Win ONE MILLION Hilton points with Homewoodstories

by Grant Martin on

What would you do with a million HHonors points? Me? I’d probably spend a good week in the Conrad Maldives, take pictures of my gorgeous villas and send them incessantly to all of my friends and family. Or perhaps I might book an entire hotel for one night and have a massive party with all of my friends.

But who’s got a million points? Well, you could actually win them with Homewood Suites new contest, Homewood Stories. The Hilton business suite brand is soliciting entries that tell the story of successful (dare we say glorious?) Homewood stays, from stories of serendipitous happenstance to full on, outstanding customer support. One winner will be chosen at the end of the contest to win the grand prize.

Right now the entries are pretty paltry, but you can reasonably bet that competition is going to pick up pretty fiercely. Video, audio and text entries are accepted, so get out your video camera, dust off you blue ruffled tuxedo and get your game face on — one million HHpoints doesn’t come without creativity, work and luck.

[flickr photo via muha]

Survey says: Hotel guests generally happier with their stays

by Melanie Nayer on

It’s no surprise the hotel industry is making a strong comeback. When travel started to falter in the down economy, hotels kept the spirit alive with the ‘staycation’ craze. Now, as more people start spending money on much-needed vacations again, the hotel industry is once again at the forefront of recreating the ultimate customer service experience and according to travelers, hotels are doing a pretty good job.

The latest survey results from J.D. Power and Associates says guests have generally been happier with their hotel experience over the past year. The study finds that the proportion of hotel guests making reservations online has increased in 2010. Not surprisingly, a drop in hotel prices had a little something to do with this, but we’ve heard from more hotels that customer service and personalized guest programs have been at the forefront of their efforts over the past year.

So, how has your hotel stacked up against its competition? The latest study measures how well hotel chains satisfy their customers and ranks the hotels by economy-budget to upscale-luxury. The study leaves out independent chains and hotels, but more well-known brands like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, Embassy Suites and Hilton are part of the survey. Drury Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Microtel Inns & Suites, Omni Hotels and The Ritz-Carlton rank highest in customer satisfaction.

The following hotel brands rank highest in guest satisfaction within their respective segments:

Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton
Upscale: Omni Hotels & Resorts
Mid-Scale Full Service: Hilton Garden Inn (for a second consecutive year)
Mid-Scale Limited Service: Drury Inn & Suites (for a fifth consecutive year)
Economy/Budget: Microtel Inns & Suites (for a ninth consecutive year)
Extended Stay: Homewood Suites

We’re curious: Do you agree with the results? Were you satisfied with your most recent hotel stay?

Guests at Hilton’s Glasgow hotel fell ill after norovirus bug outbreak

by Melanie Nayer on

Nearly 40 people got sick after a suspected outbreak of the norovirus bug attacked the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. The guests and staff members suffered vomiting and diarrhoea, thought to have been caused by the bug, according to the BBC.

The norovirus bug is commonly linked to foodborne-outbreaks and can affect people of all ages. Two guests were admitted to the hospital and expected to make a full recovery. Meanwhile, the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde(NHSGGC) has started its investigation into the outbreak at the five-star hotel.

A Hilton Worldwide spokesperson said:

“In response to the suspected viral infection Hilton Glasgow is following its own strict health and safety procedures, as well as working closely with the local health officials, and is providing all possible assistance to the hotel’s guests and team members.”

Many guests who complained about symptoms were asked to stay in their rooms if they didn’t need hospital treatment, in an effort try to contain the outbreak.

New Waldorf Astoria hotel to open in West London

by Melanie Nayer on

The divine decadence of the Waldorf Astoria is continuing its journey across the pond. Hilton Worldwide announced it will open a new Waldorf Astoria hotel in West London‘s Syon Park.

The new hotel will look out across the River Thames onto Kew Gardens and is seven miles from Knightsbridge and Heathrow Airport. The 137-room hotel is set to open in November 2010 and will feature a butterfly house in the lobby, an ice-cream parlor and is rumored to offer “spa” treatments from celebrity surgeon Alex Karidis. The hotel will, of course, have several restaurants and bars, and offer a concierge service to help London travelers with top tourist attractions.

London’s Syon Park offers a wide range of event facilities, all which will be made available to Waldorf Astoria guests including The Grand Syon Ballroom, which can host 450 guests in a theater style setting or 320 guests for a cabaret.

Hilton joins Florida hotels in offering “Beach Satisfaction Guarantee”

by Melanie Nayer on

As the oil spill crisis continues to spark concern in the Gulf, travelers are becoming increasingly worried about their vacation plans. However, Florida hotels are working to offer guests ‘guaranteed satisfaction’ deals that help alleviate some of the worry. Just in from Hilton Hotels: Beach Satisfaction Guarantee.

Here’s how it works:

The “Beach Satisfaction Guarantee,” ensures that guests with reservations at any of Hilton Worldwide’s hotels from the Gulf Coast to South Florida that are beachfront or within a 20 minute drive to the beach will not be charged if the stay is in any way affected by the Gulf oil spill.

The guarantee is in effect through July 31, 2010. If you change or cancel a reservation at Hilton hotel because your stay will be negatively impacted by the Gulf oil spill, cancellation fees will be waived and Hilton will help you make new hotel arrangements at the same hotel or at any hotel within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands for another date. These brands include: Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Hilton Grand Vacations and Homewood Suites by Hilton.

For more information on Hilton Worldwide’s “Beach Satisfaction Guarantee” and applicable hotels, you can check out more details at www.beachsatisfaction.com.