And did they upgrade this time?[/QUOTE]
Yes they did but it was after a struggle this time. I booked two rooms and they tried to give me a "deluxe family room" which really wasn't that great for the 5 of us. I dug in and explained 1) this wasn't really an upgrade 2) they gave me far better the year before and 3) this time I had arranged for my group to take another 7 rooms. After 30 minutes we were allocated the same type of suite as last year which was wonderful. No HHonors amenity or anything (again) but since I had signed up for bonus miles I was very pleased when I saw how many I got for the trip. My only regret is that 4 of the other rooms were for non HH members and I should not have been so shy and should have put them on my booking!