Hilton executive rooms in the US...

Ok, so when did the LA to SF trip few years ago, I was on track to renew my Hilton gold.

There wasn't a lounge at the Beverly Hilton (though seen it feature on the Golden Globes, and as a location on a couple of more movies, LA hotels eh?), and none in the Hilton Union Square San Francisco (surprising for the size of the place).

However, there was one in San Jose. Except alcohol wasn't free. Not sure if food was free (apart from breakfast). Is this true of all Hilton executive lounges in the US? Or most? Bit like domestic lounges?

Ok, so when did the LA to SF trip few years ago, I was on track to renew my Hilton gold.

There wasn't a lounge at the Beverly Hilton (though seen it feature on the Golden Globes, and as a location on a couple of more movies, LA hotels eh?), and none in the Hilton Union Square San Francisco (surprising for the size of the place).

However, there was one in San Jose. Except alcohol wasn't free. Not sure if food was free (apart from breakfast). Is this true of all Hilton executive lounges in the US? Or most? Bit like domestic lounges?

The only times I have ever stayed in a US Hilton with an Exec lounge were in Seattle and Washington DC. In neither was the alcohol or food free, but in the former it was "happy hour" prices.

Hiltons in the US and their exec lounges are very hit and miss. I've been in a Hilton with a lounge that only has bottled water, through to others that offer breakfast, evening food and soft drinks, but I'm struggling to recall any that provide alcoholic drinks. Even at the lovely Hilton Toronto where the exec lounge is wonderful and the food great you pay for drinks. As you say, there isn't even a lounge in SF Union Square.

Compare that with Europe, where some Hilton exec lounges are amazing - in Berlin for example the lounge there offers a full breakfast buffet, afternoon tea and cakes, and evening drinks (of all kinds) and a hot and cold buffet. You hardly need to eat out.

It pays to research before you book because the standards vary enormously. Exec rooms are usually the same floor plan as others too, so apart from breakfast and WiFi the cost is often not worth it - it's a perk for Hhonours elites really.

It pays to research before you book because the standards vary enormously. Exec rooms are usually the same floor plan as others too, so apart from breakfast and WiFi the cost is often not worth it - it's a perk for Hhonours elites really.

Agreed. Having had status for a good few years I have experienced a fair few offerings. My current favourite remains the facility at the Hilton Tower Bridge. Their evening spread is quite something. As you say though, the Exec rooms differ very little from the standard rooms; in the Hilton Deansgate they are all the same, save for the Exec rooms having a bath as well as a shower (which reduces the space in the bedroom).

My dear wife tells me the one at Hilton in Rome was astonishing, but I understand the qualifications to access it have changed (I don't think Diamond gets you access any more).

Same with the lounge in Kuala Lumpur - fantastic

[Neil]

As a HH diamond I can pretty much confirm that non of the US Exec lounges offer free alcohol anymore, but nearly all offer it for a fee.

Most are usually pretty decent at offering breakfast and evening snacks, especially in the bigger city hotels.

In the UK the standard varies massively we have found. I agree that the Tower Bridge Hilton has one of the best Exec Lounges where as the fairly new Hilton Liverpool is pretty rubbish, with a poor selection of poured wine and beers.

Aaah, Hilton Tower Bridge. That is a lovely Hilton with a wonderful Lounge.

Great hiltons with executive lounges (good chance of upgrades):

Antwerp Hilton. Got cava sitting there. You get free big bottle of Belgian Beer as a welcome gift. Nice terrace looking over the catherdral.

Budapest West (never done the central one). The only one where I've been redirected from front desk to executive lounge, where I was checked in with a drink in my hand... Sold me on Hilton gold that one, first one I was in...

Embassy Suites are part of the Hilton Group and generally have some sort of "Manager's Reception".

Hilton Istabul takes some beating IMHO.

A couple of years ago I booked a reward room for 4 nights thinking that it was a good deal getting the room for free.

Upon checking in, I was informed that my friend & I had been upgraded to an Executive Room & were directed to the Executive Rooms only lift to the top floor for personalised check in. As well as an excellent room with balcony & amazing views we had complimentary access to the top floor Executive Lounge with stunning views. Great news!

Visiting said Executive Lounge, we discovered all food & drink, be it soft or alcoholic were complimentary. Breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea & finally canapés. The canapes were choices of hot & cold dishes & were so extensive that we never visited any restauarants for dinner.

I'd return to the hotel in an instant.

Roxy-Popsy

[buns]

As a HH diamond I can pretty much confirm that non of the US Exec lounges offer free alcohol anymore, but nearly all offer it for a fee.

Most are usually pretty decent at offering breakfast and evening snacks, especially in the bigger city hotels.

In the UK the standard varies massively we have found. I agree that the Tower Bridge Hilton has one of the best Exec Lounges where as the fairly new Hilton Liverpool is pretty rubbish, with a poor selection of poured wine and beers.

Whilst I share your assessment of the US versus UK Exec Lounges, I have to differ slightly on saying that the Tower Bridge is one of the best.

I used to consider it head and shoulders above many in London, but in recent years the Canary Wharf Hilton Exec Lounge with its stunning view across London matched by stunning service has become my favourite :w :w

buns

I used to consider it head and shoulders above many in London, but in recent years the Canary Wharf Hilton Exec Lounge with its stunning view across London matched by stunning service has become my favourite :w :w

Thanks for the recommendation; problem is I can't see any reason why I would voluntarily want to spend any time in Canary Wharf..

Hilton Istabul takes some beating IMHO.

A couple of years ago I booked a reward room for 4 nights thinking that it was a good deal getting the room for free.

Upon checking in, I was informed that my friend & I had been upgraded to an Executive Room & were directed to the Executive Rooms only lift to the top floor for personalised check in. As well as an excellent room with balcony & amazing views we had complimentary access to the top floor Executive Lounge with stunning views. Great news!

Visiting said Executive Lounge, we discovered all food & drink, be it soft or alcoholic were complimentary. Breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea & finally canapés. The canapes were choices of hot & cold dishes & were so extensive that we never visited any restauarants for dinner.

Interesting...I was only thinking about Istanbul on the way home this evening...

Great hiltons with executive lounges (good chance of upgrades):..

One advantage of being Diamond...no need to wonder about whether you'll get an upgrade to get the lounge access...

[Neil]

As a HH diamond I can pretty much confirm that non of the US Exec lounges offer free alcohol anymore, but nearly all offer it for a fee.

Most are usually pretty decent at offering breakfast and evening snacks, especially in the bigger city hotels.

In the UK the standard varies massively we have found. I agree that the Tower Bridge Hilton has one of the best Exec Lounges where as the fairly new Hilton Liverpool is pretty rubbish, with a poor selection of poured wine and beers.

Whilst I share your assessment of the US versus UK Exec Lounges, I have to differ slightly on saying that the Tower Bridge is one of the best.

I used to consider it head and shoulders above many in London, but in recent years the Canary Wharf Hilton Exec Lounge with its stunning view across London matched by stunning service has become my favourite :w :w

buns

Buns, I am so sorry and have no idea what came over me.
I absolutely meant to put Canary Wharf is the best lounge, we've actually never used the lounge at Tower Bridge!! As you know, we love the Canary Wharf lounge, especially when you and Mrs B are there too y)

Buns, I am so sorry and have no idea what came over me.
I absolutely meant to put Canary Wharf is the best lounge, we've actually never used the lounge at Tower Bridge!! As you know, we love the Canary Wharf lounge, especially when you and Mrs B are there too y)

Thanks for the recommendation; problem is I can't see any reason why I would voluntarily want to spend any time in Canary Wharf..

...

I did, of course, mean to say 'save for the fine company of other V-Flyers'

[Neil]

Canary Wharf is excellently located when attending an event at The O2, and offers very good weekend rates compared to the more centrally located hotels. It's only a short DLR ride away too, and when you factor in there being a 90-95% the Buns will be also in residence, it's always our first choice when venturing into London Town.

[buns]

Canary Wharf is excellently located when attending an event at The O2, ………. when you factor in there being a 90-95% the Buns will be also in residence, it's always our first choice when venturing into London Town.

Mrs Buns likes it not only for the super service, but she can get to work easily :w

buns

Canary Wharf is excellently located when attending an event at The O2,

But b@gger all use for the Menier Chocolate Factory or The National Theatre...

[Neil]

Canary Wharf is excellently located when attending an event at The O2,

But b@gger all use for the Menier Chocolate Factory or The National Theatre...

Do Lady GaGa and Michael Buble have concerts there... ?|

Canary Wharf is excellently located when attending an event at The O2,

But b@gger all use for the Menier Chocolate Factory or The National Theatre...

Do Lady GaGa and Michael Buble have concerts there... ?|

Who? Is this young person's music?

I've never been to the O2 to see a concert, having got the hump when I failed to get tickets for the Led Zeppelin reunion show there. I tend to break out in hives at any venue that holds more than a few hundred.

I'll be staying in an executive room at the Hilton Canary Wharf when I take my daughter to see One Direction (yet again!) in September. I look forward to trying out the executive lounge there. We love the executive lounge at the Hilton Tower Bridge. We stayed in a suite at the Wembley Hilton last year (yep, One Direction) and loved their executive lounge.

Chelseagirl your 1D trips sound like our football trips. The Hilton St George is the male equivalent. Amazing place, lounge is on the outer balcony but it's fantastic if you like your sport and the premiership clubs are staying overnight for their Saturday match.

Sounds great marshy. We've seen England play at Wembley and stayed at the Wembley Hilton for that. Both my son and daughter like football so that was fun. We enjoyed sitting in the open air balcony area of the executive lounge as it overlooks the stadium and you can relax and soak up the atmosphere.