How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[Daver6]

I must ask - what does the black dot on the welcome drink voucher mean? Does it mean you can get a proper drink rather than the "house" wines and beers customarily offered?

-RooFlyer88

From memory it gets you anything you want, including a coughtail

 

[kangarooflyer88]

They have responded to offer a complimentary 60 minute massage for two on our next stay at Fairmont Makati

Would you consider that a fair service recovery for the inconvenience? At the end of the day that's what matters!

 

[Daver6]

The longer the stay, the more difficult it becomes. One-night stays often get the good upgrades., byt the time you are at 4 nights, the rarer they are

I think that's fairly correct. Having said that, Ive been upgraded from a one above base room (base room, different view) to a prestige suite for a 5 night stay at the Sofitel Melbourne. I think being both platinum and stayed there a few times helped with that one.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I think that's fairly correct. Having said that, Ive been upgraded from a one above base room (base room, different view) to a prestige suite for a 5 night stay at the Sofitel Melbourne. I think being both platinum and stayed there a few times helped with that one.

I would be curious if it would have been any different if I booked the room directly with cash versus using 4 SNUs for the upgrade. Don't get me wrong, the room was very good. I was just hoping for something that would really knock the socks off. Then again, I stayed at multi-room suites at the Las Vegas Hilton and the Junior Presidential Suite at the Hilton Durban.

-RooFlyer88

 

[jase05]

I would be curious if it would have been any different if I booked the room directly with cash versus using 4 SNUs for the upgrade. Don't get me wrong, the room was very good. I was just hoping for something that would really knock the socks off. Then again, I stayed at multi-room suites at the Las Vegas Hilton and the Junior Presidential Suite at the Hilton Durban.

-RooFlyer88

There is no hard and fast answer unfortunately but as I mentioned earlier by using your SNU you have already been upgraded and my understanding is that for Platinums is fairly rare for them to upgrade further. Even as a Diamond I’ve found at some place that if i use a SNU I don’t get as good of an upgrade as if I paid cash for a standard room.

 

[dairyfloss]

There is no hard and fast answer unfortunately but as I mentioned earlier by using your SNU you have already been upgraded and my understanding is that for Platinums is fairly rare for them to upgrade further. Even as a Diamond I’ve found at some place that if i use a SNU I don’t get as good of an upgrade as if I paid cash for a standard room.

I'm gratefully 1 from 1 so far - upgraded from Junior Suite (via SNU) at the Sofitel Sydney DH to the Prestige Suite

 

[ms1]

Any opinions on Melbourne Movenpick on Spencer vs Pullman on swanston (now Pullman city centre)

I’ve stayed at the Pullman and it was fine. Good lounge, fantastic gym.

But just wondering if the Movenpick rooms or view would outweigh the lounge/gym? Any concerns about train noise?

I know the Miss Mi restaurant is amazing, but I can always just head there for dinner regardless of where I stay. Sofitel is a no go due to price

[edit]

Forgot to mention Accor diamond status. I’ve read Movenpick will have better recognition, but basically that just means the “suite” (which is a large room) and some chocolate? Both will be the same De Bortoli….

We stayed in Movenpick for 3 nights last month. The rooms feel new but a little bit cramped. They have chocolate hour everyday at 3pm which wasn't anything overly special. Kids get unlimited free icecream all day. Breakfast was ok but was bored of it by the second morning. Location I didn't really care for. We were initially booked for 5 nights but moved to Mantra on Russell after the 3rd night as wanted to be a bit more central.

 

[Muppet501st]

I must ask - what does the black dot on the welcome drink voucher mean? Does it mean you can get a proper drink rather than the "house" wines and beers customarily offered?

-RooFlyer88

Correct, any drink offered at the bar

 

[fantastikforce]

May I ask please @fantastikforce - how did you travel from Bangkok to Hua Hin and also would you consider it humid at present?
Looking at Thailand for next January and haven't settled on where to stay.

I booked a SUV transfer from Bangkok to Hua Hin and back to Bangkok. I initially wanted to travel by train but you could only book seats in the air conditioned cabin within 24 hours before your chosen travel date, and these apparently booked out quite fast.

It's still hot and humid but more pleasant than Bangkok's weather since it is a seaside town and the cool breeze helps a lot.

I would recommend going to Hua Hin and staying at the SO Sofitel. Just take note that the breakfast buffet food choices at the resort do tend to cater more towards the local Thai tourists as majority of their clients are local.

 

[Flyfrequently]

I booked a SUV transfer from Bangkok to Hua Hin and back to Bangkok. I initially wanted to travel by train but you could only book seats in the air conditioned cabin within 24 hours before your chosen travel date, and these apparently booked out quite fast.

It's still hot and humid but more pleasant than Bangkok's weather since it is a seaside town and the cool breeze helps a lot.

I would recommend going to Hua Hin and staying at the SO Sofitel. Just take note that the breakfast buffet food choices at the resort do tend to cater more towards the local Thai tourists as majority of their clients are local.

Thanks for that @fantastikforce , very helpful as had considered the train!

 

[k_sheep]

Property: Ibis Styles Elizabeth St, Brisbane
Status: Accor Plus - Gold
Room booked: Base
Room upgraded/type: Corner room, high floor
Rate: Red hot rate, $125
Early check in/late out: Wasn't required
Welcome drink: Yes
Welcome gift: Rocky road choccie

Second stay at this place, send time getting a really tidy room with impressive view of the muddy Brisbane river. Corner room this time so views out to the cathedral to the west. Welcome drink generously poured (de Bertoli bubbles) with a smile and 'of course, please go chill out in your room' when I asked if I could take it to 'go'.

Will definitely stay again! Probably in a couple weeks if they keep putting it as a red hot room ...

Edit: and the rocky road was replenished next day! And another 2 bottles of water turned up (even though I didn't use the first ones).

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Property: Novotel Perth Langley
Status: Accor Plus - Platinum
Room booked: Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed
Room upgraded/type: Junior Suite
Rate: Accor Plus Members Stay 3 Pay 2, ~$115/night average (6 night stay)
Early check in/late out: 12 PM late check-out requested and received
Free Breakfast: Yep (Platinum) - Buffet
Welcome drink: Yes (2x)
Welcome gift: 2 cartons of water and a bottle of wine

Stayed here with my partner for a 6 night stay in Perth (it's the first time she's been here). Arrived in the early evening and was greeted by a friendly reception who provided me with 2 drink vouchers and told me I was upgraded to the Junior suite (great). The hotel is about a 10 minute walk from the CBD and close to the Red CAT which will get you to the train station very rapidly. Overall, the room was spacious but a bit musty (perhaps due to there being no windows that can be opened):



For those worried about there being a shub at the property there isn't (or at least not in the room I was in on the 3rd floor).

Breakfast consisted of the usual Novotel breakfast spread. Nothing to write home about other than to say a cut above an ibis styles offering:



Oh and here was the welcome gift:

Main criticisms are the wifi was very patchy and slow at times (despite the reception being great, including access points right outside the room). Additionally, the gym was a bit lacking. Yes there were bikes, treadmills, and strength training equipment but there weren't any wipes to wipe down the equipment nor was there a water fountain to stay hydrated.

Would I stay here again? Yes!

-RooFlyer88

 

[Daver6]

Property: Novotel Perth Langley
Status: Accor Plus - Platinum
Room booked: Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed
Room upgraded/type: Junior Suite
Rate: Accor Plus Members Stay 3 Pay 2, ~$115/night average (6 night stay)
Early check in/late out: 12 PM late check-out requested and received
Free Breakfast: Yep (Platinum) - Buffet
Welcome drink: Yes (2x)
Welcome gift: 2 cartons of water and a bottle of wine

Stayed here with my partner for a 6 night stay in Perth (it's the first time she's been here). Arrived in the early evening and was greeted by a friendly reception who provided me with 2 drink vouchers and told me I was upgraded to the Junior suite (great). The hotel is about a 10 minute walk from the CBD and close to the Red CAT which will get you to the train station very rapidly. Overall, the room was spacious but a bit musty (perhaps due to there being no windows that can be opened):
View attachment 366686
View attachment 366687View attachment 366688

For those worried about there being a shub at the property there isn't (or at least not in the room I was in on the 3rd floor).

Breakfast consisted of the usual Novotel breakfast spread. Nothing to write home about other than to say a cut above an ibis styles offering:

View attachment 366689

Oh and here was the welcome gift:
View attachment 366690
Main criticisms are the wifi was very patchy and slow at times (despite the reception being great, including access points right outside the room). Additionally, the gym was a bit lacking. Yes there were bikes, treadmills, and strength training equipment but there weren't any wipes to wipe down the equipment nor was there a water fountain to stay hydrated.

Would I stay here again? Yes!

-RooFlyer88

Have the hot tubs on the top floor been re-opened? Now those are tubs with a view!

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Have the hot tubs on the top floor been re-opened? Now those are tubs with a view!

There aren't any hot tubs on the top floor. There is a gym at the top floor (12) and a spiralling staircase which leads to a relaxation area that has some chairs facing a view of the Swan River. Perhaps you are referring to Novotel Perth Murray?

 

[oz_mark]

There aren't any hot tubs on the top floor. There is a gym at the top floor (12) and a spiralling staircase which leads to a relaxation area that has some chairs facing a view of the Swan River. Perhaps you are referring to Novotel Perth Murray?

Definitely used to be at the Novotel Langley. Maybe they removed them.

 

[Daver6]

There aren't any hot tubs on the top floor. There is a gym at the top floor (12) and a spiralling staircase which leads to a relaxation area that has some chairs facing a view of the Swan River. Perhaps you are referring to Novotel Perth Murray?

Definitely used to be at the Novotel Langley. Maybe they removed them.

Looks like they've been removed then. That's a shame.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Looks like they've been removed then. That's a shame.

Having done a Google search for it (boy I hope no one ever looks through my search history), it would appear that those hot tubs were accessible via the spiral stair case from the gym on the 12th floor. This is now starting to make a whole lot of sense (i.e. why is there a restroom with shower if that upper floor is just a relaxation area with two chairs?). I'll also point out that the balcony was padlocked shut too.

-RooFlyer88

 

[drron]

Thanks for that @fantastikforce , very helpful as had considered the train!

Bangkok is not as humid in January and rarely rains then. Every second year we spend 4 weeks in Bangkok in Dec/Jan. I do 10 t0 18K step walks and do raise a sweat but nothing like the rest of the year. It is still hot for those not used to it with highs of 28 - 33 until mid January when it does get to 34,35C.
Since in Bangkok Humidity has been in the 30% range and next week into the 40s and some light rain predicted for the last week of January. That is why we are departing on 19/1.
For places closer to Bangkok or Pattaya we use a private car service. The one we used pre covid seems not to have survived but there are plenty around. The rate for an air conditioned Camry to Hua Hin is 2000 baht.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thanks @drron , great information.
My memory of Bangkok and Pattaya nearly 50 years ago when I was young and pretty fearless (read inexperienced traveller) is quite dim!
Do remember the #rib from a motorbike mishap on Christmas Eve 1976 though

 

[Flyfrequently]

Property: Mercure Melbourne Doncaster
Status: Accor Gold Plus
Room booked: Standard Queen
Room upgrade: King superior upper floor
Rate: RHR $125
Early check-in: not needed
Late check-out: 12.30 pm which was appreciated - could have had later
Welcome drink: vouchers x 2, could be used in restaurant or bar
Welcome amenity: Bottle of Legacy White, water x 2 and handwritten card. Was personally delivered by the duty manager at 4.30 pm.
Parking: $25
Breakfast: onsite restaurant: Accor Gold discount applied in restaurant for breakfast and dinner without issue.

All staff very pleasant and helpful, would stay there again if the occasion arose.
(needed to be in eastern suburbs for appointments)
Their restaurant doesn't have a name at present, it was called Chido Chido doing Mexican food. Recent change of menu as Mexican wasn't that popular.

Enjoyed dinner, reasonably priced.

Entrees- Parmesan Cauliflower Popcorn House cured Salmon with celeriac remoulade
Mains - Crispy Reef Fish with mixed salad and fries
Wagyu Rump, fried onion rings and green peppercorn jus
roasted spuds with rosemary

Dessert - Soft chocolate pudding, peanut butter ice cream and salted popcorn - a definite winner!