I have a stay planned in early December. Hopefully all the construction will be done by then and I can provide an updated stay report. I admit to being disappointed in the planned treatment for diamonds. The removal of lounge access (palm beach club) makes this a fairly unattractive property for diamonds. Additionally, they charge a 14.5% resort fee to cover the cost of what are standard diamond benefits (internet, health club, etc). When I wrote the property asking about diamond benefits, this is the response I received:

As a Diamond member on our Resort you the guest get free Premium Wi-Fi.

1. Late check-out & express check-out
2. Complimentary bottled water
3. 5th night free on Standard room reward stays
4. Complimentary fitness center/health club access
5. Complimentary high speed internet access
6. Complimentary space available room upgrades based on occupancy on arrival day
7. 50% bonus on all base points
8. Complimentary continental breakfast at Laguna Restaurant and bonus points based on Food & beverage Consuming.

For the most part, these seem like standard "gold" benefits, even if I wasn't a diamond member or paying an additional 14.5% resort fee.

Finally, I am currently booked in a paid/premium suite, but was told that even that rate does not qualify for palm beach club access. Supposedly the Palm Beach Club provides "exclusive services for our sophisticated guests" which apparently don't include Hilton Diamond members that are willing to pay Hilton.com rates for suites.