IHG Hotels that recognise status

[eric2011]

Hotel: Intercontinental Hayman Island
When: April 20,21,22
Status: Spire Elite Ambassador
Rate: 3 Nights on points, 70000 per night
Booked: Retreat King Room, Entry Level room, Normally ~$1050.00 per night
Received: 2 Bedroom Pool side, Ocean view room. about a 4 step upgrade, Normally ~$2700.00 per night
Status recognition: At Checkin plus $25 F & B credit, 2 bottles water per day, nothing else.

 

[eric2011]

Hotel: Hotel X, Brisbane, new hotel only been open a few weeks
When: April 23,24
Status: Spire Elite
Rate: Opening special $280.00 per night, included 2 free drinks, Valet parking, Breakfast for 2 per day
Booked: King deluxe
Received: Premium King given only after asking for my benefit.
Status recognition: At checkin plus 2 bottles water. Nothing else

 

[muppet]

Hotel: CrownePlaza Melbourne
When: April 24
Status: Platinum
Rate: Ambassador Reward Certificate
Booked: King Standard
Received: Premium King Riverview
Status recognition: 600 points

quite happy with this upgrade on a free night, plus the hotel is massively refurbished since i last visited years ago. Will stay again.

 

[dairyfloss]

Hotel: Intercontinental Hayman Island
When: April 20,21,22
Status: Spire Elite Ambassador
Rate: 3 Nights on points, 70000 per night
Booked: Retreat King Room, Entry Level room, Normally ~$1050.00 per night
Received: 2 Bedroom Pool side, Ocean view room. about a 4 step upgrade, Normally ~$2700.00 per night
Status recognition: At Checkin plus $25 F & B credit, 2 bottles water per day, nothing else.

Wow - very nice! I'd have expected this to be a property that never/rarely upgrades. Were they particularly busy and needing to free up some of the lead in room category?

 

[eric2011]

I don’t think they were particularly full, during the day there was always no more than a dozen or so people around the pools etc and there isn’t much else to do. My status gets me a guaranteed upgrade but even I didn’t think I would get what I got.

 

[dairyfloss]

I don’t think they were particularly full, during the day there was always no more than a dozen or so people around the pools etc and there isn’t much else to do. My status gets me a guaranteed upgrade but even I didn’t think I would get what I got.

OK, very good. I'm also at Spire Ambassador, but I've been unsuccessful with upgrades so far whenever I've stayed on reward nights. These are not actually guaranteed, like a paid stay allows for. From the Ambassador T&Cs:

Guaranteed Upgrade​

16. On IHG Rewards Reward Nights and Free Nights, the guaranteed upgrade benefit is not applicable and is subject to availability. Refer to IHG Rewards terms & conditions.​

 

[VPS]

I just had 4 nights in a suite at the new Crowne Plaza in Hobart.

Club lounge is nicely designed and the evening canapes are great.

The main restaurant area on level 4 feels a bit like an airport lounge and was quiet most of the time we were there. Food there was not really special; Hobart has a lot of good dining on offer so I wouldn't bother eating at the hotel next time.

Valet parking might be a bit tricky because of limited space in front of the hotel but I never had an issue with it during our stay; probably only problematic if arriving at specific times. As mentioned above Concierge are right inside the main entrance and moved the car on quickly when we dropped it off. $25 a night for valet parking is cheap...

There's a top level separate restaurant/bar which do good coughtails (didn't try the food there) but it's a separate 'venue' so you can't charge to the rooms. Staff said that is changing in future.

Staff everywhere in the hotel were very friendly and helpful; I think because it's new they're all eager to do a good job and not bored of their roles yet.

The suites have an open style bathroom with sliding glass doors; overall design is really good the only issue we had was that the lighting switch system is a bit complicated and I had to physically unplug a LED light under the vanity as I couldn't find a way to switch it off (it's considered a 'night light') since it was far too bright.

Any idea what hours the club lounge is open and what time the evening canapes come out

 

[eric2011]

OK, very good. I'm also at Spire Ambassador, but I've been unsuccessful with upgrades so far whenever I've stayed on reward nights. These are not actually guaranteed, like a paid stay allows for. From the Ambassador T&Cs:

​

Guaranteed Upgrade​

16. On IHG Rewards Reward Nights and Free Nights, the guaranteed upgrade benefit is not applicable and is subject to availability. Refer to IHG Rewards terms & conditions.​

Yes of course you are quite right. Guess I must have been extremely lucky.

 

[oliver_adl]

Any idea what hours the club lounge is open and what time the evening canapes come out

I think it was open all day. The canapes if I recall right were supposed to be in 2 sittings 6PM and 7:30PM but we just turned up whenever it suited us and they had no issues serving us. I think if they were busy they might be a bit more strict about the 'slots'.

 

[Mattg]

Staying at Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, currently IHG Gold (although I will be Platinum after this stay).

Received a room upgrade on check-in, late checkout wasn't a problem and I was offered a choice of 400 points or a drink voucher at check-in. I chose the drink voucher and was able to use it for any drink worth up to $25 (including coughtails).

Very happy with the hotel - it's just a shame the rooftop bar is closed on Sundays!

 

[Crowne11]

Is anyone headed to the new Indigo Adelaide? Like most, I'm keen on new properties and would love to receive some feedback.

I did a few nights here at the end of May. Really enjoyed the stay.
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Booked their opening special rate. Did not receive an upgrade.
Drink vouchers vouchers provided and to be used for beer and wine only, so they have tightened that benefit up a bit.

Their rooftop bar is really popular on Fri & Sat nights and without a booking we couldn't get in easily. Friday night after 10pm & Saturday night had no luck after returning from dinner, but when we were up there it had a good vibe and I can see why it is popular.

 

[Rick93]

Regarding Holiday Inn drink vouchers ...
( for Spire Members )
The mention of "coughtails" ...
I presented one to bar at Warwick Farm ( Sydney ), and was asked to pay for a 'bourbon and coke' ( house ) ... as it wasn't considered a 'coughtail' !!
( spoke with manager, and eventually sorted ).
But some of bar staff are confused by the vouchers.

On upgrades on Reward Stays ....
I have been getting a phone call from my Holiday Inn bookings, asking for an update on numbers staying in room. If only two, then offer of upgrade to King Suite ( but I stay with my three kids, so we need the twin queens ..... )
But nice they ask ....

 

[andye]

Hotel: CP Canberra
When: November 21
Status: Gold
Rate: Member Advance on 1 room. Redemption on another
Booked: Standard Double and Twin
Received: Park View for both
Status recognition: Points for both rooms

The old Bar behind reception is closed now. There is now a bar next to the Redsalt restaurant that is OK but less cosy. Nice staff. Buffet breakfast being served which children lapped up (at a cost). Used the side entrance to casino (ended up even on low-stakes blackjack)

 

[KayKay]

Hotel. Intercontinental Adelaide
when Easter 2021
Room booked. Club room
Room given. On checkin I saw was given a suite but I smiled and asked if they might have had a room higher up. Talk about to die for when I got the Hans Heyson suit

Love Adelaide intercontinental and always get amazing service. Just a shame club lounge is not open in the morning and has moved locations

 

[Shinjetter]

Hotel: Intercontinental Sydney
When: Feb 25 to 27
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Rate: Corporate rate
Booked: King Classic
Received: King Classic corner room with a view to Botanic Garden on level 25
Status recognition: 2 free bottles of wine, cheese and crackers, 2 bottles of water, 25 dollars to spend (exclude their morning buffet), and 4pm late check out.

Note: They are still under renovation till June/July 2022 so they won't honor any upgrades. They offered discount on their Buffet Breakfast from $42 to $30.

Rooms are new with all these advance technologies.

Services are still quite slow since we asked for fresh milk and it was never brought up.

 

[drron]

Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central.
When from 26/2
Status.Platinum Ambassador.
Rate.Senior rate.
Booked classic room with 1 bed on afternoon of arrival.Only 1 room type but 1 or 2 beds.
Received. Room on higher floor.
Only 500 points for staying.

But service amazing. Booked because I couldn't get home due to Bruce Highway flooding. so on way to breakfast stopped at desk saying I would have to wait until 1 pm for an update on floods. Didn't have to ask for late checkout it was immediately put out to 1400.
They also put a hold on my room in case I needed to stay Sunday night, I do.

 

[drron]

So a little more of the fantastic service here. With the crowd at check-in last night I thought it wise to book Sunday night just in case. Naturally a non cancellable rate.
I just checked out and said I would pay for the night to be told I was given a late check out so don't have to pay for tonight.

 

[SYD]

Hotel: Holiday Inn Bristol,City Centre
When: Friday/Saturday night
Status: Platinum
Rate: Award nights
Booked: Standard Room
Received: Premium Room with Balcony (Top Floor)
Status recognition: Points or drink voucher (received 2x vouchers)

Stopover returning from Cornwall. Hotel is a bit tired but functional and ok location. Parking was a bit steep @£17.50 pn but at least we got to sleep for free.

 

[Shinjetter]

Hotel: Intercontinental Hayman Island
When: April 15 to 18
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Rate: 3 Nights included 1 free weekend certificate
Booked: Premium Lagoon View Room, Middle Normally ~$1,900.00 per night (ambassador certificate rate)
Received: Premium Lagoon View Room. Welcome gift fruit baskets and 2 bottles of water and 25 dollars F&B.

Overall, I didn't get upgrade due to peak period. I did enjoy the service here though. My wife sprained her ankle on first day arrival so we had to cancel a lot of tours. They were quite accomodating. They have a medical centre and the nurse there gave us pain killers, crane, and even bandaging her ankle. I would probably need to plan another trip since we couldn't experience everything here.

 

[muppet]

Hotel: Intercontinental Hayman Island
When: April 15 to 18
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Rate: 3 Nights included 1 free weekend certificate
Booked: Premium Lagoon View Room, Middle Normally ~$1,900.00 per night (ambassador certificate rate)
Received: Premium Lagoon View Room. Welcome gift fruit baskets and 2 bottles of water and 25 dollars F&B.

Overall, I didn't get upgrade due to peak period. I did enjoy the service here though. My wife sprained her ankle on first day arrival so we had to cancel a lot of tours. They were quite accomdating. They have a medical centre and the nurse there gave us pain killers, crane, and even bandaging her ankle. I would probably need to plan another trip since we couldn't experience everything here.

Interesting, isn't the upgrade "guaranteed"?