Thanks for clarifying Hilton's policy, which I am now familiar with. I guess I got lucky on my first post-Gold stay in April and got upgraded at Frankfurt Airport, so got access to the Executive lounge that way, thinking it was because I was a Gold member. I do recall getting into the EL's as a Gold the last time I had status, but that was over a decade ago.

The Helsinki front desk staff had promised a bottle of wine as part of the surprise package in my room when I checked in and was not upgraded, and when that did not occur, I think they became open to my suggestion of a drink at the bar.

I'll adjust my expectations going forward....