DISCUSSION for Hilton Honors Hotels in California, USA {US-CA}
Dec 15, 2013, 12:08 pm
#691
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
I find ES manager hours are often a zoo, with "food" pretty much related to chips and salsa. If you contact the HS ahead of time, I'm sure they'll tell you what the evening reception offering will be for the days you'd be there. Even if it's something you guys might not like, you can always down there for drinks (and sodas). The couple of times I've experienced their receptions the wine and beer were decent quality, not Bud Lite or a thimble of plonk. One place they came around with bottles refilling glasses like an aircraft FC cabin, and at the other the hostess seemed genuinely disappointed that I wasn't going have a third glass of wine, as I was putting my dishes in the bon near her station.
Dec 16, 2013, 9:14 am
#692
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,507
I participated in a fun bicycle ride in November, started at UCR Palm Desert, stayed at the nearby Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert. While a bit of a ride from town, the property is new, modern, one of the nicest Hampton's I have ever seen - great for a budget stay. There is also a new Homewood Suites nearby, did not check it out.
Dec 31, 2013, 5:27 pm
#693
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
Thought I'd chime in with an update. We just stayed at the Embassy Suites La Quinta. Parking was free and plentiful. Short walk to Ralph's for groceries, and many stores and restaurants in the same center, just a walk (or very short drive) away. The room was, well, roomy... the bedroom was walled off by a door, which was great for keeping the kids' noise out! The breakfast, per the reviews, was awesome, daily, and free for all five of us. The manager's reception was great too... unlimited wine and beer every night, which we took advantage of. No real food to speak of, but the drinks were great. The property was well-kept, the staff was okay, and we lucked out with weather low 70s to low 80s every day. The pool was sufficient, but certainly not impressive... would have preferred a nicer/bigger one with more room on the deck in particular, but we knew going in that it would be limited. Overall, for 120K points, extremely pleased.
I'm still interested in giving the HS La Quinta a try, based upon the earlier suggestions. The nicer pool and full dinner would make a difference. Would miss the easy access to the nearby shopping/restaurants, but with a car, a short drive isn't a big deal. Maybe will burn points in another account there in 2014.
Thanks again for all the help!
I'm still interested in giving the HS La Quinta a try, based upon the earlier suggestions. The nicer pool and full dinner would make a difference. Would miss the easy access to the nearby shopping/restaurants, but with a car, a short drive isn't a big deal. Maybe will burn points in another account there in 2014.
Thanks again for all the help!
Jan 1, 2014, 2:36 pm
#695
Used to be 'FTcadence'
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SAN
Posts: 432
Mystery Guest Picks Up All the Tabs at Hilton Hotel Location in California
About 50 guests at a Hilton in Northern California woke up to find their night's stay paid for.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/t...-1226793107944
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/t...-1226793107944
Jan 1, 2014, 3:18 pm
#697
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
While it is nice for the people staying in the hotel, I can't help wondering how much good the same financial gesture could have done for the right charity.
Jan 1, 2014, 3:20 pm
#698
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,204
(And of course for the donor, who could have claimed that back off the top line of his or her taxes).
Seriously, it's a fair point but was probably a moment of madness by a lucky gambler, rather than a calculated gesture, so it's most likely not an either/or scenario.
Seriously, it's a fair point but was probably a moment of madness by a lucky gambler, rather than a calculated gesture, so it's most likely not an either/or scenario.
Jan 1, 2014, 4:05 pm
#699
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag™ DYKWIA: SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night: Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,509
Hope none of the guests were staying just to qualify for Gold or Diamond! 
One of the guests was quoted as saying they will donate what they would've spent to charity, and I bet others will pay it forward. 
Jan 1, 2014, 4:16 pm
#700
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
This kind of second-guessing is really beside the point, isn't it? I mean one could easily say the same thing about, oh I don't know, all the money gambled away in Las Vegas. "It should all have been given to charity!"
The fact is that in a capitalist society we have the freedom to do what we want, for the most part, with our capital.
Jan 1, 2014, 4:31 pm
#701
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 38
Did you give Christmas presents (or birthday presents) to any of your family members? Maybe it would have been better to donate the money to charity.
