How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[bits]

Agree, Sofitel DH do the absolute minimum in my experience. Made up for by the plat free drinks including champagne though.

Looking forward to hearing your review of the Sofitel Wentworth post renovations. I believe they didn't update the bathrooms though which is disappointing.

I've already seen a review online of someone's stay in a renovated suite at the Wentworth. Not sure how they managed to do a full renovation yet still manage to still have the room look like it was from the 90s. Walls were very bare.

At least the in house restaurant Delta Rue offering looks good and accepts the Accor dining discount (Tilda bar does not).

 

[Daver6]

You’ve clearly never been to the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth!

I was there back in Easter. Made the Sofitel Darling Harbour seem like the Ritz Carlton.

You clearly know nothing about me then or where I've been and just make stuff up like it's the truth

I've already seen a review online of someone's stay in a renovated suite at the Wentworth. Not sure how they managed to do a full renovation yet still manage to still have the room look like it was from the 90s. Walls were very bare.

At least the in house restaurant Delta Rue offering looks good and accepts the Accor dining discount (Tilda bar does not).

It seems the focus of the reno has been to the common areas/restaurants.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

You clearly know nothing about me then or where I've been and just make stuff up like it's the truth

I said that tongue n’ cheek having stayed at the Sofitel Wentworth earlier this year. It wasn’t up to Sofitel standards with there being no onsite gym nor dedicated lounge. Now certainly you can argue that this is due to renovations. But if we’re comparing Sofitel Darling Harbour at present (e.g., during renovations) to Sofitel Darling Harbour there is no competition!

 

[Daver6]

I said that tongue n’ cheek having stayed at the Sofitel Wentworth earlier this year. It wasn’t up to Sofitel standards with there being no onsite gym nor dedicated lounge. Now certainly you can argue that this is due to renovations. But if we’re comparing Sofitel Darling Harbour at present (e.g., during renovations) to Sofitel Darling Harbour there is no competition!

Ok fair enough if tongue in cheek. Usually a smiley would signify as much.

However, my post and the discussion around it wasn't comparing quality of hotels but related to platinum recognition an upgrades. Agree with you about the gym and general...but at least it's priced accordingly.

Hopefully the lounge is improved and a gym added.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I'll need to head to Nadi for a few days later this month and am curious if I could get a recommendation on an Accor property to stay at. Specifically, between the Mercure Nadi and Novotel Nadi which is the better bet? There's a $174 difference between the two properties and I am on a bit of a budget. However, I do see that the Novotel is closer to the airport (perhaps even walkable as Google Maps suggests it's just a 30 minute walk versus over an hour for the Mercure). As an aside, how do cabs work in Fiji? Is there Uber?

-RooFlyer88

 

[Traveler999]

I'll need to head to Nadi for a few days later this month and am curious if I could get a recommendation on an Accor property to stay at. Specifically, between the Mercure Nadi and Novotel Nadi which is the better bet? There's a $174 difference between the two properties and I am on a bit of a budget. However, I do see that the Novotel is closer to the airport (perhaps even walkable as Google Maps suggests it's just a 30 minute walk versus over an hour for the Mercure). As an aside, how do cabs work in Fiji? Is there Uber?

-RooFlyer88

I stayed at both just for overnights in June as a silver and both were fine for a night. I would prob prefer the one closest to the airport as I liked the outside bar which was at the highest point of the hotel and so had views above the roofline. I booked the suite there which had amazing aircon . room was basic and a nice deck overlooking their golf course (might have only been one hole?).

The one thats further away had a nice fruit bowl in the room and I was on the ground floor which had a sliding door on to a small concrete area with chairs and table and then stright on to grass which was nice.

I walked from the airport to the nearest hotel with a 2 wheel suitcase as I arrived from Tokyo and felt like a walk, 30mins no problems and from memory you only had to cross the main road once at the lights by the airport. Taxi was only $15 or 20 Fijian.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I ended up booking the Mercure. Maybe the Novotel is nicer but I find it hard to justify spending that much more on a three night stay (maybe that's just me though).

I stayed at both just for overnights in June as a silver and both were fine for a night. I would prob prefer the one closest to the airport as I liked the outside bar which was at the highest point of the hotel and so had views above the roofline. I booked the suite there which had amazing aircon . room was basic and a nice deck overlooking their golf course (might have only been one hole?).

Yeah, I saw online that the Novotel is much better equipped in terms of pool and everything else. I think if this were other circumstances, I would have booked that hotel instead of the Mercure I'm staying at.

The one thats further away had a nice fruit bowl in the room and I was on the ground floor which had a sliding door on to a small concrete area with chairs and table and then stright on to grass which was nice.

Great to see the Mercure provided some decent goodies (i.e. fruit bowl) even as a lowly Silver. I reckon I should have a nicer welcome gift (and hopefully an upgrade) as a Platinum staying there. It's also my understanding that all three Accor properties on the island provide free breakfasts for Platinums and above.

I walked from the airport to the nearest hotel with a 2 wheel suitcase as I arrived from Tokyo and felt like a walk, 30mins no problems and from memory you only had to cross the main road once at the lights by the airport. Taxi was only $15 or 20 Fijian.

Yeah, I think I'll end up taking a taxi now that I'm arriving on a FJ flight arriving in the evening.Reading TripAdvisor, it would seem that cash is king over there (i.e. no use trying credit cards). Is that correct? Also, would the cabbies accept AUD and NZD as payment?

-RooFlyer88

 

[sudoer]

It's also my understanding that all three Accor properties on the island provide free breakfasts for Platinums and above.

This is a service standard for all APAC properties that participate in ALL.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

This is a service standard for all APAC properties that participate in ALL.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there aren’t a couple hotels that participate in ALL but don’t offer breakfast.

-RooFlyer88

 

[markis10]

I wouldn’t be surprised if there aren’t a couple hotels that participate in ALL but don’t offer breakfast.

-RooFlyer88

A lot of hotels don’t offer free breakfast because they don’t have a hotel run restaurant, Mantra/Breakfree and Peppers properties are prime examples for many locales, easily checked Here

 

[henrus]

Property: Novotel Melbourne Airport
Status: Accor Plat +
Room booked: Deluxe Room with 2 zip beds
Room upgraded/type: Yes, appears to be a bigger room on a higher floor
Rate: Red Hot Stays - $144.50 per night
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes - but my room number wasn’t on the list of status holders so they just wrote it down and let me in.
Early check in/late out: No - checked in via the kiosk
Welcome drink: Yes, 2 on the app but they didn’t accept the app and so I had to go back to check in to exchange for the paper vouchers.
Welcome gift: Yes, chocolate platter and two bottle of water.

I’m in Melbourne for the weekend and because hardly anything I’m going to is in the CBD plus prices over $400 were common I decided to stay at the newish Novotel at the airport.

I actually never spoke to anyone at checkin to begin with as they have kiosks. You enter your first and last name, touch a card for the $100 preauth and it spits a key out (I’m a big fan as it was quick and easy).

The Novotel and ibis share the same building but there are kind of two different lifts. The room was big enough and I had two big beds (this was the cheapest type on the red hot rooms).



On the 9th floor rooms got a view of aircraft landing.




There was a welcome chocolate plate in the room and a couple of bottles of water:


Confusingly a welcome note, first of all I’d booked the Novotel and was 100% in a Novotel room but the letter doesn’t think so and also amusing the welcome to Australia (I mean QLD isn’t a seperate country… yet)


The only slightly odd thing is they do have a coffee shop on the ground floor but it’s only open Monday to Friday and then they’ve got a seperate beer bar (again only M-F) with a pools table etc that only opened 1 Oct, I walked in there and it was nice but they didn’t accept the welcome drink vouchers. The main restaurant/bar is the Italian one and also where breakfast is accepted the vouchers.

For the price paid it’s not bad. $144 per night but I also earn ~$13 worth of Accor points, ~$2 worth of Qantas points as it was paid via Amex with no surcharge in the app and an extra ~$6 worth of Qantas points thanks to the direct deal. Add on 2 welcome drinks (they normally charge $14 a bottle for a beer morette) and free breakfast.

 

[RareAir]

Property: Novotel Devonport
Status: Accor Gold +
Room booked: Standard Room with 2 Queen Beds
Room upgraded/type: No.Though I find with booking with Mrs RA and Miss RA that it’s hard to upgrade this type of room
Rate: $162.90
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: No
Early check in/late out: Not required
Welcome drink: Yes, 2 on the app and redeemable at Mr Good Guy restaurant which sort of doubles as a small bar
Welcome gift: Yes, strangely 2x delicious chocolate chips biscuits in a clear plastic container and two bottles of water.

Lovely location by the water, nice modern hotel, great restaurant which provides decent breakfast.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Property: Novotel Melbourne Airport
Status: Accor Plat +
Room booked: Deluxe Room with 2 zip beds
Room upgraded/type: Yes, appears to be a bigger room on a higher floor
Rate: Red Hot Stays - $144.50 per night
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes - but my room number wasn’t on the list of status holders so they just wrote it down and let me in.
Early check in/late out: No - checked in via the kiosk
Welcome drink: Yes, 2 on the app but they didn’t accept the app and so I had to go back to check in to exchange for the paper vouchers.
Welcome gift: Yes, chocolate platter and two bottle of water.

I’m in Melbourne for the weekend and because hardly anything I’m going to is in the CBD plus prices over $400 were common I decided to stay at the newish Novotel at the airport.

I actually never spoke to anyone at checkin to begin with as they have kiosks. You enter your first and last name, touch a card for the $100 preauth and it spits a key out (I’m a big fan as it was quick and easy).

The Novotel and ibis share the same building but there are kind of two different lifts. The room was big enough and I had two big beds (this was the cheapest type on the red hot rooms).

View attachment 415161

On the 9th floor rooms got a view of aircraft landing.

View attachment 415162
View attachment 415163

There was a welcome chocolate plate in the room and a couple of bottles of water:
View attachment 415166

Confusingly a welcome note, first of all I’d booked the Novotel and was 100% in a Novotel room but the letter doesn’t think so and also amusing the welcome to Australia (I mean QLD isn’t a seperate country… yet)
View attachment 415165

The only slightly odd thing is they do have a coffee shop on the ground floor but it’s only open Monday to Friday and then they’ve got a seperate beer bar (again only M-F) with a pools table etc that only opened 1 Oct, I walked in there and it was nice but they didn’t accept the welcome drink vouchers. The main restaurant/bar is the Italian one and also where breakfast is accepted the vouchers.

For the price paid it’s not bad. $144 per night but I also earn ~$13 worth of Accor points, ~$2 worth of Qantas points as it was paid via Amex with no surcharge in the app and an extra ~$6 worth of Qantas points thanks to the direct deal. Add on 2 welcome drinks (they normally charge $14 a bottle for a beer morette) and free breakfast.

Thanks @henrus
We have booked RHR for Monday week

 

[RareAir]

I’ve seen some discussion on here about lack of top notch options but what are the recommendations on the best available Perth hotels?

 

[Daver6]

I’ve seen some discussion on here about lack of top notch options but what are the recommendations on the best available Perth hotels?

Depends what your criteria are.

Suites at Novotel Langley have great views. Otherwise the hotel is old and tired. Novotel on Murray is nice and new. Good central location and Miss Mi is there. I've heard decent things about the Adnate for not been there myself. The new Wonil hotel by UWA looks ok, but not a heck of a lot in terms of things around that area.

I think it will all come down to what's important to you more than anything. Definitely no wow hotels in Perth from Accor though.

Outside of Perth there's the Pullman Bunker Bay. It's nice enough but expensive for what it is IMHO. Amazing beach there though. If you want to dine anywhere other than the hotel though, you're getting in your car.

Basildene Manor in Margaret River looks pretty decent. Not stayed myself but my folks have. No on site restaurant for lunch/dinner is a pretty big negative IMHO for the price paid there.

 

[RareAir]

Depends what your criteria are.

Suites at Novotel Langley have great views. Otherwise the hotel is old and tired. Novotel on Murray is nice and new. Good central location and Miss Mi is there. I've heard decent things about the Adnate for not been there myself. The new Wonil hotel by UWA looks ok, but not a heck of a lot in terms of things around that area.

I think it will all come down to what's important to you more than anything. Definitely no wow hotels in Perth from Accor though.

Outside of Perth there's the Pullman Bunker Bay. It's nice enough but expensive for what it is IMHO. Amazing beach there though. If you want to dine anywhere other than the hotel though, you're getting in your car.

Basildene Manor in Margaret River looks pretty decent. Not stayed myself but my folks have. No on site restaurant for lunch/dinner is a pretty big negative IMHO for the price paid there.

Thanks @Daver6 these are really helpful insights!

 

[Daver6]

Thanks @Daver6 these are really helpful insights!

Also stayed at the Mercure Perth (Irwin St). Nothing fancy. Was cheap and not a terrible rooftop pool.

If you share what you're looking for I could probably give some better advice

 

[RareAir]

Also stayed at the Mercure Perth (Irwin St). Nothing fancy. Was cheap and not a terrible rooftop pool.

If you share what you're looking for I could probably give some better advice

Good point. Novotel on Murray looks to fit the billl. Need a 3 night stay pretty central over weekend not too concerned on price.

 

[Daver6]

Good point. Novotel on Murray looks to fit the billl. Need a 3 night stay pretty central over weekend not too concerned on price.

Just be aware that the rooms facing east face directly onto the apartment building next door. Ie, expect this


West facing view. Building on the very left is the Adnate actually.



Room is basic but new at least


Pool area

 

[henrus]

Thanks @henrus
We have booked RHR for Monday week

One other thing I should have pointed out about the Novotel Melbourne airport is the access. They do run a shuttle bus but the easiest way is to walk, there are some signs (that take you the long way around) but the shortest route is to head towards the T4 drop off zone but don’t go up the escalators instead keep heading towards the regional bus bays, head across the first crossing down the bays starting row 7 and all the way to the end. The hotel is across the road it’s two lanes no crossing but an island in the middle and it’s not a busy road. If you take this route almost all of it’s undercover except for the road crossing right at the end.