Accor Guests in Executive Lounges

[bits]

Hello brains trust. Slightly off topic, but related query.

Situation: I (platinum, Person A) will be travelling with my mum (no status, person B), and dad (no status, person C). Aim is to get all 3 of us into the executive lounge preferably for free or at minimal additional cost.

Option 1: Single booking of two rooms with A+B in room 1 (base room but plat benefits apply, hope for whatever upgrade comes our way), and C in room 2 (executive room to ensure exec access). This is the most obvious way to do it, and probably the highest cost way since have to pay for exec room for room 2. I believe I'll also get points for the entire booking.

Option 2: slight variation to Option 1 in that room 2 for C will be base room, and then just pay whatever additional guest fee is applicable for lounge entry at the time.

Option 3: Two separate bookings. Booking 1 for A+B in base room (so plat benefits apply via A). Booking 2 for A+C in base room (will plat benefits still apply or will the system have issue with the concurrent booking and seeing A registered across both rooms?).

I am paying for all rooms under all options.

Appreciate any advice/thoughts. Thanks

 

[aikman]

Some lounges have attendants at the door, some don't.

Everyone's different but I would choose option 2, let my parents enjoy the lounge while I use the (probably high) guest fee by splurging on food and drink outside of the hotel.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Hello brains trust. Slightly off topic, but related query.

Situation: I (platinum, Person A) will be travelling with my mum (no status, person B), and dad (no status, person C). Aim is to get all 3 of us into the executive lounge preferably for free or at minimal additional cost.

Option 1: Single booking of two rooms with A+B in room 1 (base room but plat benefits apply, hope for whatever upgrade comes our way), and C in room 2 (executive room to ensure exec access). This is the most obvious way to do it, and probably the highest cost way since have to pay for exec room for room 2. I believe I'll also get points for the entire booking.

Option 2: slight variation to Option 1 in that room 2 for C will be base room, and then just pay whatever additional guest fee is applicable for lounge entry at the time.

Option 3: Two separate bookings. Booking 1 for A+B in base room (so plat benefits apply via A). Booking 2 for A+C in base room (will plat benefits still apply or will the system have issue with the concurrent booking and seeing A registered across both rooms?).

I am paying for all rooms under all options.

Appreciate any advice/thoughts. Thanks

I have a similar issue with my family of four, so I would be interested in what you do and how it turned out.

In your situation and depending on where you are going, would it not be easier to put three adults in one room? I did see some SNU could be used for some 3 adult in one room options (eg Sofitel on Collins and Sofitel Brisbane Central ) and everyone gets lounge access via room and platinum!

I have heard instances where everyone got free breakfast platinum benefits even though 2 or more rooms booked, so maybe the executive lounge could be the same in some instances.

...and some lounges won't even let you pay to go in (so I'm assuming you're interested in one that does allow payment).

 

[bits]

I have a similar issue with my family of four, so I would be interested in what you do and how it turned out.

In your situation and depending on where you are going, would it not be easier to put three adults in one room? I did see some SNU could be used for some 3 adult in one room options (eg Sofitel on Collins and Sofitel Brisbane Central ) and everyone gets lounge access via room and platinum!

I have heard instances where everyone got free breakfast platinum benefits even though 2 or more rooms booked, so maybe the executive lounge could be the same in some instances.

...and some lounges won't even let you pay to go in (so I'm assuming you're interested in one that does allow payment).

I ended up doing single bookings for two base rooms (partly cause Accor doing flash 50% off sale for Greater China that ends today) but indicated 2 people per room with the intention being of registering A+B in room 1, and A+C in in room 2 when the time comes to check in. Not sure if that will be an issue at the time, worst case we end up as A+B in room 1 (with plat benefits), and C only in room 2 (without lounge) - if this is the case then I'll either just pay the additional fee to get C into the lounge, or rely on the hotel granting access out of goodwill.
Won't know the outcome until Feb/Mar 2025 as the trip isn't until then.

 

[bits]

I ended up doing single bookings for two base rooms (partly cause Accor doing flash 50% off sale for Greater China that ends today) but indicated 2 people per room with the intention being of registering A+B in room 1, and A+C in in room 2 when the time comes to check in. Not sure if that will be an issue at the time, worst case we end up as A+B in room 1 (with plat benefits), and C only in room 2 (without lounge) - if this is the case then I'll either just pay the additional fee to get C into the lounge, or rely on the hotel granting access out of goodwill.
Won't know the outcome until Feb/Mar 2025 as the trip isn't until then.

Just reporting back my trip experience (1 person platinum in room A amd 2 no status persons in room B):

Hotel 1: Ibis Hong Kong Sheung Wan
Booked two base rooms. Free Breakfast provided to all guests.

Hotel 2: Sofitel Macau
Booked two base rooms. 2 person breakfast/lounge entry to use however we liked. 3rd person is pay per use of breakfast/afternoon tea/happy hour if needed. So I just gave the allocation to my parents and I ate outside.

Hotel 3: Pullman Zhuhai
Booked two base rooms. Lounge access granted to all three guests. Breakfast for 3rd person was pay per use (if used).

Hotel 4: Sofitel Guangzhou
Booked two base rooms. Default was 3rd person pays for breakfast/lounge access. Slight issue arose during stay so one of the staff extended lounge access to all guests, which included breakfast in the main restaurant.

Hotel 5: Pullman Shanghai Jing'An
Booked two base rooms. 3rd person needs to pay for breakfast, lounge, if used. Two person allocation could be used however we liked.

Hotel 6: Sofitel Shanghai North Bund
Booked two base rooms. Lounge entry extended to both rooms. Breakfast chargeable for 3rd person, if used.

So on the whole, expect 3rd person to have to pay, but my experience is generally most hotels will extend a measure of good will.

 

[Holiday.with.Ken]

Hotel 6: Sofitel Shanghai North Bund
Booked two base rooms. Lounge entry extended to both rooms. Breakfast chargeable for 3rd person, if used.

How was Sofitel Shanghai North Bund? The hotel is brand new and looking very stylish. I know the location is a little further out. Was the club lounge decent?

 

[bits]

How was Sofitel Shanghai North Bund? The hotel is brand new and looking very stylish. I know the location is a little further out. Was the club lounge decent?

Hotel is new (2024), but that's probably the only pro I can speak of. Rooms have a dark/black&white theme, and are spacious, but I doubt whoever designed the room layout has ever travelled...who designs a room so that upon entry the first thing younare greeted with is the bathroom/bath tub/toilet?? Anyway...

Cons (many):
- Lounge offering is poor. Opens from 1030am only, doesn't serve breakfast (breakfast only available from the main restaurant which is next door.
- All day snacks offering in the lounge is slightly better than usual, but this is at the expense of no formal afternoon tea.
- Happy hour offering is particularly disappointing as they focus only on cold canape food (none of it was wow). No hot food (buffet style or a la carte) is offered. Drinks are Red/white wine, beer or softdrink only. No coughtails or liquor of any kind provided?! So can't even make a gin and tonic...
- Breakfast was usual fare, but less range than other sofitels.
- Location is a little further out. Not a huge issue as Didi rides are cheap as chips. But there is nothing notable in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.

Would I recommend or stay again? No. The price premium charged here isn't justified by the offering (which isn't up to expected sofitel standard). Plenty of other Accor options in Shanghai. Eg the lounge happy hour at Pullman Jing'An is pretty much a buffet with a strong weighting toward hot food - you can have a full dinner there.