Having stayed here before, I spotted a super deal just on the brink of travel resumptions after Covid and basically got the big suite at the same price as usually a standard King. I was really happy to be back and appreciated the huge suite with the bubble bath and separate seating and dining area looking out over the cute little pool (unfortunately it was way too cold to use it this time around). I had a good time, even ate at the on site restaurant twice and generally was happy to being able to travel again, albeit only domestically.

The aircon made a rattling noise all night and the bed was not the most comfortable Hilton I've ever slept on (definitely cheap plastic filling in the doona and pillows instead of proper feather down filling- huge difference I find) but those are all only nittle niggles. The property itself was lovely as ever and staff particularly friendly this time as I'd guess they were all happy to be on the way back to normal and glad to still have a job after all this. So I was about to give this a 5 Star rating until...

I was silly enough to take an empty wine glass out of the cupboard. This suite has a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher even so I didn't think much of it until I held the glass against the light. Oh my good lord! After all the hygiene blurb and the plastic dividers at reception and yet another blurb in the room about life after Covid and then THAT: The glass had the DNA of at least 15 people on it, plus lip stick stains, finger prints all over, I kid you not. Housekeeping comes in full Hazmat gear to clean the room but then don't notice the dirty dishes in the cupboard??? I don't even know how that can be in a room with a dishwasher! I then checked the next glass, not quite that bad but also not dishwasher cleaned and still finger prints visible. Third wine glass in a row then finally looked clean-ish but how would I know?

Really shameful Hilton, really really bad after all those spammy emails about how safe it is to stay in one of your properties. If you can't even check the glassware in the rooms, what am I going to think about anything else to do with hygiene measures in your properties? I mentioned the issue at checkout and the lady was just "Oh, I will check with Housekeeping". So that's like you're reporting a suspected crime with the police and they tell you "Oh, we check with the criminal..." so it will go. No. Frigging. Where. You can bet on that!

Here you can appreciate a quiet setting in a residential area that is within two blocks of major roads. You are across the street from a large public park and have an easy walk to restaurants, shops, and public transport. Even the city center is walk-able if you have the time, (it's directly on the other side of Hagley Park) the city terrain is very flat, which is great for bicycle rentals.

As a Hilton Diamond member, I received a central garden view room with separate bathtub/shower and a balcony, plenty of drink vouchers (no official executive lounge), and the full buffet breakfast with lots of hot options energized me for a day of sightseeing. Unfortunately, the pool was closed as it was the end of winter. I would recommend unless you absolutely must stay right in the CBD.