I've stayed on the Gold floor at the Empress a few times and it's my favorite thus far: great service, food and views, historic building, and last I was there, an impressively huge Nespresso machine to keep me caffeinated ^

I've also stayed on the Gold floor at the Fairmont Orchid, which was lovely - I mean... Come on, it's Hawaii! For the price, however, and factoring in the resort fee and parking and all that, you could practically stay at Four Seasons Hualalai for not much more! (Free parking, amazing grounds, and free breakfast with a FHR booking).

I'm currently staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in a Gold room and though the service is amazing, I was disappointed to stop by at 10 PM and see the lounge had closed up shop! Seriously, they'd even rolled down a metal door over the Gold desk. I didn't think it was that late, but clearly Fairmont would beg to differ..

Anyone else had particularly good (or bad??) Gold experiences? I hear that the booze is free in Gold lounges in the Middle East and Asia - no honor bar? ^^