How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[RooFlyer]

Property: Pullman Miami Airport
Status: Accor+ Platinum
Room booked: King
Room upgraded/type: Got a suite, but I don't think it was a conscious 'upgrade' - just what the dude at check-in came up with.
Rate: $400/night, members flex
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: No
Early check in/late out: N/A
Welcome drink: Yes
Welcome gift: Ya kidding, right?
Recommended. Only if you can't find an expensive alternative. Free shuttle every 30 mins.

Zero Plat recognition Tired and grubby place.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Property: The William Inglis, Warwick Farm
Status: Accor+ Platinum
Room booked: Superior Room with 1 Kingsize Bed
Room upgraded/type: Deluxe Room with 1 kingsize bed
Rate: Accor Plus Saver Rate Complimentary Breakfast - $166.73
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes
Early check in/late out: N/A
Welcome drink: Yes, 2 vouchers in app (only used one)
Welcome gift: Bottle of wine, chocolates and an opened bottle of water
Recommended. Yes, particularly if staying in the area

Decided to book this for a Saturday night staycation with partner. The hotel itself is located in Warwick Farm directly adjacent to the racecourse there so obviously a great location if you want to go to the races. I saw quite a few weddings were taking place at that location so probably not a bad spot for that either. The main downside of the hotel is it is a bit out of the way. You are looking at an hour train ride (give or take) from Sydney CBD plus a further 15 minute walk from the station.

Check in was quick although reception asked me if I wanted to join Accor ALL. After pointing out I’m already Platinum member I received my keys for the room. I could instantly see when I entered the room that we got an upgrade to a better room on the 7th floor (likely owing to my Platinum status):





The restroom consisted of a two separate stall for the shower (no shub for those concerned) and the toilet:


The view from my room:


The room had a minibar which was nice since this was an MGallery meaning I could have as many soft drinks as I'd like free as a Platinum member ( I refuse to comment on how many times I called the front desk to get the minibar replenished):



The hotel also has a decent exercise facility on the 9th floor consisting of Peloton and various Technogym equipment that is open 24/7. There is also a roof top pool (not pictured) open till 9 PM:


The hotel also has a bar/lounge on the mezzanine level which I used judiciously to work on some items adjacent to my thesis. There is also a cafe and restaurant on the ground floor, the latter of which I used to have dinner using my Accor+ discount:


The dish was $38 before discount (so $28.50 after the Accor+ discount). The wine pictured was from my free drink voucher. Overall, not a bad restaurant ( I really enjoyed the minute steak).

Breakfast is served at the restaurant (Weekdays from 6 AM to 10:30 AM and Weekends from 6:30 AM to 11 AM) and consisted of a buffet with hot and cold items including avocado and salmon (I haven't seen either option at Accor properties in some time). Additionally, there were a couple of a-la carte items you could order such as barista made coffee/tea and various egg concoctions:



Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the hotel and would stay here again, at this price. However, one key consideration is that it is a bit out of the way at Warwick Farm, so may not be for everyone.

-RooFlyer88

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Property: Hotel Mondial am Dom (MGallery), Cologne

Just curious whether the room had a mini-bar? The reason I ask is that if the room has a minibar, it's an MGallery property and you have Accor Platinum status (or better) you are entitled to free soft drinks from the minibar.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Lemon_Party]

Just curious whether the room had a mini-bar? The reason I ask is that if the room has a minibar, it's an MGallery property and you have Accor Platinum status (or better) you are entitled to free soft drinks from the minibar.

-RooFlyer88

concur on this hotel - stayed here on a trip last year as I had meetings in the area, great hotel with spacious comfortable rooms. Was gold at the time and was upgraded, bottle of wine gift etc.
The restaurant on site is pretty good imo.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just curious whether the room had a mini-bar? The reason I ask is that if the room has a minibar, it's an MGallery property and you have Accor Platinum status (or better) you are entitled to free soft drinks from the minibar.

-RooFlyer88

Sorry, I don’t know, but I don’t think so. I was given vouchers for three drinks a day out of the “mini market” in Reception area - soft or hard.

 

[eric2011]

Property: Sofitel Brisbane
Status: Accor+ Diamond
Room booked: Luxuary room high floor
Room upgraded/type: No upgrade, next class room is suite and Sofitel Bne dont usually upgrade to suite
Rate: $$245 with 20% discount
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes
Early check in/late out: N/A
Welcome drink: Yes, 2x voucher
Welcome gift: Water x2 and small bottle of NZ Marlborough region Pinot Noir plus chockies
Pleasant extra surprise was plate of cakes and a personal message congratulating me on 20 stays with them

 

[burneracc]

Property: Sofitel Adelaide
Status: ALL Accor+ Gold
Room booked: Superior King
Room upgraded/type: Yes, Superior King -> Deluxe King
Rate: ~$261 (corporate rate)
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: No
Early check in/late out: N/A but they held my bags for me after checkout (pretty standard)
Welcome drink: Yes, 1x voucher
Welcome gift: Water x2 and room upgrade at checkin if either of those count

 

[bits]

Property: Sofitel Darling Harbour Sydney
Status: Accor+ Platinum
Room booked: Superior room (base room Jones Bay side)
Room upgraded/type: Yes, King Luxury corner, Darling Harbour view
Rate: $335, Red Hot rate
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes, in lounge or at restaurant (don't really really recommend the restaurant buffet breakfast unless you really want buffet, too much of a zoo there. If you've been you'll know what I mean)
Early check in/late out: didn't require early check-in. Late check-out granted till 12pm only.
Welcome drink: Yes, lounge check in offers 2 champagnes on arrival. App welcome drink vouchers available for use through out the venue (recommend to use at the Champagne Bar)
Welcome gift: 2 bottles water bedside?
Recommended: Yes, if the rate is cheap (for me, around $300 mark is good value here)

Later checkout beyond 12pm wasn't available, but not surprising given we were checking in 26 Dec, so hotel was chock a block full, and we were upgraded to a nicer room.

There was no welcome gift in room, unless the two bottles of water were it? But the champagne trolley at the check in desk had boxes of chocolates on the lower tray which guests were free to take if they wish, but not actively offered.

Arvo tea at 3-5pm was not bad, good selection of sandwiches, scones, sweets. Full house cause of the holiday season.

Even canapes was over capacity. Basically you need to be seated by 5.15pm for 5.30 start, or you won't be sitting and will be queuing. Usual canape fare with oysters being the seafood. Hot food was disappointing - only 3 items which came out served by staff - 1 small plate person. No self serve hot food at all.

Lounge breakfast - a la carte food (very nice), plus the usual lounge style mini buffet. Only 1/3 full around 8am, by 9.15am full house.

 

[Daver6]

Property: Sofitel Darling Harbour Sydney
Status: Accor+ Platinum
Room booked: Superior room (base room Jones Bay side)
Room upgraded/type: Yes, King Luxury corner, Darling Harbour view
Rate: $335, Red Hot rate
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes, in lounge or at restaurant (don't really really recommend the restaurant buffet breakfast unless you really want buffet, too much of a zoo there. If you've been you'll know what I mean)
Early check in/late out: didn't require early check-in. Late check-out granted till 12pm only.
Welcome drink: Yes, lounge check in offers 2 champagnes on arrival. App welcome drink vouchers available for use through out the venue (recommend to use at the Champagne Bar)
Welcome gift: 2 bottles water bedside?
Recommended: Yes, if the rate is cheap (for me, around $300 mark is good value here)

Later checkout beyond 12pm wasn't available, but not surprising given we were checking in 26 Dec, so hotel was chock a block full, and we were upgraded to a nicer room.

There was no welcome gift in room, unless the two bottles of water were it? But the champagne trolley at the check in desk had boxes of chocolates on the lower tray which guests were free to take if they wish, but not actively offered.

Arvo tea at 3-5pm was not bad, good selection of sandwiches, scones, sweets. Full house cause of the holiday season.

Even canapes was over capacity. Basically you need to be seated by 5.15pm for 5.30 start, or you won't be sitting and will be queuing. Usual canape fare with oysters being the seafood. Hot food was disappointing - only 3 items which came out served by staff - 1 small plate person. No self serve hot food at all.

Lounge breakfast - a la carte food (very nice), plus the usual lounge style mini buffet. Only 1/3 full around 8am, by 9.15am full house.

That's an epic room upgrade for this hotel. I've only ever heard of giving the very minimal one category upgrade. Yours would be at least three categories off the base room. Well done!

 

[bits]

That's an epic room upgrade for this hotel. I've only ever heard of giving the very minimal one category upgrade. Yours would be at least three categories off the base room. Well done!

Indeed

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Free Breakfast: Yes, in lounge or at restaurant (don't really really recommend the restaurant buffet breakfast unless you really want buffet, too much of a zoo there. If you've been you'll know what I mean)

Lounge is almost always recommended at Sofitels with a lounge. First, as you correctly noted you avoid the zoo that is the restaurant at breakfast time. Second, you get a-la carte ordering options you wouldn't frankly get from the restaurant (which at most Sofitels is buffet). Third the seating and view is much nicer.

Welcome drink: Yes, lounge check in offers 2 champagnes on arrival. App welcome drink vouchers available for use through out the venue (recommend to use at the Champagne Bar)

For those unaware, if you have lounge access at a Sofitel (be it through Platinum/Diamond/Limitless status or as part of the room package you booked), you can go directly to the lounge and check in there. At Sydney Darling Harbour that means heading straight for the elevator and pressing the button for the lounge. Highly recommended as there is not much of a wait, there is champagne plus you don't have to deal with the riffraff checking in.

Welcome gift: 2 bottles water bedside?

A bit on the light side if you ask me. When I stayed there back in February it was a bottle of wine, some bottles of water bedside and a small cake. Here's a little tip: if you call the Sofitel ahead of time and tell them that it's a special occasion (in my case it was during my anniversary), you will get better service.

What I will say is for me the upgrade is a good welcome gift, and I'd probably take that over yet another bottle of wine I've received from an Accor hotel.

Recommended: Yes, if the rate is cheap (for me, around $300 mark is good value here)

I should point out that I've seen the Sofitel Darling Harbour go for under $300/night, which becomes tempting for me as now we're approaching my budget. Oh and in case you're wondering, I'm a cheapskate when it comes to Accor properties (I've seen Sofitel Wentworth price for under $200/night at some points). This Sunday I'll be staying at the Sofitel Darling Harbour with my partner using my StayPlus free night.

Later checkout beyond 12pm wasn't available, but not surprising given we were checking in 26 Dec, so hotel was chock a block full, and we were upgraded to a nicer room.

That is a challenge and very much dependent on demand and of course the type of room you are in. I suspect the fancier the room, the more limited those rooms are and consequently the less leeway they have in extending the stay. It should also be noted that other hotel programs provide late checkout as a guaranteed benefit. For instance, Marriott Platinum has 4 PM guaranteed late check out. Similarly at Intercontinental if you have Ambassador status it's also 4 PM guaranteed late check out. Speaking of Ambassador if you hold Ambassador status at Marriott you get to name when you'll check in and when you'll be checking out (with a 24 hour period). So in other words you could have a hotel from 8 PM on the day of arrival til 8 PM the following day. What I will say is guaranteed late check outs, particularly as late as 4 PM really changes things for a stay. You aren't as stressed out about packing up and

There was no welcome gift in room, unless the two bottles of water were it? But the champagne trolley at the check in desk had boxes of chocolates on the lower tray which guests were free to take if they wish, but not actively offered.

Did not know about the box of chocolates on the trolley. Will have to keep an eye out on Sunday!

Arvo tea at 3-5pm was not bad, good selection of sandwiches, scones, sweets. Full house cause of the holiday season.

I found the lounge service was good at the Darling Harbour but I actually found the service at the Wentworth slightly better. Yes Darling Harbour has better selection but Wentworth had better quality stuff. For instance, they had sushi rolls, which I haven't seen at any other Sofitel.

Lounge breakfast - a la carte food (very nice), plus the usual lounge style mini buffet. Only 1/3 full around 8am, by 9.15am full house.

Good to know!

 

[eric2011]

At Sydney Darling Harbour that means heading straight for the elevator and pressing the button for the lounge.

Both times I have stayed there I had to get either the concierge/door man or one of the check in staff to swipe there card in the elevator to go to the EL level as it had restricted access

 

[bits]

Lounge is almost always recommended at Sofitels with a lounge. First, as you correctly noted you avoid the zoo that is the restaurant at breakfast time. Second, you get a-la carte ordering options you wouldn't frankly get from the restaurant (which at most Sofitels is buffet). Third the seating and view is much nicer.

In Asia I will 50/50 the restaurant buffets and the lounge, purely cause the food in the buffets there are exceptional. Agree on the other 2 points.

For those unaware, if you have lounge access at a Sofitel (be it through Platinum/Diamond/Limitless status or as part of the room package you booked), you can go directly to the lounge and check in there. At Sydney Darling Harbour that means heading straight for the elevator and pressing the button for the lounge.

Need to ask the door man to swipe his access card.

Here's a little tip: if you call the Sofitel ahead of time and tell them that it's a special occasion (in my case it was during my anniversary), you will get better service.

Usually for birthdays and anniversaries I will let them know when they send their advance hello emails, and in Asia they then tend to go over the top with cake, other sweets, wine, rose petals message on bed, balloons, and/or towels made into animals

On breakfast, only one staff member today was taking orders, poor guy was run off his feet. If you come early then no prob getting a la carte/drinks orders. Come late, the wait starts to snowball.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Both times I have stayed there I had to get either the concierge/door man or one of the check in staff to swipe there card in the elevator to go to the EL level as it had restricted access

Perhaps I got lucky with my stay with the elevator taking me up to the lounge. Will try again on Sunday and report back.

In Asia I will 50/50 the restaurant buffets and the lounge, purely cause the food in the buffets there are exceptional. Agree on the other 2 points.

It is my understanding that you can request anything from the buffet from the restaurant and someone from the lounge will pick it up for you.

Usually for birthdays and anniversaries I will let them know when they send their advance hello emails, and in Asia they then tend to go over the top with cake, other sweets, wine, rose petals message on bed, balloons, and/or towels made into animals

In my case they had a little desert gift for us when we ate at the restaurant that night. For those wondering yes the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour honours the Accor+ discount which with a 50% discount for 2 diners is quite affordable.

On breakfast, only one staff member today was taking orders, poor guy was run off his feet. If you come early then no prob getting a la carte/drinks orders. Come late, the wait starts to snowball.

I did notice that staying there last time. It would seem like the early bird gets the worm when it comes to breakfast at the lounge. By contrast I had no such issues at the Sofitel Melbourne lounge.

 

[jase05]

It is my understanding that you can request anything from the buffet from the restaurant and someone from the lounge will pick it up for you.

No guarantee but most will do their best

 

[bits]

It is my understanding that you can request anything from the buffet from the restaurant and someone from the lounge will pick it up for you.

Sofitel Hanoi does it a la carte style, some items are specific to the lounge, others are drawn from the buffet but served up nicely. I will be going to the Sofitels in Macau, Guangzhou and Shanghai in late Feb, so looking forward to see how they do it (Macau return visit, first time for the other two).

For those wondering yes the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour honours the Accor+ discount which with a 50% discount for 2 diners is quite affordable.

Delta Rue at Sofitel Wentworth also does the Accor 50% off, will try that soon.

 

[markis10]

Lounge is almost always recommended at Sofitels with a lounge. First, as you correctly noted you avoid the zoo that is the restaurant at breakfast time. Second, you get a-la carte ordering options you wouldn't frankly get from the restaurant (which at most Sofitels is buffet). Third the seating and view is much nicer.

I found the lounge service was good at the Darling Harbour but I actually found the service at the Wentworth slightly better. Yes Darling Harbour has better selection but Wentworth had better quality stuff. For instance, they had sushi rolls, which I haven't seen at any other Sofitel.

Good to know!

You cannot really make any rules in this area, lounge breakfasts vary dramatically across properties, for instance Brisbane and Melbourne I would always go for the restaurant buffet for its variety over the lounge, not to mention the bubbles

 

[eric2011]

You cannot really make any rules in this area, lounge breakfasts vary dramatically across properties, for instance Brisbane and Melbourne I would always go for the restaurant buffet for its variety over the lounge, not to mention the bubbles

In BNE no brekkie in EL. Only in downstairs zoo

 

[Lynda2475]

Property: Mantra Pandanus Darwin
Status: Accor+ Gold
Room booked: 1 Bedroom Apartment with Waterview
Room upgraded/type: 1 Bedroom Apartment with Waterview on highest floor
Rate: Accor Plus Stay Longer and Save - Bed & Breakfast for 2. Cost for 5 nights inc NYE was 18k ALL points + AU $560.
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes
Early check in/late out: Check in 1 hour early, late check out to midday
Welcome drink: Yes, 2 vouchers in app
Welcome gift: usual snack bars and carton of still water
Recommended: undecided will provide an update at end of stay.

Firstly let me say I feel Darwin hotel options for those wanting to be guaranteed a shubless stay are really limited across all brands. There are no Indigo, Voco, Crystalbrook properties which generally provide modern comfort with great walk in showers and no carpet, seriously carpet is stupid in the tropics. Hilton has shubs, so had to lower my standards and consider the less premium options.

As I'm leaning towards not renewing A+ next August given low likelihood of more than a couple of nights at Accor properties, I decided to burn a bunch of ALL points less they expire. I usually prefer a hotel room over an apartment for a sub 1 week stay, given I have no need to cook or do laundry, but the apartment room type guaranteed a walk in shower and ability to view NYE fireworks without having to leave comfort of room.

Location is convenient, $20 Uber ride from airport, noting i arrived and depart on the day flight, whereas most seem to arrive/depart after midnight. 2 blocks to Woolies or 3 blocks to Coles to buy drinks, and plenty of restaurants within a 5 min walk.

There is an open plan kitchenette, dining table and lounge area. A large balcony (the balcony furniture has to be kept inside when not in use so doesn't melt in heat or get blown off in a storm), separate bedroom with its own AC unit and decent drawer/hanging space. Separate bathroom with walk in shower, decent bench space, washer & dryer, and most importantly solid walls and doors (not a fan of bathrooms with transparent walls/doors you don't need to watch your partner/room mate use the toilet).





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First thing i noticed was the apartment was way too warm and the air con wasn't responding to the remote when I tried to lower temperature. Went to reception who had to call maintenance who unlocked the controls for me, default was 24C dry, I changed it cool setting and 21C which is as low as it will go. I had to close curtains and put ceiling fans on high to get it cool. If you need it colder than 21c to sleep then this is not the hotel for you (most air con can usually go as low as 18C).

Views are decent, main negatives are carpet (I prefer wooden or tiled floors especially in hot climates), only 2 thin pillows on bed and no housekeeping, i feel they should at least empty bins daily..

 

[ellen10]

We stayed there @Lynda2475 last July for 5 nights. We were happy with our stay and location.
We also had a car with free parking.