Hilton Announces Strategic Alliance with Playa Hotels & Resorts
Sep 18, 2018, 8:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond, United Global Services
Posts: 159
Hilton Announces Strategic Alliance with Playa Hotels & Resorts
"Hilton has announced a strategic alliance with Playa Hotels & Resorts “Playa” marking a landmark expansion of the hospitality company’s all-inclusive resort portfolio.... By the end of this year, Hilton and Playa Hotels & Resorts will introduce Hilton La Romana, an All-inclusive Resort, and Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-inclusive Resort by the end of 2018...Hilton and Playa have initial plans to open eight additional all-inclusive resorts together by 2025."
https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...Hotels-Resorts
https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...Hotels-Resorts
Sep 23, 2018, 4:56 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Neither here nor there
Programs: UA Slvr, DL Slvr, AA plt, HH LTD, MR tit/LTP at least two of those buy 10 get 1 free coffee cards
Posts: 3,446
Will be interesting to see the redemption rates at these places. Both the HH properties in the Cancun /Playacar area are town hotels rather than beach resorts.
Oct 4, 2018, 1:21 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 3,259
That Playacar property is remarkably similar to the Hyatt Zilara Cancun. I guess because Zilara was formerly the Royal Cancun and the Playacar property is the Royal PDC. Same room decorations. At least one restaurant shares the same name. Was having a deja vu moment.
Oct 17, 2018, 4:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 259
Haha same thoughts here, I just got the email from hilton today about the Playa Del Carmen and when looking at the property pictures I was saying to myself they stole these pictures from Zilara Cancun lol. But after a lil research I figured it out.
Nov 12, 2018, 10:26 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,309
Imagine no one's done a stay since the changeover yet, but I'll be at the Playa del Carmen property this weekend and can report back on Diamond treatment.
Nov 30, 2018, 10:48 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,309
I hope to do a more detailed report with photos soon, but here are the cliff's notes:
- Good location right off Fifth Avenue, unusual for an all-inclusive
- Seem to be some integration issues. You are greeted on arrival by someone with a list of check-ins. Although I had booked on Hilton.com over a month earlier, no record of my reservation. Had to give them my print out and it took a full 30 minutes to sort out. They got me a drink while I waited at least.
- Only thing Diamond status got me was a one-category upgrade, which was a garden view instead of a street view. There is a room marked Hilton Honors that looked like it might be a separate check-in, but I wasn't sent there. No lounge or any other perks, although I had a wristband that was a different color than most guests and had diamonds on it. Was never told I got any extra perks from that, and didnt. No welcome letter or anything.
- Room was weird as there is a jacuzzi right in the middle. But mini-bar stocked with beer and soft drinks, and bottles of water everywhere. Pretty spacious room though lot of empty space.
- Facilities are well-maintained, everyone is very nice. Great gym.
- Was able to avoid any buffets. While the food is good for an all-inclusive, it wasn't amazing. Lots of options though.
- Main pool is very noisy, as its the "activity pool". I found a smaller pool off to the side, but it was not in the sun and had no ocean view, so a bit disappointing. Beach is fine.
- Didn't attend any of the shows. Definitely a more upscale all-inclusive than a lot of others. But if I want a full resort experience, I may stay outside of the town; if I want a town experience, I'd stay somewhere cheaper.
- Good location right off Fifth Avenue, unusual for an all-inclusive
- Seem to be some integration issues. You are greeted on arrival by someone with a list of check-ins. Although I had booked on Hilton.com over a month earlier, no record of my reservation. Had to give them my print out and it took a full 30 minutes to sort out. They got me a drink while I waited at least.
- Only thing Diamond status got me was a one-category upgrade, which was a garden view instead of a street view. There is a room marked Hilton Honors that looked like it might be a separate check-in, but I wasn't sent there. No lounge or any other perks, although I had a wristband that was a different color than most guests and had diamonds on it. Was never told I got any extra perks from that, and didnt. No welcome letter or anything.
- Room was weird as there is a jacuzzi right in the middle. But mini-bar stocked with beer and soft drinks, and bottles of water everywhere. Pretty spacious room though lot of empty space.
- Facilities are well-maintained, everyone is very nice. Great gym.
- Was able to avoid any buffets. While the food is good for an all-inclusive, it wasn't amazing. Lots of options though.
- Main pool is very noisy, as its the "activity pool". I found a smaller pool off to the side, but it was not in the sun and had no ocean view, so a bit disappointing. Beach is fine.
- Didn't attend any of the shows. Definitely a more upscale all-inclusive than a lot of others. But if I want a full resort experience, I may stay outside of the town; if I want a town experience, I'd stay somewhere cheaper.
Nov 30, 2018, 5:15 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 170
I hope to do a more detailed report with photos soon, but here are the cliff's notes:
- Good location right off Fifth Avenue, unusual for an all-inclusive
- Seem to be some integration issues. You are greeted on arrival by someone with a list of check-ins. Although I had booked on Hilton.com over a month earlier, no record of my reservation. Had to give them my print out and it took a full 30 minutes to sort out. They got me a drink while I waited at least.
- Only thing Diamond status got me was a one-category upgrade, which was a garden view instead of a street view. There is a room marked Hilton Honors that looked like it might be a separate check-in, but I wasn't sent there. No lounge or any other perks, although I had a wristband that was a different color than most guests and had diamonds on it. Was never told I got any extra perks from that, and didnt. No welcome letter or anything.
- Room was weird as there is a jacuzzi right in the middle. But mini-bar stocked with beer and soft drinks, and bottles of water everywhere. Pretty spacious room though lot of empty space.
- Facilities are well-maintained, everyone is very nice. Great gym.
- Was able to avoid any buffets. While the food is good for an all-inclusive, it wasn't amazing. Lots of options though.
- Main pool is very noisy, as its the "activity pool". I found a smaller pool off to the side, but it was not in the sun and had no ocean view, so a bit disappointing. Beach is fine.
- Didn't attend any of the shows. Definitely a more upscale all-inclusive than a lot of others. But if I want a full resort experience, I may stay outside of the town; if I want a town experience, I'd stay somewhere cheaper.
- Good location right off Fifth Avenue, unusual for an all-inclusive
- Seem to be some integration issues. You are greeted on arrival by someone with a list of check-ins. Although I had booked on Hilton.com over a month earlier, no record of my reservation. Had to give them my print out and it took a full 30 minutes to sort out. They got me a drink while I waited at least.
- Only thing Diamond status got me was a one-category upgrade, which was a garden view instead of a street view. There is a room marked Hilton Honors that looked like it might be a separate check-in, but I wasn't sent there. No lounge or any other perks, although I had a wristband that was a different color than most guests and had diamonds on it. Was never told I got any extra perks from that, and didnt. No welcome letter or anything.
- Room was weird as there is a jacuzzi right in the middle. But mini-bar stocked with beer and soft drinks, and bottles of water everywhere. Pretty spacious room though lot of empty space.
- Facilities are well-maintained, everyone is very nice. Great gym.
- Was able to avoid any buffets. While the food is good for an all-inclusive, it wasn't amazing. Lots of options though.
- Main pool is very noisy, as its the "activity pool". I found a smaller pool off to the side, but it was not in the sun and had no ocean view, so a bit disappointing. Beach is fine.
- Didn't attend any of the shows. Definitely a more upscale all-inclusive than a lot of others. But if I want a full resort experience, I may stay outside of the town; if I want a town experience, I'd stay somewhere cheaper.
I'll look forward to seeing your pics.
Dec 1, 2018, 11:38 am
#9
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,996
That seems to generally be the normal policy and procedure at all-inclusive properties of Hilton, as I encountered a similar experience at three resort properties in Hurghada in Egypt.
Dec 1, 2018, 2:14 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,309
Actually it varies. Some all inclusive properties have separate lounges. Others provide premium drinks, spa vouchers, or other perks to Elite guests.
Dec 2, 2018, 9:57 am
#11
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,996
At one of the ones in Hurghada — I forget which one at the moment — Diamond members had access to a more exclusive dining experience in a separate restaurant, which was nice. The food and service was noticeably better.
Dec 2, 2018, 11:08 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,309
To which all-inclusive properties are you specifically referring?
At one of the ones in Hurghada — I forget which one at the moment — Diamond members had access to a more exclusive dining experience in a separate restaurant, which was nice. The food and service was noticeably better.
At one of the ones in Hurghada — I forget which one at the moment — Diamond members had access to a more exclusive dining experience in a separate restaurant, which was nice. The food and service was noticeably better.
Dec 20, 2018, 6:05 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,309
(Notably, this thread is not about a single property, but since you've asked twice about the Hilton Playa del Carmen, I assume you are referring to that one.)
Have you called Hilton and asked?
Dec 20, 2018, 6:34 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 825
Sorry for the over posting, I called hilton CS and have been put on hold for 15 mins and 30 mins without an answer. The first person told me the cert was good for all hilton properties which indeed is not true as there is clearly excluded properties per the weekend award website.