How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[ellen10]

Property: Novotel Singapore on Kitchener
Status: Accor Plus Gold
Room booked: Superior Room corner room
Room upgraded/type: Only higher floor, same room type
Early check in/late out: late check out granted 2pm
Welcome drink: Yes but non alcoholic
Welcome gift: Fruit bowl

This was a one night stay on our way home from Europe. I originally booked Mercure Icon, but after the bad reviews and small rooms changed to the Novotel. Just wanted a reasonably priced Accor hotel in an ok location. Room was large with plenty of room for our suitcases and bags.
Bathroom clean and shower large with good water pressure. Bed very comfortable. Easy friendly checkin and out, and stored our bags on day of departure. Location is in Little India, so lots of Indian guests and families. I think Indian tour groups stay here. Breakfast was very busy and crowded with lots of families, we tried to find a quiet corner. Very large buffet style breakfast, but also had cooked omelettes and eggs.
Husband had a swim in the pool which surprisingly was free of kids.

Not my favourite Singapore Accor hotel but for the price did the job ($320, which included all taxes and breakfast) and the spacious room was great with a view over little India .
We visited the Mustafa Centre and huge shopping building which sold anything and everything. We also walked down to the Arab area. Husband had a swim in the pool which surprisingly was free of kids. There is also a handy metro station nearby.

 

[moffat39]

Property: Novotel Singapore on Kitchener
Status: Accor Plus Gold
Room booked: Superior Room corner room
Room upgraded/type: Only higher floor, same room type
Early check in/late out: late check out granted 2pm
Welcome drink: Yes but non alcoholic
Welcome gift: Fruit bowl

Ellen 10 you have prompted me to get around posting my recent stays at Accor properties in Singapore and the Philipines (Borcay and Manilla). Our first stay in Singapore was only a night stay in Singapore en route from Brisbane to Cebu.

On other trips through Singpaore for one night we used to stay at the Novotel in Clarke Quay which has since closed. We really liked that hotel which was well located and walking distance to either China Town or Orchard Road. The rooms were large and the hotel was reasonably priced.

This time we stayed at the Grand Mercure Roxy Katong. We enjoyed our stay there. Only around 15 minute taxi ride from or too Changi and well located near shopping centres and Joo Chiat which was great to explore. Parts of the hotel has been upgraded including our room. The rooms are large for Singapore (32 sq.m) and well appointed. The price was around $260.00 a night AUD.

Since our stay the MRT station has opened outside the hotel. Would stay there again.

On the way home we stayed 3 nights at the Pullman Hill Street Singapore which is a new hotel. Will post a review of that later.

 

[jase05]

On other trips through Singpaore for one night we used to stay at the Novotel in Clarke Quay which has since closed. We really liked that hotel which was well located and walking distance to either China Town or Orchard Road. The rooms were large and the hotel was reasonably priced.

Concur
Was a good hotel and we had several good stays there so was sad when it closed

 

[Stewey]

Concur
Was a good hotel and we had several good stays there so was sad when it closed

Agreed, loved staying there. Great Supermarket underneath the hotel as well

 

[jase05]

Agreed, loved staying there. Great Supermarket underneath the hotel as well

Was totally levelled the last time I was there and they were starting construction on apartments and a new Moxy. Been a little while since I’ve been that way so not sure how advanced construction is

 

[Silvia]

Property: Sebel Brisbane City
Status: Accor Plus - Gold
Room booked: 1 Bed Apartment Standard - queen bed
Room upgraded/type: no - I assume I just got a higher floor? (floor 21)
Rate: $218 pn
Early check in/late out: Not requested
Welcome drink: Yes
Welcome gift: Yes - small cheese platter

Good Accor property as they have apartments which probably suits us best when travelling as a family with a 3 year old.

Slightly disappointed that there wasn’t any better update and the carpet is looking slightly run down but no major issues. The cheese platter appeared once we were back from dinner. We checked in closer to 4 30pm due to our flight being delayed, so that was interesting.

FYI - there is construction next door

 

[Daver6]

Property: Sofitel Melbourne
Status: Accor Plus Platinum
Room booked: Base
Room upgraded/type: Luxury corner (slightly bigger corner room
Early check in/late out: Yes, 12pm as request
Welcome drink: Yes x2
Welcome gift: chocolate covered pretzels which were a winner

Exec lounge wasn't too busy at all. Pleasant stay all round

 

[Lynda2475]

I am needing a hotel in Tokyo for for 2 (twin share, friends not a couple) for 4 nights which is centrally located, western style bedding (too old to sleep on a mat) and that has a walk-in shower not a shub.

As it is at tail end of cherry blossom season prices at my preferred brand (IHG Indigo) are $700+ a night which is crazy so I was considering the Pullman Tokyo Tamachi as can redeem free accor plus night bringing price down to $1043 for 4 nights.

Ive never been to Tokyo (nor Japan) before so am wondering what the area is like and how easy it will be to get to the main Tokyo touristy things (we wont be heading further a field as this is merely a stop over on way home form South Korea)?

We have a crazy early flight out of HND on last day so am imagining will need to get a taxi to airport as I understand the trains are not 24 * 7?

Everything I've read says to stay in either Shinjuku or Shibuya but am struggling to find anything in those neighborhoods that is shubless and not a complete dive or $700+ a night.

Thoughts for those who have stayed at the Pullman? @sudoer @Infrequent traveller @drron

I refuse to consider Ibis as both the Tokyo Ibis properties have numerous reports of bed bugs.

 

[sudoer]

Ive never been to Tokyo (nor Japan) before so am wondering what the area is like and how easy it will be to get to the main Tokyo touristy things (we wont be heading further a field as this is merely a stop over on way home form South Korea)?

Tamachi is a fairly quiet business area but it's well connected and quite conveniently located. It's not a destination in itself, but it has everything you need/want near your hotel. The Pullman is located in a multi-building commercial complex called Tamachi Musubu (stylised 'msb') which is directly connected by footbridge to Tamachi station.

It has a decent supermarket (something you won't find as easily in Shinjuku/Shibuya/Ginza) and plenty of reasonably priced restaurants and cafes within a 2-3 min walk. There's also a pharmac_ in the complex, a 24/7 convenience store directly opposite the Pullman, and a coin laundry about 600m away. msb has an English store guide.

The 'main Tokyo touristy things' is very long list, but you'll be able to get to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara, Shinbashi, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, and various other tourist hotspots in under 30 minutes on a direct train from Tamachi station or the adjoining Mita subway station. There's also a bus to Odaiba, and you can walk to Tokyo Tower in 20-25 minutes.

We have a crazy early flight out of HND on last day so am imagining will need to get a taxi to airport as I understand the trains are not 24 * 7?

For your arrival, there's a direct train from Haneda to Mita station, then a 5 minute walk to the Pullman. $5 per person.

For your departure, a taxi to Haneda will cost about $80.

Both train and taxi take 25-30 minutes door to door.

Rideshare doesn't exist in Japan but you can book cabs (including people movers if you have lots of luggage) through the Uber app which helps with communication about exactly where you want to go. Staying around Tamachi/Ginza/Shinbashi/Hamamatsucho areas will mean cheaper taxis to/from Haneda airport.

Everything I've read says to stay in either Shinjuku or Shibuya but am struggling to find anything in those neighborhoods that is shubless and not a complete dive or $700+ a night.

Ignore that - it's terrible advice. Everyone should visit Shinjuku and Shibuya to see the madness but you definitely don't need to stay in those areas and I find they've become increasingly soulless, commercialised tourist traps over the last 5-10 years. Lesser known stations in Tokyo are going to have far more family-run restaurants which might be less geared towards tourists, but you're much more likely to experience true Japanese omotenashi.

Also, the shub is extremely common in Japan given the price of land, but strong local culture to soak in a bathtub every night. I'm not surprised it's difficult to find shower-only rooms.

 

[MARTINE]

I am needing a hotel in Tokyo for for 2 (twin share, friends not a couple) for 4 nights which is centrally located, western style bedding (too old to sleep on a mat) and that has a walk-in shower not a shub.

As it is at tail end of cherry blossom season prices at my preferred brand (IHG Indigo) are $700+ a night which is crazy so I was considering the Pullman Tokyo Tamachi as can redeem free accor plus night bringing price down to $1043 for 4 nights.

Ive never been to Tokyo (nor Japan) before so am wondering what the area is like and how easy it will be to get to the main Tokyo touristy things (we wont be heading further a field as this is merely a stop over on way home form South Korea)?

We have a crazy early flight out of HND on last day so am imagining will need to get a taxi to airport as I understand the trains are not 24 * 7?

Everything I've read says to stay in either Shinjuku or Shibuya but am struggling to find anything in those neighborhoods that is shubless and not a complete dive or $700+ a night.

Thoughts for those who have stayed at the Pullman? @sudoer @Infrequent traveller @drron

I refuse to consider Ibis as both the Tokyo Ibis properties have numerous reports of bed bugs.

Marunouchi, Tokyo 5-Star Hotel Rooms & Suites | Palace Hotel Tokyo

The 5-star Palace Hotel Tokyo in Marunouchi features 284 luxury rooms and suites outlooking the Imperial Palace gardens.

en.palacehoteltokyo.com

I absolutely love this hotel.
6 min station walk
Maranouchi is quiet but central and just opp the park of Imperial Palace — so stunning surrounds and lovely walks.
The hotel has separate baths/showers with balconies.
Local Maranouchi has nice cafes/restaurants and shopping
Booking next trip there as we speak
I hated Shibuya and that tourist crush

 

[MJ_/\_]

We have a crazy early flight out of HND

How early is your flight? looks like first train you'd want to catch from there is about 4:48 am getting to HND at 5:15.

...and yeah Shinjuku and Shibuya are way too crowded for my liking, I don't think I'd ever stay there... my preference is the bottom end of Ginza, near where the Ibis is, but when I was there about a month ago I stayed at the Remm Plus Ginza (not an Accor hotel), but it was nice, albiet small room (shower was amazing though for a reasonably cheap place!).

 

[Sprucegoose]

This time we stayed at the Grand Mercure Roxy Katong. We enjoyed our stay there. Only around 15 minute taxi ride from or too Changi and well located near shopping centres and Joo Chiat which was great to explore. Parts of the hotel has been upgraded including our room. The rooms are large for Singapore (32 sq.m) and well appointed. The price was around $260.00 a night AUD.

I have done the Roxy a few times this year. It is good if you are solo and just want to get in and out of SIN close to the Airport and handy for early morning or late night flights. It is a very efficient hotel in an authentic neighbourhood—not touristy. 8.5/10

 

[Captain Halliday]

I have done the Roxy a few times this year. It is good if you are solo and just want to get in and out of SIN close to the Airport and handy for early morning or late night flights. It is a very efficient hotel in an authentic neighbourhood—not touristy. 8.5/10

We’ve had three stays there and really like it.

Has the MRT station out the front been completed yet?

 

[Lynda2475]

I absolutely love this hotel.
6 min station walk
Maranouchi is quiet but central and just opp the park of Imperial Palace — so stunning surrounds and lovely walks.

Looks lovely but it costs more per night than what the Pullman costs for 4 nights. Simply not affordable for this trip. AUD $1273/night doesn't an affordable trip make.

 

[SYD]

Looks lovely but it costs per night what the Pullman costs for 4 nights. Simply not affordable for this trip.

Unfortunately, the Mercure Ginza is closing entirely at the end of August. It was a reasonable location and value for money.

 

[Cynicor]

Looks lovely but it costs per night what the Pullman costs for 4 nights. Simply not affordable for this trip.

Absolutely no need to stay in Shinjuku or Shibuya and I wouldn’t recommend it generally. I do stay at the Hilton in part of Shinjuku sometimes but mostly in Conrad other end of town.
The Pullman will be fine. Any stop on the Yamanote line is a decent location to stay with adequate access.

 

[Lynda2475]

Unfortunately, the Mercure Ginza is closing entirely at the end of August. It was a reasonable location and value for money.

Mecure looked to have SHUBs so its a hard no from me. I will never knowingly book a room with a shub (they should be banned).

 

[Lynda2475]

The Pullman will be fine. Any stop on the Yamanote line is a decent location to stay with adequate access.

Thanks, was wanting to know how easy it will be to get around.

How early is your flight? looks like first train you'd want to catch from there is about 4:48 am getting to HND at 5:15.

Flight departs 7am, so assuming would need to be at airport by 5am, I'm not great in early am so think taxi will be the go. Although we arrive at like 1pm so will take train from HND to hotel.

 

[Sprucegoose]

We’ve had three stays there and really like it.

Has the MRT station out the front been completed yet?

Yes, it is open and very handy.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I am needing a hotel in Tokyo for for 2 (twin share, friends not a couple) for 4 nights which is centrally located, western style bedding (too old to sleep on a mat) and that has a walk-in shower not a shub.

It's okay anywhere you pick - book for three nights then on the fourth (day before you fly out). Stay at the HND Mercure—it's a great hotel—within an easy Uber ride or take the Airport Shuttle. Rooms are small (its Japan) but classy.

The Shuttle's first trip leaves at 4 a.m. and then on the hour. Ubers are handy as well.

Ive never been to Tokyo (nor Japan) before so am wondering what the area is like and how easy it will be to get to the main Tokyo touristy things (we wont be heading further a field as this is merely a stop over on way home form South Korea)?

Everywhere will be good - it's all different - your research will best inform you.

We have a crazy early flight out of HND on last day so am imagining will need to get a taxi to airport as I understand the trains are not 24 * 7?

The first flights are at 6 am, I believe? Japan has a reliable transport system.