BearX220

The hotel isn't that far from State T station, either.

ptownca

Or Aquarium, in front of the Customs House. Four to five minute walk.

Abidjan

or Government Center.

Eujeanie

We'll be staying there in October, and plan on walking from Aquarium (also first stop from the airport). That seems much more straightforward than the zig-zag streets from the other two T stations, and I know Aquarium has an escalator (fingers crossed it's not out of service) which makes it easier with luggage.

mphall

I just stayed three nights at this hotel and it was really not a great experience for $300 per night. I am a gold member but received a $10 voucher for a cold breakfast buffet. How come at the Hilton Garden Inn, the hotel is cheaper and the breakfast includes cooked to order? In fact, I see no benefit for staying at this hotel. No room upgrade, but a free bottle of water. Have I missed something or was this one of the more stupid transactions I have made this year.

P. S. If you are thinking of staying here, take my advice, it's worn out, gloomy and all over disappointing. Not anything special. In fact, I thought Hilton has some sort of happiness guarantee but they don't seem interested in helping me. Should I just take my business elsewhere?

smmrfld

You may wish to familiarize yourself with the benefits associated with various elite levels as well as the differences between HH brands. This will likely reduce your angst in the future.

missamo80

Agreed. It sounds like the OP got exactly the benefits they were entitled to for staying at a Hilton hotel as a gold member. If they wanted a cheaper hotel with a cooked-to-order breakfast they should have stayed at the HGI.

Neil

arlflyer

If Hilton's elite breakfast offerings were consistent across all its brands and properties, there's wouldn't be a 1455-post, 576,000-view thread about this exact topic.

You have really never run into this in your 15 years on FT?

Kacee

Not to mention that $300/night is not a particularly high room rate for Boston. Looking at rooms next week, most of the decent properties are over $500.

mphall

There are no benefits for staying a regular Hilton Hotel.

AlwaysAisle

Hilton Hotels do use better bedding items than Hilton Garden Inn. Hilton Hotels also tend to have better conference facilities than Hilton Garden Inn which is advantage for business purpose. At Hilton Faneuil Hall you were also paying for the location. Likely Hilton at Boston suburb locations, such as Dedham and Woburn, can be room rates half of location at downtown Boston and usually is. If there happen to be Hilton Garden Inn at Faneuil Hall area and if you are assuming that room rate at Hilton Garden Inn will be $125/night when Hilton is charging $300/night, then that will be unlikely.

P.S.
I lived at Boston and visit Boston frequently to meet up with friends. I have stayed at Hilton Faneuil Hall and I had no complaint with the hotel. Boston is popular destination for both business and vacation. Downtown Boston hotels tend to be busy on both weekdays and weekends. Rate of $300/night does suggest the hotel was likely highly occupied that night. Room upgrade is space available benefits, not guaranteed benefit. When hotels are booked then there is no upgrade for Diamond, as I experienced when I stayed at Boston Faneuil Hall. Cannot expect a room upgrade for Gold at popular hotel when the hotel itself is booked close to occupancy. And room furnishing of Boston Faneuil Hall was better quality than Hilton Garden Inn I have stayed previously.

smmrfld

Based on this and many of your other posts in different threads, you seem to have chosen to not become knowledgeable about various aspects of FF programs. Doubtful that any of us can help you. Best of luck.

jerry a. laska

Then why do you keep staying at Hiltons and Hilton family properties? Maybe you should try Marriott/Starwood, Hyatt, IHG, or IG and see if those chains might better satisfy your expectations.

Sisosig

Had a 5 nights points/money stay about three years back. Received an upgrade to one of the few rooms with a preferable view. They did give me five $10 vouchers, which could be used for continental breakfast, hot breakfast (2 vouchers), dinner and I think for bar-activity. Bought a 7-day transit pass, but almost any tourist destination could be reached on foot. Didn't need a rental car (saved me $50 a day and another $50 on parking). Because of its location the historic hotel was worth the extra dollars.

Eujeanie

I'm staying there next month, using points. I have no illusions about getting anything but a dated room in an old building in a great location for what we want to do in Boston.

I'm happy I won't be filling up on a hot buffet breakfast because then I won't be ready for a lobster roll for lunch then a great Italian dinner in the North End.

But I do agree with you...it does seem the lower the hotel the more they give you. Microwaves, fridges, free breakfast...all at the Hamptons, HGI's. I *think*, and this is just a generalization, that the lower levels are more leisure travelers, families, who the value is important to...the higher properties (full service H's, WA's, Conrads, etc.) are more geared to business travelers who just pay for $25 breakfast and the $5 water in the room because their company will reimburse them, so they don't bat an eye.

But you should know this.