IHG Hotels that recognise status

[Vim Fuego]

Holiday Inn - Flinders Lane - Melbourne

Platinum - Upgraded to Suite

They seem to be quite consistent in the upgrades, I stayed three times last year as Platinum and got upgraded twice to a suite. The third time was a points stay and they apologized that they couldn't upgrade to a suite, no issues there

I've always been looked after there, more so than the Intercontinental up the road.

 

[Markmat]

I like Flinders Lane as long as you are in the suites, which is why the upgrades are great. The rooms are comfortable, the staff are pleasant, and the restaurant has decent food at realistic prices (for a hotel!). I like it is near everything in the city and the rates are more realistic than most hotels. I sometimes stay in the Crowne Plaza or Intercontinental, but even with their upgrades they aren't as good as the suites in the Flinders Lane HI, and the rate at Flinders Lane is less.

 

[Rick93]

Holiday Inn Parramatta - Plat. PCR

Booked King room - upgraded to King Suite.

No gift of any description, however, I did get my kids ( 10 & 9 ) to eat for free at the hotel restaurant.

Wife was out on business, and I was playing Mr. Mom, so take the kids down for dinner ...

They had 'fish & chips' ( it was called something else ... ) & cost $20. each. So, aside from what I consumed, we got a $40. value there for free ( and I ate most of it anyway ... my kids are 'fussy' eaters )

Same for breakfast ... $26.95 for the full buffet ( x 2 for free ). I wouldn't pay it for my kids, as they only 'pick' here and there, but OK as comp. !!

Car parking $7. a day ( charged ).

Stayed two nights, on a 25% off PP voucher ( didn't have any BOGOs left )

 

[Markmat]

Holiday Inn - Old Sydney Platinum

Upgraded to King suite, no welcome gift.

Not a great hotel and the room isn't great but I do it for the points. Probably go to HI Darling Harbour next time.

 

[Rick93]

If I can just further add ...

I took my mother ( and a few other family members ) back to the Parramatta HI to take up their offer of "50% off total bill" ( for first four adults ) lunch on MD recently.

When I first noticed the promo in PP Newsletter, I thought, oh yeah ... 'mistake'. I rang to confirm, and yes, no problem ... drinks included !!

On arrival, 'mothers' were offered comp. Aust. sparkling ( was quite reasonable quality ).

The male members of my lunch party ordered additional glasses, which wasn't charged for.

We had entree and main, with the sparkling ( three glasses each ), and total charged came to an average of $20. a head ...... on MD !! when most good quality restaurants had a premium on their service !!

 

[Brooke01]

Hi,

Holiday Inn - Townsville
Status - Platinum Elite through AmEx Centurion
Booked - Standard room (cheapest) for 1 night
Received - King room, high floor, with balcony (that I would NEVER stand on !)

Typed card in room, personally signed. 1 x Crown Lager in fridge and pretzels as a "thank you".
First few times I stayed here, I got a reasonable bottle of red, then it went to a half bottle, now a beer and pretzels ! LOL. Still, it's nice to get "something"

Holiday Inn - Cairns
Status - Platinum Elite through AmEx Centurion
Booked - Standard room (cheapest) for 2 nights
Received - King Room with Ocean View and full balcony, high floor

Acknowledged status at checkin - invited to "Status drinks" with staff in the evening. Nothing extra in room.

Fairly standard form for both these places. Enjoy staying at both of them - and seem to get the same sort of "upgrades" and "benefits" each visit. I like consistency

Cheers,

Brooke

**Edit to add** - Just had a knock on my door to give me a card signed by the GM and a box of chocolates as a "thank you" for my 5th stay. Nicely appreciated.

 

[markis10]

Hi,

Holiday Inn - Townsville
Status - Platinum Elite through AmEx Centurion
Booked - Standard room (cheapest) for 1 night
Received - King room, high floor, with balcony (that I would NEVER stand on !)

Typed card in room, personally signed. 1 x Crown Lager in fridge and pretzels as a "thank you".
First few times I stayed here, I got a reasonable bottle of red, then it went to a half bottle, now a beer and pretzels ! LOL. Still, it's nice to get "something"

Holiday Inn - Cairns
Status - Platinum Elite through AmEx Centurion
Booked - Standard room (cheapest) for 2 nights
Received - King Room with Ocean View and full balcony, high floor

Acknowledged status at checkin - invited to "Status drinks" with staff in the evening. Nothing extra in room.

Fairly standard form for both these places. Enjoy staying at both of them - and seem to get the same sort of "upgrades" and "benefits" each visit. I like consistency

Cheers,

Brooke

Glad I am not the only one who has problems with the Sugar Shaker balconies, not even expecting a beer at my upcoming stay thanks to it being a $129 BOGO!


The HI Cairns has 1 suite, hard to get it on a freebie but the Ocean View rooms are nice.

 

[DGW]

Holiday Inn - Cairns
Status - Platinum Elite through AmEx Centurion
Booked - Standard room (cheapest) for 2 nights
Received - King Room with Ocean View and full balcony, high floor

Acknowledged status at checkin - invited to "Status drinks" with staff in the evening. Nothing extra in room.

Fairly standard form for both these places. Enjoy staying at both of them - and seem to get the same sort of "upgrades" and "benefits" each visit. I like consistency

Holiday Inn - Cairns
Status - Platinum
Booked - Standard room, two nights
Received - King room with Ocean View & balcony, high floor

Status acknowledged at checkin, received a card from the GM as well as an invite to drinks tonight. Full marks for consistency!

I'll be at the HI Townsville Wednesday & Thursday night so hopefully I have a similar experience.

 

[Brooke01]

Glad I am not the only one who has problems with the Sugar Shaker balconies, not even expecting a beer at my upcoming stay thanks to it being a $129 BOGO!


The HI Cairns has 1 suite, hard to get it on a freebie but the Ocean View rooms are nice.

There is no way I would stand on those balconies by myself - let alone with 3 others ! No thank you very much ! LOL

 

[Brooke01]

Holiday Inn - Cairns
Status - Platinum
Booked - Standard room, two nights
Received - King room with Ocean View & balcony, high floor

Status acknowledged at checkin, received a card from the GM as well as an invite to drinks tonight. Full marks for consistency!

I'll be at the HI Townsville Wednesday & Thursday night so hopefully I have a similar experience.

Unfortunately I won't be able to make the drinks this evening - but we could be next door neighbours ! LOL

I also stand corrected - I just had a knock on my door with a card from the GM and a box of chocolates congratulating me on my 5th stay. Nice touch.

 

[DGW]

Unfortunately I won't be able to make the drinks this evening - but we could be next door neighbours ! LOL

Wow, small world. I didn't make it either (I figured a run along the beach would probably be better for me..) but I dropped by on the way back and it looked like a decent turnout.

 

[Flashback]

Not necessarily a status recognition post, but my parents are only Gold just had the following happen in Paris at HI Notre Dame.... (had 2 nights booked on points, then 1 night at HI Montparnasse due to availability)
"We have arrived in Paris and arrived at the hotel only to be told that they had no rooms available as their computer system had double booked for the stay. The hotel offered to put us up at the HolidayInn Montparnasse with free breakfast and minibar and the taxis fare to travel between the 2 hotels. The room is on the top floor and is executive room with desk and couch plus free chocolate and chips and water. They have also extended an offer to come back to the Notre Dame and take us to the balcony upstairs to enjoy the view."

I think that's quite decent! Free breakfast on an award stay. Nice touch, good service recovery.

 

[markis10]

Not necessarily a status recognition post, but my parents are only Gold just had the following happen in Paris at HI Notre Dame.... (had 2 nights booked on points, then 1 night at HI Montparnasse due to availability)
"We have arrived in Paris and arrived at the hotel only to be told that they had no rooms available as their computer system had double booked for the stay. The hotel offered to put us up at the HolidayInn Montparnasse with free breakfast and minibar and the taxis fare to travel between the 2 hotels. The room is on the top floor and is executive room with desk and couch plus free chocolate and chips and water. They have also extended an offer to come back to the Notre Dame and take us to the balcony upstairs to enjoy the view."

I think that's quite decent! Free breakfast on an award stay. Nice touch, good service recovery.

They should also get the points back for the first night:


A Guaranteed Room
Booking on HolidayInn.com is the best way to guarantee your room. If for any reason your reservation cannot be honored, Holiday Inn will provide you with a room and transportation to another convenient and comparable hotel. And, we’ll pay for the full cost of the first night’s lodging price, plus tax. Any advance deposit will be refunded to you.

 

[Flashback]

They should also get the points back for the first night:


A Guaranteed Room
Booking on HolidayInn.com is the best way to guarantee your room. If for any reason your reservation cannot be honored, Holiday Inn will provide you with a room and transportation to another convenient and comparable hotel. And, we’ll pay for the full cost of the first night’s lodging price, plus tax. Any advance deposit will be refunded to you.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[day-heg]

Just found this thread so I may as well add to it...

I recently took the Velocity match to get Platinum Elite as I discovered that the company I work for is eligible for travel industry rates with the IHG group. I pay myself and expense, which is handy with the bonus point hook up IHG has with Westpac...

CP and IC in Dubai Festival City, and CP Diera in Dubai - at each I was acknowledged at checkin as a Plat, given comp high speed internet and room upgrades. In particular, the room in the Exec floor over looking the creek in the IC was great.

I stay in the HI Potts Point fairly frequently, and tend to get a harbour view room. I always book the cheapest available room.

And I stayed at the CP Adelaide city centre the other week and again was
acknowledged at checkin, given free wifi and had a printed, personalised note in the room.

All in all, over the first 8 weeks or so, it's been very positive.

 

[day-heg]

And just checked into HI Parramatta and been upgraded to a suite...

 

[docjames]

CP Perth
Non personalised letter.
Room on level 1 which seemed slightly larger than a "base" room.

 

[Mal]

Hix Sheffield.
checked in and was acknowledged as an elite. Apparently elites get top floor, but I checked in early so chose the alternative of 2nd highest floor room to get the early check-in.
late checkout to 2pm offered.

No other benefits. No free wifi offered.

 

[oz_mark]

CP Perth.

Booked Standard room, got King Spa.
Personalised Card
Bottle of Wine.

 

[docjames]

CP Perth.

Booked Standard room, got King Spa.
Personalised Card
Bottle of Wine.

They obviously value you more than me!

I'm on iPhone so cant see your details - what is your IHG status?

(Me = Amb Plat), booked using priority privilege 25% off Fully flex cert. Note cert not retained ("special offer" at checkin) so can use again!