In the note to the hotel at time of booking, I had advised them that we were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. Based on how we have been "pampered" (with chocolate, brownies with candles, towel animals, a couple of flowers, a plate of fruit, and on several occasions a bottle of house wine) when celebrating special birthdays, a graduation etc at other Accor properties, even the Ibis) I anticipated that they might make some small gesture. No deal. We got nothing. Not a welcome gift (which even lowly silver members usually get eg bottle of sparkling water, a bottle of still water, chocolates etc), not even a welcome note. It was a bit disappointing really. It would not have been hard to type a sticker saying "happy anniversary Mr and Mrs Seat) and stick that on a post card on our pillow.
You are right to be disappointed here. Having stayed at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour as an Accor+Platinum mind you, during the one year anniversary of my partner and I being boyfriend/girlfriend, the hotel pulled out all the stops for us: a nice little anniversary cake to greet us in our room along with a hand written note from the manager congratulating us on the anniversary. At the restaurant, where we had dinner to celebrate the waiter brought out a small plate of macaroons to celebrate the anniversary. And then when we returned to the room a bottle of wine. Now yes, I did let them know about the anniversary, but they certainly followed through with the gestures.
To your point about why this didn't happen. I can think of three reasons why it didn't happen.
First it could simply be a property limitation. Some Accor properties do seem to do more for following through with guest requests. For instance, I do wonder whether this would have been any different if you stayed at a Sofitel, which is renowned for its service. Keep in mind too that sometimes there are limitations that are property specific. For instance, Pullmans which do tend to be of higher quality do offer slightly different experiences depending on where you stay. For instance, I'd challenge you to stay at the Pullman Sydney Airport and also at the Pullman Auckland Hotel & Apartments. Both offer good service, but only the one in Auckland has bothered to reopen its executive lounge for elites. A similar thing with the Sofitels in Sydney. Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour is arguably the flagship Sofitel in Australia (and I've stayed at a number of them here). Great service, a dedicated executive lounge on the top floor with executive lounge check-in for Platinums. Meanwhile the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, which is maybe a 15 minute walk away, doesn't have a proper executive lounge, and you'll be queueing in check-in with everyone else. Now granted, that is because they are under renovation.
The second reason why I think you weren't treated as well may be due to your status. Silver isn't much in terms of status as literally anyone can get that status just by signing up for an Accor paid membership program like Accor+. From my experience, having been an Accor Silver, Gold and now Platinum, what I will say is that nearly every hotel treats a Platinum good. Everywhere from the ibis Budget Sydney Olympic Park to the Sofitel Melbourne, I have always been treated like VIP in terms of check-in, room upgrades, late check out and breakfast. For instance, at nearly every hotel in Australia it has not been an issue asking for a 12 PM check out, with some properties like the Sofitel going so far as to give me a 2 PM check out. Remember, very few people can reach these higher tiers of Platinum, Diamond and Limitless status. For instance, Platinum requires staying 60 nights or effectively 40 if you have Accor+ which is something the casual traveller cannot attain. Sure you can earn status by staying a couple of nights at very expensive hotels, but for the casual traveller are you really gonna spend $1000 a night at a hotel? Doubt it! Being Gold helps a little in the sense that you are more likely to get a bottle of wine as a welcome gift than a look of disdain from the hotel manager, and maybe a slightly later check out if you ask real nice.
The third possibility why the request wasn't honoured may come down to how you communicated the "ask" to the property. Did you simply enter this in to the comments box when booking online or did you pick up the phone and call the property? If you did call them, did you call them at the time of booking or a week or less before you checked in? In my case, the Sofitel called me a couple days before (as they do anyone who has made a booking) to inquire if there is anything they could do for my stay, and I mentioned this request then and there.
Breakfast was OK - the food selection was not as wide as in other Accor properties, and on every morning our omelettes had a strange rubbery texture that wasn't very nice. But the coffee was great. And the staff were prompt and attentive.
I take it this was a buffet set up at the Pullman? If so, what options did they have? Was it all buffet or were there stations where you could order things like an omelette being made by the chef? Going back to Accor Platinum, yes being Platinum helps when it comes to this as well. For one thing, we never have to book a rate that includes breakfast because Platinums get breakfast for free in Asia-Pacific. Importantly though, the restaurant crew generally treat Platinums better including seating them in a more desired location roped off for Platinums (e.g., Fairmont Blue Mountains), offering additional menu items and even preparing things fresh for you. When you stay at a property that has an executive lounge, you often get served breakfast in the lounge meaning you order off a menu instead of going up to a buffet and eating something that may have been sitting there for hours. At least this was my experience staying at the Sofitel Darling Harbour and Sofitel Melbourne. Granted, the menu may not be as extensive as the items on the buffet, but you can always ask the lounge attendant to pick you up some items from the buffet too.
-RooFlyer88
); the breakfast is basic buffet fare. As others have suggested, it's best to keep expectations in check on this place... it's more like an ageing Novotel than it is a Sofitel, a few elements aside. The site was purchased by Chinese developers in 2014, and they never got around to many/any improvements, from what I can tell. We gave it a final chance after some lacklustre experiences & booked the Opera Suite for just under a week, about 2 years back, but that was a poor decision. It's a shame, as it's a good location with more potential. 
