How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[dairyfloss]

The lounge gets very crowded since anyone can just pay to enter irrespective of status or room type. My advice, get there early.

How so? Room supplement?

 

[TheRealTMA]

How so? Room supplement?

Just pay $95 per person.

Club Millésime Package | $95 pp upgrade | Sofitel Brisbane Central

Indulge yourself & book an upgraded stay with exclusive access to Club Milliseme executive lounge inclusive of drinks, canapes, welcome gift, & late check out.

www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au

 

[eric2011]

As a Plat I stay on a regular basis and regardless of which time block I book I just walk in whenever I'm ready. Never been told off and I always get seated.

 

[zig]

In the early post covid days Sofitel Melbourne had 2 sittings in the lounge. From my observation quite a few people who booked the first sitting didn't leave at the end of their allocated time. They were allowed to remain, I suppose because the lounge wasn't particularly busy. Technically I think everyone was meant to leave the lounge for it to be cleaned and have the food offerings reset etc, however in practice this didn't happen when I was there.

 

[jase05]

In the early post covid days Sofitel Melbourne had 2 sittings in the lounge. From my observation quite a few people who booked the first sitting didn't leave at the end of their allocated time. They were allowed to remain, I suppose because the lounge wasn't particularly busy. Technically I think everyone was meant to leave the lounge for it to be cleaned and have the food offerings reset etc, however in practice this didn't happen when I was there.

Two stays at Melbourne Sofitel in last month and on ANZAC Day they were packed in the evening and initially I was turned away until one of the staff recognised us as Diamonds and seated us at the bar area and delivered food and drinks to us out there and then weekend just gone we were told that breakfast in the EL would be full on Sunday and we may struggle to find a seat so I requested a table to be reserved for us. Not impressed on either count and voiced my disapproval to staff and fired off an email with some suggestions.
Have noticed EL’s are getting more crowded and Accor need to fix the issue and especially give preference to Diamonds over others

 

[zig]

Two stays at Melbourne Sofitel in last month and on ANZAC Day they were packed in the evening and initially I was turned away until one of the staff recognised us as Diamonds and seated us at the bar area and delivered food and drinks to us out there and then weekend just gone we were told that breakfast in the EL would be full on Sunday and we may struggle to find a seat so I requested a table to be reserved for us. Not impressed on either count and voiced my disapproval to staff and fired off an email with some suggestions.
Have noticed EL’s are getting more crowded and Accor need to fix the issue and especially give preference to Diamonds over others

Wow, the lounges are getting busy. I haven't stayed at Sofitel Melbourne for a while and as I no longer have the necessary status I pay for lounge access. Part of the appeal to me has been that the lounge in the past has rarely been busy, apart from the occasional Saturday evening. Going forward I will reconsider paying the premium for lounge access. It's unfortunate as I have always enjoyed the Sofitel lounge and it is my preferred Melbourne hotel.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I have been emailed by a “guest experience agent” about the Executive Lounge asking if I’d prefer the first sitting (5:15pm-6:15pm) or the second sitting (6:30pm to 7:30pm).

Is this new?

Is it really so busy they need two sittings?

Is one sitting better than the other?

It’s been around for a while, We experienced this once in September last year, when it was new and we got a bit of paper at checkin. As at then:

• It was only on busy nights, when there were a lot of status members staying. We had to pick a sitting first night we stayed (a Saturday) but had free rein on Sunday
• Platinum members, we were told, had to select a sitting while Diamond members could come and go anytime.
• There was a limitless member there on Saturday and the bowing and scraping was something to behold. It seems Limitless members (only) can reserve a table, rather than a sitting
• No sittings requirement at Le Gouter, but no free beer either, which would dim the relative appeal and crowding
• I’d pick the first sitting, get there early and grab a good seat

It may of course have morphed since then. We didn’t get a call in advance, just the photocopied paper at check in.

 

[jase05]

Wow, the lounges are getting busy. I haven't stayed at Sofitel Melbourne for a while and as I no longer have the necessary status I pay for lounge access. Part of the appeal to me has been that the lounge in the past has rarely been busy, apart from the occasional Saturday evening. Going forward I will reconsider paying the premium for lounge access. It's unfortunate as I have always enjoyed the Sofitel lounge and it is my preferred Melbourne hotel.

I’d guess weeknights are far quieter and I know they are at Sofitel Adelaide but we go to the footy a bit so it’s always weekend stays in Melbourne and they have been busy of late

 

[sudoer]

Completely predictable when half the Accor Plus members get 40 status nights gifted for nothing.

 

[jase05]

Completely predictable when half the Accor Plus members get 40 status nights gifted for nothing.

And you have some like the Pullman Adelaide that has seating for about 20-30 only and you have to get there early

 

[Captain Halliday]

I’d guess weeknights are far quieter and I know they are at Sofitel Adelaide but we go to the footy a bit so it’s always weekend stays in Melbourne and they have been busy of late

I’m staying Fri and had assumed it would be quieter than other nights because the road warriors might go home for the weekend.

Plus, the free night was available Fri and not Sat, so that indicates lower occupancy too.

Anyhow the advice from many of you has been terrific, thanks.

I’ll get there early, expect a zoo and keep an eye out for anyone limitless!