Birthday Surprises for Diamond Members?
May 16, 2012, 3:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: HHonors (Diamond), SPG, Marriott Rewards, ALoyalty, Club Carlson, M&M
Posts: 117
Birthday Surprises for Diamond Members?
Did anyone ever receive a birthday surprise, spending his birthday at a HHonors property? If so, how did you inform them it was your birthday? Do you think a comment like "Would very much appreciate a late late checkout, as it's my xxth birthday ;-)" would get me a cake? Or maybe even a late late check-out? :-)
May 16, 2012, 3:59 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Long Beach
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,171
I asked for a late checkout last year at la quinta resort and spa and told them it was because it was the wife's birthday(it really was) we got a late check-out and placed in suite.(we do go to this property about 5 time a year)
May 16, 2012, 4:39 pm
#3
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
Most international properties look at your passport as part of check in. I've gotten cakes at both the Moorea Hilton and the Colombo Hilton thanks to that. At the Colombo Hilton, word obviously was passed amongst the staff. An attendant in the executive lounge insisted on giving me a second cake.
At Le Meridien Vienna (Starwood) I was given a bunch of helium balloons tied to a small box with an individual piece of their wonderful Impertial Torte. There was a strip of black paper with lettering in white wishing me a happy birthday from the staff. Sadly, this was on check out (my birthday morning) and the balloons had to be jetizoned as I was enroute to the airport.
At Le Meridien Vienna (Starwood) I was given a bunch of helium balloons tied to a small box with an individual piece of their wonderful Impertial Torte. There was a strip of black paper with lettering in white wishing me a happy birthday from the staff. Sadly, this was on check out (my birthday morning) and the balloons had to be jetizoned as I was enroute to the airport.
May 16, 2012, 6:10 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO/STS
Programs: UA Gold-1MM, Hhonors Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 1,090
I once put a small note in the reservation that it was my Mom's birthday, and we needed 2 beds (not the king, which was the cheapest room to book), we arrived very late at night to a room filled with streamers and roses. My Mom cried she was so happy, I actually was so tired I did not even see it when I walked into the room. If you send an email before your trip, I am sure they will leave you a little surprise if you are looking for a specific surprise, then I would nicely mention it as a request.
Any way, Happy Birthday!
Any way, Happy Birthday!
May 16, 2012, 7:06 pm
#5
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
May 17, 2012, 7:19 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Programs: UA 1 .6 MM,Ethiad Gold,Virgin Silver,Marriott Gold,HHonors Diamond,SPG Gold,BA Blue (ish)
Posts: 669
As long as when they wish me Happy Birthday they say that I don't look that old 
Had cake,champers at Conrad Bangkok and various Hiltons around the world - though nothing EVER at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square (and a regular there but this hotel is tight with everything !)
Had cake,champers at Conrad Bangkok and various Hiltons around the world - though nothing EVER at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square (and a regular there but this hotel is tight with everything !)
May 17, 2012, 10:06 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
Other than 1)hotel sees your birthdate on you passport or 2)you put in a comment about this being a birthday stay, how would a hotel figure out that you will be staying there on your birthday???
May 17, 2012, 11:42 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Programs: DL Plat, HH Dia, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 327
I have been lucky enough to once receive a fruit plate. Other occasions I have received a card. I usually make a note about celebrating my birthday in the reservation in the hopes of an improved upgrade.
May 17, 2012, 1:08 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
I've noted a landmark anniversary on a reservation and gotten a nice room. I can't say it was nicer than I otherwise would have gotten, but I like to think it was.
Once, on a Starwood stay, I was given the grandest of rooms I've ever had or seen on my birthday. Turns out it was just a coincidence. (I was a 100+/day per year guest at that hotel, it was a really low occupancy Sunday night, and it was the only significant upgrade I ever had.)
Once, on a Starwood stay, I was given the grandest of rooms I've ever had or seen on my birthday. Turns out it was just a coincidence. (I was a 100+/day per year guest at that hotel, it was a really low occupancy Sunday night, and it was the only significant upgrade I ever had.)
May 17, 2012, 3:17 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
Programs: Marriott Ambassador (Titanium Lifetime), BA Gold, Ex-Hertz 5* PC, Ex-HH Diamond, Ex-BD*G
Posts: 3,062
The Hilton in Cologne gave me a very nice, and sizeable, chocolate cake last year - still not certain how they worked out it was my birthday, I may have put it in the comments box. Certainly was appreciated and generated a very nice tripadvisor review.
May 17, 2012, 3:51 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YYZ/DLC
Programs: AP, HHonours Diamond
Posts: 3,722
Did anyone ever receive a birthday surprise, spending his birthday at a HHonors property? If so, how did you inform them it was your birthday? Do you think a comment like "Would very much appreciate a late late checkout, as it's my xxth birthday ;-)" would get me a cake? Or maybe even a late late check-out? :-)
May 17, 2012, 5:10 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: YYC
Programs: WJ Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 75
At The Boulders (W=A) in Arizona, I received a note from the guest services manager along with two beverages at the lobby bar. I thought it was a nice touch! I had mentioned to the concierge it was my birthday when I was planning my stay. (And FWIW, I absolutely enjoyed every minute of that stay!) 