Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem

[Hershelsdeals]

Can shabbos meals be redeemed with points?

Are there any hotel amenities or services at the WAJ that can be redeemed for points?

No

[ilherman]

Well, I'm back from my Israel trips and wanted to give the board an update:
Upon checkout, I was told I had a $0 bill. No charge for the third person/rollaway bed in the room, and no charge for breakfast, even for the third person. I am a Diamond and stayed 4 nights - 2 using 80k points, and 2 using weekend night certificates.

FYI - When I checked in, I was given the option to upgrade to a suite for 'a fee'. He showed me the suite (beautiful, one bedroom and a separate living room) and asked for $800 a night as the fee! I said no, and he lowered the asking price again and again, all the way down to $450 a night. I still said no, and then he showed me a 'deluxe' room with a bit more space than regular rooms, available for a $150 upgrade fee. I asked him to just show me the room I was originally assigned, and it was nice, so we ended up just keeping the original room. On reflection, given that there were available rooms including suites and I am a Diamond, I should have been upgraded to a better room, maybe one with a balcony like others have reported here, or at least the Deluxe room. The room we got felt like a standard room (it was room #604), small. I had previously asked both the concierge that contacted me before our trip, as well as Hilton Diamond Desk, to request the hotel upgrade our room as this was a special trip for the family, appears they ignored the requests! The Tel Aviv Hilton was much more accommodating to us as far as Diamond upgrades than the WA Jerusalem. Disappointed. Everything else about the stay was great, including the 2 drink tickets, breakfast service, etc. Love the hotel itself.

Any advice for my next trip there on how to score an upgrade at the WA Jerusalem would be appreciated, I tried everything I know to no avail. I am not the type to raise a stink at check in, especially in front of my wife and daughter, but if that's what it takes I guess I'll tell my family to hang back and be 'that guy'. Grrr.

Disgusting.

You remember the name of the guy who escorted you? Even golds they upgrade everyday to even grand deluxe for free.

What's the חוצפה to ask $150 for a deluxe room?   

[Denverite]

On Tripadvisor in management responses they used to assure people that complained about the lack of a pool that it would be opening Q4 2016 and I noticed they've stopped  doing that.  A number of you predicted that it would get delayed or not built at all because they have no incentive.  I was just wondering if any of you recently there asked or had them tell you anything specific about the pool.  Not planning to go again until 2017 but my kids would love a pool.

[cholent]

I know this was discussed once but I don't remember a clear answer. Does breakfast on Shabbos include hot kugel?

[coupongal]

Well, I'm back from my Israel trips and wanted to give the board an update:
Upon checkout, I was told I had a $0 bill. No charge for the third person/rollaway bed in the room, and no charge for breakfast, even for the third person. I am a Diamond and stayed 4 nights - 2 using 80k points, and 2 using weekend night certificates.

FYI - When I checked in, I was given the option to upgrade to a suite for 'a fee'. He showed me the suite (beautiful, one bedroom and a separate living room) and asked for $800 a night as the fee! I said no, and he lowered the asking price again and again, all the way down to $450 a night. I still said no, and then he showed me a 'deluxe' room with a bit more space than regular rooms, available for a $150 upgrade fee. I asked him to just show me the room I was originally assigned, and it was nice, so we ended up just keeping the original room. On reflection, given that there were available rooms including suites and I am a Diamond, I should have been upgraded to a better room, maybe one with a balcony like others have reported here, or at least the Deluxe room. The room we got felt like a standard room (it was room #604), small. I had previously asked both the concierge that contacted me before our trip, as well as Hilton Diamond Desk, to request the hotel upgrade our room as this was a special trip for the family, appears they ignored the requests! The Tel Aviv Hilton was much more accommodating to us as far as Diamond upgrades than the WA Jerusalem. Disappointed. Everything else about the stay was great, including the 2 drink tickets, breakfast service, etc. Love the hotel itself.

Any advice for my next trip there on how to score an upgrade at the WA Jerusalem would be appreciated, I tried everything I know to no avail. I am not the type to raise a stink at check in, especially in front of my wife and daughter, but if that's what it takes I guess I'll tell my family to hang back and be 'that guy'. Grrr.

did you tell them when you made the reservation that there will be 3 people or when you arrived? wondering when I should tell them and when to request the rollaway

[mochjas]

did you tell them when you made the reservation that there will be 3 people or when you arrived? wondering when I should tell them and when to request the rollaway

i would just request it later. Go to the room then call in from the room saying you need a roll away.

[Yitz]

On Tripadvisor in management responses they used to assure people that complained about the lack of a pool that it would be opening Q4 2016 and I noticed they've stopped  doing that.  A number of you predicted that it would get delayed or not built at all because they have no incentive.  I was just wondering if any of you recently there asked or had them tell you anything specific about the pool.  Not planning to go again until 2017 but my kids would love a pool.

I emailed them recently and they sent a standard email that the pool is not ready and they can arrange for a fee swimming at another location or something like that

[Yitz]

I know this was discussed once but I don't remember a clear answer. Does breakfast on Shabbos include hot kugel?

They had a few choices of kugels that were hot

[davidmal]

i would just request it later. Go to the room then call in from the room saying you need a roll away.

Exactly your DW threw you out of then bed

[shampz]

did you tell them when you made the reservation that there will be 3 people or when you arrived? wondering when I should tell them and when to request the rollaway

No, because it wouldn't let me reserve a standard award room when I selected 3 people (unlike the TA Hilton which allowed me to do so), it only gave me premium room options that cost 160,019 points or something like that. Instead, I booked a standard award room for 2 people, and then added a third through the concierge when they contacted me the week before our stay. 

[shampz]

Disgusting.

You remember the name of the guy who escorted you? Even golds they upgrade everyday to even grand deluxe for free.

What's the חוצפה to ask $150 for a deluxe room?   

I racked my brain but can't remember. I have a notepad on my phone that I use to write down these type of things so I remember for next trip (i.e. what flights/seats we prefer, restaurants etc.) but I neglected to put names of people. It was the only tall guy at the check in desk.

[Denverite]

I emailed them recently and they sent a standard email that the pool is not ready and they can arrange for a fee swimming at another location or something like that

That's interesting.  I haven't heard of them offering free swimming elsewhere but that would be fine too.

[Yitz]

That's interesting.  I haven't heard of them offering free swimming elsewhere but that would be fine too.

not free for a FEE

[Denverite]

not free for a FEE

Ahh that pesky little "r" I missed...lol

[coupongal]

staying at the waldorf for shabbos, should we just eat friday night at the hotel or is there a better option close?

[Yitz]

staying at the waldorf for shabbos, should we just eat friday night at the hotel or is there a better option close?

We paid for friday night the meal was very nice could be called expensive. Shabbos mng we ate breakfast for the seuda and did not order a lunch meal

[Dan]

We paid for friday night the meal was very nice could be called expensive. Shabbos mng we ate breakfast for the seuda and did not order a lunch meal

That's the way to go.

[Kabrams1618]

What hours are shabbos breakfast? Can we eat after davening.  When is the lounge open on Friday and Shabbat?

[cholent]

What hours are shabbos breakfast? Can we eat after davening.  When is the lounge open on Friday and Shabbat?

Breakfast is till 11 on Shabbos

[Kabrams1618]

Does diamond automatically get lounge access at rhis hotel  even if not upgraded to a lounge floor room?