Hilton HHonors - Where are all the executive lounges

I am a diamond member and recently stayed at both Hilton Properties in San Fran. Neither had an exec lounge- as a diamond member i was given a continental breakfast to make up for it- which honestly was like a pastry and a coffee. I dont think this makes up for it- not to say anything about having a drink/snacks in a lounge in the PM. Have you all ever experienced that? Where you compensated? Seems like they are not being very considerate to us Golds/Diamonds...a peer stayed at the Marriott and raved about their lounge...

Seems like quite a few properties in the US is lacking a lounge. Did a tour of the east coast last year, without doing any lounge investigations, and ended up not finding a single one. The only hotel that actually had one had it closed because it was weekend. :)

And I agree, getting just the continental breakfast is bad service. That said, the US lounge breakfasts are not that much better to my recollection. Try Europe on the other hand. :) Warm breakfast, with a wide selection in many of the lounges! And if there is no lounge you do get access to the entire breakfast buffet.

I'm seeing this at more properties every time I stay at a Hilton Property. Lounges are pretty much gone at all the Hawaiian properties now.

Upgrades are far and few anymore.

Not sure what I'm getting as a Diamond member.

It would be great if Hilton maintined an on-line list of properties with Executive Lounges as well as the open service hours.

Then of course we could use that list to easily rate each and every lounge...perhaps that's why they don't do it :D

I am a diamond member and recently stayed at both Hilton Properties in San Fran. Neither had an exec lounge- as a diamond member i was given a continental breakfast to make up for it- which honestly was like a pastry and a coffee. I dont think this makes up for it- not to say anything about having a drink/snacks in a lounge in the PM. Have you all ever experienced that? Where you compensated? Seems like they are not being very considerate to us Golds/Diamonds...a peer stayed at the Marriott and raved about their lounge...


I have been the San Francisco Hilton on O'Farrel and it did have a Lounge and it was open--granted that was over a year ago. Does anyone have any information that the Lounge there is either closed (temporarily) or cut back in hours?

sdcarver

Santa Clara has one if you are working down that way.

I have been the San Francisco Hilton on O'Farrel and it did have a Lounge and it was open--granted that was over a year ago. Does anyone have any information that the Lounge there is either closed (temporarily) or cut back in hours?

sdcarver

Hilton SF O'Farrell and Hilton SF Financial District both closed their executive lounges, I think around April - May. There is a thread on this.

Having never seen an executive lounge, will someone please tell me what the big appeal is? I hear people on here go on and on about the executive lounges or lack of them, and all I can figure out is that thhey provide some free snacks and free soft drinks and juices. Basically a glorified managers reception and not much more than the free snacks and drinks you can get at the Hampton Inn. Are they handing out free money in these lounges? Are there show-girls dancing there? Seriously though, what is the big deal? I just don't get it.

Maybe I'll understand after next week. Staying at the St. Charles Hilton in NOLA, and apparently they have one of these mysterious lounges. Maybe as a Diamond member I might get access, but from what I read on this board, that is even questionable.

I would say that most of the lounges in USA aren't worth the effort, although there must be some nice ones out there.

Outside of USA, there are some quite nice lounges. Convenient place to have a free breakfast, some snacks in the evening (better than most manager's receptions I have been to and some you can easily make a nice light evening meal out of), free drinks, alcoholic or soft (not at all but at many lounges, especially outside North America). Some very nice lounges with great views, quiet place to relax, read the paper, have a beer or freshly brewed coffee, make arrangements etc.

I have never stayed at a FS Hilton as an elite member, but the main appeal of lounges is the free food/beverages and an additional place to hang out that is more quiet than the hotel bar.

Some Marriott and Hyatt properties in the US have nice lounges and food/drink offerings. At some lounges, you can print from a computer for free and get free access to a fax machine.

Having never seen an executive lounge, will someone please tell me what the big appeal is? I hear people on here go on and on about the executive lounges or lack of them, and all I can figure out is that thhey provide some free snacks and free soft drinks and juices. Basically a glorified managers reception and not much more than the free snacks and drinks you can get at the Hampton Inn.

If you see the price how much these 4 stars hotels charging for snacks, soft drinks and juices inside the property, or in the mini bars inside your room, even just a bottle water. Then you would know how much you appreciate for an executive lounge.

Also, if it is a really proper exec. lounge like Conrad Hong Kong, you actually checkin inside the lounge, there are chairs for you to wait rather than standing for like 30 min when a hotel is short staff. When waiting, someone would even ask if you want to drink something. Where can you get that kind of service ?

Have you all ever experienced that?
Yes

Where you compensated? No, especially it is basically a rip off if you book a room in the exec. floor as a gold or diamond. You pay more for an exec. room, you are going to get the same perks as a gold or diamond booking a regular room. Certs for breakfast, water, maybe bar bites / drinks cert.

There are some executive lounges out there that are quite good, Milan comes to mind. Anything you want to drink, excellent food, etc.

That was a few years ago though, not a clue if it's still the same or not.

In the US the executive lounge is usually a converted room or two, a TV, some couches, and some soft drinks and little bites to eat. It's good when you get in to have a place to unwind for a bit before calling it a night.

I never cared much for lounge breakfasts.

The real advantage use to be it was a place for executives. It was not usually a place a big group of people or people with kids ended up, so it was usually much quieter then the lobby bar would be.

Economy bad, lounge close.

Just coming home from the KL hilton, probably one of my favouritist hotels in the World.

The lounge there is awesome, lovely food, free flowing drinks, comp wifi etc. etc.

Not been in that hotel for a year or so, but all of the staff STILL remembered my name.

Having never seen an executive lounge, will someone please tell me what the big appeal is? I hear people on here go on and on about the executive lounges or lack of them, and all I can figure out is that thhey provide some free snacks and free soft drinks and juices. Basically a glorified managers reception and not much more than the free snacks and drinks you can get at the Hampton Inn. Are they handing out free money in these lounges? Are there show-girls dancing there? Seriously though, what is the big deal? I just don't get it.


:rolleyes:

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!

People "go on and on about them" because in some places (especially overseas), they are absolutely wonderful. NOT just some "free snacks and free soft drinks and juices." Do you honestly think that FTers would rave about something so trivial? :rolleyes: Really, FTers are far more sophisiticated and worldly than you seem to imagine. :td:

How about: bountiful and delicious buffets during both breakfast and evening hours. Free alcoholic beverages. Again, mostly in overseas lounges. But also even (usually sans the free alcohol) in some domestic ones. I have fond memories of so many -- Tokyo Hilton, Osaka Hilton (both on award stays) are among the top. But most of those memories are from several years ago.

The trend seems to be away from such generosity, for the obvious reason of the economic downturn. Hotels seem to be desperately looking for ways to cut costs. Although I'm not happy about this trend, I'm not surprised either. Also, there are a lot of cheap hotel deals to be had, so in my view, lower prices help compensate for the loss of services.

I don't know anything about the St. Charles Hilton NOLA, but I would NOT expect that (even in better economic times) it would come anywhere close to, say, the Osaka or Tokyo Hilton.

It IS best to keep your expectations modest, certainly! But your cynicism and assumption of yokel FTers raving about cheesy benefits is entirely inappropriate. :td: