Showing posts with label Executive Suite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Executive Suite. Show all posts

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Presidential Suite @ The DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Road, Dublin, Ireland

This one is dedicated to PP, a good friend and an optimist. :)

In early January we used the Winter Sale Rate on hilton.com and booked an Executive Suite to gain new experiences at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dublin-Burlington Road for one night during a weekend, also in January.

We used the online check in and thought we were going to have a room in Building 1 on the highest floor, the seventh.

Before the weekend started I had discussed with a friend how high our chances were to be upgraded to the Presidential Suite. I didn't have high hopes. First we are only matched status Hilton Honors Gold Members, second there is only one Presidential Suite and third there is no policy to upgrade to suites. We also thought when using the online check in it is difficult to override the room choice. So we were more than delighted and positively surprised, when we were told at reception we had been upgraded to the Presidential Suite. We were also recognized as return guests at this particular property.

The Presidential Suite is located on the Hilton Honors Floor, offers 100 m2 of space and overlooks the entrance of the hotel, the city and the nearby mountains. It has four large panorama windows, divided into 12 smaller ones, which makes it very airy.

There was a small hallway with a modern landscape painting, a table and guest toilet to the right. The toilet had a sink, towels and soap.

The living room was very large with a dining table for six, but it could easily accommodate eight. There was also a credenza, a side table with a mushroom shaped lamp and telephone, a large shelve, containing books about architecture, sports, horse racing and Irish cooking, a very large flat screen TV, maybe 55 or 60 inches in size, and some decorative vases. In front of the TV was a large seating area with a coffee table and a Tara Platter by Mindy Brownes.

The fabrics were dark, while the furniture was blond wood, which offered a beautiful contrast throughout the suite.

This time around Bloomberg TV worked, but not the Disney Channel.

There was a modern landscape painting on one wall near the double door leading to the bed room.

Another door leads to the Wet Room with microwave, sink, cutlery and crockery, glasses, a full sized empty fridge and tea/coffee making facility.

The bed room was the same size as the living room. There was a kangaroo sized [huge] bed, a credenza with a Flat Screen TV, a seating area for two and a writing desk with a Business Plus magazine and a bamboo plant.

On one wall hung a painting of a wave and above the bed a photograph showing the complete Ha' Penny Bridge which is located in the heart of Dublin, connecting over the River Liffey the southside with the northside of the city.

Mirrors gave the feel of the room being even larger.

In each room were two bottles of water, a hotel directory and an in room dining menu. A good idea due to the size of both rooms.

The Presidential Suite bedroom can be connected to an Executive Room.

There was also a walk in closet with a lot of storage space, an iron and ironing board and a safe, plus bathrobes and an umbrella and laundry bag.

The bathroom was very large with a cupboard, separate bathtub and shower, a sink and toilet. The Aroma Active Essentials amenities were generously supplied with three sets. There were also two dental, two shaving and two sewing kits, two shoe mitts, two combs, two deo sticks (one for him and one for her) and a lot of towels.

We spent most of the time in our suite, which was comfortable and felt residential.

The Presidential Suite also came with Executive Lounge access. We tried to visit it during Happy Hour, but it was full, so we had a quick look and left again.

We had in room dining and it was a pleasure to share meals at the large dining table. We tried two new dishes, the grilled chicken burger with mango chutney and skinny fries and the DoubleTree Cookie Cheesecake. It was made with a walnut DoubleTree Cookie base and a light white chocolate and vanilla mousse. Both were delicious and we would order them again in our future. In room dining was good value too. It was generally below 50 Euro (ca. 54.40 USD).

I also used the Executive Fitness Center on the 6th floor. I enjoyed using the stationary bike, watching TV, listening to music (Free earphones are provided, so you don't have to worry if you don't have brought your own.) and the views over Dublin and the mountains. There were of course other machines and weight lifting equipment available.

Breakfast at the Essex Restaurant was very busy. It wasn't too surprising with two large tour groups staying as well. The buffet was replenished regularly, so items were never really missing for long.

We were very grateful that we also received a late checkout and could enjoy the suite a bit longer.

As always check out approached too fast, though. Normally it's a very quick affair, but this time around it took a bit longer, because I told the receptionist we had also bought smoothies from the Grab & Go shop, but they weren't on the bill. I was thanked for my honesty, but not charged, because it wasn't in the system at all. There was also some confusion, if the jar of cookies we had charged to the room were already included with the other items or not. In the end we figured it all out and to make it right we received another three cookies for our journey home.

This hotel took so far really good care of us and is turning into one of our favorite properties here in Dublin. Of course we will return and have already booked a stay for later this year.

©2016

Friday, January 3, 2014

DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We had heard rumors of a points devaluation at the Hilton Honors loyalty program in 2012 and thought we better get rid of the majority of our points before it became a reality, so we looked for the best value for our points and managed to get an Executive Suite at the DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur for eight nights including Executive Club Lounge access.

We had arrived the previous day in Kuala Lumpur with Aer Lingus and Malaysia Airlines and stayed a night at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur (Please see reviews for those). 

We used public transport between the Hilton and the DoubleTree. We took the LRT from KL Sentral - the Hilton is just opposite - towards Gombak and got off at Ampang Park, just one stop after KLCC.

The public transport is efficient, clean and very affordable. Most single journeys per person didn't cost more than 2.90 MYR (ca. 0.67 Euro or 0.91 USD) and that were already the longer ones. Average was more 1 MYR to 2 MYR (ca. 0.23 Euro to 0.48 Euro or ca. 0.31 USD to 0.62 USD).

The DoubleTree is located in the Intermark development and integrated into a small upscale shopping mall. Another mall, Ampang Park Shopping Centre, is very easily reachable within a few minutes via an overhead connecting walk way.

The first impression of the DoubleTree was very good with an airy and large lobby in earth colors.  There is also the reception, the Axis Lounge with jazz music every night and the Food Store and Cafe, serving delicious meals to enjoy there or to take away and DoubleTree merchandise including shirts and the infamous cookies.

We were sent up to the 34th floor, where the Executive Club Lounge is located. Thanks to an earlier electricity outage the computer system wasn't working and we were unable to check in immediately. We were given the DoubleTree cookies and invited to use the Executive Club Lounge. It was very large with a few nooks and crannies to hide; it was kept in light colors and offered sweeping city views. Most of the floor to ceiling windows weren't facing the Petronas Towers, but there was a terrace (also used by smokers) that offered the desired vista.

There were also two computer stations for guests, newspapers and magazines, plus iPADs could be borrowed too. During the day guests can help themselves to alcohol free beverages, sandwiches, fruits, biscuits and cookies.

After an hour or so the system was running again and finally the check in process could begin. We were explained we had free WIFI internet access and three laundry items per day were also free. Keith, the receptionist, explained they were flexible on this, so the number of items that needed to be laundered could fluctuate as long as there weren't more than twenty four items during our stay it was going to be free.

He explained the Executive Club Lounge benefits and mentioned we had a special occasion to celebrate - our anniversary. Keith gave us a letter, welcoming us as Hilton Honors Gold Members, which detailed again the benefits, and the key cards.

Our modern suite was very large with a separate living room and bed room, held in different shades of brown and contemporary artwork. The living room included a large writing desk, sink, mini bar, a sofa, chair, coffee table and a large TV. The bed room contained a large king sized bed, chair with ottoman, TV and a large wardrobe.

The bathroom was set up like a Japanese wet room with the shower right beside the bath tub. There was one sink and a separate room for the toilet and bidet. The amenities were the new Crabtree & Evelyn Citron, Honey and Coriander. We enjoyed using them.

Our view was towards the Intercontinental (formerly the Nikko), in which we had stayed during our 2009 KL visit, or towards the club lounge, which was located opposite our windows, below the swimming pool.

The sofa was made for taller people and wave shaped. TV channels were regional and international.

The bed was very comfortable and made it difficult to get up.

The chairs were also comfortable and the rain shower heaven with very good water pressure.

The mini bar was stocked with soft drinks, water, juices (from 10 MYR or ca. 2.30 Euro or ca. 3.15 USD) and Carlsberg beer (25 MYR, ca. 5.80 Euro or ca. 7.80 USD).

In room dining was available 24 hours. Breakfast started from 35 MYR (ca. 8.10 Euro or ca. 10.95 USD), appetizers from 20 MYR (ca. 4.65 Euro or ca. 6.25 USD), mains from 38 MYR (ca. 8.80 Euro or 11.90 USD) and desserts from 15 MYR (ca. 3.50 Euro or 4.70 USD).

We used in room dining once after a long day out and about, otherwise we had dinner at the club lounge. We chose from the hawker stall inspired menu and had Chicken Satay Aneka and Beef Char Kway Teow, wok fried flat noodles with sliced beef, bean sprouts, scallion and ginger. It was delicious.

The Executive Club Lounge's breakfast was a mix of Western and Asian dishes buffet style with a wide variety and part of the buffet changed daily. Some hot items could be ordered a la carte, like omelet or pancakes. My absolute favorite was the Bircher Berner Muesli. It is so far the best I've ever had anywhere.

During Happy Hour a small selection of liquors, beers and wines was served as well as a local and international buffet. The cakes and desserts were a delight for both of us.

During our stay we used the internet and laundry services on a regular basis, which were all complimentary.

The internet was fast and reliable.

The laundry was always picked up quickly and delivered back at the stated hours in perfect condition and beautifully packaged.

Of course the hotel has other facilities too. The Makan Kitchen serves Pan Asian cuisine, Tosca Italian and the Cellar Door is a wine bar.

There is an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and the Sompoton Spa. I went for two treatments. I had the Malay and a foot reflexology massage. Both were fantastic and left me in a state of relaxation. I had the same room for both treatments. The Malay massage started punctual, but for the reflexology massage I had to wait, because another guest had arrived late for his treatment and his therapist was the only one who could do my massage as well. Since I was given a magazine and ginger tea in free flow, it wasn't too bad.

The treatment room was furnished in colonial style and overlooked the city. During the massages soothing music was playing. The therapists were friendly and knew what they were doing. They found the right balance to release the tensions.

We have only praise for the club lounge staff. They were always friendly, willing to assist and go the extra mile.

The ladies remembered our preferences for seating and our favorite beverages.

Charging our IPod Touch was done with a smile.

One day my better half was sick and couldn't attend breakfast in the lounge. I asked if I could take a few items for him, which is normally not allowed. It wasn't a problem as long as I brought back the plates and cutlery. When he felt better staff asked if his health had improved.

I will always think fondly about receiving a lesson how Beef Rendang is served correctly.

Our time flew by and soon it was time to check out. The receptionist was sad to see us go. We were also sad, but also looked forward to our next adventure in Kota Kinabalu, on the island of Borneo.

When we are back in KL this is a hotel we need to stay again for a few nights.

 ©2014