How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[sudoer]

However this seems to be part of my 'guest of the day' status which was rather hilarious.

I didn't realise Accor did this! I've heard of it happening at Hilton properties though

 

[blackcat20]

I didn't realise Accor did this! I've heard of it happening at Hilton properties though

Me neither. I found the whole thing pretty hilarious.

 

[Anna]

I had it once at an Indigo. It was pretty funny.

 

[eric2011]

This was a booking made thru Qantas using QF points.....Third party booking, No Accor privileges or perks were expected however a couple of weeks prior to the stay I contacted them with my arrival details and also gave them my Accor membership number and status.

Property: Novotel Christchurch Airport
Status: Accor Gold
Room booked: Standard King
Room upgraded/type: Yes, Executive King room with runway views
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: two drink vouchers
Welcome gift: 2 macaroons plus 2 bottles water plus hand written note

 

[Silvia]

So Auckland
Gold status (through QF)
So urban room booked - no upgrade or higher floor (was on the 6th floor)
Accor plus exclusive rate (breakfast included)
Free internet included

x2 welcome drinks (rooftop bar and included even coughtails - cap was $25 per voucher)
Welcome amenity of a bath bomb and some chocolates

Requested late check out - hesitantly I got a 1 30pm check out, they didn’t accept 2pm.

Guests seemed to have many issues with the keys and the access is not too intuitive.

Very good location, drinks were excellent. It has the most bizarre bathroom layout. Buffet breakfast was good. Barista on request but wasn’t very well advertised.

I only stayed one night but would be happy to return. Has spa services and a good gym which I used.

 

[eric2011]

Property: SO Auckland
Status: Accor Gold
Room booked: SO Playfull
Room upgraded/type: Yes, SO Club (no lounge access) however full buffet breakfast included
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: two drink vouchers
Welcome gift: 3 macaroons plus 2 bottles water plus hand written note and bottle of wine (they knew it was an anniversary)




Other photos as per the post above by Sylvia

 

[Daver6]

Property: SO Auckland
Status: Accor Gold
Room booked: SO Playfull
Room upgraded/type: Yes, SO Club (no lounge access)
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: two drink vouchers
Welcome gift: 3 macaroons plus 2 bottles water plus hand written note and bottle of wine (they knew it was an anniversary)

Why no lounge access?

I had a similar experience at the JW Marriott in Singapore. Upgraded to a club room but no lounge access. I don't see the point of the upgrade. When Hilton have upgraded me to a club room, they've given lounge access.

 

[eric2011]

Why no lounge access?

I had a similar experience at the JW Marriott in Singapore. Upgraded to a club room but no lounge access. I don't see the point of the upgrade. When Hilton have upgraded me to a club room, they've given lounge access.

Don't know the answer to this I suppose they figure that the upgrade is in the room type and don't want to give too much away.

Have edited my post to indicate that I also received full buffet breakfast as well

 

[Lynda2475]

I was upgraded to a club room at Sofitel Heathrow last year and also did not get club access. They did offer breakfast but I needed to check in for flight before breakfast service began at the hotel.

 

[kermatu]

I am in favour of quiet lounges, so don't mind the practice of upgrades not always securing lounge access. But for some hotels it makes no sense to me. Including SO Auckland where I have often been the only lounge occupant for long stretches of time, and 95% of the food goes to waste. Letting a few more people in would surely make more sense (especially now the alcohol offerings at this lounge have reverted to basic wine and spirits).

 

[DejaBrew]

I was upgraded to a club room at Sofitel Heathrow last year and also did not get club access. They did offer breakfast but I needed to check in for flight before breakfast service began at the hotel.

hmm… I’ve booked a stay at the Sofitel Wentworth where the package (Accor Plus More Escapes) includes upgrade to a Club Room. I assumed that would include lounge access as that is part of being in a Club Room, but I may need to double check now. Not going to be happy if it doesn’t as that wasn’t clear in the terms.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I was upgraded to a club room at Sofitel Heathrow last year and also did not get club access. They did offer breakfast but I needed to check in for flight before breakfast service began at the hotel.

Yes but are you an Accor Platinum (or Diamond) member? My understanding is that you will only get lounge access if you have either of those statuses or book a room with a rate that includes lounge access.

-RooFlyer88

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes but are you an Accor Platinum (or Diamond) member? My understanding is that you will only get lounge access if you have either of those statuses or book a room with a rate that includes lounge access.

-RooFlyer88

I think it will is clarify things if you can quote some documentation on this. (Not saying not correct but we need definition or "unadvertised benefit " type thing.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I think it will is clarify things if you can quote some documentation on this. (Not saying not correct but we need definition or "unadvertised benefit " type thing.

Certainly, the following Accor website which lists the hotels with an executive lounge says the following:

The Executive lounge is available in the following hotels to members of ALL with Platinum status and above, and any registered guests staying in the same room.

which is further confirmed by the Accor website which lists benefits by status:


Now if you are referring to my remark that lounge access can also be granted if you book a specific rate, I can give you an example of that too. For instance, consider the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour which offers rooms with executive lounge access:


-RooFlyer88

 

[Pele]

Property: Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Status: Accor Plus Silver (not an elite member but the one that comes with an Amex charge)
Room booked: The base room i think it was called Banyan Retreat
Rate: $AUD427 which was an advance booking rate and is extremely expensive for KL
Room upgraded/type: No
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: No
Welcome gift: No

I stayed next door at the Pullman earlier in the year and walked past this place and due to what i thought would be a spectacular view decided to splurge on my next visit.

Pluses:
- the view was superb both from the base room i booked, the Ebisu restaurant, and the breakfast place on the 57th floor.
- the room was big, had a big bath with great views, and full Japanese toilet.
- eating breakfast at dawn on the rooftop eating area as the sun rose was amazing, added to the fact that we were the only ones dining at this time. I asked the lady if we were the only ones in the hotel she no, occupancy is about 70% but they all take breakfast at a more civilised time ie 0800-1000.

Minuses:
- the prices at the Horizon restaurant were so expensive i didnt dine there
- children were not allowed in the rooftop bar
- the gym was the worst in any hotel i have ever stayed in. It was just so small and had about two cardio machines and two useless resistance machines.

Overall i enjoyed my stay but it is clear this is a couples hotel so next time i would go with my wife not my son. And even though the price is high i would probably come back again for a one night stay as an indulgence as it is a view that is hard to beat in KL at least until the Park Hyatt in Merdeka118 opens (hopefully) later this year. That is one place i will definitely try.

 

[Lynda2475]

Yes but are you an Accor Platinum (or Diamond) member? My understanding is that you will only get lounge access if you have either of those statuses or book a room with a rate that includes lounge access.

-RooFlyer88

To be clear as gold i was not expecting club access but was given a club room which was better than what i had booked.

I had Waitu beach club access in Fiji because i booked a room in the adults only section that included this.

Im unlikely to ever be Platinum with Accor as they simply dont have enough decent options everywhere i travel and are less generous with points promos than IHG where I am Diamond.

 

[jase05]

Certainly, the following Accor website which lists the hotels with an executive lounge says the following:

which is further confirmed by the Accor website which lists benefits by status:
View attachment 325498

Now if you are referring to my remark that lounge access can also be granted if you book a specific rate, I can give you an example of that too. For instance, consider the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour which offers rooms with executive lounge access:
View attachment 325499

-RooFlyer88

I have plenty of anecdotal evidence from friends and family that have had room upgrades to rooms with EL access and they have received full benefits.
I don’t believe it’s a hard and fast rule that an upgrade won’t come with EL access. Seems to be plenty of examples in both camps

 

[jase05]

Property: Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Status: Accor Plus Silver (not an elite member but the one that comes with an Amex charge)
Room booked: The base room i think it was called Banyan Retreat
Rate: $AUD427 which was an advance booking rate and is extremely expensive for KL
Room upgraded/type: No
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: No
Welcome gift: No

I stayed next door at the Pullman earlier in the year and walked past this place and due to what i thought would be a spectacular view decided to splurge on my next visit.

Pluses:
- the view was superb both from the base room i booked, the Ebisu restaurant, and the breakfast place on the 57th floor.
- the room was big, had a big bath with great views, and full Japanese toilet.
- eating breakfast at dawn on the rooftop eating area as the sun rose was amazing, added to the fact that we were the only ones dining at this time. I asked the lady if we were the only ones in the hotel she no, occupancy is about 70% but they all take breakfast at a more civilised time ie 0800-1000.

Minuses:
- the prices at the Horizon restaurant were so expensive i didnt dine there
- children were not allowed in the rooftop bar
- the gym was the worst in any hotel i have ever stayed in. It was just so small and had about two cardio machines and two useless resistance machines.

Overall i enjoyed my stay but it is clear this is a couples hotel so next time i would go with my wife not my son. And even though the price is high i would probably come back again for a one night stay as an indulgence as it is a view that is hard to beat in KL at least until the Park Hyatt in Merdeka118 opens (hopefully) later this year. That is one place i will definitely try.

Definitely a couples hotel which is why we thoroughly enjoyed it. No children in the rooftop bar is perfect for us and the views are stunning from most of the hotel. They acknowledged status amazingly well and went over and above what was required IMO. We will definitely return on our next trip to KL

 

[VPS]

Property: Mercure Edinburgh Princes St

Room booked: "Privilege" room with view of castle

Status: platinum

Room upgraded/type: no

Rate: flexible

Free internet: Yes

Welcome drink: Yes 1 drink voucher and 2 small glass bottles of water

Early check in: yes at 12.30pm but only when I said I would sit in the lobby and sleep until they got me a room because I was just off a 32 hour journey

VIP treatment: no

Access to executive lounge (if existing): no lounge

Reading what @RooFlyer got in his room in Sydney makes me well jell Nothing like that at this property!

The views from the room were lovely. Princes St is very noisy with traffic during the day. There are some loose metal plates in the road (permanent feature) and every time a heavy vehicle goes over them there is a loud double clunk. I mean really loud. Luckily much less traffic at night so it didn't keep me awake.

It is an older building that used to be called the Mountroyal Hotel which is still carved in stone on the facade. My room was on the 6th floor (of 7). It was stiflingly hot and I couldn't work out where from as the radiator did not seem to be on. Also outside it was 10 degrees or less yet I found myself opening the window and 'balcony' door just for fresh air to get the temperature down but that increased the noise level significantly. It's not really a balcony but a narrow space running across the front of 5 rooms where you can stand outside and look at the views. Equally you could take a look in at the occupants of the other rooms if you chose to. Anyway if a north facing view made the room this hot in April I hate to think what July would be like. There was no aircon but a small fan in the room.

The bathroom was I would say 1980s with one of those irritating noisy fans connected to the light switch that keeps on whirring for ages after you turn the light off. A narrow shub, with affectionate shower curtain and quite a step up to get in, with this lovely gleaming handrail right where you would expect - only watch out, it's not a handrail it's a superheated towel rail Keeping the bathroom door shut kept the room temp down quite a lot! But I wonder how many people burn themselves. A lot I would not be surprised.

The restaurant wasn't too bad, with lovely staff and views, but the sort of food that made you suspect that the 'chef' had defrosted and plated a microwave ready meal. If I hadn't had terrible jet lag I would have found somewhere better to eat. There's a really nice little place called Society up the Calton Hill end of Princes St but they're not open for dinners atm, only breakfast and lunch.

There's a sign in the room that says put this on the door if you don't want your room cleaned and we will give you 100 points per day. I didn't put the sign on the door, and I still didn't get my room cleaned. Then on my last day I took my larger bag down to reception for them to keep it during the day and went back to the room for a final freshen up only to find housekeeping already in there as if I'd checked out! Despite the fact that I'd left stuff all over the bed!

No fridge or minibar in the room, but there were robes and slippers. The bed was comfortable.

Would I stay again - well probably not unless there was nowhere else suitable. There's an Indigo further down Princes St that I might try next time, or the Radisson over in the Old Town. (Have stayed at Hilton before when I was diamond and was peeved by the tiny cupboard they gave me to sleep in).

View attachment 324763View attachment 324764View attachment 324765

I find that really annoying when it's cold outside in the UK and your room is so warm and they offer you a fan

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Property: Novotel Melbourne South Wharf
Status: Accor Gold
Room Booked: Standard Queen
Room Upgraded/Type: Yes, upgraded to either a Superior or Deluxe King Room with city views on a high floor (24th floor, 3rd highest).
Free Internet: Yes. Some Foxtel channels on the TV as well (unsure if related to status).
Welcome Drink: 1 drink voucher
Welcome Gift: $10 bottle of De Bortoli wine and welcome card from the manager. 2 bottles of water replaced daily.

I'm down in Melbourne for work just about every month lately, so thought I would change it up this time around (my go to is usually Movenpick on Spencer). The hotel's in a great location if visiting the Convention/Exhibition Centre, the Lume or South Melbourne more broadly. Access to the hotel is a little strange - upon street drop-off, there's a lift up to reception on level 5, and then a separate set of lifts up to the rooms. Not a major problem, but perhaps something to think about for those with mobility problems. One thing I really liked is that you can walk through the MCEC all the way to Spencer street (near Crown Metropol), so there's protection from the elements and then easy access to a number of trams into the city, Port Melbourne, St Kilda etc.

On check-in, was informed that I had been upgraded. I'm not entirely sure what I was upgraded to, but the room had a King bed with nice views down the Yarra. My understanding is that the only difference between the Standard, Superior and Deluxe rooms are (1) bed size, (2) view and (3) floor. The room itself was fairly big, and well appointed with a desk, wine glasses, kettle etc. Bathroom was similarly big and modern, with the sustainable pump bottle toiletries. Towels were a little rough.

Breakfast was on level 6 in the Carpano restaurant. Buffet style, with a selection of hot food (bacon, baked beans, scrambled egg, grilled tomato, sausages), cereal, toast/pastries, fruit and yoghurt. Apparently eggs could be ordered, but this wasn't advised on arrival. Overall the breakfast was decent, although nothing overly exciting. The Allora cafe at reception (level 5) was closed for the duration of my week long stay.

Late checkout at 12PM requested and granted. On the way to the airport, I received an $8 invoice for the minibar, which I hadn't touched during the stay. I emailed the hotel immediately. They apologised and said it would take their finance team around 2 weeks to refund the charge. While obviously a small amount and a small detractor from the overall stay, this really irritates me, as I've had it happen to me a number of times at Accor properties. I let them know that I would be going ahead with a credit card chargeback, which was approved on the spot.

Overall, this is definitely one of the better Novotels. Definitely one to think about if you're needing to stay south of the city. I think I ended up paying around $220 per night including breakfast.