Hilton Sonoma Wine Country {US-CA} [closed due to fire Oct 2017]
Nov 6, 2017, 7:42 am
#121
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 921
My wife and I were staying at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country the night of the fire and we're fortunate to have escaped with the clothes on our backs. None of the emergency equipment worked and the only way were alerted was by a person knocking on doors yelling get out the hotel is on fire. The Hilton has contacted us by email twice, in each message we were told how our safety was their number one priority which our experience seemed to say otherwise. The emails to me reeked of a legal disclaimer angle and just shows how a corporation looks out for their customers.
There's been numerous stories in the past about people on airlines grabbing their carryons prior to going down the emergency slide, with many people reminding them that something like that is the worst thing they could've done. It slows down the evacuation process and luggage could possibly rip or tear the slides.
Without being there at the hotel, it's tough to say exactly what happened. I had considered a possibly was that the power grid was out for an entire area, which means that there was no power getting to the Hilton in the first place, which would explain the lack of lights and alarms.
Being that everyone got out without injury, with hotel employees probably verifying everyone got out, that does seem to indicate that they cared about your safety. What else did you want them to do?
Nov 7, 2017, 3:27 am
#122
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 4
It's a tough call. What does every single person say about a fire or emergency? LEAVE! Don't sit there and pack up your belongings. Just get out.
There's been numerous stories in the past about people on airlines grabbing their carryons prior to going down the emergency slide, with many people reminding them that something like that is the worst thing they could've done. It slows down the evacuation process and luggage could possibly rip or tear the slides.
Without being there at the hotel, it's tough to say exactly what happened. I had considered a possibly was that the power grid was out for an entire area, which means that there was no power getting to the Hilton in the first place, which would explain the lack of lights and alarms.
Being that everyone got out without injury, with hotel employees probably verifying everyone got out, that does seem to indicate that they cared about your safety. What else did you want them to do?
There's been numerous stories in the past about people on airlines grabbing their carryons prior to going down the emergency slide, with many people reminding them that something like that is the worst thing they could've done. It slows down the evacuation process and luggage could possibly rip or tear the slides.
Without being there at the hotel, it's tough to say exactly what happened. I had considered a possibly was that the power grid was out for an entire area, which means that there was no power getting to the Hilton in the first place, which would explain the lack of lights and alarms.
Being that everyone got out without injury, with hotel employees probably verifying everyone got out, that does seem to indicate that they cared about your safety. What else did you want them to do?
I guess the fact that we got out safe is all that matters. But safety devices are to be operated by battery in case of power outages. Emergency lighting is supposed to turn on as soon as the power goes out.
Mar 2, 2018, 6:36 pm
#123
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: alexandria, va
Programs: aa exp, 4.4mm; hh diamond
Posts: 166
Not sure what this means, but the Hilton website now lists this property as "coming soon". I thought I had read that ownership had decided not to reopen. Great to hear, if true.
May 13, 2018, 3:46 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29020225-post115.html
(The verbiage, "Hilton Sonoma Wine Country is currently closed due to damages sustained during recent wildfires" is still there right next to the "coming soon" as of today, 7+ months after the fire.)
