Hilton Dresden {DEU}
May 27, 2009, 5:19 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Posts: 255
One of my favorite Hiltons. Great location. Great staff. Nice lounge and rooms. Quick taxi or 20 minute walk to the Hbf. Be careful when booking any special rates. I did and it was immediately charged as an advanced payment (no mention of pre-pay in the fine print). Aside from that, a Hilton I recommend.
Jun 10, 2009, 3:30 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New York
Programs: BAEC Silver, &c.
Posts: 446
Great location, yes, but it made for a miserable stay last week: Obama came through Dresden on the way back from Cairo. The worst timing ever for a visit to Dresden, and in particular a visit to Dresden in order to visit the Zwinger and stay at the Hilton!
The entire Innenstadt (where all the sites are: the Frauenkirche, the Zwinger, etc) was cordoned off by the police. To get into the "restricted zone"-- where the hotel was located required going through various passport and security checks, which totally defeated the purpose of staying so centrally (let's just say, I wish I had booked at the Westin, or even the Pullmann!). Thursday night, I waited in line for about 30 minutes at one of the passport control points, only to be turned back because they didn't want to let Monsieur_Mustard in, even though his name had been added to the hotel reservation and we both had yellow armbands that we had been told would get us through!
Once back at the hotel, we were also told that we needed to leave the curtains open, otherwise security might get concerned. Great.
The next morning, the front desk called at 8:10 to tell us that if we didn't leave the hotel by 9 am, we would be stuck inside all day (because of security for the President's visit), until around 3 or 4 pm. (Honestly, the bed was below what I was expecting, so at least I wasn't being roused out of a supremelz comfortable sleep. I had the feeling the entire night that some part of the bed was missing, it was like sleeping directlz on a box spring, which German beds don't have anyway!). A mad rush ensued, as a large group of rather unhappy Hilton guests were escorted out. I was surprised the staff did nothing to take away the sting of being given 50 minutes to scram or the inconveniences of the previous night.
So, yes, an event far beyond the hotel's control, but the harried staff did nothing to even try to make things more comfortable.
The entire Innenstadt (where all the sites are: the Frauenkirche, the Zwinger, etc) was cordoned off by the police. To get into the "restricted zone"-- where the hotel was located required going through various passport and security checks, which totally defeated the purpose of staying so centrally (let's just say, I wish I had booked at the Westin, or even the Pullmann!). Thursday night, I waited in line for about 30 minutes at one of the passport control points, only to be turned back because they didn't want to let Monsieur_Mustard in, even though his name had been added to the hotel reservation and we both had yellow armbands that we had been told would get us through!
Once back at the hotel, we were also told that we needed to leave the curtains open, otherwise security might get concerned. Great.
The next morning, the front desk called at 8:10 to tell us that if we didn't leave the hotel by 9 am, we would be stuck inside all day (because of security for the President's visit), until around 3 or 4 pm. (Honestly, the bed was below what I was expecting, so at least I wasn't being roused out of a supremelz comfortable sleep. I had the feeling the entire night that some part of the bed was missing, it was like sleeping directlz on a box spring, which German beds don't have anyway!). A mad rush ensued, as a large group of rather unhappy Hilton guests were escorted out. I was surprised the staff did nothing to take away the sting of being given 50 minutes to scram or the inconveniences of the previous night.
So, yes, an event far beyond the hotel's control, but the harried staff did nothing to even try to make things more comfortable.
Jun 10, 2009, 4:31 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,167
The best adress to complain would be the White House and the topic would be the insane US security requirements. The US Presidents are to my knowledge the only ones demanding such level of "protection".
Jun 10, 2009, 8:00 pm
#50
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: Various airline, hotel and credit card programs
Posts: 1,903
Fortunately, no US president (reigning or otherwise) will be in Munich this weekend - or so I sincerely wish.
Jun 10, 2009, 8:51 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,076
This place is somewhat of a hidden gem. Stayed there twice, upgraded both times, lounge amenities better than average European Hilton. Have booked Westin + Hilton for next stay; will report differences later
Jun 11, 2009, 3:44 am
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,167
Both, Westin and Hilton are hidden gems in particular when it comes to value for money. I always end up in massive suites at the Westin. Rooms at the Hilton are somehow small. The lounge at the Hilton? Better than average European Hilton, galaxies ahead of every US Hilton but quite in line with Hiltons like Munich, Frankfurt or Berlin. I like them both a lot.
Jun 11, 2009, 4:22 am
#53
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: Various airline, hotel and credit card programs
Posts: 1,903
May 25, 2011, 4:08 am
#54
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Southern Bavaria, Germany
Programs: LH Blue, BA Blue, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 1,517
? About Hilton Dresden, Germany location of Club lounge
Have seen those "greatgetaway" rates for the Hilton in Dresden, Germany.
I know that hotel and its central location.
I am just thinking about a "standard" room or the Executive room. As this may be a private travel a breakfast and/or coffee in the lounge would be fine and reduce the price difference between the two room types.
So how is the view out of the Club lounge and where is it located ?
(Courtyard / Facing the Museum / Facing the church ??)
Info would be fine.
I know that hotel and its central location.
I am just thinking about a "standard" room or the Executive room. As this may be a private travel a breakfast and/or coffee in the lounge would be fine and reduce the price difference between the two room types.
So how is the view out of the Club lounge and where is it located ?
(Courtyard / Facing the Museum / Facing the church ??)
Info would be fine.
May 25, 2011, 4:19 am
#55
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: TUS
Programs: AA Plt, HH Diamond, IHG Plt
Posts: 268
In December when we were there, the lounge was on the 1st floor and there was not a view or we did not see it.I remember it being walled in on all sides. It did have breakfast and had drinks and snacks in the evening. The spa was the nicest part of the hotel. Wonderful outdoor jacuzzi.
May 25, 2011, 4:54 pm
#59
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: Honors Lifetime Diamond, BAEC Gold
Posts: 67
lounge
the lounge is on the first floor and has an ok breakfast (some hot food) and a reasonable array of food in the evening - it closes at 10pm I think as opposed to 11.
One wall looks in to the centre of the hotel - but you don't notice it as there's a long goldfish area, and the other end looks over a side street leading to the Frauenkirche (main square)..it's covered with a light fabric (like a net curtain) but you can just see through. If you really squinted, you'd see the side of the Franenkirche, but your neck wouldn't like it!
The Exec rooms are slightly better, and on a higher floor, but again some have poor views and others better...express a request for a frauenkirche view in the reservation if possible (there are only 4 or 5 on each floor with that view). Others overlook the river etc.
Would I pay the addditional cost? There are nice cafes in Dresden, and I might do an e-standby, but there may be a good deal on the exec room through the getaway rates they now have on.
Have a godo trip!
One wall looks in to the centre of the hotel - but you don't notice it as there's a long goldfish area, and the other end looks over a side street leading to the Frauenkirche (main square)..it's covered with a light fabric (like a net curtain) but you can just see through. If you really squinted, you'd see the side of the Franenkirche, but your neck wouldn't like it!
The Exec rooms are slightly better, and on a higher floor, but again some have poor views and others better...express a request for a frauenkirche view in the reservation if possible (there are only 4 or 5 on each floor with that view). Others overlook the river etc.
Would I pay the addditional cost? There are nice cafes in Dresden, and I might do an e-standby, but there may be a good deal on the exec room through the getaway rates they now have on.
Have a godo trip!