Hanoi IG
Level 2 Member
OK, I've probably posted on this before, but we are creatures of habit and my wife likes a certain amount of routine when we travel so we don't fix what we think is not broke(n).
The vast majority of our hotel stays are in Sofitels as they are, as we like to say, "nice but not too nice." They are usually well located and our Platinum status, which we've had for many years, actually seems to count for something as does our frequency of return to many hotels and the referrals from GM's to properties that we are visiting for the first time.
We felt that we needed another brand as Accor doesn't have as big a presence in the US as elsewhere. Since we like Hampton when on the road, Hilton seemed an obvious choice. With the various cards, beginning with Citi, then the AMEX versions, plus a match of our Accor status, we amassed a fair number of points and can also earn some bonuses due to status.
So far we have had some award stays and some points plus cash that haven't been too bad, with two nights at the Conrad Maldives coming up in October. Except for a great time at the Conrad Tokyo where we got fabulous suite upgrade and breakfast options that were both wonderful, I have been underwhelmed by what Diamond Status gets us.
We just completed a week in Hilton properties in Ohio, two nights at a Doubletree outside Columus, booked with points, bracketed by two nights each at the Cleveland Hilton and the Cincinnati Netherland Hilton.
The Doubletree was actually not bad, despite the presence of several youth travel teams which made the pool area less than desirable. The room was large and the lack of an Executive Lounge allowed us a nice buffet breakfast which even had an omelet station. The cash price was $15 so it's at least something. Their gym was small and fairly crowded but we managed the best we could. They gave us unlimited water and welcome cookies so for 20,000 points a night, it was fine.
The Hiltons were OK, but no more than that. In Cleveland they did give us a very large corner room with a view of Lake Erie so that was a plus. The breakfast was limited to the lounge and it was not even as good as a Hampton breakfast which at least offers make-your-own waffles. The hotel was full so service was really slow as they only came to make up the room at the time we were getting dressed for the evening. They did send the night crew to clean while we were out.
In Cincinnati, the hotel is a classic though it could use some refurbishing. Again the breakfast is limited to the lounge which was again rather spartan save for the waffle machine. The room was exactly what we had booked with city, rather than river view.
I'm not certain where Hilton actually ranks in comparison to other chains, but Sofitel is far above it, at least for us. When there is an Executive Lounge, there is always an option to have breakfast in the main dining room and the lounges always have a nice buffet, with options for hot dishes if you prefer. The cocktail hour actually includes alcohol and really nice snacks, unlike Hilton's which have steam table food and cash bar, though perhaps Ohio has a rule against free alcoholic beverages.
Sofitel always has turndown service, while Hiltons do not. We always get an upgrade at Sofitel but I do think it is from being known rather than the status. Suites for the sweet, I guess.
Just saying, I'm not thrilled with Hilton, especially the breakfast options. Shouldn't a Diamond member get a better selection than at a Hampton?
I know that there is Marriott/Starwood, Hyatt and IHG out there but for us I think perhaps I should just wait until I use our Hilton points and pseudo status up, then try one of the others. So far this year, we have been able to stay in Sofitels in New York, Philly and DC, as well as Dubai, Casablanca and Lebanon with most of our other hotels being premium properties like La Manoumia and Mandarin Oriental.
I'm not complaining, well I guess I am, but Hilton just doesn't seem so wonderful. I wonder how Marriott might be for our backup chain. Can I get matching status or at least some status with credit card?
The vast majority of our hotel stays are in Sofitels as they are, as we like to say, "nice but not too nice." They are usually well located and our Platinum status, which we've had for many years, actually seems to count for something as does our frequency of return to many hotels and the referrals from GM's to properties that we are visiting for the first time.
We felt that we needed another brand as Accor doesn't have as big a presence in the US as elsewhere. Since we like Hampton when on the road, Hilton seemed an obvious choice. With the various cards, beginning with Citi, then the AMEX versions, plus a match of our Accor status, we amassed a fair number of points and can also earn some bonuses due to status.
So far we have had some award stays and some points plus cash that haven't been too bad, with two nights at the Conrad Maldives coming up in October. Except for a great time at the Conrad Tokyo where we got fabulous suite upgrade and breakfast options that were both wonderful, I have been underwhelmed by what Diamond Status gets us.
We just completed a week in Hilton properties in Ohio, two nights at a Doubletree outside Columus, booked with points, bracketed by two nights each at the Cleveland Hilton and the Cincinnati Netherland Hilton.
The Doubletree was actually not bad, despite the presence of several youth travel teams which made the pool area less than desirable. The room was large and the lack of an Executive Lounge allowed us a nice buffet breakfast which even had an omelet station. The cash price was $15 so it's at least something. Their gym was small and fairly crowded but we managed the best we could. They gave us unlimited water and welcome cookies so for 20,000 points a night, it was fine.
The Hiltons were OK, but no more than that. In Cleveland they did give us a very large corner room with a view of Lake Erie so that was a plus. The breakfast was limited to the lounge and it was not even as good as a Hampton breakfast which at least offers make-your-own waffles. The hotel was full so service was really slow as they only came to make up the room at the time we were getting dressed for the evening. They did send the night crew to clean while we were out.
In Cincinnati, the hotel is a classic though it could use some refurbishing. Again the breakfast is limited to the lounge which was again rather spartan save for the waffle machine. The room was exactly what we had booked with city, rather than river view.
I'm not certain where Hilton actually ranks in comparison to other chains, but Sofitel is far above it, at least for us. When there is an Executive Lounge, there is always an option to have breakfast in the main dining room and the lounges always have a nice buffet, with options for hot dishes if you prefer. The cocktail hour actually includes alcohol and really nice snacks, unlike Hilton's which have steam table food and cash bar, though perhaps Ohio has a rule against free alcoholic beverages.
Sofitel always has turndown service, while Hiltons do not. We always get an upgrade at Sofitel but I do think it is from being known rather than the status. Suites for the sweet, I guess.
Just saying, I'm not thrilled with Hilton, especially the breakfast options. Shouldn't a Diamond member get a better selection than at a Hampton?
I know that there is Marriott/Starwood, Hyatt and IHG out there but for us I think perhaps I should just wait until I use our Hilton points and pseudo status up, then try one of the others. So far this year, we have been able to stay in Sofitels in New York, Philly and DC, as well as Dubai, Casablanca and Lebanon with most of our other hotels being premium properties like La Manoumia and Mandarin Oriental.
I'm not complaining, well I guess I am, but Hilton just doesn't seem so wonderful. I wonder how Marriott might be for our backup chain. Can I get matching status or at least some status with credit card?