Hilton Auckland {NZL}
Feb 12, 2010, 2:31 pm
#154
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: In between BRU, BSL , AOI and the rest of the world
Programs: BAEC Gold, LX Sen, HH Diamond, SPG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 187
Feb 17, 2010, 12:15 am
#155
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,090
I am booked there in March and now kicking myself for not booking the Westin
There is also the possibility of mold in the hotel which is a health risk to stay there
Thanks for the heads up ^
There is also the possibility of mold in the hotel which is a health risk to stay there
Thanks for the heads up ^
Last edited by 777 global mile hound; Feb 17, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Feb 18, 2010, 10:57 pm
#156
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: KSPB
Programs: AS, HH, UA, IHG
Posts: 76
Not exactly recent...
Mrs. O'mal and I stayed one night at the Aukland Hilton in March 2009 after a canceled CHC-AKL flight caused us to miss our connection to LAX. Arranged the award stay while waiting for the later flight, about 3 hours prior to arrival.
Not only did we get a Bow Suite, but it was the first floor and the deck was essentally half the hotel footprint. Breakfast was stated as the standard continental but waitress gave us access to the full buffet for no additional charge.
Desk, bell and concierge staff very helpful and positive. The hotel itself is a bit of a walk down the pier from town but the view makes up for it. One of the best Hilton stays I've had and finally had a good upgrade when I was not traveling alone. We are planning to stay here next year although the Diamond upgrade probably won't be as great.
Not only did we get a Bow Suite, but it was the first floor and the deck was essentally half the hotel footprint. Breakfast was stated as the standard continental but waitress gave us access to the full buffet for no additional charge.
Desk, bell and concierge staff very helpful and positive. The hotel itself is a bit of a walk down the pier from town but the view makes up for it. One of the best Hilton stays I've had and finally had a good upgrade when I was not traveling alone. We are planning to stay here next year although the Diamond upgrade probably won't be as great.
Feb 20, 2010, 1:34 pm
#157
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Zurich
Programs: BA GGL, TK*G EL, KL P ELPL, ex AB P, ex LH/LX Sen, HHonors D4L, Bonvoy P
Posts: 1,647
Just a very recent update on the Auckland situation. I've stay in both the Hilton and the Westin this month. In both hotels I booked the cheapest room with king-size bed available on the internet. And this is what I got:
Hilton
As a Diamond VIP I got a free upgrade to the Bow Suite - which was slightly impaired by the renovation work. But nothing major, just bathroom windows were covered by a permanent blind. Still, the Bow Suite and especially its balcony are fantastic. I also got a free continental breakfast buffet in White's, but would have had to pay an additional NZD 10 for the full buffet. I didn't get any other amenities, such as a fruit platter to the room. Bottom line: I got exactly what I'm entitled to as a Diamond VIP, but nothing more.
Westin
As (lowly) SPG Gold I got a free upgrade to the Deluxe Room, which is about the size of the Bow Suite, but only with a very small balcony. The room, like the entire hotel, looked newer, fresher. Obviously, I was charged NZD 25 for the continental breakfast (nobody ever promised free breakfast for SPG Gold), but I was given the promised late check-out.
Bottom line: Both stays were absolutely fine and I got everything I was entitled to. I'd rate the Westin slightly higher, unless you really have a lot of spare time to enjoy the Bow Suite balcony. However, given the proximity of the findings, price is a valid argument for both - neither one is really worth a much higher price.
Hilton
As a Diamond VIP I got a free upgrade to the Bow Suite - which was slightly impaired by the renovation work. But nothing major, just bathroom windows were covered by a permanent blind. Still, the Bow Suite and especially its balcony are fantastic. I also got a free continental breakfast buffet in White's, but would have had to pay an additional NZD 10 for the full buffet. I didn't get any other amenities, such as a fruit platter to the room. Bottom line: I got exactly what I'm entitled to as a Diamond VIP, but nothing more.
Westin
As (lowly) SPG Gold I got a free upgrade to the Deluxe Room, which is about the size of the Bow Suite, but only with a very small balcony. The room, like the entire hotel, looked newer, fresher. Obviously, I was charged NZD 25 for the continental breakfast (nobody ever promised free breakfast for SPG Gold), but I was given the promised late check-out.
Bottom line: Both stays were absolutely fine and I got everything I was entitled to. I'd rate the Westin slightly higher, unless you really have a lot of spare time to enjoy the Bow Suite balcony. However, given the proximity of the findings, price is a valid argument for both - neither one is really worth a much higher price.
Feb 20, 2010, 5:08 pm
#158
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,090
Thanks for the great trip report/update swiss global
My concern staying at the Hilton is mold its a health hazard and you cant see it or smell it when it gets inside a building where water or moisture has entered.I have a friend whose family member who claims they developed a form of cancer after exposure.They too had a similar problem in their home.
Jut curious
Who had a better breakfast Westin or Hilton
and how substantial would you say the leaks are in the building?
Thanks for the feedback
My concern staying at the Hilton is mold its a health hazard and you cant see it or smell it when it gets inside a building where water or moisture has entered.I have a friend whose family member who claims they developed a form of cancer after exposure.They too had a similar problem in their home.
Jut curious
Who had a better breakfast Westin or Hilton
and how substantial would you say the leaks are in the building?
Thanks for the feedback
Feb 21, 2010, 12:48 am
#159
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Zurich
Programs: BA GGL, TK*G EL, KL P ELPL, ex AB P, ex LH/LX Sen, HHonors D4L, Bonvoy P
Posts: 1,647
Well, not that I'm an expert - but most species of mold can be spotted. I didn't see any. Probably the danger is also greater if you live in house which is affected for 300 plus days a year ... As it looks they have torn down the entire facade and already built up a new one. This exercise should be completed in reasonable time.
I found both breakfast buffets about the same. The cheese board was a bit better at Hilton, but Westin had the better wholemeal bread ... bottom line the same.
I really think for my future stays I will go by price, as the pros and cons really balance somehow.
I found both breakfast buffets about the same. The cheese board was a bit better at Hilton, but Westin had the better wholemeal bread ... bottom line the same.
I really think for my future stays I will go by price, as the pros and cons really balance somehow.
Feb 21, 2010, 12:55 am
#160
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,090
Well, not that I'm an expert - but most species of mold can be spotted. I didn't see any. Probably the danger is also greater if you live in house which is affected for 300 plus days a year ... As it looks they have torn down the entire facade and already built up a new one. This exercise should be completed in reasonable time.
I found both breakfast buffets about the same. The cheese board was a bit better at Hilton, but Westin had the better wholemeal bread ... bottom line the same.
I really think for my future stays I will go by price, as the pros and cons really balance somehow.
I found both breakfast buffets about the same. The cheese board was a bit better at Hilton, but Westin had the better wholemeal bread ... bottom line the same.
I really think for my future stays I will go by price, as the pros and cons really balance somehow.
You raise some good points though when mold growns in interior walls in a building that has leaks sometimes sections can go undetected
I had some mold in my living room when my neighbor had a flood
If they hadn't opened the wall I clearly would have been at risk.The original inspector said I had no problem however a bright friend didn't take that assessment as the final word
Probably ok at the hotel for a night or two I suppose
Did you dine at the Hilton other then breakfast?
Feb 21, 2010, 5:10 pm
#161
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Zurich
Programs: BA GGL, TK*G EL, KL P ELPL, ex AB P, ex LH/LX Sen, HHonors D4L, Bonvoy P
Posts: 1,647
Yes, I had dinner at the White restaurant in Hilton, but not in Westin, therefore I can't compare.
The dinner in White was very nice, rather expensive compared to other NZ restaurants, but normal compared to international levels. I had some seafood, which is the obvious choice in Auckland, but some other people had lamb and also liked it. I had the impression most of the diners where not hotel guests, which is generally a good signal.
The dinner in White was very nice, rather expensive compared to other NZ restaurants, but normal compared to international levels. I had some seafood, which is the obvious choice in Auckland, but some other people had lamb and also liked it. I had the impression most of the diners where not hotel guests, which is generally a good signal.
Feb 23, 2010, 7:36 pm
#162
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SYD
Programs: DJ, QF, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 2,984
Leaky hotel shuts best rooms
Guests have been barred from rooms at one of New Zealand's top hotels until big leak repairs are finished.
The $570-a-night Hilton Auckland on Princes Wharf needs fixing to stop water penetrating walls.
The $570-a-night Hilton Auckland on Princes Wharf needs fixing to stop water penetrating walls.
Feb 23, 2010, 10:04 pm
#163
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,090
I caved in today and rebooked at the Westin the fact is that I planned my trip to get away from my own leaking roof and leaking sliding doors in my brand new condo 
The last thing I want this week is construction or the potential for mold exposure while traveling
The last thing I want this week is construction or the potential for mold exposure while traveling
Feb 26, 2010, 8:06 pm
#164
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
I booked the cheapest room with king-size bed available on the internet. And this is what I got:
Hilton
As a Diamond VIP I got a free upgrade to the Bow Suite - which was slightly impaired by the renovation work. But nothing major, just bathroom windows were covered by a permanent blind. Still, the Bow Suite and especially its balcony are fantastic. I also got a free continental breakfast buffet in White's, but would have had to pay an additional NZD 10 for the full buffet. I didn't get any other amenities, such as a fruit platter to the room. Bottom line: I got exactly what I'm entitled to as a Diamond VIP, but nothing more.
Hilton
As a Diamond VIP I got a free upgrade to the Bow Suite - which was slightly impaired by the renovation work. But nothing major, just bathroom windows were covered by a permanent blind. Still, the Bow Suite and especially its balcony are fantastic. I also got a free continental breakfast buffet in White's, but would have had to pay an additional NZD 10 for the full buffet. I didn't get any other amenities, such as a fruit platter to the room. Bottom line: I got exactly what I'm entitled to as a Diamond VIP, but nothing more.
Plus you got upgraded to the full breakfast (even if not by the front desk). Again, rather rare IME.
Feb 26, 2010, 9:13 pm
#165
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,090
Um, I don't see how an upgrade to the best room in the hotel, a massive suite, is "nothing more" than what you're entitled to! There is never an entitlement to a suite with HHonors. IME, Hilton Auckland generally gives rooms on the view side as the upgrade. Getting the Bow Suite is a rare treat, especially for free.
Plus you got upgraded to the full breakfast (even if not by the front desk). Again, rather rare IME.
Plus you got upgraded to the full breakfast (even if not by the front desk). Again, rather rare IME.
Wonder how others are faring and if is any indicator the property is working harder to exceed expectations.As a Diamond paying for two rooms I received
the basic harbor view room some time ago.