Hhhonors rep, who is the one quoted, works for corporate. Thus it is clear that they fully condone it.

Yes, I am aware.

But if Hilton does make these changes, it becomes more of a level playing field.

If all other things become equal, I feel that the Marriott properties are overall nicer.

We have stayed with Hilton because of the EL's and breakfasts, but I seem to read more and more stories about these perks being reduced or removed.

What Requirement?
 

There are several Hiltons without lounges and some have been closed recently (I'm looking at you, Hilton Disney Springs). You would think that having consistency across the Hilton brand would be important but apparently it isn't.

As for Hilton Aruba, we stayed there in April and were underwhelmed by the hotel in general and by the lounge in particular. I regret to say that no lounge is worse than a bad one, so this is still a step in the wrong direction.

If HACR&C wants to create a Palm Beach Club they should give thought to relocating the lounge, instead of eliminating it. There are far too many Diamonds and Golds who will be disappointed with this decision. The hotel's management should know what the expectations of a franchise are before they sign up.

My episode at this property as a Gold was so poor that I'm okay with it being a "once in a lifetime" experience (i.e. I'm not planning on going back).

PSA - check your award reservations for pricing changes. I had the week of Christmas @ 80K, but noticed it dropped to 60K a night. Nice savings for rebooking!

Bump.
any recent stays?

Checked in as HH gold with Radisson award booking. They will not honor the gold breakfast because booked with Rad.

I have a stay planned in early December. Hopefully all the construction will be done by then and I can provide an updated stay report. I admit to being disappointed in the planned treatment for diamonds. The removal of lounge access (palm beach club) makes this a fairly unattractive property for diamonds. Additionally, they charge a 14.5% resort fee to cover the cost of what are standard diamond benefits (internet, health club, etc). When I wrote the property asking about diamond benefits, this is the response I received:

As a Diamond member on our Resort you the guest get free Premium Wi-Fi.

1. Late check-out & express check-out
2. Complimentary bottled water
3. 5th night free on Standard room reward stays
4. Complimentary fitness center/health club access
5. Complimentary high speed internet access
6. Complimentary space available room upgrades based on occupancy on arrival day
7. 50% bonus on all base points
8. Complimentary continental breakfast at Laguna Restaurant and bonus points based on Food & beverage Consuming.

For the most part, these seem like standard "gold" benefits, even if I wasn't a diamond member or paying an additional 14.5% resort fee.

Finally, I am currently booked in a paid/premium suite, but was told that even that rate does not qualify for palm beach club access. Supposedly the Palm Beach Club provides "exclusive services for our sophisticated guests" which apparently don't include Hilton Diamond members that are willing to pay Hilton.com rates for suites.

This wasn't my experience. I just completed a 2-night stay (booked with 50k CC points), and added a third (paid) night once I got to the hotel. I did e-mail the hotel in advance to have them input my HH number into the reservation, so it showed up in my Hilton account and they could see I was gold. At check-in he included the breakfast vouchers without me asking. The gold breakfast was served at Laguna, the same place as the buffet, and included a plate of 3-4 breakfast pastries, a fruit bowl (with good fruit, like fresh papaya and berries), juice and tea/coffee.

Interestingly, the rate to add a 3rd night at check-in was about $20 cheaper than what was available online.

We just returned from a 4 night stay and would like to offer the following observations.

We arrived by taxi after flying CLT-MIA-AUA, greeting warmly and recognized as a Diamond by receiving a packet of coupons, to include appetizers and a $20.00 credit at the casino. We received the exact room we reserved on points, a partial sea view.

There was a flurry of activity getting the open air lobby tidying up for the grand reopening ceremony that was occurring the next day. Afterwards all guests received a free BBQ dinner. Score!

The room was clean, modern and spacious, good view of the water.

Unlike what I have read around the interweb I didn't see that the staff was particularly friendly or caring, as a matter of fact most seemed pretty disinterested.

The grounds were immaculate and we loved the beach.

On day two we woke to not having any water in the bathroom. Since we showered the night before and were going 4x4ing and we had a bottle of water we were able to brush out teeth and all. The water was working well when we returned that night.

The next evening, after a day adventuring about, we didn't have hot water to shower. I went to the lobby and asked to speak to the duty manager and explained my frustrations with the water situation. The first thing out of his mouth was that the water wasn't cold, but tepid. I told him that I took a shower and I certainly know what cold water on my skin feels like. He gave me a $75 credit against my incidentals.

I took the casino coupons and turned the $20 credit, $10 and $25 match coupons into $460 which more than covered the taxes and fees for the miles booked flight and incidentals for the hotel stay.

We looked forward to this stay and were disappointed because of the water issues. Not sure I will stay again.

Just checked in a few minutes ago. The property so far seems ok, rooms are comfortable and refreshed.

I'd have to say that we got exactly what we booked, no more no less. Not sure the Diamond recognition was great. We booked partial ocean views the first 2 nights and garden views the next 7. Was asked to move rooms due to high occupancy - ok. Asked if something with 2 queen beds was available as an upgrade, told none - but website clearly shows other rooms with 2 queen beds. Asked if it were possible to get breakfast vouchers for kids as well - no luck.

So again, no more, no less. We'll enjoy our time here no doubt, but there are plenty of other choices likely.

Thanks for the info. I got an email today from HHonors advertising this very hotel and was checking it out on their website. Now I will keep looking before choosing where to stay.

So happy that I skipped the Hilton (earlier this month) and stayed at the Marriott. No free breakfast, I knew that going in but they always upgrade my room.

Last time we stayed at the Ritz Carlton.. booked the cheapest room and upgraded to a huge ocean front suite. Not club level so no free breakfast, but I guess no free breakfast at Hilton either. :p

In all fairness, there is free breakfast for 2 at the Hilton and it is decent. I've been skipping it so that my wife + kids can eat.

Are they still giving Gold Members a credit for breakfast to be used at Gilligans?