Originally Posted by
travelinfoo
The decline of this once-favorite of mine is so sad. I was there last about 1 yr ago. Love it for the location and one of the better lounges. However, despite being a frequent customer and a Diamond, I got no upgrade. I couldn't even check-in a little early at 11 am and my room wasn't ready at 3 pm check-in time. I did get free breakfast in the restaurant vs EL.
The EL has steadily gotten more crowded over the years. The last time I was there, I just ducked in and out because it was SRO. This is the same EL where ppl were behaving really badly (taking whole bottle of liquor to their tables, taking the entire tray/plate of goodies, walking out with full bottle of wine) and really rude, to other guests as well as the staff.
So what do they do with the Golds who do not get an ER upgrade? Do they still get a restaurant breakfast? The Waldorf has always been quite strict about letting only ER and Diamond guests in the EL. Frankly, the lounge is too small to let any more than they already allow.
OT, but I read on another thread on this forum that the covent garden underground elevators are going to be out of service for some time due to a construction project? Can anyone that has stayed there in the past month or so tell me if this is the case? I am staying here in a month and will be taking the tube to and from LHR with a lot of luggage.
I stayed there for the first time in December and staying there again in July, mainly because it's the only Hilton property in that area where I can still get a decent redemption rate for points (even though the Hilton website was showing absurd redemption rates, when I called the diamond desk they were able to get me five nights for I believe 240K points).
I love the location. Very convenient being so close to the convent garden stop if you are flying into or out of LHR. Also convenient to the Chaning Cross station, the central line and I like to hang out in SOHO at night so very easy walk there.
I use to like the Trafalgar but with the deval the redemption rates are absurd when I want to stay there and I'm told they no longer give diamonds a full breakfast.
I agree about the lounge, you have to get there right when they start tea or happy hour for a seat. Sorry to hear how people are behaving in the lounge, stuff like that is why things like free booze go away. Only problem I had when I was there in December were people bringing in other guests that weren't diamonds and having access to the lounge computer to print things out. There are two computers in the lounge and there were the same two teens continually using both. The one day I finally said something to the dragon and she made one of them get off the computer so I could print something out I needed.
When I was there in December they still weren't allowing gold's access unless they were in an exec room. I remember an American DYKWIA gold having a fit at reception because has was a "gold VIP" and never had problems getting lounge access in the US by just asking. They get a continental breakfast in the restaurant. I didn't ask about other breakfast options since the lounge always had seats when I was there (it was only afternoon and happy hour it was crowded), so not sure if a continental option is available in the restaurant for diamonds or not. They always had eggs and sausage in the lounge so that was ok for me. I hope they keep the policy in place about not allowing gold's, the lounge is too crowded as it is. I think the offerings outside of tea and happy hour are awful though. The happy hour alcohol is good though, absolut for the vodka and they have Bailey's. I like going during tea to grab a finger sandwich and then at happy hour for a light snack and cocktail before the theater.