evergrn

I have no issues with people critiquing the quality of EL in N.America. There are valid grounds for those complaints. But that is different than to say "I don't need EL" or "Get rid of them if they're not going to improve them," which are sentiments expressed numerous times on this thread. Those are the comments I take issue with. I too wish EL's were better in America. But even if Hilton does not heed those critiques and does not improve the lounge, there are plenty of people like me who'd want them to keep the current product rather than to get rid of it. And as I said before, no one has anything to gain by having EL phased out. I doubt it will lead to lower rates or some kind of generous vouchers.

I've never seen an EL that was completely worthless. Perhaps my standards are lower than others, but I can say I've been to a couple Crowne Plaza club lounges and airport lounges that were completely worthless. On the whole Regency clubs tend to be better, but some EL's in N.America are actually pretty good. Most offer enough things for evening spread that makes it good enough for dinner. Even in US, I seek out properties that have EL.

dmodemd

This is an aberration and I am not sure if it is still there, but the DoubleTree Suites near Houston Galleria has a pretty nice lounge spread in the evenings as well as decent breakfast. A few years ago they even grabbed an adjoining room to expand it further. They also have a wine/beer hors d'oeuvres reception in the lobby on Wednesday evenings where all are welcome! It really is up to each property to decide what they want to do. Most other Doubletrees laugh when I ask if they have a lounge...

Athena53

This is the part that bothers me. While I appreciated the response from Lauren, the HHonors representative on here, reassuring us that there are no plans at corporate level to phase out lounges, this is an area where they give wide latitude to individual properties- just as they allow hotels such as the Paris Opera to have award stays only for "premium" rooms at 126,000 points per night. Is it up to individual hotels to decide whether to provide Wi-Fi or a pool or a TV in the rooms? Probably not- guests expect them when they book a Hilton property. Saying that there are no plans to phase out Executive Lounges but allowing individual hotels to close theirs, IMO, is allowing them to degrade the quality of the Hilton brand since customers no longer know what to expect.

flysmart2

Just one more argument: If someone books via a broker Hilton has to pay a fee - this could be as high as until 25 Percent.
If a Gold or Diamond books directly: They could spent a part of this money into customer loyalty with a reasonable Executive Lounge!
This is the way many many Hilton Hotels go!

Morrissey

FlyerTalker688786

@MorrisseyThank you for the head up. I will certainly avoid Conrad Singapore in future!

more4less

+1

evergrn

I have to correct myself.
DT Torrance has undergone renovation, but their EL remains closed and apparently there are no definite plans to reopen it.
Very disappointing.

yurtripper

I've got a trip lined up for early November. I will stay there ONE night just so my partner can collect her Conrad Bear. Apart from that, I'll look elsewhere.

What with this, and the recent FT rumours that Conrad HK is going to leave the brand, it makes Diamond look less worth keeping.

username

I think lounges are an important benefit for being a Diamond and I hope they don't disappear.

mcgahat

I think it was pretty quickly put to rest that that was not true.

evergrn

According to pg.9 of this link, only ~1/4 of Hiltons and ~10% of Doubletrees in the US are managed by Hilton. All the rest just have franchise agreements.
Wonder how this compares to Hyatt, Marriott/Renaissance, Sheraton/Westin, etc.

This leads to 2 concerns:
1). Statement by Lauren that Hilton is committed to EL, but that it's up to franchised properties to make their own decisions, is not at all reassuring for the future of EL's in US.
2). Perhaps I don't understand enough about the hotel industry, but what's in it for a franchised Hilton to go well beyond the franchise agreement and minimum Hilton standards (which I presume are fairly extensive and expensive to begin with) by doing something like providing outstanding EL offerings? I would think that directly-managed properties tend to do more in order to elevate the brand status.

retiredfromhilton

You may have an exaggerated idea of how much difference there is between an owner's leverage in a managed property versus one that is franchised. In either case, the owner is the owner. And these days owners are very much in the driver's seat in negotiations with brand managers. If the owners find it in their interest to build or keep a lounge, there will be one. Otherwise, there will not. The few thousand entities that own properties flying Hilton-brand banners are remarkable in many ways - not least in that a very high proportion of those entities (or major partners in the REIT's that own the hotels) are owners of nearby properties managed by or franchised from Marriott, IHG, etc. If changing the amenities in one of their hotels drives guests elsewhere, there is a reasonable chance that the hotel owner will fare better than the brand owner.

There has been much chatter of late by owners that the number of diamond members is mushrooming so quickly that existing lounges are becoming sources of guest dissatisfaction because they are packed to the gills. More diamond members are similarly a disincentive to include new lounges in renovations or new projects as they now require more space than they did in the past. It will be interesting to see how this plays out as some luxury and full-service brands are toying with ideas to 'customize the guest experience' in ways that might make lounges passe. I honestly do not know what those words means. I fear that the marketing-babble translates to 'offer less, charge more' - rather like Chicago's new Conrad, which is supposed to be such a treat to stay in that guests not staying in suites will not miss having a bathtub, much less a soaking tub.

eponymous_coward

Evening receptions for all hotel guests. Beverage stations available to guests. Comp appetizers or drinks in on-property restaurants as part of a special room rate (and given as an upgrade to Diamond members). Think the things that Kimpton does.

gengar

Even my suite at the Conrad Chicago didn't have a tub! (All that said, that's the least of the reasons not to stay there...)