IHG Hotels that recognise status

[Lynda2475]

Bonus points up tp 4x for my Edinburgh stay hit my account within 48hrs of checkout, still yet to see any for my Glasgow stay, should also score for this NYC stay. Guess i will have to call up about Glasgow.

Here are some pictures from roof top bar at Hotel Indigo LES.

 

[sqrt()]

Update after travelling around EU/US a little

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Hotel: HIE Barcelona - City 22@

When: 4 - 6 Aug

Rate: IHGR

Thu 04 Aug 2022 - Fri 05 Aug 2022	166,84 € (EUR)​
Fri 05 Aug 2022 - Sat 06 Aug 2022	179,45 € (EUR)​
Additional Charges:	12,12 € (EUR)​
Total	358,41 € (EUR)​

Booked: Standard Room (IIRC it ended up being 2x twin because occupancy was so high)

Received: Queen accessible room after requesting over email

Status: Platinum (by status match)

Status Acknowledgment: Yes + drinks vouchers (which we forgot about)

Located away from the old city, but close by to beachfront promenade. Nice staff at front desk but this place was absolutely at capacity. Lots of kids running around, ice machine buggered.

Room was a bit dingy, the buffet was really cough (worse than US HIE offerings).

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Hotel: Kimpton Vividora Barcelona

When: 6 -7 Aug

Rate: IHGR

Sat 06 Aug 2022 - Sun 07 Aug 2022	367,63 € (EUR)​
Additional Charges:	5,78 € (EUR​
Total	358,41 € (EUR)​

Booked: Essential Room

Received: Essential Room (had a balcony but I think they all did)

Status: Platinum (by status match)

Status Acknowledgment: Not that I can remember.

Located in old city, and really nice building/well appointed room.

Got good value out of the secret password (2x free coughtail at rooftop bar) and the social hour. Bit miffed at no upgrade given they were still selling premium rooms/suites.

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Hotel: Kimpton Clocktower Manchester

When: 14-16 Aug

Rate: IHGR

Sun 14 Aug 2022 - Mon 15 Aug 2022	£123.19 (GBP)​
Mon 15 Aug 2022 - Tue 16 Aug 2022	£125.13 (GBP)​
Total	£248.32 (GBP)​

Booked: Double Bed Essential Room

Received: Double Bed Essential Room (I asked about an upgrade at check in and there were suite upgrades available, but at a price (not sure how they compared to published rates)

Status: Platinum (by status match)

Status Acknowledgment: Yes, “raid the bar” benefit.

Really nice property, a bit of a maze but in a fun way. Close to Chinatown and a 2 minute walk to Oxford Street Station.

Secret password resulted in a packet of average fudge brought from behind the counter. Better value from the social hour where me and my worse half had a good time dog-watching. Again a bit miffed at no upgrade given they were still selling premium rooms/suites.

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Hotel: Staybridge Suites & HIE Boston Logan Airport

When: 16 - 18 Aug

Rate: Reward Nights (Points + Pay)

Sun 14 Aug 2022 - Mon 15 Aug 2022 (Staybridge Suites)	32000 PTS + $33.00 (USD)​
Mon 15 Aug 2022 - Tue 16 Aug 2022 (HIE)	12000 PTS + $66.00 (USD)​
Total	44000 PTS + $99.00 (USD)​

Booked: King Bed Studio Suite at SS and King Bed Standard at HIE

Received: King Bed Studio Suite and King Bed Standard (I think all rooms identical)

Status Acknowledgment: Yes, 2x free items from the market.

Very new Staybridge Suites and HIE combined in the same building (half of each floor for each property). Single check in desk had no issues with my separate bookings and staff were nice enough. Average buffet breakfast but still somehow leagues ahead of the slop they were dishing out in Barcelona. Token-operated laundry was appreciated.

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Hotel: Holiday Inn Arlington At Ballston (VA near Washington DC)

When: 19 - 21 Aug

Rate: IHGR

Fri 19 Aug 2022 - Sun 21 Aug 2022	$74.68 (USD)​
Total Taxes:	$21.28 (USD)​
Total	$170.64 (USD)​

Booked: King Bed Standard

Received: King Bed Suite

Status Acknowledgment: Not that I remember.

Originally booked this at $141.55/pn but my worse (ok maybe better) half found the same property on snaptravel for almost half the rate. Contacted IHG best price guarantee and was pleasantly surprised that the rate was adjusted the next day (you have to send at least 24h prior to check in).

The really low rate was the only redeeming feature. This property was really dingy and the room felt dated (like older than me and my partner (combined) dated). The room door seemed to be made of balsa wood. There was a restaurant on site which we did not sample. Parking was supposed to be ~$16 or something per night but we got a pass when checking in and never paid for it so YMMV (platinum benefit maybe ). Honestly maybe we should have stumped up for one of the DC Kimptons. Hotel relatively close to the DC subway.

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Hotel: HIE Newark Airport

When: 21 - 22 Aug

Rate: IHGR

Sun 21 Aug 2022 - Mon 22 Aug 2022	$151.05 (USD)​
Total Taxes:	$22.10 (USD)​
Total	$173.15 (USD)​

Booked: King Bed Standard

Received: King Bed Standard

Status Acknowledgment: Not that I remember.

Tried to get this a bit cheaper with the best price guarantee (again it was cheaper on snaptravel) but applied within 24 hours so rejected. Much newer property than the one in Arlington so that was nice. Definitely a busy airport hotel. Buffet breakfast on par with other US HIE we visited.

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Bonus info: I had the best buffet breakfast ever on this trip at Hotel U14 in Helsinki (Bonvoy Property).

 

[Lynda2475]

I now find myself diamond and swiming in points. Wondering if bookings made with these points will contribute towards nights for retaining status?

Also is there any benefit to going points plus pay rather than straight out points?

 

[SYD]

I now find myself diamond and swiming in points. Wondering if bookings made with these points will contribute towards nights for retaining status?

Also is there any benefit to going points plus pay rather than straight out points?

Yes and no (answering both questions).

I looked at the P&P and came to the conclusion it was much the much (unless of course you didn‘t have enough points). There might be some sweet spots out there if you look and do the math.

P&P used to be a good way to buy points at a discount (if you happened to cancel) but there’s usually a 100% bonus point offer once or twice a year.

Edit: Pity IHG did not copy HH with 5th night free. Very handy!

 

[exceladdict]

IHG did copy HH with 5th night free. Very handy!

Can you please enlighten me about this? I've only seen it with regards to holding an IHG co-branded card.

 

[SYD]

Can you please enlighten me about this? I've only seen it with regards to holding an IHG co-branded card.

Whoops! Yes, totally correct and I was getting ahead of myself in the wishful thinking category.

Award nights counting for status was what I was thinking….

 

[Milefest]

Hotel: Intercontinental Perth City Centre
When: 30 September to 4 October
Status: Platinum
Rate: IHGR Advance
Booked: King Bed Cosy
Received: King Bed Cosy

Unfortunately no upgrade offered to me this time, was hoping for a corner room. The hotel seemed quite busy during our stay and hotel reception felt very cramped, it would be great if they could find a way to open this area up and bring in a bit more light.

Staff were very friendly at check-in, my status was acknowledged and was provided the standard 600 amenity points after check-in.

The room was very spacious for a "cosy" room and had a great view over Perth (see photo). The half bottles of Margaret River wines in the mini bar were a nice touch.

Overall a pleasant stay and worth the premium over Holiday Inn/Crowne Plaza if it fits your budget.

 

[Mort]

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hobart
When: October
Status: Platinum
Rate: Trade Rate (at least thats what i think it said)
Booked: 1 King Bed Standard
Received: 1 King Bed Junior Suite
Amenity Offered: Points or Drink. Took the drink.

So this was an unexpected stay.

The Short.
Flight Cancelled, Qantas put me up at the Crowne Plaza. Offered Standard Room, Waived Platinum Card. Offer Junior Suite and a Drink. As well as status recognition at the time and on check out.

The Long.
While waiting in the lounge at HBA Qantas delayed then cancelled evening flight back to Mel.

I was with an associate who was on Jetstar (Not Cancelled), so I waited with them and had a drink while I reconciled myself to having another night in Hobart.

Trotted off to pick up my bags, then to the service desk, they were chockers and I was near the end of the queue, the premium queue was moving much slower than economy, so I moved over.

Eventually got to the front, show my digital BP, received an apology, and told to go to the Travel Lodge , fortunately I had overhead the premium service desk offering Crowne Plaza, so I asked, "Is there anything else available?" They replied "No", I replied, "But I just heard them offer the Crowne Plaza" points to Premium, "That's only for Premium Status Passengers", I point to my digital BP again showing Gold. "Ah yes, OK you can go to Crowne Plaza"

After commiserating with a nice couple who were before me and were sent to the TL, hoped a taxi back to the city about 9.30pm.

Checking in, was told I had a standard room and $30 FB. I showed my digital platinum card and asked if I could claim any benefits, he took a look and said yes. "I can give you a Junior Suite and would you like points or a drink for your amenity." I took the drink, and had a nice riesling at the bar, ordered room service to use up the FB.

and eventually made it to Melbourne the next day.

 

[exceladdict]

Thanks for the prompt to post for two recent stays.

Intercontinetnal Sydney (freshly renovated)
October 2022
Diamond + Ambassador
Rate: Reward Night Redemption - 4 nights - around 42k points per night
Booked: King Classic
Received: High Floor + View (east over gardens/sunrise, which was quite nice)
Amenities: Full buffet breakfast (diamond), F/B Credit + 4pm Checkout (Ambassador)

We really enjoyed the stay here, great use of points imo. Renovations still being completed meant no executive lounge or rooftop bar. Was my first experience of having breakfast included via diamond and was very impressed that it was the full offering; which for 2 pax over 4 days would otherwise be $320? Breakfast also included barista coffee (but the soy milk was a non-premium one so we went elsewhere).


Intercontinental Melbourne the Rialto
October 2022
Diamond + Ambassador
Rate: Ambassador Free Weekend Night (2 nights total)
Booked: 1 King Bed Premium Collins St View at $569 for first night (includes lounge access)
Received: Junior Suite
Amenities: Rate already included lounge access, and therefore breakfast, which was a full buffet at the main restaurant as the lounge was not open for breakfast. So, we had to prompt for the diamond credit amenity, which didn't apply to our bill (still to follow up). F/B Credit + 4pm Checkout (Ambassador) applied.

This hotel is ageing now, especially in comparison to the brand new IC in Sydney. The staff were nice, though I had to prompt for ambassador benefits. 4pm checkout didn't initially apply, got locked out of room and had to go back.


Hope to post a TR of this short trip at some point.

 

[pangwen]

Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
October 2022
Diamond
Booked: 1 King Bed With Balcony
Received: 1 King Ocean View With Balcony
Amenities: Rate already included breakfast, so they instead gave us free parking (usually $25/night). Received a bottle of sparkling water on the first day, and then a selection of Macarons on the third day. Asked for late checkout, but they could only do just after lunch as the next night was going to be very busy.

Great stay, loved the view and the food at breakfast, and the view from the room. Staff were for the most part friendly and helpful. The noise from the restaurant/bar did travel into thee room at night, and was a little annoying (this mostly occurred on the weekend).

 

[gaz0303]

IC Sydney Booked 2 double Harbour Bridge view. Upgraded to king suite with Harbour View. Free breakfast with the recent Diamond promo code and free drink while we waited for our room to get ready after.

 

[exceladdict]

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

Has anyone else had experiences at Hotel X? Looking at potentially visiting Brisbane early 2022 and am choosing between this, HIX, Voco and indigo

 

[Solid]

Has anyone else had experiences at Hotel X? Looking at potentially visiting Brisbane early 2022 and am choosing between this, HIX, Voco and indigo

I’ve stayed at Hotel X and Indigo (as well as HIE). Hotel X rooms and amenities better than Indigo. Indigo closer to the CBD if that’s where you need to be.

 

[drron]

HIX Newcastle. Room as booked but on top floor with the car park view. Shared with others from AFF who also recently upgraded to diamond.

IC Double Bay. Diamond acknowledged and served a glass of bubbly whilst checking in. A Viruoso booking so breakfast included plus $140 F&B credit plus $25 diamond credit. So took points.
Upgraded to top floor. Have had better as platinum.
Service at breakfast the first day was poor but after that excellent.

 

[Hvr]

HIX Newcastle. Room as booked but on top floor with the car park view. Shared with others from AFF who also recently upgraded to diamond.

As a Gold Elite earnt through stays I also had a top floor room, but mine was overlooking the harbour.

 

[drron]

As a Gold Elite earnt through stays I also had a top floor room, but mine was overlooking the harbour.

Mine also looked out on the harbour but the car park view is the ultimate view.

 

[eric2011]

Has anyone else had experiences at Hotel X? Looking at potentially visiting Brisbane early 2022 and am choosing between this, HIX, Voco and indigo

I've stayed there a couple of times since my original post when it opened. I find it difficult to give it a 7 out of 10. Rooms are quite expensive considering the position and its not really handy to much. Stayed at the others as well over time, the Voco was ok and the better choice over the Indigo. HIX at spring Hill is very basic with very limited facilities and is more pricey than it should be but it is in a reasonable position

 

[andye]

HI Vanuatu
October 2022
Plat + Ambassador
Rate: Base double + Base King (4 nights)+Reward King (3 nights)
Received: Lagoon view upgrade for the 7 night room
Recognition: Welcome drink, Fruit platter x2 waters

Decent resort with friendly staff
Lots of activities (tennis, sailing, kayaks, volleyball, cricket). Basketball hoop in need of repair
Food was decidedly ordinary and not cheap
Easy to hire taxis to get to other spots on island

Hideaway Island was closed when we were there which was a shame as was to be our main snorkelling excursion site
Did go to Iririki Island as day visitors. Classier joint with decent snorkelling and easy 10-minute boat transport. Best snorkelling was at Eden which is a bit of a drive but worth it and decent food


Reception staff struggled with the mixed booking. Initially no points for food and drink though resolved with hotel post-stay after contacting IHG support. Still don't think they got the bill right but awaiting full resolution

 

[Mattg]

Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport

Immediately thanked for being a Diamond member and offered a choice of bonus points or free breakfast.
Upgraded to a king room on the top floor with an airport view.
My request for a late checkout was accepted without question.

Happy with that!

 

[Sprucegoose]

As a Gold Elite earnt through stays I also had a top floor room, but mine was overlooking the harbour.

As pretty much a pleb, I was UG to the disabled room and got a view of the rain outside.......