather a lot of time in the Exec lounge admiring the view over the Harbour whilst our glasses were refilled with complementary champagne :o

So, where can we go to use the remaining points which would possibly live up to this experience?

We’ll consider anywhere in the world – obviously we want to go somewhere interesting, but because this will be our last chance in a while to experience luxury living, a great hotel where you can get all the diamond privileges on a reward stay is a big consideration!

Currently we're considering Conrad Tokyo, and are also wondering what the Bali and Maldives resorts are like (and how they work in terms of reward stays). We'd also like to go to the US, but get the impression the hotels tend to be less generous in terms of priviledges on reward stays?

Thank you for any recommendations or suggestions. :)

Welcome! I don't think that Maldives is available anymore, unfortunately.

I don't think that I can help with specific hotels. I think that it might be helpful to others to say what you are looking for in a hotel. Based on your experience, I'm guessing that a big city hotel with a view and a whole lota pampering. This is very different from the Maldives/Bali resorts that you are asking about.

If it were me, I would choose a country that I had never been and that I could never afford without points/status.

You will also need to think about how to get there. It can be pricy to some locations from the UK, even if you have miles to burn.

Have a GREAT trip

Dr. PITUK

For a great location, great city, fabulous hotel, incomparable lounge, and easy access from London, the Cavalieri in Rome pops immediately to mind. :)

No shortage of threads/info on this wonderful property right here on FT.

Conrad Bangkok and Conrad Tokyo are both great hotels.

I'd be tempted to head to Italy. I'd get a HH Amex and do 4 nights at Hilton Cavalieri (AXON) and 2 nights at Naples (Sorrento Palace).

I had exactly that situation a few months ago and decided on the Hilton Mauritius. We leave in three weeks. I considered the Seychelles and Maldives also. The two factors that tilted the choice to Mauritius were ease/cost of getting to the resort from the U.S. West Coast and whether there other things to do outside the Hilton.

Thank you all for your tips, really appreciated!

I don't think that I can help with specific hotels. I think that it might be helpful to others to say what you are looking for in a hotel. Based on your experience, I'm guessing that a big city hotel with a view and a whole lota pampering. This is very different from the Maldives/Bali resorts that you are asking about.

If it were me, I would choose a country that I had never been and that I could never afford without points/status.

You will also need to think about how to get there. It can be pricy to some locations from the UK, even if you have miles to burn.

Have a GREAT trip

We've got pretty broad tastes - we love big cities but we'd also enjoy a relaxing resort break as well.

Essentially I'm trying to work out where we'll get the best "bang for our buck" on a reward stay - places which are normally expensive to stay at, or where the lounge/perks are particularly good etc.

Prices of flights etc will obviously be a consideration when it comes to making our final choice, but just want to get an idea of what places should make our shortlist. :)

I'd be tempted to head to Italy. I'd get a HH Amex and do 4 nights at Hilton Cavalieri (AXON) and 2 nights at Naples (Sorrento Palace).

A couple of recommendations for Rome I see. I would love to go but the other half isn't so keen (he's visited before), maybe I can talk him round

I'll also have a look at Mauritius so thanks for that one as well.


What about the US? We haven't been since the dollar was so favourable ;) so we're considering that, but I get the impression we won't be getting the most out of Diamond status in the states? Is this a correct assumption?

Id think every HHonors Diamond should experience the Cavalieri at least once and great use of points.

thinking of GLONP 6 nighter.
The Conrad BKK can be bought quite inexpensively so I wouldnt use points for that. . The Paris ADT is a fab hotel and I do hear the Mauritius hotel is fab so I will be checking that one out myself soon.. also a great use of points is the Venice Stucky if you want good value.

Id think every HHonors Diamond should experience the Cavalieri at least once and great use of points.I agree.

So we did it twice. :)

And the first time was due to none other than ... tinkybelle, who goaded me into trying just a little bit harder to find availability. ^

I'm new to this forum (usually in airline forums), and based on the overwhelming concensus here, it seems the Cavalieri is not to be missed. I'll also have a hard time talking my other half into it as she's been before as well.

The Conrad Bangkok may be inexpensive, but Thailand is vibrant, the people are welcoming, and the hotel is excellent. It's right in the city, the views from the very nice rooms are panoramic, and it's a few minutes walk from the SkyTrain, which is new, efficient and cheap. And your pound will go a very long way in Thailand - a private car with both a driver and a tour guide cost us $17/day in '05. A 2 hour massage (an actual massage) was $8. Fabulous food...I could go on and on.

Since you asked about the US, sticking with the Conrad theme, you might consider Miami. I haven't stayed at the hotel, but I lived there for 3 years and it will certainly be a unique slice of American culture. You can hit the high end restaurants, spas and clubs, or just chill on the beach. Both the architecture and the crowds on South Beach are colourful and dynamic. Learn to salsa in Little Havana, even head to the Everglades for a day. Eat stone crabs at Joe's, or head to Michy's or Pascal's if it's not crab season. Don't miss Versailles or Islas Canarias (family-owned and better food - ox tail stew is great) for an authentic taste of Calle Ocho. Lots of very different things to choose from.

Have a great trip.

I'm looking forward to trying out the Mauritius Hilton, too.
One recommendation I would make that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet is the Conrad Centennial Singapore. Very nice rooms on the Executive floor and you could make a meal of the spread they put out at night. Breakfast there is nice too, but the buffet on the first floor is even better.
This hotel has a very refined atmosphere. Actually I felt it was a little too 'snooty' for us since our 10 year old son was with us and the the exec. floor people looked at him like they were afraid they might catch a germ from him or something (I don't mean to get off on a 'kids in the exec lounge tangent'). But it was still an outstanding stay for us with so much to see in S'pore and with easy side trips to Malaysia possible.

Essentially I'm trying to work out where we'll get the best "bang for our buck" on a reward stay - places which are normally expensive to stay at, or where the lounge/perks are particularly good etc.


The Rome Cavalieri has one of the best lounges of any hotel, anywhere. You can literally live in the lounge with their 5 different food services during the day.

The room rates for the Cavalieri usually start at ~400 euros. So the value is definitely high up there.

I personaly would not recommend any US properties since lounges are usually so so and very few have free alcoholic beverages.

I would go to the Rome Cavalieri as many have stated -

wait --

I am going - next weekend to be sure!

Peace!

The Conrad Bali is Fantastic, but it is such a great value, that it's a shame to use points. The exec lounge is in a very secluded area. The breakfast in the lounge is a lovely way to start the day, as the main restaurant can be chaotic.

I had exactly that situation a few months ago and decided on the Hilton Mauritius. We leave in three weeks. I considered the Seychelles and Maldives also. The two factors that tilted the choice to Mauritius were ease/cost of getting to the resort from the U.S. West Coast and whether there other things to do outside the Hilton.

Looks like I live just down the street from you. Would you mind giving the details on your flight routing? I have a ton of HHonors points too and also am deciding on great places to spend them (did Maldives in 2007).

I also have considered Seychelles but so far haven't done it because of routing (don't want to do Air France as I need to stick with either Star Alliance or OneWorld). So how are you planning to go from SFO to Mauritius? PM is fine if you'd rather not do it in-thread.

Thanks!
Your neighbor, SEA2BA

I'm going on BA, SFO-LHR-MRU. Two non-stop flights, each on a 747. Using a 2-for-1 coupon for Mrs. daveinsf and myself and we will be in premium economy. First time to try that. We usually try to wangle Biz class for international so hoping it won't seem too much of a step down.

I'm going on BA, SFO-LHR-MRU. Two non-stop flights, each on a 747. Using a 2-for-1 coupon for Mrs. daveinsf and myself and we will be in premium economy. First time to try that. We usually try to wangle Biz class for international so hoping it won't seem too much of a step down.

Ooh, a nonstop from LHR? Perfect; I did not know that -- I figured non-stops from Europe would be strictly an AF domain. And I've got BA miles racked up. Great; will investigate further. Are you doing a GLONP2 (6 nights for 175k) at the Hilton, or longer? How tough was it to find the Hilton dates you wanted? How tough was it to get the BA flights you wanted? (And how'd you find a 2-fer on BA, is that an Amex deal?).

Thanks,
SEA2BA

Yes, I'm doing a 9 night award stay at the Hilton. No problem getting dates since I am diamond with HH. Stay is a bit longer than I would have picked but that's what worked with the flights since BA doesn't fly daily LHR-MRU (on some days they fly via JNB and I wanted to avoid that.) The 2 for 1 was with the BA Visa, which was good on any economy or premium economy fare. I believe the Amex deal is a less attractive offer.

I'd have to agree with Bali - I will be accused of heresy, but the Cavalieri is not so special I'd make it a destination IMO, unless you want to visit Rome. Bali has something for everyone, and the Bali Conrad is a very nice stay. Admittedly, I wound up using money, as it was reasonable enough to save my points for other venues. Cav, Tokyo, Singapore, for some.

Rome Hilton is a far piece from everything you want to see and in a residential neighborhood with little in the way of restaurants. Take a couple of transfers to get to town by public transit. Hotel was great but transportation a bear. No shuttle on Sundays.

I personaly would not recommend any US properties since lounges are usually so so and very few have free alcoholic beverages.


No free alcohol...well there is nothing I like more than free alcohol so that rather counts the US out of the picture :o

We're considering Singapore, or one of the resorts (Bali or Mauritius) for a six nighter and possibly trying to squeeze in a weekend in Rome as well by buying some extra points.

Thank you all for the advice :)