How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[cdp88]

Property: St Moritz Sofitel M Gallery Queenstown

Status: Accor Plus Gold

Room booked: Lake view room

Room Upgrade: Yes, lake view room with balcony. Room was slightly larger than standard room and was away from elevator (as per preference). I booked 3 rooms and although others were not upgraded they received above average rooms within category eg one room was garden view but was on higher floor and had partial lake view.

Rate: approx $230/night with bfast on prepaid accor winter sale rate

Free Internet: Yes, although room wifi didn’t work so had to use visitor wifi with access code and keep re-entering code.

Welcome drinks: Yes x 2 up to $15 which allowed good choice during daily happy hour (5-7pm)

Early check in / late check out: not required.

VIP treatment: Note & box of cookies, plus call day before check in to see if I required anything.

Additional Care: used accor plus bottle of wine voucher twice, received decent bottle of NZ wine (no pinot noir available on this offer). As always, attentive and personalised service from all staff, great views and excellent food from restaurant.

 

[Hux]

Had a few stays in the last 2 weeks;

Property: The Sebel Brisbane
Status: Gold
Room Booked: 2bdr Apartment
Room Upgrade: High Floor
Free internet: Free wireless internet
Welcome drinks: Yes 2, choice of house wines, beer, house spirit
Early check in / check out: Arrived late in afternoon, sought and was granted late checkout (3pm)
VIP treatment: Two free bottles of water and welcome letter. Chocolate Chip Cookie
Additional care/notes: Main restaurant is fine had a great selection for breakfast, coffee was really good. Didn't eat any other meals. Also our washing machine broke down (dual washer/dryer and wouldn't dry) so housekeeping took all the washing, re-washed and dryed for us.

Property: Pullman Sydney Airport
Status: Gold
Room Booked: King
Room Upgrade: Executive King
Free internet: Free wireless internet
Welcome drinks: Yes 1, choice of house wines, beer, house spirit
Early check in / check out: Arrived late in afternoon, left early in the morning
VIP treatment: Two free bottles of water, sparkling water bottle, little desert things, turn down service
Additional care/notes: Very nice room, love the airport themed carpet in hallways.

Property: The Sebel Maroochydore
Status: Gold
Room Booked: 2bdr Apartment
Room Upgrade: High Floor
Free internet: Free wireless internet (terribly slow)
Welcome drinks: Yes 2, choice of house wines, beer, house spirit. Traded for a bottle of wine
Early check in / check out: Arrived early (10am) and room wasn't ready so housekeeping went straight to it and we had it by 11am, sought and was granted late checkout (1pm)
VIP treatment: Two free bottles of water and welcome letter. Chocolate
Additional care/notes: Internet was so slow it was almost not worth it, also couldn't use work VPN, FTP etc. No restaurant/bar on premise, also rooms are feeling a bit aged. Water pressure was terrible and bed was a Queen not a King.

Property: Pullman Brisbane Airport
Status: Gold
Room Booked: Twin
Room Upgrade: Twin Executive
Free internet: Free wireless internet
Welcome drinks: Yes 2, choice of house wines, beer, house spirit
Early check in / check out: Arrived late in afternoon, left early in the morning
VIP treatment: Two free bottles of water and welcome letter. Free bottle of sparkling and mints.
Additional care/notes: Service was great, dinner was exceptional (tenderloin steak) and breakfast was good but coffee a bit ordinary (espresso). Requested an adjoining room after checking in (didn't know it was available prior) and got a great rate for an Executive King. Full Exec Club access and nice canapes and wines.

 

[pangwen]

Property: The Swanston Hotel Grand Mercure
Status: Accor Plus Silver
Room Booked: King
Room Upgrade: None offered
Free internet: Free wireless internet
Welcome drinks: Yes 1 for each guest
Early check in / check out: Arrived late in evening, left prior to official check-out
VIP treatment: Turn down service. Chocolates were also offered at the lobby one morning for all guests.
Additional care/notes: Quite a good room. However, the hotel is currently undergoing renovation which makes for an unusual check in situation - you need to check in at the other Mercure around the corner (on Little Bourke Street), and then walk back to Swanston Street to the Grand Mercure to get to your room. The ground floor lobby looks like a work zone, and only one lift was operational, causing long (up to 5 minute) delays and very crowded lifts during peak times. Based on the posters in the lobby, it looks like the hotel may be rebranding as a Pullman after the renovations are complete. Access to the nearby Kaya gym is also offered - it's a very well fit-out gym.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Property: Novotel Sydney Central

Status: Gold

Room booked: Executive Q+Q

Room upgraded/type: No

Rate: Negotiated corporate rate

Free internet: Yes

Welcome drink: Yes + 2 bottles of water in room.

Early check in/late out: No early checking required. Late checkout, 2pm granted.

VIP treatment: Cheese platter in room. *not in the fridge and as we arrived at 9pm it wasn’t cold so I decided it was best avoided.

Access to executive lounge (if existing): No lounge

Additional care: Nil

General comments: Nil.

 

[kermatu]

Property: Pullman Auckland
Status: Platinum
Room Booked: 1 Bdr residence 3 nights
Room upgrade: Sort of. Corner room is now separately bookable so is considered an upgrade. Was only the 6th floor so pretty pointless. At least the room had laundry facilities so saved a bit there.
Free internet: Yes, high speed.
Welcome drinks: Yes, two. Had the usual bloody marys - unfortunately Hayley not at the bar so the first was a dud. Somewhat corrected on the second visit under close instruction. Hayley saw me later and apologised when I told her the first was like drinking water!
Early check in / late out: 1pm checkout assigned old request.
Exec Lounge: Yes.
VIP treatment: Waters and turndown service somewhat hit and miss. newspapers all mornings. No note but a small block of very nice NZ chocolate in room.

Lounge good, served by the excellent Ariana. Breakfasts good in the main restaurant. Well looked after by mostly familiar staff.

Good spa session and room service also good.

OK stay.

 

[kermatu]

Property: Pullman Adelaide
Status: Platinum
Room Booked: Base King 2 nights (Fri and Sat so not cheap,about $250 p/n from memory)
Room upgrade: Yes, Premium Deluxe (Balcony, Exec floor, park view).
Free internet: Yes, high speed.
Welcome drinks: Yes, two.
Early check in / late out: N/A but I advised in advance of late arrival and had a platter of cheese waiting for me in the room.
Exec Lounge: Yes.
VIP treatment: Good upgrade. Fruit platter. Full breakfast in restaurant. No newspaper or turndown service. Waters have been replaced with a single, reusable glass bottle of supposed premium still water -- thankfully can still get water and other soft drinks from the lounge.

Generally a good stay. Staff and service great - especially the breakfast team and bar / room service staff. One exception was Bodan in the lounge of an evening -- totally lacking any personality, warmth, generosity or helpfulness. No outright problems but a very poor choice for an EL attendant (IMHO). The lounge canape/bar offerings are also becoming rather average.

 

[mushypeas]

Property: Sofitel Darling Harbour Sydney

Status: Gold

Room booked: Superior King Darling Harbour View

Room upgraded: No

Rate: Corporate

Free internet: Yes

Early check in/late out: 2.30PM, room not ready - had to wait an hour and no offer of welcome drinks. Late check out granted upon departure of 1PM.

Welcome drink: Yes x2 + 1 bottles of water in room (received following check in). Directed to the Champagne Bar however upon arrival told infants not allowed (Under 18).

VIP treatment: 3 small tasting chocolate balls & welcome cookie for child

Access to executive lounge: No

Additional care: Had an extended business stay so had wife & newborn with me - complimentary infant cot, bottle warmer and baby bath provided.

General comments: Nice enough hotel, service was satisfactory but for the price I wouldn't be rushing to stay again without any added value (perks).

 

[sparoz]

Two stays in last month

Property: Sofitel on Collins, Melbourne

Status: Platinum

Room booked: Prestige Suite

Room upgraded/type: Yes - Imperial Suite - I have stayed here for the past 10 years and this is the only time I have been upgraded ever! I always booked a Prestige Suite and I know that all the Opera Suite was out of bounce for upgrades, but they might have changed that with ALL? The suite was over the top and unfortunately I travelled on my own to really fully enjoyed the Suite.

Rate: Members fully flexible Rate

Free internet: Yes - but didn't work and I was given the staff access

Welcome drink: Yes - 2 drink vouchers and bottled water through the stay

Early check in/late out: Did not use

VIP treatment: Not in the Club - but definitely at the bar. Can't beat the Imperial Suite upgrade. Which was contrast by a small packet of biscuits and a card. No fruits in the room.

Access to executive lounge (if existing): Yes, but my booking also include Club Access

Additional care: Been looked after by the bar manager very well, but I am a frequent guests there

General comments: Impressive upgrade - but the staff in the Club definitely lackluster. Bar staff however was absolutely amazing with very personalised service and recognised me as a frequent guests. Food however was generally subpar compare to all other property I stayed at this year.


Property: Sofitel Darling Harbour Sydney

Status: Platinum

Room booked: Junior Suite x 4 nights, and another 2 rooms for my associates - flexible rate

Room upgraded/type: No

Rate: Fully flexible rate

Free internet: Yes - Free premium internet

Welcome drink: Yes - and as a Platinum I was given a special drink Voucher - that has an imprint of Sofitel Darling Harbour. I was told at check in that I can have a champagne at the Champagne Bar - however, when I was down at the Bar - I was told basically I can have anything I want, as long as I don't crack open a bottle of Champagne. Water throughout the stay, and a bottle of wine was left in each room.

Early check in/late out: Not utilised

VIP treatment: Bottle of wine in each room, water, chocolate and a written card. When I checked in at reception and I was escorted to 35th floor to check in at the club.

Access to executive lounge (if existing): Yes, but my room rate also covers lounge access.

Additional care: Free press (used); butler service - but not used.

General comments: I seems to have a drastically different experience to phat-dave, may be the general staff are trained differently? The club staff are generally good, and they remembers your order from day to day. I had some issues with my internet which they have to use a workaround, but the tech person and club was very attentive to have the problem resolved. It was a bit of a "let down" - first world problem that there's no upgrade after the very overthetop upgrade in Melbourne however, I guess it is always in their discretion.

I was encouraged to prepaid the nights which was rather strange; as I am an elite and they don't require security, but then the issue is they only have a limit of $1000 of credit before they have to charge.

Amazing staff/team work at The Champagne Bar, food and drinks was amazing. Altier was also amazing to my surprise. Overall a very nice stay. I feel the Junior Suite was on the small size, but I can see most of the space is used in the bathroom area.

I generally stayed at FS in Sydney as I prefer the Quay area - but will certainly consider the Sofitel again after this stay.

 

[kermatu]

Property: SO Auckland
Status: Platinum
Room Booked: Most basic (SO Cosy) 2 nights. October
Room upgrade: Yes. Club Signature room - 12th floor, harbour view, balcony.
Free internet: Yes, high speed.
Welcome drinks: Yes, just one. Redeemed for a wine at HI-SO the rooftop bar
Early check in / late out: 2pm checkout requested in advance. Not promised. On check-in was advised 2pm had been allocated - extended without request to 3pm.
Exec Lounge: Yes.
VIP treatment: Sweet platter and welcome back card plus specified Club Signature benefits (will post these in the hotel's dedicated thread). Bottle of OK wine and a superb savoury platter (in fridge) on account of arrival well after midnight. Full breakfast in Harbour Society.

Fantastic stay. It's not cheap but the service is terrific and benefits for top-tier guests substantial. More complete and polished than my two stays in January (recently opened) but with no drop in staff enthusiasm nor the feeling of quiet and exclusivity (despite being full to accommodate displaced Sky City guests).

Great spa session, tailored to my preferences by Rawinia. Nice communication with her beforehand as well.

Room upgrade appreciated (mainly for the space). The view is nice to have but the balcony is a bit exposed, noisy and bare. Still, better to have than not. This room is next to the lifts which is a bit of a shame, but traffic pretty minimal so not a huge deal.

Good room service.

To note, all guests in all rooms get free mini-bar (soft drinks and water, and light snacks), as well as free movies on the TV.

If you can take advantage of the benefits the room and status, it makes the cost a lot more reasonable. Having been a little underwhelmed at the Pullman this year I'll be back to SO and will return to the Hilton again just to see how it is.

 

[sparoz]

Property: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

Status: Platinum - "Diamond" when new tier come about in 2020.

Room booked: Prestige Suite

Room upgraded/type: Negative - hotel is full.

Rate: Members fully flexible Rate

Free internet: Yes

Welcome drink: Yes - 2 drink vouchers and bottled water throughout the stay and as usual they are just for house wine etc, so did not use.

Early check in/late out: Did not use

VIP treatment: All club staff knows my order and preferences from previous/current stays. First time my SO stays here with me and they know her orders too, and they essentially greet us by name. It's our anniversary so there's a sparkling wine, macaroons, and card on arrival (unfortunately my SO doesn't drink sparkling). Many complimentary extras whilst at the bar, amuse-bouche and dessert platter. Got to try out their new and upcoming creations at the bar as per usual.

Got into the restaurants even though they are fully booked in last moment.

Access to executive lounge (if existing): Yes, but my booking also include Club Access

Additional care: See VIP treatment above.

General comments: Both bar and club are fantastic this stay - really make me feel welcome and special; really can't fault anything this time around.

 

[pangwen]

Property: Novotel Glen Waverley

Status: Accor Plus Silver

Room booked: Standard Room - 1 Queen Bed

Room upgraded/type: Standard Room - 1 King Bed

Rate: Members Spring Break Offer ($1/person/day breakfast offer taken up on)

Free internet: Yes

Welcome drink: Yes - 1 drink voucher. Used for a dirty chai

Early check in/late out: Late check out requested - granted for 2pm

VIP treatment: n/a

Access to executive lounge (if existing): No (n/a?)

Additional care: n/a

General comments: Quite a nice place to stay if you need to be in the East of Melbourne. Parking costs of $25/night are a little steep though

 

[ksthommo]

Property: Pullman Jakarta Indonesia Thamrin
Status: Accor Plus Platinum
Room Booked: Superior Room, Queen Size Bed
Rate: Super Sale BB LCAH whatever that means
Room upgrade: Yes. Grand Deluxe Room
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drinks: Yes, only 1 on the card though.
Early check in / late out: Not required
VIP treatment: Exec Lounge Check In offered. Bottled water, chocolate platter.
Additional care/notes: Arrived in time for Social Hour to have a few drinks and snacks.

 

[ksthommo]

Property: Swissotel The Stamford
Status: Accor Plus Platinum
Room Booked: Premier Room King
Rate: Accor Plus Comp Night
Room upgrade: Yes. Premier Harbour View King
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drinks: Nothing
Early check in / late out: Early check in 12pm.
VIP treatment: Requested Lounge Check In, check in agent reckoned lounge was busy.
Not much said at check in. Chocolates and tin of biscuits in room.
Additional care/notes: Love the view from our room.

 

[pchammond]

Property: Novotel Manly Pacific

Status: Platinum

Room booked: Standard room

Room upgraded/type: No

Rate: $260/n with breakfast

Free internet: Yes

Welcome drink: Yes- 2 small bottles of water, a $10 bottle of wine and 2 drinks vouchers

Early check in/late out: n/a

VIP treatment: None

Access to executive lounge (if existing): n/a

Additional care: None

General comments: Room was old and terrible and the furthest possible room from the lifts out the back of the hotel. Checked the room then went down and asked the front desk if there was anything better and they said all rooms were booked. Others in my group with less status than me received upgraded rooms. I checked before I went and they had my membership number, since last time I went they did not have it and so did not assign me an upgraded room. That time the receptionists made a note of my status so that I would get an upgrade the next time...which was this trip.

 

[DC3]

Property: Novotel Manly Pacific

Status: Platinum

Room booked: Standard room

Room upgraded/type: No ....

VIP treatment: None

Access to executive lounge (if existing): n/a

Additional care: None

General comments: Room was old and terrible .....

Feel sorry for your experience. However, I would not expect much at that hotel. Very dated. Their bookings are probably driven by the Manly location. Bit of a trap really.

 

[pchammond]

Feel sorry for your experience. However, I would not expect much at that hotel. Very dated. Their bookings are probably driven by the Manly location. Bit of a trap really.

Yeah extremely dated, unfortunately had no choice for my booking. Unfortunately need to go back next year, but this time I will be Diamond.

Really needs a renovation

 

[DC3]

Yeah extremely dated, unfortunately had no choice for my booking. Unfortunately need to go back next year, but this time I will be Diamond.

Really needs a renovation

There’s a bit of a story behind this hotel (or more specifically, its multi-millionaire original owner, Andrew Kalajzich). Kalajzich, who opened the new hotel in the early 80’s (Manly’s first 5-star hotel on the beach), was subsequently convicted (25 year sentence) of murdering his wife:

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/kalajzich-finds-new-life-running-a-modest-motel-20121006-27621.Kalajzich finds new life running a modest motelhtml

After that, things went downhill.

Edited: For content

 

[pchammond]

There’s a bit of a story behind this hotel (or more specifically, its multi-millionaire original owner, Andrew Kalajzich). Kalajzich opened the new hotel in the early 80’s (Manly’s first 5-star hotel on the beach), was subsequently convicted (25 year sentence) of murdering his wife:

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/kalajzich-finds-new-life-running-a-modest-motel-20121006-27621.Kalajzich finds new life running a modest motelhtml

After that, things went downhill.

I think the couch in the room was there when it first opened

 

[moffat39]

Property: Sofitel Darling Harbour

Status: Platinum

Room booked: Luxury King Corner Room

Room upgraded/type: Yes to a Luxury King Corner Room with Darling Harbour View

Rate: Booked in a 40% off sale. Was around $740 for three nights.

Free internet: Yes

Early check in/late check out: Both. Checked in around 11.00am and room was ready on a Friday. Asked for and given late check out to 12.30 on a Monday.

VIP treatment: 750ml bottle of red wine delivered to the room with a box of 5 chocolates. With the Welcome Drinks used them in the Champagne Bar where they have a seperate drinks list for Platinum Members. The champagne was Veuve Cliquot.

Access to executive lounge (if existing): Yes

Additional care: Turn down service at night and a visit by housekeeping supervisor to make sure everything was ok.

General comments: Best Sofitel I have been to. Will book again in the next 40% off sale.

 

[kermatu]

Property: SO Auckland
Status: Platinum
Room Booked: 2nd lowest level (SO Comfy) 3 nights. December
Room upgrade: No, but got 11th floor and was told (later) this was one of the better rooms in this category.
Free internet: Yes, high speed.
Welcome drinks: Yes, two. Redeemed for wines at HI-SO the rooftop bar
Early check in / late out: 1pm check-in given.
Exec Lounge: Yes. But I did need to ask on check-in (a separate key pass is required).
VIP treatment: Lounge access, drink vouchers, newspaper, spa discount. Basic welcome note with 4 strawberries. Full breakfast in Harbour Society.

Great stay. I actually didn't mind not getting an upgrade as the room was far better laid out and comfortable, albeit with an average view.

Wonderful service throughout. Great spa session, tailored to my preferences by Rawinia. Breakfast good. Lounge blissfully quiet and excellent service from Will, Suki and Andy.