The first thing we saw on arrival are signs on the door reading “No money kept on the premise” & Main doors not open from 10pm-6am. |We arrived at 4 pm and there is no luggage assistance or valet. The desk was surprised when I asked for assistance with our luggage. The entry to the hotel was clogged with service vans - all remained the same for our 5 night stay. We mentioned this to the GM at breakfast, he explained he would have to pay someone $30/hr to greet and assist guests with their luggage. Isn’t this a 5 star hotel? It felt like a 3 star hotel with a nice lobby (albeit fake flowers) and a lovely executive lounge - kudos to the wonderful Gabriela. The small breakfast buffet was lack-luster, badly organized and often items were left empty. The space was just too small for a big hotel & seemed more 2 star hotel. Not enough tables, one coffee machine, food was barely the basics and didn’t even have water. Staff were not managed most days and clearly untrained - he took a plate with my husbands breakfast. Worst of all was the completely unattended pool, with used towels and pillows strewn everywhere. The only “pool service” was a plaque listing their bucket of beer. I texted the front desk, and discovered if I could find one of the tables there was a QR code for the same sad room service menu. We passed, but there were plenty of people with beer bottles in and around the pool. Very disappointing. Our room was fine and my two requests received an immediate response. But, the coffee maker didn’t function, nor did the rain shower - meaning after the room was serviced we had to remember to refocus the shower wand or it flooded the bathroom. We just dealt with it all rather than make another request. This was my first stay since the renovation and the rooms were much nicer now. I am a Hilton Diamond member, and this is not a 5 star Hilton. It had aspects of 4 star but sunk miserably to 2 star in many ways. $30/hr seems a bargain to have staff greet guests, help with luggage, find taxis (we used uber) and improve security. We left just before midnight and had to wonder if it was safe to be out front with the signs and no staff. There have to be better run hotels in Darwin. I debated 2 or 3 on this review but Gabriela in the lounge deserves a star for her warmth, professionalism and efficiency - the only such employee we met. She would...
Read moreWhat can i say but WOW. We had booked a One Bedroom King Suite for 4 nights. Check in was simple easy and quick. Staff ere friendly professional and polite. We had our own car and opted to park across the road at State Square Underground Car Park for $11 per night instead of Valet Parking with the Hilton for $39 per night. Full Buffet breakfast was also included in our room rate and there was a great selection to choose from including an egg station, juicer, pancake maker. It really catered for everyone. Food was excellent every morning. Our Suite was on the 15th floor and was awesome with views over the waterfront but on the first night the air conditioner in out room was noisy so we had to turn it off and we slept terrible as it was hot. We spoke to guests services and was immediately offered another suite but this time on the 18th floor. We packed our stuff up and left it in our room and left to go out for some lunch and on our return our luggage was already sitting and waiting fir us to unpack in our new room|Along with a bottle of wine and a hand written card from Shreeya apologising for the inconvenience. The new suite was identical to the other one so we quickly unpacked and settled in again for another 3 nights. The bathroom had his and her vanities and a walk in shower and seperate bath along with a little dressing room. The king bed was super comfy with high quality linen and pillows. There was also a tv in the bedroom as well as in the lounge room. There was a coffee maker in the room also. We could not fault the staff or our stay at Hilton Darwin. It is close to everything being o. Mitchell Street. We had a great lunch at Hotel Darwin and The Tap just across the road . As we had a suite we also had access to the Executive Lounge each afternoon from 5pm - 7pm. Food was nice although sometimes a bit cold but still fine. Great selection of beer and wine and we enjoyed it every night. The lady attending to every one every night was wonderful as well. As we nibbled and had a few beers and wines we never had dinner any night as that was sufficient for us. Overall an excellent stay once again in another Hilton Hotel. Would definitely recommend staying here for location service and comfort. Great...
Read moreMy son and I booked in for one night on 21/10/24 after driving for 5 days. From the entrance to the exit - it was a wonderful experience. FOYER: The foyer was beautifully decorated and smelled pleasant. It was a huge WOW factor. I actually had to stop and take it all in. The Christmas tree was beautifully decorated. RECEPTION: I was warmly greeted by a friendly gentleman called Dipesh. Check in was a breeze. He could not do enough for me. I felt like a million dollars. VALET PARKING: we choose to take valet parking and that was a breeze. All taken care of by Dipesh. PASSAGE TO ROOMS: I would suggest that your passageways smell the same as your foyer - which smelt fabulous. It was an anticlimax getting out of lift and having a bit of a ‘musty’ smell. ROOM: another WOW factor. Bright, fresh, new. Ensuite was exquisite. Beds we so comfortable. TV had movies you could watch WITHOUT paying and having to login to your own Netflix accounts. For this alone I would give 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5stars), 👏👏 Well done. BREAKFAST: we choose to go down later (9:20am) and have a sleep-in. I must be honest and say I was a little disappointed- it seemed like we got the last supplies. Bacon - which I love seemed old and tough - not crispy. In the bigger scheme of things - this is that could effect mug experience but for us was a minor because everything else was great. CHECKOUT - so so easy. Handed my keys in and walked out. Got my invoice in my inbox. So efficient!
NOTE: I want to highlight Dipesh (GRM) When we had a minor issue in the room with towels Dipesh was there - brought us a fresh set within minutes of calling. Then I left my pillow after checkout and contact Dipesh … who let me know the next day that it had been found and I could pick it up. This gentleman had the most amazing “can-do” attitude. So refreshing to have good old fashion service available. Well-done Dipesh. You made our experience so much more pleasant and sweeter.
Well done Hilton for employing Dipesh. You need to “clone” him - because then you will have the best hotel-chain.
LOVED LOVED LOVED OUR STAY!!
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