KENNECTED

Why would you think they would not?

Until they switch, I would think, they would continue to operate as normal and continue with good platinum recognition.

controller1

EXACTLY!

Not only has the hotel been known to provide good Platinum recognition, it also benefits the property to continue as long as they operate as a participating SPG property. They hope that some of those SPG Platinum members are also HHonors Diamond members and will want to return because of the great treatment they received.

buckeyefanflyer

I would not stay at the airport, had bad experiences at both the Hiton and the Sheraton which was torn down. I found on the weekends the restaurants were closed and I was very bored. I would stay by the beach, I like the Weston Hilton. 17th avenue has lots of hotels, stayed there many times but sad to say I was robbed at gunpoint Labor Day weekend near the hotel I was staying at. Never had a bad experience before that when Ilived down there 30 years ago used to hang out at the Marriott by the river which is now a Hilton.

sapguy

Yep! I'm one of those "dual citizenship" Starwood Platinum & HHonors Diamond, and I will likely back at the Diplomat in February when it'll be freezing cold in Philly

yule_boy

Are there any Plats that have stayed there recently since the change was announced that can report on their experiences? It would be reassuring to have some confirmation of Plat treatment.

ResQTekBill

I stayed there for 2 nights Sept 7-9, and used my SNAs to upgrade to the Corner Suite. The service level remained very high, as usual.

I have stayed there over 25 times in the last 12 years, and am of course very sad to see it leave the SPG program. In talking with some of the employees that I have known for quite some time (in particular the lounge attendants) the indicated mixed feelings. Clearly there was concern for their employment, but my understanding from one is that the sales agreement provides job protection for the unionized employees (front-line employees) but not management.

The lounge offerings were reduced a bit more from my last stay. In particular, the smoked salmon was not out for consumption at breakfast (however when making a comment to one of the lounge attendants, they had it in the back and brought out a plate for me!!!)

One interesting comment is whether the club lounge will remain. That space is incredible, with spectacular views both in the morning and evening. It is however a cost center for them, and one opined that perhaps the new owners will convert the space to a lounge (bar) or something else.

I am a HHonors Gold, so I will likely email my contact there and try to negotiate a corner suite access (most important to me) and also lounge access (second most important!!) if I will continue my patronage there. But I am going to wait for the dust to settle a bit before I attempt this.

yule_boy

Thanks for that update, ResQTekBill!

ihdihd

I can imagine them scheming up ways of leveraging the lounge, but wouldn't it be very difficult to do it given any lounge access would require you walk past staying guest rooms (in a club floor, too)?

My guess is that it either stays as is, or becomes a banquet hall/meeting room type of place for a controlled semi-private number of guests.

mke9499

The Diplomat's website is still accepting bookings for post 10/2014. However, the booking calendar shows no availability for Club Level the last couple of weeks, or so, of December 2014 thru 01/03/2015. Knowing this property quite well, I find that highly unusual. Other dates into 2015 show very good availability for Club Level.

It has been stated that a "$100 million enhancement initiative" will commence this year. If Club Level/Lounge will truly not be available those two weeks, perhaps it is because the Lounge is being refreshed. Other third party booking sites were recently still offering Club Level those weeks, but not as of today. There are many guests with long-standing reservations for Club Level those two weeks. Some of the onsite staff has seemed confused themselves, about the Lounge's status at that time, with conflicting information provided.

This whole transition has been so poorly handled by the new ownership...poor timing, poor guest relations etc.; it will be interesting to see what happens once the property makes the formal transition from Starwood to Hilton.

EWRFlyerAL

I stayed at the Diplomat last weekend and the lounge attendants told me that the lounge was becoming a restaurant after it was remodeled and that there would not be a lounge. I've stayed at this hotel 25+ times and don't think I'll return now that the Plat benefits won't be the same with Hilton.

mke9499

Thanks for the insight. The Lounge was one of the major reasons I usually booked the Diplomat, for SE Fla visits. I most likely have had my last stay at the Diplomat, as well.

derby44

I tried to book this hotel next May using Hilton points however it wouldn't allow me to do so. I actually tried different dates/different months and I was unsuccessful. I then went to SPG and they are continuing to offer bookings after the transition in October. It mentions to call a toll free number for points redemption.

mke9499

You can book on Hilton or Starwood site for revenue stays.

Any SPG awards stays, benefits, or points accrual will not be honored after 10/29/2014. You can, however, earn Hilton Honors points, if desired.

There have been rate discrepancies, recently, for the Diplomat among the different sites, including OLTAs. Some have been quite substantial.

If I were you, I would assume that a Hilton Honors points booking would be feasible, once the formal transition is completed. I do recall seeing, a week or two ago, that a standard (superior?) room required 50,000 points per night.

craz

I thought all Hiltons (brand) had to have a lounge. Could be what was the lounge wont be any longer but there should be a lounge somewhere. Thats why many Hiltons became Doubletrees, so they didnt have to have a lounge

If they are reflagging as a Doubletree then it makes sense, but not if they will be called Hilton

some dude

It will be part of a new flag called "Curio". There are no public rules yet defining the Curio brand. It's neither Doubletree nor Hilton.