Accor "Welcome" Gifts for Elites?

[Captain Halliday]

Nil, zip, zilch, nada for Platinum at Novotel Sydney Central today.

Not even water in the room.

And when I say no water in the room - I mean there is no running water in the tap. There was no mention of maitenance at the shambles of a checkin either.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Pullman Port Douglas - no platinum gift

Is it normal not to receive welcome gifts as an elite, particularly at luxury brands like Pullman?

-RooFlyer88

 

[bullerdude]

Is it normal not to receive welcome gifts as an elite, particularly at luxury brands like Pullman?

-RooFlyer88

Definitely abnormal not to receive a welcome gift at Accor properties as a Platinum (at least for me).

Perhaps the Sea Temple being a sought after resort property they don’t see the need.

Was on the list for included platinum breakfast so my membership defs on the booking.

 

[samh004]

Accor Plus Platinum:

• Art Series The Larwill Melbourne – can't recall a gift but 2 whole bottles of wine, same with an Accor Plus Gold friend.
• Sofitel Darling Harbour – bottle of wine and water, drink vouchers.
• Sofitel Adelaide – nut mix in a mason jar and drink vouchers (by far the most underwhelming for a premium property).
• MGallery The Rocks – water and drink vouchers.

My pick of all those though was the Sofitel Darling Harbour, the service was amazing from the moment I arrived till I checked-out, with plenty of freebies in afternoon tea, canapés, breakfast and upgrades. Soured my view of the Sofitel Adelaide, which was a mess on the two occasions I stayed – I'd have done better at the Grosvenor.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Given the consistent inconsistencies between Accor properties I'm seeing on this thread in terms of Welcome gifts and on the other thread as to how guests are treated, one wonders if it makes sense to build up a database of ratings to make it easier for those of us who frequent Accor hotels regularly to pick out which property to stay at?

In particular, I look to the famous AAA Diamond rating that is used to provide a consistent rating for hotels across North America:

• Diamond Approved: Noteworthy by meeting the industry-leading standards of AAA inspections.
• Three Diamond: Trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting.
• Four Diamond: Distinctive fine dining, well-serviced amid upscale ambience.
• Five Diamond: Leading-edge cuisine, ingredients and preparation with extraordinary service and surroundings.

If I were to apply this to Accor hotels, I suppose the analogous rating would be croissants:

• One Croissant: Meets the minimum requirements as set forth by the Accor ALL program (i.e. early/late check-outs, breakfast, welcome gifts, drink vouchers, etc.) along with the basic requirements for staying at a hotel in general (i.e. no bed bugs, power outlets, and free from unusual odours)
• Three Croissant: Exceeds ALL program requirements by including extended amenities not ordinarily found in an Accor property (i.e. extended breakfast buffet), has a solid restaurant worth visiting.
• Four Croissant: Distinctive fine dining and amenities in an upscale property
• Croissant Basket: Cutting-edge dining, and amenities.

And for those that don't even meet the croissant level, perhaps we could have a baguette level:

• Quarter baguette: Provides the absolute basic amenities you'd expect in a hotel (i.e. clean)
• Half baguette: Provides basic amenities and some (but not all) Accor Plus benefits

Unsure if this rating makes sense but I think there could be some value in having a readily search list (i.e. spreadsheet) to help us Accor travellers suss out which properties to stay at and which to avoid.

-RooFlyer88

 

[bullerdude]

Given the consistent inconsistencies between Accor properties I'm seeing on this thread in terms of Welcome gifts and on the other thread as to how guests are treated, one wonders if it makes sense to build up a database of ratings to make it easier for those of us who frequent Accor hotels regularly to pick out which property to stay at?

In particular, I look to the famous AAA Diamond rating that is used to provide a consistent rating for hotels across North America:

• Diamond Approved: Noteworthy by meeting the industry-leading standards of AAA inspections.
• Three Diamond: Trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting.
• Four Diamond: Distinctive fine dining, well-serviced amid upscale ambience.
• Five Diamond: Leading-edge cuisine, ingredients and preparation with extraordinary service and surroundings.

If I were to apply this to Accor hotels, I suppose the analogous rating would be croissants:

• One Croissant: Meets the minimum requirements as set forth by the Accor ALL program (i.e. early/late check-outs, breakfast, welcome gifts, drink vouchers, etc.) along with the basic requirements for staying at a hotel in general (i.e. no bed bugs, power outlets, and free from unusual odours)
• Three Croissant: Exceeds ALL program requirements by including extended amenities not ordinarily found in an Accor property (i.e. extended breakfast buffet), has a solid restaurant worth visiting.
• Four Croissant: Distinctive fine dining and amenities in an upscale property
• Croissant Basket: Cutting-edge dining, and amenities.

And for those that don't even meet the croissant level, perhaps we could have a baguette level:

• Quarter baguette: Provides the absolute basic amenities you'd expect in a hotel (i.e. clean)
• Half baguette: Provides basic amenities and some (but not all) Accor Plus benefits

Unsure if this rating makes sense but I think there could be some value in having a readily search list (i.e. spreadsheet) to help us Accor travellers suss out which properties to stay at and which to avoid.

-RooFlyer88

Nice work… I’m still laughing (I’m a good sense)

 

[jase05]

Accor Plus Platinum:

• Art Series The Larwill Melbourne – can't recall a gift but 2 whole bottles of wine, same with an Accor Plus Gold friend.
• Sofitel Darling Harbour – bottle of wine and water, drink vouchers.
• Sofitel Adelaide – nut mix in a mason jar and drink vouchers (by far the most underwhelming for a premium property).
• MGallery The Rocks – water and drink vouchers.

My pick of all those though was the Sofitel Darling Harbour, the service was amazing from the moment I arrived till I checked-out, with plenty of freebies in afternoon tea, canapés, breakfast and upgrades. Soured my view of the Sofitel Adelaide, which was a mess on the two occasions I stayed – I'd have done better at the Grosvenor.

As Accor Plus Diamond I tend to agree with you on the Sofitel Adelaide welcome gifts. We have been regulars since it opened and whilst most occasions we get a bottle of bubbly or white aswell as chocolates and nibbles we have had a couple of times where the “nuts in a jar” was all we received. The service has always been first rate for us though

 

[samh004]

The service has always been first rate for us though

Agree there's no issue with service at the property, but during their very long soft launch I was disappointed in what I received for the price paid. I believe since my last visit the lounge is now open all day, among other things, but don't know if they're still staggering evening drinks – seems like a massive failure if they didn't make the lounge big enough for the number of elites they'd receive.

 

[maia200]

I'm staying at the Sofitel Wentworth tomorrow night and received this email as part of a welcome email asking if I want a 'welcome amenity' or 300 courtesy points? Since most of my recent stays at Accor have been sadly lacking a 'welcome amenity' or with a Perrier water and a little chocolate (or similar), I'm almost tempted to take the 300 courtesy points which I assume are reward points. Has anyone else received this offer?

 

[TripTrap]

My welcome gift at the Sofitel Wentworth were exactly that, chocolates and Evian water. So stupid to import water from France... I'd take the points.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

My welcome gift at the Sofitel Wentworth were exactly that, chocolates and Evian water. So stupid to import water from France... I'd take the points.

That is awfully cheap for a luxury property like a Sofitel. I'm currently staying at the ibis Sydney Darling harbour and my welcome gift was a glass bottle of Perrier (750 ml) and 3 Macaroons, which I'd argue is on par with what you received from Sofitel. With that being said, there is certainly a huge variation of the welcome gifts across properties with there being little rhyme or reason. At a Movenpick I received two bottles of water and some granola bars, meanwhile staying at an ibis in Melbourne it was a bottle of wine whereas at Novotel in QLD, it was bottle of wine and platter of fresh fruits, cheeses, etc.

What annoys me about the "choice" between points and welcome gift is they never tell you what the welcome gift is. If it is a bottle of wine, I'd argue that's more valuable than 300 Accor points (~$10 AUD). On the other hand, if it's something I can pick up with a fiver at a Coles or Woolies, I'll gladly take the points.

-RooFlyer88

 

[maia200]

I guess I won't find out now as I took the points. Welcome amenity has been getting smaller and smaller. Sometimes I don't even get bottled water. At one Sofitel I had the small bottle of Perrier water for both of us. It's always exciting going into a room and seeing if there's anything but I have actually given up on my expectations.

 

[serfty]

I guess I won't find out now as I took the points.

Well, that can be $10 worth ...

A guide to Le Club AccorHotels points earn, frequent flyer partners and transfers

We take a look at the Le Club AccorHotels program of Accor Hotels, including the benefits of holding status within the program.

www.pointhacks.com.au

Rewards points have a value of approximately AUD 3.3 cents each when used for credit to spend at Le Club AccorHotels properties. This should always serve as your value baseline when deciding whether to transfer to a frequent flyer program.

 

[maia200]

Well, that can be $10 worth ...

A guide to Le Club AccorHotels points earn, frequent flyer partners and transfers

We take a look at the Le Club AccorHotels program of Accor Hotels, including the benefits of holding status within the program.

www.pointhacks.com.au

I think that they could do quite a lot for $10 in way of a welcome amenity that would look special. Eg
Cheeses, biscuits fruit, chocolate and maybe a small wine.... they would have most of that in the kitchen anyway. Just like they used to do.

 

[maia200]

Anyway I believe they have a nice lounge there, so I'm sure that will make up for it.

 

[maia200]

An update on my stay. I am not sure whether I will receive my points but I did find this when I arrived back in my room after dinner last night. The welcome note was also interesting. My name and nothing else. The chocolates are actually very nice so I'm sure it's a lot more than $10.

 

[MARTINE]

I have been watching this thread with interest as had not used Accor for a while but going to Montreaux music festival next year and staying at the Fairmont will deliver quite a few pts and status as price triples.

Even if I escalate through the tiers the ‘welcome’ gift and ‘special treatments’ mentioned on these pages seems a little underwhelming.

As sterling Leaders Club (another free program) I always get fruit/choc on arrival and daily water as a given and a very regional interesting amenity.
-Bag of Ortigia products in Milan
-Hand made ceramic pine cone in Taormina from one of the local artisans
- Tin of hotel special blend tea unique Ashford Castle (so good I still order it through the hotel website)
The welcome card is (looks) hand written by hotel manager and contains something personalised.

A long time ago we did a month in Canada when Fairmont had its own program for those gorgeous old properties once owned by Canadian Pacific (Banff/hotel Vancouver etc). I was sent a Moleskin travel diary, quality luggage tags.

I will see what happens after next years trip to the Fairmont (which is a wonderful hotel in any case).

 

[TripTrap]

An update on my stay. I am not sure whether I will receive my points but I did find this when I arrived back in my room after dinner last night. The welcome note was also interesting. My name and nothing else. The chocolates are actually very nice so I'm sure it's a lot more than $10.

That's nice. I like that wine. I received it at a couple of properties before e.g. Sofitel Brisbane, Mantra Lorne. I reckon Accor got a good deal for a decent wine for purchasing a lot of it for many of their properties.

I have been watching this thread with interest as had not used Accor for a while but going to Montreaux music festival next year and staying at the Fairmont will deliver quite a few pts and status as price triples.

Even if I escalate through the tiers the ‘welcome’ gift and ‘special treatments’ mentioned on these pages seems a little underwhelming.

As sterling Leaders Club (another free program) I always get fruit/choc on arrival and daily water as a given and a very regional interesting amenity.
-Bag of Ortigia products in Milan
-Hand made ceramic pine cone in Taormina from one of the local artisans
- Tin of hotel special blend tea unique Ashford Castle (so good I still order it through the hotel website)
The welcome card is (looks) hand written by hotel manager and contains something personalised.

A long time ago we did a month in Canada when Fairmont had its own program for those gorgeous old properties once owned by Canadian Pacific (Banff/hotel Vancouver etc). I was sent a Moleskin travel diary, quality luggage tags.

I will see what happens after next years trip to the Fairmont (which is a wonderful hotel in any case).

I like the ceramic cone as a gift. I appreciate if the gift is something local or something thoughtful. I once got a little pouch of bush tomato spice at the Grosvenor in Adelaide. Attached was a note with a recipe and the story about the aboriginal source of the spice. The night was only $90 and the gift can't have cost them more than $0.10. I appreciated it nevertheless because it was so thoughtful (and delicious).

 

[SeaWolf]

Stayed at the Movenpick in Melbourne last week and got a bottle of red wine and some rocky road chocolate.
I've found hotels in Australia frequently give a bottle wine, which is a bit disappointing for me as I don't drink. The chocolate is a nice addition to it though.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

I'm only Accor Silver so have never received anything.