Really? That has not been my experience, particularly with Hiltons.

Even when a blizzard caused my arrival flight to be cancelled at the connecting airport, stranding me there (the airline kindly put me up for the night) and causing me to miss the hotel I had reserved, and I called the hotel to explain, they charged for the missed reservation.

Hotel pointed out that my call was after the time for cancellation without penalty; I pointed out that I called as soon as I could after the flight was cancelled. That cut no ice with the hotel.

In all fairness, while it would have been nice of Hilton to waive the charge, I didn't feel harshly used. After all, I did make the reservation and I did not show up nor did I cancel within the time allowed, and my failure to show up was not the fault of Hilton. Anyway, I paid for a room, and I got a room (granted it was a different room, in a different city, paid for by the airline, but it was a room).