Hilton Sydney
25th Feb - 6th Mar
Well here's the first of three hotel trip reports; the other two being the Conrad and Landmark Mandarin oriental in Hong Kong.
I was a bit hesitant about staying here as its no secret that many people on Trip Advisor and Flyer Talk have found the very long and expensive refurbishment this hotel has recently undergone a big dissapointment. Criticisms have focussed on small rooms, bad service and poor quality refurbishments.
Still decided to stay here as managed to get a good deal on the room and as the stay was for nine nights my Hhonors points would get a good boost.
Overall I would have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the hotel and its facilities.
We arrived at around nine in the morning so the room wasn't avaialable yet. Tickets were given to use the health club showers and facilities in the basement. There were quite a few people with suitcases in the changing rooms, all clearly just of their respective planes. After showing we were invited to use the executive lounge for breakfast. The lounge is pleasant, had a good selection of breakfast items but for the size of the hotel is often too small if the hotel is up to full capacity. The staff found it difficult to keep tidying up the used plates.
The Room
A few hours later we were finally allocated the room. I had booked a standard king and was upgraded to an executive room with all the exec floor facilities - think this is the standard Hhonours Gold treatment at this hotel.
The room wasn't the biggest I have stayed in but certainly wasn't the smallest even for this class of hotel. The finish was contemporary but the varied lighting options (nightlight, downlights, dimmers and floor lamps) meant you could make it nice and cosy. The dark wooden headboard and shelving broke up the white nicely too. There are also plenty of mirrors. Yeah they're a shameless tool to make the room look bigger but great for narcissists.
There was plenty of space with a desk to work, although when we arrived in the room felt it was too near the bed so moved it ourselves back a bit nearer the bathroom.
Unlike some other Hiltons, here they charge internet in 24 hours blocks from when you log in, none of this midday to midday nonsense!
The bathroom had been completely renovated with the refurb. A bit pokey but this was partly because most of the space was taken up with a seperate shower section (one of the things I always like in a good hotel). Fairly run of the mill toiletries but plenty of them and a nice big bath to use them in.
As most of the bathroom was constructed from frosted glass if anybody uses it in the night the light will brighten up the bedroom. Could be annoying if you're a light sleeper. One way though you won't be distubed by light is by probably the most effective blackout screens I have ever seen. All electronic they can turn a sunlight room at midday to the middle of the night at the flick of a switch. These do the real job behind the more decorated floaty stuff infront.
We were on one of the higher floors of the hotel and managed to get a half view of the Harbour Bridge!
The Facilities
For such a large hotel I thought they could have done with one more restaurant. Only experienced "Glass" the hotel's own restaurant for Breakfast and then on occasion when they gave free vouchers to use it when the executive lounge was full. The range here was probably the best I have seen in any hotel. Full selections of hot english stuff, continental, fruit, cheeses (does anyone have stilton for breakfast!), meat and a hot counter for made to order ommelets, pankakes and the like. They also have a juice bar to order any juice cocktails you like or a shot of wheatgrass juice (doesn't taste as bad as it smells).
The hotel also has 3 bars. GAB, which I didn't go in. The Marble Bar which always has live bands on a weekend and the design doesn't really work for the aucoustics. My favourite was probably Zeta. Good chilled out vibe in the week with big sofas and the like. Although bizzarely at weekends it stops being part of the hotel and if you want to go in for a drink you have to queue behind the velvet rope with all the other masses. Not good when as a resident you expect somewhere everynight.
Healthclub facilities are adequate and they have a spa as well. Good sized pool and jacuzzi and a choice of several sauna's and Steam rooms. The treatment I had in the Spa was good value and good enough but after comparing it to what I followed it with at the Landmark in Hong Kong you suddenly realise the difference.
The Staff
I've heard quite a few criticisms of levels of service at this hotel. I found this different on our stay. Sure the uniform they have to wear is on the utilitarian side (think crew aboard the Death Star circa the original Star Wars) but the service is far more relaxed and friendly. Reception and concierge were always polite and helpful. One point that stood out was we had quite a lot of washing to do and couldn't face the hefty laundry bill that the hilton would be. Fozzyo rang concierge asking for the nearest laundry where we could take the washing to. Even though they were taking money away from their own laundry service, the staff were happy to suggest a firm in the city that will, for a fee collect your clothes, was them and deliver back to the hotel. This must have reduced laundry cost by two thirds and the hotel even delivered the clothes back to our room when we were out. All the housekeeping staff also were much freindlier than in the UK.
Overall a pleasing stay and a recommended hotel. Clean and in the centre of it.
Pro's - Smart Room, blackout blinds, Breakfast selection in the restaurant, friendly staff
Con's - Slow lifts, limited hours of bars, executive lounge can be chaotic when full.
Dean
25th Feb - 6th Mar
Well here's the first of three hotel trip reports; the other two being the Conrad and Landmark Mandarin oriental in Hong Kong.
I was a bit hesitant about staying here as its no secret that many people on Trip Advisor and Flyer Talk have found the very long and expensive refurbishment this hotel has recently undergone a big dissapointment. Criticisms have focussed on small rooms, bad service and poor quality refurbishments.
Still decided to stay here as managed to get a good deal on the room and as the stay was for nine nights my Hhonors points would get a good boost.
Overall I would have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the hotel and its facilities.
We arrived at around nine in the morning so the room wasn't avaialable yet. Tickets were given to use the health club showers and facilities in the basement. There were quite a few people with suitcases in the changing rooms, all clearly just of their respective planes. After showing we were invited to use the executive lounge for breakfast. The lounge is pleasant, had a good selection of breakfast items but for the size of the hotel is often too small if the hotel is up to full capacity. The staff found it difficult to keep tidying up the used plates.
The Room
A few hours later we were finally allocated the room. I had booked a standard king and was upgraded to an executive room with all the exec floor facilities - think this is the standard Hhonours Gold treatment at this hotel.
The room wasn't the biggest I have stayed in but certainly wasn't the smallest even for this class of hotel. The finish was contemporary but the varied lighting options (nightlight, downlights, dimmers and floor lamps) meant you could make it nice and cosy. The dark wooden headboard and shelving broke up the white nicely too. There are also plenty of mirrors. Yeah they're a shameless tool to make the room look bigger but great for narcissists.
There was plenty of space with a desk to work, although when we arrived in the room felt it was too near the bed so moved it ourselves back a bit nearer the bathroom.
Unlike some other Hiltons, here they charge internet in 24 hours blocks from when you log in, none of this midday to midday nonsense!
The bathroom had been completely renovated with the refurb. A bit pokey but this was partly because most of the space was taken up with a seperate shower section (one of the things I always like in a good hotel). Fairly run of the mill toiletries but plenty of them and a nice big bath to use them in.
As most of the bathroom was constructed from frosted glass if anybody uses it in the night the light will brighten up the bedroom. Could be annoying if you're a light sleeper. One way though you won't be distubed by light is by probably the most effective blackout screens I have ever seen. All electronic they can turn a sunlight room at midday to the middle of the night at the flick of a switch. These do the real job behind the more decorated floaty stuff infront.
We were on one of the higher floors of the hotel and managed to get a half view of the Harbour Bridge!
The Facilities
For such a large hotel I thought they could have done with one more restaurant. Only experienced "Glass" the hotel's own restaurant for Breakfast and then on occasion when they gave free vouchers to use it when the executive lounge was full. The range here was probably the best I have seen in any hotel. Full selections of hot english stuff, continental, fruit, cheeses (does anyone have stilton for breakfast!), meat and a hot counter for made to order ommelets, pankakes and the like. They also have a juice bar to order any juice cocktails you like or a shot of wheatgrass juice (doesn't taste as bad as it smells).
The hotel also has 3 bars. GAB, which I didn't go in. The Marble Bar which always has live bands on a weekend and the design doesn't really work for the aucoustics. My favourite was probably Zeta. Good chilled out vibe in the week with big sofas and the like. Although bizzarely at weekends it stops being part of the hotel and if you want to go in for a drink you have to queue behind the velvet rope with all the other masses. Not good when as a resident you expect somewhere everynight.
Healthclub facilities are adequate and they have a spa as well. Good sized pool and jacuzzi and a choice of several sauna's and Steam rooms. The treatment I had in the Spa was good value and good enough but after comparing it to what I followed it with at the Landmark in Hong Kong you suddenly realise the difference.
The Staff
I've heard quite a few criticisms of levels of service at this hotel. I found this different on our stay. Sure the uniform they have to wear is on the utilitarian side (think crew aboard the Death Star circa the original Star Wars) but the service is far more relaxed and friendly. Reception and concierge were always polite and helpful. One point that stood out was we had quite a lot of washing to do and couldn't face the hefty laundry bill that the hilton would be. Fozzyo rang concierge asking for the nearest laundry where we could take the washing to. Even though they were taking money away from their own laundry service, the staff were happy to suggest a firm in the city that will, for a fee collect your clothes, was them and deliver back to the hotel. This must have reduced laundry cost by two thirds and the hotel even delivered the clothes back to our room when we were out. All the housekeeping staff also were much freindlier than in the UK.
Overall a pleasing stay and a recommended hotel. Clean and in the centre of it.
Pro's - Smart Room, blackout blinds, Breakfast selection in the restaurant, friendly staff
Con's - Slow lifts, limited hours of bars, executive lounge can be chaotic when full.
Dean
