Accor - Platinum Benefits?

[jsoprano]

Does anyone have any experience with the Sebel Launceston? Staying there for a night mid May on a relatively cheap online sale rate.

Just thought I'd share my experience at the Sebel Launceston this weekend: I did not ask for anything, I did not point out that I am Platinum, just wanted to see what is being offered. We were staying one night so it didn't make a difference to me really.

Room: got what I booked (Superior), no Upgrade to Deluxe or Deluxe Spa Suite although there was availability.
No other perks offered, nothing mentioned, not even welcomed as a LeClub member.

So don't expect anything here. Other than that the stay was faultless, the room was good and spacious. Nothing to complain about.

 

[Qld4101]

Exactly the same experience here last weekend (none of the advertised benefits offered aside from what was booked), no acknowledgment as a platinum.

However as above the stay was also good, room spacious and clean, location good. On a local level they seemed to be doing a good job - just need clarity around Accor benefits (very hit and miss).

 

[puppysparkes]

Property: Novotel Darling harbor 22/04/2014 - Sofitel was overpriced at $350!

Room booked: Double

Room upgraded/type: Yes - King room with a view of the harbor for the fireworks!

Rate: Walk in

Free internet: Yes

Welcome drink: No

Early check in/late out: 2pm but wasn't required.

Access to executive lounge (if existing): N/A

Additional care: Nil

General comments: Super friendly staff at check in/check out. As an aside I had booked the Rockford for the following weekend. Despite requesting an explanation, for reasons unknown they deducted the payment from my card despite a cancellation. Requested a refund and received zero acknowledgement of the complaint and had to follow up with a phone call.

Property: Pullman Brisbane 17/04/2014

Room booked: King

Room upgraded/type: No as I booked a king

Rate: Walk in 1am

Free internet: No but wasn't required

Welcome drink: I was literally asked "red or white sir" on check in then a bottle of 2013 De Bortoli legacy was delivered to my room immediately.

Early check in/late out: 3pm requested and granted but wasn't needed.

VIP treatment: No breakfast on this stay but was on a previous stay.

Access to executive lounge (if existing): N/A

General comments: Once again the staff at the Pullman have been fantastic to me.

 

[puppysparkes]

Property: Novotel Collins st MEL 28/5/2014

Room booked: King with a request for a Collins st view was granted.

Room upgraded/type: No although not sure it gets any better than a king bed??

Rate: Advance rate

Free internet: Yes

Welcome drink: No not as yet, 4 days to go.

Early check in/late out: I'll request 1pm checkout for Monday and report back

Access to executive lounge (if existing): N/A

Additional care: Nil so far

General comments: the hotel is situated directly across from Tiffany's & Co. Perfect for my partner likely bad for me. LV and the like are all close by so lads this might be a shopaholics dream, beware. I'll tick off the Sofitel next trip but no.35 will likely be sampled this trip.

Quick, friendly and efficient check in. But again the consistency between the Accor brands appears to be lacking. I wasn't asked for my WP card and I don't recall explanation of any advertised benefits. I'll put this down to a 5pm check in, all agents were busy and a cue was forming.

The front desk organised flowers and they were in the room on arrival as requested.

It is odd having to negotiate 2 sets of elevators...

 

[jetlagger]

Property: Novotel Collins st MEL 28/5/2014

Room booked: King with a request for a Collins st view granted.

Room upgraded/type: No although not sure it gets any better than a king bed??

Rate: Advance rate

Free internet: Yes

Welcome drink: Not as yet

Early check in/late out: I'll request 1pm checkout for Monday and report back

Access to executive lounge (if existing): N/A

Additional care: Nil so far

General comments: the hotel is situated directly across from Tiffany's & Co. Perfect for my partner likely bad for me. LV and the like are all close by so lads this might be a shopaholics dream, beware. I'll tick off the Sofitel next trip but no.35 will likely be sampled this trip

Not so much enchantment with Accor in Oz it appears then..

 

[puppysparkes]

Not so much enchantment with Accor in Oz it appears then..

When compared with my stays in Vietnam last year at the the following Accor properties: Nha Trang Novotel, Novotel Da Nang, Sofitel Ha Noi, Pullman Ha Noi, Sofitel Siagon plaza, Australian properties are inconsistent and below par at a service level. The physical product such as the room, fixtures and fittings are always similar, I have photos to demonstrate that! Each and every time, the staff and service are the major differentiating factor for me. Not that I expect to be lorded but the service is on another level that I haven't seen in oz except on occasion.

Aside from my experiences in Novotel Newcastle, Mecure Newcastle, Ibis Styles Karratha, Cairns and Brisbane Pullman brands it's hard to stay loyal as a self funded traveller. Even more so as I slip to gold : (

Seriously considering cashing in and trying my luck with with spg, hilton; or the Hyatt based on another AFF members consistent positive experiences. Do hotel chains status match? I've never done a mattress run..

 

[serfty]

...

Property: Pullman Brisbane 17/04/2014

...
VIP treatment: No breakfast on this stay but was on a previous stay.

Access to executive lounge (if existing): N/A...

Did you ask about breakfast?

Other than that I thought all "Pullman" hotels in Austrlaia has an exec lounge - and as such breakfast would be available there?!!?!

 

[TomVexille]

Did you ask about breakfast?

Other than that I thought all "Pullman" hotels in Austrlaia has an exec lounge - and as such breakfast would be available there?!!?!

When I stayed at the Brisbane Pullman, reception made no mention of a lounge or breakfast. We really had to push for the information. It definitely wasn't readily available.

 

[puppysparkes]

No I didn't bother as I was keen to get home. I had breakfast there previously and it wasn't bad. Their lounge was nice and quiet.

 

[blackcat20]

Seriously considering cashing in and trying my luck with with spg, hilton; or the Hyatt based on another AFF members consistent positive experiences. Do hotel chains status match? I've never done a mattress run..

Use Accor to match to Best Western, then use that to match to IHG.

 

[bass_ke]

Use Accor to match to Best Western, then use that to match to IHG.

This is exactly what I did. IHG have treated me remarkably well compared to most peoples experiences

 

[Pablo]

When I stayed at the Brisbane Pullman, reception made no mention of a lounge or breakfast. We really had to push for the information. It definitely wasn't readily available.

I was given exec lounge access, incl breakfast, when I stayed at the Mecure King George Square (attached to the Pullman). I was pretty impressed.

 

[Pablo]

This is exactly what I did. IHG have treated me remarkably well compared to most peoples experiences

Trouble with IHG in Australia though is they don't have as many properties and are always more expensive than Accor properties. I've never found one cheaper than Accor (maybe you would if you always stayed at Sofitel etc, but in Adelaide, Sydney, IHG is always more expensive than the Accor properties.)

 

[blackcat20]

This is exactly what I did. IHG have treated me remarkably well compared to most peoples experiences

I haven't been so lucky so far. Ironically the hotel booked through a third party did better than the one booked directly. But then, my one Accor stay was a complete shambles...

 

[mlob]

Curious to hear what level IHG you would end up with platinum accor

 

[blackcat20]

Curious to hear what level IHG you would end up with platinum accor

Platinum (via Best Western Diamond)

 

[jsoprano]

Platinum (via Best Western Diamond)

Interesting... just lost my IHG Platinum status because I had moved almost all my stays to Accor (reason being their bigger network of hotels that suited me better). But of course handy to get it back, especially with 2 upcoming IHG stays later this year. Thanks for this tip!

 

[bass_ke]

Trouble with IHG in Australia though is they don't have as many properties and are always more expensive than Accor properties. I've never found one cheaper than Accor (maybe you would if you always stayed at Sofitel etc, but in Adelaide, Sydney, IHG is always more expensive than the Accor properties.)

I've had incredible luck with certificates not being collected and great newsletter specials through priority privilege.

My last two nights at the HI old Sydney cost $140 a night for a king executive room.

If it weren't for PP I wouldn't see too much value in IHG apart from point breaks

 

[puppysparkes]

Use Accor to match to Best Western, then use that to match to IHG.

Cheers blackcat20, I think I had a crack at something like that previously based on info on another forum and wasn't successful. I'll try always again though ; )

 

[kevrosmith]

I've booked Sofitel Chicago and Sofitel Washington DC based on my (promotion-code matched) Platinum Accor Status for my trip to USA in Aug/Sep. I'm really hoping that to make the most of the Platinum Privileges if at all possible. I heard from someone that it helps if you hand over your membership card at check-in so that they recognise the status straight away. Any other suggestions?

Do others have any experience with these hotels?