Good location, stylish interior, but too much cost cutting

It has been over 4 years since I stayed at this property - since the completion of the current renovation of the rooms, rates at this property has been on the high side compared to before.  

Anyway, since there was a relative visiting and needed something central for these sightseeing activities, I decided to try this property again especially with what was a rather reasonable rate (since ages) for 1 night.

The property is located about 10 mins walk away from the Central station of Rotterdam.  I believe that even with large rolling luggage, it should be doable.  Other alternatives is with the tram.

From the property, you can are within 20-30 mins walk radius of all the attractions in the area.  If walking if not an option, there are numerous public transportation options within a couple of mins walk.

Around the corner of the property is the main shopping area and lots of food and beverage establishments.  

I arrived before check-in time and dropped by the front desk to be greeted by a friendly associate.  Before arrival, I did check the Hilton app if I had already been pre-upgraded, and saw that I was indeed upgraded to a King Junior Suite.  However since the property did not offer any digital key, I did not bother to complete the online check-in since I would still need to drop by the front desk.

I was as usual in current period given a run down of the new standard of operation at the hotel.  

- Informed about the Executive Lounge being closed and the alternative service (small plates sent to your room).

- Breakfast service which was a la-carte and there were different time-slots, which I made my reservation directly for the next morning.

I was off to my room after about 5 mins of arrival.

The care package provided in the room - consists of mouth/nose mask and glovesThe room was on the Executive Floor which by itself are rooms with some additional facilities.  Upon entering my Junior Suite, the first thought that came to my mind was, was I downgraded and had misunderstood about the upgrade mentioned while checking-in?  The reason was the room was at least based on so many hotel stays, not representing in any of my experience what is defined as a junior suite.  I would say the room was more of a extra large room instead of a junior suite.  [My definition of a junior suite is that it should have at least a clear partition (by a door or some innovative interior deco) between the sitting area and the bed - which this was certainly not the case here].  I believe the only addition to what I remember from previous stay at this property the was additional relaxing chair.  Anyway, for the 1 night I was not really bothered in how the room was named/described.  Other than this point, I did find the room well decorated to be modern, yet stylish and airy.

It was nice that they did have some upgraded tea/coffee making facility - Nespresso pods (though 4 decaffinated ones compared to only 1 real caffinated pod), a variety of tea flavours and the usual instant coffee sachets.

Climate control was a bit funky - although the room was a bit on the colder side (on the day I was there, it was a wet and cold summer day) and I could not really manage to get the room to a more comfortable temperature.  Internet speed was good and the large TV had the usual mix of local and international options.

The bathroom was in my opinion one of the highlight of the room - very well appointed and had a very spacious walk in shower and also a bath.  Water pressure and temperature control was very good.  One main thing to mention was that there was no issues with water leakage from the shower onto the floor.  

Sleep quality in general was good - although for very light sleeper, there was still some light traffic related noise heard since the room faces the main road.  

All in all, I found this "extra large" room to be comfortable and functional even for longer than 1 night stay.

Due to the current situation, the Executive Lounge was closed.  Guests with access to the lounge are offered an alternative - which I was informed by the Front Desk to be a couple of small platters and some alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.  These would be brought up to the room in the late afternoon.

After about 2 hours checking in, around 1 pm, someone came up to bring up some items - I did not ask what it was (as I actually was in an online meeting) so just left her to place them into the fridge.  After checking it with the "welcome card" from the hotel, I had first thought it was some welcome platters, but in the end this turned out to be what was offered as an alternative.  It consisted of

- a small salad cup

- a small dessert

- a small sandwich (of questionable filling)

- a small vegetable stick with hummus

- a 175ml bottle of wine (you had to select between red or green), 2 small bottle of water (I was not asked if I wanted still or sparkling)

This to my opinion is a very poor showing from the hotel (after coming from a close to normal offering from the Hilton in the Hague).  My conclusion here, this was very very dissapointing. 

All the items you get as an alternative without lounge access

The usual buffet breakfast has been replaced by an a la carte/menu option.  Breakfast is at the JAQ restaurant (which in the morning is closed to public, but open for hotel guests for breakfast).

From my understanding during the ordering process, each guest is only allowed to select one of the menu options or a la carte (not sure how many of the a la carte items you're allowed), you can't have the menu & any number from the a la carte items.  If you want additional items outside of the menu from the a la carte items, you'll have to pay for it.

For me, yes it was a mix of good and bad - the good, I did find the quality of the ingredients used to be fresh and somewhat of a better quality.  For me the tray of food was more than sufficient in quantity.  The bad was the limited choices and limited quantity (especially for beverages and pastries).  

All in all, breakfast for me was something I could accept as an alternative in the current situation.

American menu option

Energizer/Healty breakfast (I did manage to replace the omelet with the over easy eggs without additional charges)

All in all, I found my stay to be a mix bag, some good some bad.  I think management at the hotel did go a step too far in cost cutting for some aspect of operations.  Yes prices have been reduced, but I find still not enough compared to what has been removed from facilities point of view.  As for the room being categorized as a Junior Suite, I did bring this up during check-out (not expecting anything in return).

Comparing this to other Hilton's which I've visited in current times, I did find this property to have done the most to use this situation to cut cost and trying to get away with it - which is a pity as the hotel and staff has the potential to be so much better even in current times.  [therefore comfirming some of the complaints pointed out here in the forum]

In the end I would still recommend this place if you don't expect the additional items (e.g. Executive lounge) and not book the Junior Suite.  If you want a real junior suite, i was told that this is what they label as the Executive Junior Suite.