IHG Hotels that recognise status

[jakeseven7]

Anyone had a stay at the IC Melbourne recently? Good upgrades / benefits without having to fight for them? (Diamond Ambassador here).

 

[drron]

In November. No upgrade even though a benefit as diamond and as a Virtuoso booking.
Got breakfast as a virtuoso benefit. Nothing else offered for Diamond but points.
Beware Ronnie's Restaurant opposite the lobby is not a hotel restaurant so can't be charged to the room.
My first and last stay there.

 

[exceladdict]

Anyone had a stay at the IC Melbourne recently? Good upgrades / benefits without having to fight for them? (Diamond Ambassador here).

October - using ambassador free night - booked a king bed premium room with lounge access - given junior suite. Breakfast free due as lounge was closed. Had to prompt for diamond/ambassador F&B credits and ask for late checkout which didn't get triggered so we got locked out and had to go back to reception to extend the key. Overall, staff were friendly but the hotel is ageing.

 

[jakeseven7]

October - using ambassador free night - booked a king bed premium room with lounge access - given junior suite. Breakfast free due as lounge was closed. Had to prompt for diamond/ambassador F&B credits and ask for late checkout which didn't get triggered so we got locked out and had to go back to reception to extend the key. Overall, staff were friendly but the hotel is ageing.

Thank you!

Yup it’s in desperate need of a renovation… glad to see you got upgraded though.

Post automatically merged: Jan 5, 2023

In November. No upgrade even though a benefit as diamond and as a Virtuoso booking.
Got breakfast as a virtuoso benefit. Nothing else offered for Diamond but points.
Beware Ronnie's Restaurant opposite the lobby is not a hotel restaurant so can't be charged to the room.
My first and last stay there.

Hmmm thanks drron.

Did you ask for an upgrade when you checked in?

 

[drron]

Was told it was full.

 

[exceladdict]

Any diamond experiences with the TAS Mr & Mrs Smith hotels? Apparently ambassador should get an upgrade and "GoldSmith" extra (gift)

 

[bernardblack]

...
Hotel: HIE Newark Airport
...

How did you feel about the area, @sqrt()? Obviously it's on the airport perimeter but did it feel relatively safe? I might want to stay near the airport for a day and visit some other sites in northern NJ before an upcoming flight out of EWR. The HI Express is one of the best prices in the vicinity, but if the area is unpleasant there might be something better in the residential parts of Newark, or Jersey City or Hoboken.

 

[sqrt()]

How did you feel about the area, @sqrt()? Obviously it's on the airport perimeter but did it feel relatively safe? I might want to stay near the airport for a day and visit some other sites in northern NJ before an upcoming flight out of EWR. The HI Express is one of the best prices in the vicinity, but if the area is unpleasant there might be something better in the residential parts of Newark, or Jersey City or Hoboken.

There were definitely some characters but the property felt safe, there are a few other hotels nearby. Outside parking with no issues. Not sure how public transport is there, but looks like you can get the train to Jersey City, Newark, and NYC. Not much to do nearby I don't think.

 

[Ktan89]

In that case, i believe you are owed USD$50 or 10,000 IHG points per the "Benefits Guarantee":

Terms and Conditions

www.ihg.com

Apparently IC Hayman doesn't have a club lounge. I'm a royal Ambassador, what alternatives can they give me?

I'm looking to stay here later this year April or May

 

[Ade]

Holiday Inn Express ADL.

Recognised Diamond Elite, got upgraded from a Single to King Superior on higher floor.

Status was acknowledged at check-in. No amenity kits offered. I have paid $15/night for bonus points when booking.

There was a hand written welcome note and a Mars bar in the room. Nice touch, I’d say.


This hotel has wooden access cards - I have not seen wooden ones before. Something new for me.



Complimentary wifi offered as well.

Tip : If one doesn’t need housekeeping services, you get 500 points/night.

 

[SYD]

Holiday Inn Express ADL.

Recognised Diamond Elite, got upgraded from a Single to King Superior on higher floor.

Status was acknowledged at check-in. No amenity kits offered. I have paid $15/night for bonus points when booking.

There was a hand written welcome note and a Mars bar in the room. Nice touch, I’d say.

View attachment 314892View attachment 314893
This hotel has wooden access cards - I have not seen wooden ones before. Something new for me.

View attachment 314894

Complimentary wifi offered as well.

Tip : If one doesn’t need housekeeping services, you get 500 points/night.

View attachment 314895

A mars bar! I used to get bottles of wine at IHG properties…

The points for waving house keeping actually came in pre-Covid but almost an afterthought in lots of places.

 

[jakeseven7]

October - using ambassador free night - booked a king bed premium room with lounge access - given junior suite. Breakfast free due as lounge was closed. Had to prompt for diamond/ambassador F&B credits and ask for late checkout which didn't get triggered so we got locked out and had to go back to reception to extend the key. Overall, staff were friendly but the hotel is ageing.

Thought I’d revert

Great stay, all benefits received without prompting, upgraded to a Club King from a King Classic. Yes the hotel is aging and needs a refurb but was clean and comfortable.

(Diamond here)

 

[kerfuffle]

This hotel has wooden access cards - I have not seen wooden ones before. Something new for me.

voco Melbourne Central also have wooden access cards. I don't think Kimpton Margot had them.

 

[VPS]

I've had a few recently that had wooden cards. I'm a fan because I try to avoid as much plastic as possible

 

[maia200]

Hotel: Voco Brisbane.
Status : Diamond Elite Ambassador.
When: Monday 23rd Jan
Rate : Flexible 266 pn
Booked : Two double beds standard.
Received : Upgraded from standard room (504) to Riverview (1212).
Welcome note in room. Welcome amenity in the fridge no... not wine. Chose Breakfast as Amenity. One drink offered.
Was originally not upgraded as FO said that they do not clean the rooms so there was no other rooms available for me. On arriving in room and settling was called by FO Manager to say the computer had made an error and I was upgraded to a Riverview room would I like to change? I was not sure if it was a mistake but by the time we arrived at the room the welcome not and platter was there and that was in less than 15min.

Parking is a nightmare (as mentioned before), lots of construction going on even if walking. Staff friendly and hotel fairly new. Small bar/lounge area almost in reception. Breakfast buffet was fine. Overall will wait a while before returning. I usually stay at the Sofitel.
.

 

[airly]

Hotel: IC Hayman Island.
Status : Platinum Elite Ambassador.
When: Monday 23rd Jan
Rate : Black Friday promote $1099 pn
Booked : One bedroom Lagoon suite
Received : One bedroom Lagoon suite (no upgrade)
Welcome note in room, a basket of fruits, one bottle of sparkling and two bottles of water.
No upgrade. On the day of check out, confirmed the reason being the next level room is at the Pool wing, which is basically two connected rooms and the size is smaller than the Lagoon suite, so they decided not to upgrade for me. Will receive 10,000 pts instead. (they could have upgrade me to Hayman suite, which is two level up, oh well. I believe there is a high chance to get an upgrade to the lagoon suite if you book one level down)
Very quiet, I reckon only 30% capacity.
The service is very basic and everything is very expensive. You will be disappointed if you expect 5 stars resort service (e.g Maldive). However I think this resort does provide a very unique experience if you are willing to spend the money and go to Langford island and take an helicopter to see the reef.

P.S. Apparently it was raining very heavily for a week before I arrived and all hotel guests basically stayed in the room and have nothing to do due to some part of the resort were flooded. Keep that in mind when you book.

 

[airly]

Apparently IC Hayman doesn't have a club lounge. I'm a royal Ambassador, what alternatives can they give me?

I'm looking to stay here later this year April or May

You should contact them and ask. I can confirmed that there is no club lounge, and all booking include breakfast for free (pretty sure).

P.S. if you are going as a couple, I would highly recommend to book via Qantas Holiday, which has a promotion at the moment, basically save you around 30-40%. The promotion gives you resort credit for food/drink, launch transfer to/from island included (which save you around $840 for 2 adults return) etc.

 

[maia200]

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Broadbeach
Status : Diamond Elite Ambassador.
When: Monday 30 Jan
Rate : Advance Saver $201 pn and $18 parking
Booked : Two double beds standard.
Received : Upgraded to Ocean View on top floor
Chose breakfasts again as the amenity. Welcome note (looks generic) and Bottled water in the room - nothing else. Wooden access cards. Status acknowledged briefly on check in. Welcome drink given (by two which was nice for a change). Only large containers of shampoo etc in the rooms. No other amenities, although apparently can be asked for at Reception. Breakfast spread very nice with fresh fruit and veg juicer. Hotel has recently been upgraded.

 

[bernardblack]

Both Holiday Inn AKL Airport (Friday night) and Holiday Inn Express Adelaide Central (last night) acknowledged my Gold status unprompted on arrival.

HIX Adelaide also left a handwritten note in the room.

I didn't get any recognisable upgrade in either instance, but both were redeemed with points and they're not high-end properties, so I wasn't expecting anything (and there may not exist rooms to which to upgrade).

 

[drron]

IC Double Bay.
Diamond ambassador.
Booked basic king on ambassadors free weekend night award.
Received Premium king with harbour view and balcony.
Amenity breakfast.
4pm checkout.
$25F&B credit.