Review: Hilton Tallinn

We were at the Telegraph a couple of weeks ago. Can highly recommend for location in old city and charming historic building. Nice breakfast in restaurant, possibly even for golds. It was confusing since the hotel had me listed as gold, even though I’m Platinum only by virtue of RC card, and even before I mentioned that they were giving us breakfast coupons.

“Breakfast is served daily in the lounge from 7AM until 10:30AM, though really there’s no reason to have breakfast here, since anyone with access to the lounge can also have breakfast in the restaurant at no extra cost.”

Isn’t that true of any other hotel? One with status or buying a room with lounge access can use it. As much as I respect and love Lucky’s OMATT, you can see the clear bias against Hilton. In the end, he still ends up recommending Marriot any chance he gets. He may hate Marriott on paper, but he loves it nonetheless. If he were at Marriott, would he say there isn’t any reason to have breakfast here at the lounge, because anyone with lounge access can eat here at no extra cost. What extra costs? Should hotels charge those loyal VIPs extra to use the lounge? Those who did pay extra for lounge access has the right to be there.

It is only because it is a Hilton property that comes the bashing. If it were Marriott (SPG), or Hyatt, he would never ever make that comment. I love your articles and yes I respect your opinions to feel comfortable to have my two cents on this, but enough with the Hilton bashing. Thank you ^^

Stanley from US, not the one from Europe.

I think you may be mistaken about the breakfast statement Stanley brought up. If you book an executive room without breakfast, you can only have breakfast in the lounge. You had the option to dine in the main restaurant because you were a Gold member.

@Ganoz thank you for that explanation

"Thanks to my Honors Gold status we had access to the hotel’s executive lounge"

I thought Golds only get lounge access if they are upgraded to an Exec (Club) level room, whereas Diamonds get access regardless of room they are in. Does this hotel really give access to Golds regardless of room? You didn't mention being upgraded to an Exec level room, although I suppose the suite for the first night may have qualified.

Stanley from US - chill bud. And ask questions if unsure. No need to go all gangsta right away

HHD always gets free lounge access. HHG only gets lounge access if upgraded to a executive room. HHG and HHD always have free breakfast in the resturant.

Unfortunate hotels all booked; I couldn’t imagine visiting Tallinn and not staying local and in Old Town rather than a bland corporate hotel. I visited during January (surprisingly mild) and hope to return soon.

Did they tell you at check in you only had the suite for the first night ?
Would have refused it right then, & if they didn't and called you the following day, tell them to go pound sand.

There some great hotels that are closer and just outside the old town (~ 5 minute walk in) that are modern and comfortable - check out the L'Hermitage and the Centennial. Breakfasts are very good with lots of local flavors.

@Chatter lol. I get it. Just feel that Lucky is very biased against Hilton even if they give him a free night at a Presidential Suite. No disrespect meant for Lucky. Just got very heated as you said. Thanks for pointing it out.

@criced - no, often Gold get only Exec Lounge breakfast if upgraded, not restaurant. Have a look at the fantastic FT thread on Hilton breakfast for Gold & Diamond around the world to see the variability.

@lucky I thought the restaurant breakfast there was superb, which properties have you been at recently that were better? By comparison the US Hilton properties normally have much poorer offerings and to add insult to injury often upcharge and then expect to receive a tip for you serving yourself!

@criced-as a HH Diamond, yes you always get acess to the EL lounge no matter what type/where your room is located. But it isn’t a given/automatic that you can take your free breakfast in the restaurant as well. I’ve been refused this option many times. I always ask if it’s available to do...if it’s a given, they gladly welcome me. Sometimes if there is a problem with th lounge (e.g. closed and relocated to a different smaller location or overcrowding, I request/insist on the restaurant and they usually approve it. So more often than not it’s fine. Off-hand I can recall getting pushback from the Hilton in Bangkok (but not the Conrad) and just on my most recent stay in Quito, Ecuador they told me it would be an additional partial up-charge to eat the much bigger buffet in the restaurant...so we were stuck in the lounge unless we wanted to pay....but no issue in Guayaquil.

Feel free to tell me something you may now that confirms their policy on this.

I never get in the EL as a gold only as a diamond?

I had diamond status with Hilton for a while and dropped it when I started using Air B&B and realised I could get exceptional and unique properties for far less money and not have to worry about chasing status. The Hilton Tallinn looks utterly gorgeous and I know Air B&B isn’t suited to everyone’s tastes and location and people can have bad experiences with them, but at the price point (Hilton money), it just can’t be beat IMO. Same with Über, rarely use a taxi nowadays.
What I’m getting at is the new economy has really broadened the horizons and opportunities of frequent travellers. At the same time the lack of consistency in major hotel chain properties is staggering. Whilst the Hilton Tallinn is a knockout, the Hilton Cairns (I’m in Australia) is sad and tired, and bending requirements and privileges with the hotel programs to the point that people like me say ‘forget it, I’ll try a new economy option.’

DCS would have gotten that suite upgrade for four nights on three paid. He's just that good.

@Jamie it just depends on the hotel. Your statement is definitely more true of US based Hilton hotels. I know at Hilton Petaling, golds do get access to upgrades and executive lounge privileges. Even as a diamond, I do not always get an upgrade as it all depends on the hotel, not always based on availability. When there used to be a Hilton Shanghai, they decided to give the junior suite to someone with gold status instead of me with diamond status although we both checked in on the same day and time.