Originally Posted by
xychromosome
Keep in mind that Hilton is doing away with concierge lounges at most if not all of it's properties.
While there have been reports of lounge closures on FT, it's not fair to characterize isolated local changes as a chain-wide initiative. If anything, reports here indicate that corporate has been requiring previously lounge-less Hilton (as in, Hilton the brand) properties to incorporate one during renovations.
Originally Posted by
xychromosome
That being said, I prefer a credit to their in-house restaurant for a fresh made to order breakfast than a usual [executive lounge] buffet of sad eggs and stale bread any day of the week, so this change is no a devaluation IMHO.
Executive lounges in U.S. are generally so poor that I wouldn't miss them. Breakfast is always inferior to restaurant offering, and evening receptions are often grim (i.e., cash bar with mediocre wine and beer, bulk bowls of chips and salsa, a deep fried hors d'oeuvre or two, etc.).
International lounges are typically much better, though, and guaranteed access to them as a Diamond is definitely a valuable benefit.
Originally Posted by
Alohashirt
Marriott-branded hotels are still decent, but I'm also traveling to places where more of their brands have either breakfast-only lounges or none at all (W and Westin). I was not aware that Hilton was doing away with lounges-- that's definitely a minus in my comparison. Breakfast vouchers in a hotel restaurant are generally worth nothing to me, since my company's per diem is more than enough to cover breakfast.
What are you looking for in an executive lounge if not breakfast? I fear you'll be disappointed with Hilton's U.S. offering.