Hidden Charges at NEC Hilton Metropole Hotel

Vibia

In February 2007 we were invited (my daughter and I) to attend the
annual Patchwork and Quilting Show at the NEC organised by
twistedthread.com - this is an excellent show so we were loath to
miss it. This is always held the weekend before August Bank
Holiday. Hundreds of people attend form the UK and around the
world - believe me! As I was feeling relatively rich at the time I decided to treat my
daughter to the Gala Dinner for this event held at NEC Hilton Metropole Hotel
on Thursday 16 August. This cost me £36 each. I am an OAP! When we arrived from where we were staying (the ticket said "reception" at 7pm for dinner at 7.30pm) we had to take a car parking ticket at the entrance to the Hilton which cost £5! We could not get into the car park without it As we were attending an event there I thought this was a bit steep.
However it turned out we had eventually to pay £8 as the stay we made was
over three hours due to the excellent after dinner speaker who didn't
start speaking until 9.40pm.
Not only that, I think you would expect a welcoming drink at a
reception wouldn't you? I had to pay £4.75 for a GLASS of white
wine and my daughter paid £5 for a bottle of water! We did not
know that water was provided at the table so this expense was
unnecessary. We were not informed of this.
I have written to complain. I must say the service and food at the hotel was first rate (but we could not afford to leave a tip for the staff for obvious reasons). I have had
quick replies from both parties but feel that people in general (not just
quilters) should be warned of these hidden charges at the NEC (car parking
costs £8 a day anyway at the NEC and the fact that there is a shuttle bus
services from outlying hotels is not properly publicised). Be warned of the hidden charges from such a prestigious hotel! I understand the Hilton charge for car parking overnight even if you are a
resident! How can this be? I also understand that if I had presented my
car park ticket to reception we may have been able to park there for
£5.00 overnight as we were attending an event. But we were not told this.But why pay at all? I am naive aren't I!

21 September 2007...
Hello - thank you to all who have looked at the warning and replied. To be fair to the Hilton NEC I have today received recompense for the unexpected charges for which I am grateful. Pat in Gloucester

redmike123

Sadly, yes you are naive. Even more sadly you are not alone.

Busy hotels near airports charge for carparking ( because they can!)

Hilton hotels are not 4 ale bars, so can and do charge premium prices for drinks.

If they had to "warn" each and every naive person that they charge for car parking, their drinks are a bit expensive etc, the rainforests would be under an even greater threat.

MyRubyRed

I'm a Travel Manager and deal extensively with hotels in the UK and abroad. The cost of car parking with Hilton is a big issue. Be aware that not all the car parks on hotel grounds belong to Hilton but in any scenario the cost can push up the cost of an overnight stay considerably. Glasgow can be as high as £18 per night. I can only suggest that you ask for details of car park costs and any concession for residents when making the booking. That way you know up front what you are in for.
As for the cost of drinks - you got off lightly, one of my travellers paid almost £9.00 for a glass of white wine at the Blackpool Hilton.
That said, Hilton on the whole is a good brand, there's a lot worse out there believe me.

mrcow

Vibia wrote: »

I understand the Hilton charge for car parking overnight even if you are a
resident! How can this be?

It's probably just their blanket policy.

vikingaero

Plenty of hotels charge for parking. With the Hilton at the NEC it's a cash cow because you can't realistically park anywhere else. In fact I'm fairly sure that the NEC charge for parking at events, despite you having to pay to enter the event.

If a bottle of water was £5, I would have asked for tap water!

kittykat100

Be thankful you weren't parking in London where the parking charges at hotels are HORRENDOUS! As for parking, it does say that they charge on their website, but maybe you thought it wasn't necessary to check. As for the prices of drinks, unfortunately top hotels can afford to charge lots for drinks, you only have to look at their room rates to get an inkling on cost of drinks. RE; the reception drink you may have been expecting, this was obviously not organised by the organisers of the dinner so that is not the hotels fault. However I am glad you enjoyed your evening.

Kittyx

Vibia

Hello - thank you to all who have looked at the warning and replied. To be fair to the Hilton NEC I have today received recompense for the unexpected charges for which I am grateful. Pat in Gloucester

Vibia

Hello - thank you to all who have looked at the warning and replied. To be fair to the Hilton NEC I have today received recompense for the unexpected charges for which I am grateful. Pat in Gloucester

katiemay_2

I have had to pay to park at every hotel in Birmingham I have ever stayed at. I know that is true for the Marriott in Leeds too - only its an NCP car park so its extra expensive!