Since the merging of the two Hilton firms a number of years ago, the growth of Hampton outside the US has been prolific. In many markets Hamptons are the only HHonors property in a city (even a country) and have been designed at a higher standard than is common in the US, especially as a HHonors brand entry to a city or country. E.g breakfast is typically unrecognisable compared to US properties. Many have full-service restaurants and bars, and multi-brand properties have spas and shops which mean incidental charges can be put on the room far beyond the standard tuck shop.

So poorly understood is this grey area in the Terms and Conditions that I had to politely correct senior management at a European multi-brand who were incorrectly advertising and advising guests that charges made to their folio would accrue points in addition to the room rate. I am aware of hotels manipulating the rates in order to satisfy their most loyal customers who were short changed from spending significant amounts in their F&B outlets.

Home2Suites and Homewood are quite different to the way Hilton have franchised the Hampton brand throughout the world. Hampton would be the right start to amend this policy and encourage folio spend. The current strategy severely disadvantages hotels are either forced to (franchise agreements) or have chosen to have full service amenities such as restaurants. The main purpose of the programme is to drive spend, I personally feel disadvantaged when purchasing additional products and services from Hampton properties due to the "short changing" of the current HHonors terms.

Is it not time that HHonors looked to change this situation?