Why are Hilton in US so much worse than Hilton branded hotels in other countries?
#31
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,737
It hasn't been mentioned that the Hilton brand in the US and internationally was managed by two separate entities for a long time until like 2006, when the US parent reacquired the formerly independent international franchising company. Aside from all the other good reasons mentioned here, that historical division may also explain some of the different standards.
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,554
In terms of Hilton in particular I wonder if they should try to tighten their elite benefits. A lot of people both earn Hilton status and get it from credit cards. A lot of people seem to earn status staying at a bunch of DoubleTree, Hampton, etc. Maybe limit free continental breakfast to Diamond, and give a better breakfast allowance to true Diamond (those that earn it with stays). It would hurt me but I think this makes sense
As it is, the changes in the hotel industry overall are pushing more of our non-business stays to Airbnb and other alternatives.
#33
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TSV, Australia
Posts: 2,401
The Hiltons in Australia, where I’m from, and the Hiltons in Asia and the Middle East, which are the other regions I’ve mostly stayed in Hiltons are clearly pitched as five star hotels.
I don’t know if this is the same in the US.
I don’t know if this is the same in the US.
#34
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,554
I think of a good mainline business hotel (the Hilton/Doubletree brands) as 3-star hotels. But I don't believe Forbes actually gives that rating. AAA does but I'm never really sure if any given hotel actually *has* it - I just know roughly what it looks like, and it looks like a Hilton.
A hotel has to decide whether to go for a 4 or a 5 and then sink a lot of money into preparing for the evaluation of both their hard and soft product. Or conversely, if they were built as a 4 or 5 from the beginning, they have to keep it up and be periodically re-evaluated. I had an acquaintance who was a concierge-in-training at a Ritz that spent year preparing to be evaluated for a star rating. I suspect most W=A's have done this but beyond that, it's pretty rare.
#35
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Manhattan, Palm Beach Island, San Francisco, Boston, & Hong Kong
Programs: Lifetime United Global Services, Delta Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador, & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,165
Edit:
I just counted. Between Waldrof Astoria and Conrad, Hilton has 2 Forbes Five Star hotels and 19 Forbes Four Star hotels. Hilton has 6200+ properties.
St. Regis alone has 11 Forbes Five Star hotels and 17 Forbes Four Star hotels. St. Regis has 46 properties.
Last edited by WasKnown; Jul 15, 2021 at 7:27 am