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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.
 
zig said:
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.
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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
 
jase05 said:
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
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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.
 
Captain Halliday said:
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?🤔
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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.
 
zig said:
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.
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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
 
jase05 said:
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
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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! 👍
 
Property: Sofitel Brisbane
Status: Accor Plus Platinum
Room booked: Superior Room
Room upgraded/type: Yes, Luxury Room
Rate: Accor Plus free night (rack rate showing $360)
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast? Yes
Early check in/late out: Offered late checkout to 1pm, but only needed to 1200.
Welcome drink: Yes, 2x electronic vouchers standard drinks
Welcome gift: Small box of chocolates.

Only obvious difference for the upgraded room appeared to be a Nespresso machine.

The room was dated, and very noisy. Even on level 28 I could hear traffic noise through the night.

The bed was uncomfortable and it’s was a shower over bath combo, which I wouldn’t expect in hotel claiming to be five stars.

Didn’t offer anything above what you’d get at a mid-scale hotel.

For EL we elected for the earlier of the two sittings. Lounge was already busy when we arrived.

Lounge had a reasonable range of beers, three whites and three red wines all in the $15 RRP range and spirits on request.

Food offer was a selection of cheese, cold meats, dips, a couple of salads.

Also offered to the table were two hot options: vegetable pakora with tzatziki and mild chicken curry with rice.

Very few people appeared for the second sitting at 6:30pm but the lounge remained full all evening. Never more than three empty tables.

Pros: Staff throughout the hotel were good, the breakfast selection was above average for a hotel buffet and the pool was heated and would have been a comfortable temperature even in the Brisbane chill.

It was a “free” night so can’t really complain, but if I was spending a night in a Brisbane and my budget was around $350… I’d look for a Mercure or Novotel around the $200 mark and put the rest of the budget towards a nice meal off-site.
 
jase05 said:
<snip>
Have noticed EL’s are getting more crowded and Accor need to fix the issue and especially give preference to Diamonds over others
Click to expand...

Preference over who? Platinums? Or people who actually pay for a Club room?
 
Captain Halliday said:
Property: Sofitel Brisbane
Status: Accor Plus Platinum
Room booked: Superior Room
Room upgraded/type: Yes, Luxury Room
Rate: Accor Plus free night (rack rate showing $360)
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast? Yes
Early check in/late out: Offered late checkout to 1pm, but only needed to 1200.
Welcome drink: Yes, 2x electronic vouchers standard drinks
Welcome gift: Small box of chocolates.

Only obvious difference for the upgraded room appeared to be a Nespresso machine.

The room was dated, and very noisy. Even on level 28 I could hear traffic noise through the night.

The bed was uncomfortable and it’s was a shower over bath combo, which I wouldn’t expect in hotel claiming to be five stars.

Didn’t offer anything above what you’d get at a mid-scale hotel.

For EL we elected for the earlier of the two sittings. Lounge was already busy when we arrived.

Lounge had a reasonable range of beers, three whites and three red wines all in the $15 RRP range and spirits on request.

Food offer was a selection of cheese, cold meats, dips, a couple of salads.

Also offered to the table were two hot options: vegetable pakora with tzatziki and mild chicken curry with rice.

Very few people appeared for the second sitting at 6:30pm but the lounge remained full all evening. Never more than three empty tables.

Pros: Staff throughout the hotel were good, the breakfast selection was above average for a hotel buffet and the pool was heated and would have been a comfortable temperature even in the Brisbane chill.

It was a “free” night so can’t really complain, but if I was spending a night in a Brisbane and my budget was around $350… I’d look for a Mercure or Novotel around the $200 mark and put the rest of the budget towards a nice meal off-site.
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Surprised they don't offer wine as part of their welcome gift only chocolate. But way better than my experience at other Sofitelssince I don't get the welcome gifts only the "precious" room upgrades from the Sofitel. Not like it matters now I value wine at $0 RRP after buying them solely for points. Which nice off-site meal would cost you $150? Even the Doha lounge's RRP is lower 🤣
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muppet said:
Preference over who? Platinums? Or people who actually pay for a Club room?
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Everyone who gets Platinum status by staying less than 60 status nights🤣🤣
 
TheRealTMA said:
The lounge gets very crowded since anyone can just pay to enter irrespective of status or room type. My advice, get there early.
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Why anyone would pay $90 for Sofitel lounge access is beyond me (typing while searching for cheapest Jetstar ticket for QF domestic J lounge access)
 
muppet said:
Preference over who? Platinums? Or people who actually pay for a Club room?
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Either or, I don’t care. A Diamond should never be turned away from a lounge. I’ve suggested to management numerous times that there should be a seperate area for Diamond’s similar to what other brands have. That would solve a lot of problems
 
jase05 said:
Either or, I don’t care. A Diamond should never be turned away from a lounge. I’ve suggested to management numerous times that there should be a seperate area for Diamond’s similar to what other brands have. That would solve a lot of problems
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Would make an interesting phenomenon when the lounge is full and you're the only one seated in the diamond section 🦗🦗
 
fly2earth said:
Would make an interesting phenomenon when the lounge is full and you're the only one seated in the diamond section 🦗🦗
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Happens at other brands I’ve been to.
The hotels know precisely how many of each status level are staying each night and you can adjust accordingly by roping off a couple of tables
Unlike other levels which are thrown out as gifts like confetti a Diamond level can only be earnt by pure spending of around $18k per year. These customers should be the ones who take priority over others
 
jase05 said:
Either or, I don’t care. A Diamond should never be turned away from a lounge. I’ve suggested to management numerous times that there should be a seperate area for Diamond’s similar to what other brands have. That would solve a lot of problems
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Could it be possible you’re not as valuable to Accor as you think you are? :p

I think we’ve seen this across most travel brands over the last few years. As top tier members we used to get such a clear preferential treatment. Now those benefits are extended to a much wider-range of people and the exclusiveness reduced. Given it is fairly consistent across airlines and hotels, clearly the data shows that treating top-tier as something special is not as profitable as treating them like other customers.
 
muppet said:
Given it is fairly consistent across airlines and hotels, clearly the data shows that treating top-tier as something special is not as profitable as treating them like other customers.
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I wonder why (proceeds to rage-buy said brand packages in order to de-stress)💸💸
Post automatically merged:

muppet said:
Could it be possible you’re not as valuable to Accor as you think you are? :p
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Well no one is valuable or influential enough to any company unless it's Alan Joyce...to Qantas. The rest are all just numbers📊📈📉
 

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