Non-US (and mostly non-UK) hotels as a rule treat Golds much better than in US/UK. That being said, my treatment at London Metropole was very nice - upgrade to West Wing, lounge access, very early morning check-in. Hilton Budapest was also very nice - upgrade to executive floor w/ lounge access, room w/ fantastic view of Danube River and Pest, bottle of wine and chocolates welcome gifts. At the Berlin Hilton, I received executive floor room (but no view at all) and lounge access (but it was a great lounge).

In the U.S., probably my best upgrade was a Jr. suite at the Hilton Dallas Park Cities, and a whirlpool suite (twice) at the Vacaville, CA HI.