Families beware... As a family of long-time HH/Di...

Families beware... As a family of long-time HH/Diamond members, we were taken aback our first night here when the Executive Lounge attendant informed us that children are not allowed there in the evenings "because of the alcohol..." (as if alcohol wasn't available in every other food service area of the hotel). We've used Exec Lounges in numerous Hiltons in about a dozen countries and never encountered such a policy - which, effectively, made the Exec Lounge unusable for us, as the breakfast selection is far more substantial in the 'regular' restaurant, and there was nothing but a picked-over bowl of pretzels (or less) in the lounge during the rest of the day. The lounge is also very under-built - especially for a large new hotel, with lots of Gold/Diamond members stopping over before cruises - with no seating available for much of the evening (even when just one parent tried to utilize it). It would have helped to at least be informed of the 'no children' policy at check-in, but reception (and the other lounge attendants) seemed to be unaware of the policy, leading one to wonder if the policy is a 'personal' one of the main attendant (who also is inquisitively chatty, to the point of driving off would-be Lounge visitors), rather than actually representing the hotel's policy. All in all, our worst-ever Exec Lounge experience, which seriously undermined what was intended to be a quiet and relaxing family stay prior to a cruise. And the negative experience was exacerbated by extremely slow room service - an hour plus in a couple of instances. The breakfasts were marred every day, too, by mangled, missed, or lost orders. Maybe checking-in should have clued us in as to what was to come, as - in spite of advance reservations - our 'family room' had no sheets or pillow cases for the (still folded-up) sofa bed, and it took a very long time - and a reminder call - before a rather confused employee finally appeared at the door late that night with the bedding. The facility itself is rather nice - and the housekeepers do a great job - but after nearly a year open, the hotel still seems to having breaking-in problems with both the physical plant and many of the personnel.