Hilton Bournemouth {GBR}
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,203
Yep
It's definitely smaller than the old lounge (that includes when it occupies two meeting rooms), on the plus side the fridge was stocked with coke, sparkling water and three different types of tonic as well as the lager, the cynic in me thinks that's just for a few weeks.
On this floor plan the lounge has taken over "Not so mad" and the neighbouring "Not a wind up" was also used (they have sliding partitions to join the rooms together). It's possible in future that "not a wind up" is booked as a meeting room so the lounge occupies the tiny space of just one meeting room.
I struggle to see how they'll cope in the new room even if the only people eligible for the lounge are in executive rooms and suites, if there's loads of diamonds it's going to be a disaster.
So perhaps a FT do in the summer, see how they cope
On this floor plan the lounge has taken over "Not so mad" and the neighbouring "Not a wind up" was also used (they have sliding partitions to join the rooms together). It's possible in future that "not a wind up" is booked as a meeting room so the lounge occupies the tiny space of just one meeting room.
I struggle to see how they'll cope in the new room even if the only people eligible for the lounge are in executive rooms and suites, if there's loads of diamonds it's going to be a disaster.
So perhaps a FT do in the summer, see how they cope
#137
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,368
Yep
It's definitely smaller than the old lounge (that includes when it occupies two meeting rooms), on the plus side the fridge was stocked with coke, sparkling water and three different types of tonic as well as the lager, the cynic in me thinks that's just for a few weeks.
On this floor plan the lounge has taken over "Not so mad" and the neighbouring "Not a wind up" was also used (they have sliding partitions to join the rooms together). It's possible in future that "not a wind up" is booked as a meeting room so the lounge occupies the tiny space of just one meeting room.
I struggle to see how they'll cope in the new room even if the only people eligible for the lounge are in executive rooms and suites, if there's loads of diamonds it's going to be a disaster.
So perhaps a FT do in the summer, see how they cope
It's definitely smaller than the old lounge (that includes when it occupies two meeting rooms), on the plus side the fridge was stocked with coke, sparkling water and three different types of tonic as well as the lager, the cynic in me thinks that's just for a few weeks.
On this floor plan the lounge has taken over "Not so mad" and the neighbouring "Not a wind up" was also used (they have sliding partitions to join the rooms together). It's possible in future that "not a wind up" is booked as a meeting room so the lounge occupies the tiny space of just one meeting room.
I struggle to see how they'll cope in the new room even if the only people eligible for the lounge are in executive rooms and suites, if there's loads of diamonds it's going to be a disaster.
So perhaps a FT do in the summer, see how they cope
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,203
Things are getting weird, they've added an extra fridge to the lounge but there's fewer things in it than there was on day one. Gone is the Coke and the different selection of Fever Tree tonics, apparently these were only there on day 1 as the machine that dispenses Pepsi and tonic water wasn't working. It's a mystery why there's two fridges when neither is full.
#139
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: Hyatt: Plat, HH: Dia, Spg: Au, VS: Red, Accor: Plat, BAEC: Ag, Nordic Choice: Au
Posts: 197
Things are getting weird, they've added an extra fridge to the lounge but there's fewer things in it than there was on day one. Gone is the Coke and the different selection of Fever Tree tonics, apparently these were only there on day 1 as the machine that dispenses Pepsi and tonic water wasn't working. It's a mystery why there's two fridges when neither is full.
We did say to the duty manager the lounge was not what we had been led to expect and she got very defensive, in fact rather confrontational - claiming nothing had really changed since the move and implying we were the only visitors who had an issue with it. Obviously inaccurate. The lounge seems to me to be simply a tick box item now so they can say they have one as a USP above other local hotels.
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,203
Here's a picture of the famous fridges taken at the beginning of the evening food and drinks service.
Hilton Bournemouth Executive Lounge
#142
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA, BA, Accor, Honors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite and lots more....
Posts: 2,954
I've not been there for a while. However why not report the lounge as being a problem via the app? This goes to corporate who then phone the manager at the hotel etc.
You might actually then get somewhere.
Trust me when reporting or giving feedback via the app, the hotels tend to jump.....
You might actually then get somewhere.
Trust me when reporting or giving feedback via the app, the hotels tend to jump.....
#144
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Somewhere in Europe
Posts: 3,362
About two years ago I emailed the VP of HH with a rant (I'm sure it was Aaron Glick) and in the response I got back it mentioned that going forward new Hiltons in the UK would have lounges and that a number of older ones would reflag as DTs.
About five or six months later a number of the more questionable Hiltons in the regions rebranded to Doubletree. The few new ones that have came online since then (Cambridge & Edinburgh I think) have both had lounges and the new one in Aberdeen which is due to open in September will have a lounge.
I'm not sure if this is still the current approach but what was in the email was accurate at the time. It's a shame they never continued with the reflagging of the older properties as some of them are pretty poor but thats for another thread I suppose.
About five or six months later a number of the more questionable Hiltons in the regions rebranded to Doubletree. The few new ones that have came online since then (Cambridge & Edinburgh I think) have both had lounges and the new one in Aberdeen which is due to open in September will have a lounge.
I'm not sure if this is still the current approach but what was in the email was accurate at the time. It's a shame they never continued with the reflagging of the older properties as some of them are pretty poor but thats for another thread I suppose.
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,203
Strangely I stayed at the DoubleTree Docklands when it changed from a Hilton to a DoubleTree and one of the changes during the refurbishment to DT was the addition of a lounge.
#146
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,368
Im here this coming Friday, I have been booked to host a gig at a nearby venue and have booked myself a king guest room .
I was originally going to book the Hampton to save the promoter some money but the Hilton was strangely cheaper and I get to use the pool, sauna and gym......I also will get to sample the new executive lounge too .
Im aware there have been a few negative comments about the hotel lately, I will stay and do my usual cutting edge reporting 😉😂 with an open mind and see what happens........ I like Bournemouth and Im looking forward to visiting...... will report back!
I was originally going to book the Hampton to save the promoter some money but the Hilton was strangely cheaper and I get to use the pool, sauna and gym......I also will get to sample the new executive lounge too .
Im aware there have been a few negative comments about the hotel lately, I will stay and do my usual cutting edge reporting 😉😂 with an open mind and see what happens........ I like Bournemouth and Im looking forward to visiting...... will report back!
#147
As you know wizla, Ive stayed at the Hampton the last three stays here due to the lack of qualitative differences between the two! Hope you have a great stay and that things are changing but I fear they havent! By the way, at the very least youll get more points at the Hilton! (1000 more)! Enjoy. ^
#148
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,368
As you know wizla, Ive stayed at the Hampton the last three stays here due to the lack of qualitative differences between the two! Hope you have a great stay and that things are changing but I fear they havent! By the way, at the very least youll get more points at the Hilton! (1000 more)! Enjoy. ^
#149
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Newcastle, UK
Posts: 2,378
Hey mate, Ive totally taken on board your comments from your earlier posts and I trust your judgment wholeheartedly ...... if Im honest Im not expecting great like it used to be when it first opened..... the new lounge sounds a bit pokey and Ive read some bad reviews about long queues at breakfast too ....lets see.
#150
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,368
Im struggling to upload pictures on FT ( something about a security tag? ) .
If theres anything specific you want me to ask/find out whilst there feel free to ask me.