helosc

Thank you for your report and the pictures - and for confirming no VAT paid at check-out.

Friendly Traveling Deathmerchant

***Absolutely! I don't really care too much, but my wife is a Coke addict, and McDonald's is our worldwide salvation so she can get her daily fix of Diet Coke from a fountain with more than one cube of ice immediately melting in the cup. We've proudly toured the finest McD's of Paris, Zurich, London, Rome, Frankfurt, Madrid, Arkansas, etc. because we're all highbrow-cultured like that.



TDM (Who *does* also visit establishments with "real" food as well)

helosc

A bit off topic but have you seen this thread :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europ...buildings.html

Friendly Traveling Deathmerchant

Ha! Yeah, I try to roll along with the cultures wherever I go, but can't fault a traveler for having some comforts/preferences of home they might enjoy either. Some of us bring our travel pillows, some like tea instead of coffee, some like bellboys to bring their seven-pound wheeled bag up the lift for them, some freak out when they see flies all over their food. Me? I just enjoy iced drinks when it's hot out, but can certainly live with lukewarm if that's all that's available. No big deal - we look at it as giving us extra travel adventures in our day: while we enjoy the sights and culture, we keep a search going for iced drinks while we're at it. Makes for more fun.



TDM (But really, in my review there was one little line wistfully wanting a Coke, we should probably get back to the actual subject at hand: How to avoid VAT while raiding the lounge for pastries and Jameson.)

helosc

It wasn't a dig. Just mentioned it because it is a funny thread and you (and others) may not have seen it yet. But definitely off topic.

anabolism

When I was there, the staff made a point of telling me that one could make a meal from the evening lounge offerings, and that dessert was offered after the meal (unlike most Hiltons, which offer sweets during afternoon tea, and meal-type stuff at evening hors d'oeuvres).

I hope I didn't offend anyone during my stay -- I often headed out for a swim wearing just my swimsuit (shirtless), riding the elevator down to the lower lobby and walking out to the pool or beach.

The poolside restaurant is I believe the outdoor portion of the main restaurant.

If you take the elevator to the lower lobby (or walk down the stairs from the main lobby), and walk past the shops and then the main entrance to the main restaurant, you come to a door. Walk out the door, the pool will be on your right, the beach is in front of you. There is a staircase that goes to a security door to the beach that is open during the day (with a guard to keep non-guests out).

Dovster

Are you certain that you wound up in the right country? Is it possible that you are in Iran and not Israel?

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Anyone have a contact e-mail address for the Hilton TLV. Thank you.

anabolism

Did you want front desk, reservations, concierge, guest relations? For front desk manager, try asstfdm dot telaviv at hilton dot com

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Much appreciated.

helosc

I have just noticed that Hilton Tel Aviv doesn't have any point and cash rate anymore.
And they don't have normal point rate as they don't seem to have any standard rooms available (twin/king sea view).

I checked the next 3 months forward.

I then went to their internet site and looked under 'rooms and suites' and the standard rooms are not mentioned; the lowest category is king/ twin deluxe sea view.

This is very new as I have been monitoring their prices (I have a point and cash stay starting tomorrow) and I had considered booking one more night as I land in the night/ early morning tomorrow. This is obviously not an option now as I don't want to pay their cash rate.

d'Yquem

Am surprised this thread has not seen mention of the Legionnaires Disease outbreak that has afflicted the lower floors of the Hilton TLV for the past couple of weeks...

I moved my reservation to another hotel.

Greg76248

I understand that the Vista lounge is currently closed for renovation. A temporary Cista lounge is set up in the Jaffa room on the Mezzanine level. Anyone used this temporary lounge and have a report?

helosc

No children under 16 allowed in the executive lounge.
I was there week before last and they are quite strict about this, asking about age.

helosc

Point and Cash rate + normal point rate are back again.
Must have been a temporary glitch.