IHG Hotels that recognise status

[drron]

That's wasn't the case when I stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Hobart last week. I'm Diamond Elite, booked a King Room and got upgraded to a King with club access upon Check-in. Was a pleasant surprise!

But you can't count on it. I once got club access at the IC Double bay but at least 12 times with the same upgrade no club access.
So enjoy when it happens.

 

[serfty]

That's wasn't the case when I stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Hobart last week. I'm Diamond Elite, booked a King Room and got upgraded to a King with club access upon Check-in. Was a pleasant surprise!

When a hotel provides a benefit above and beyond what they are required to do, enjoy it as a bonus as the same may not happen next time.

 

[kerfuffle]

Hotel: InterContinental Adelaide
When: March 10-12
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: Westpac Partner Rate ($636 for two nights)
Booked: 1 King Classic City View
Received: 1 King Classic River View
Amenity Offered: Breakfast or 600 points. Opted for the breakfast, but also scored 600 points; yay! Also received two bottles of InterContinental branded water with a welcome/thank you card in addition to the two bottles of Cool Ridge water, which was replenished daily.

The aesthetics might not be modern like IC Sydney, but they have Chromecast, Byredo toiletries, a decent shower even though it's not a rainfall showerhead, and a turndown service (first time I've stayed in a hotel with this feature) where the chocolate was FruChocs (of course)! They're currently upgrading the hotel, and have done some of the lifts so far. Unlike the nearby Stamford where I stayed last March long weekend, the wait for the lifts did not take an age. All light fixtures in my room worked too. Status was acknowledged at check-in, check-out and breakfast. Service from staff was excellent.

Breakfast was the usual buffet style, with plenty of physical reading material available and an egg cooking station. Barista coffee was included. Looked like you could get multiple cups too if you wanted.

Would I stay here again? Yes; I can live with dated decor as long as the bed and shower are decent (there was also a bathtub) and there's Chromecast. I really want to try the Hotel Indigo on the other side of the city though; hopefully next time I'm in Adelaide!

 

[Lynda2475]

I really want to try the Hotel Indigo on the other side of the city though; hopefully next time I'm in Adelaide!

Indigo is great, new modern rooms, rainfall shower head and fabulous breakfast ala carte option + buffet for cold items.

Indigo is fast becoming my favorite IHG brand as (New Orleans being the exception) you always get a walk in Shower (no hideous SHUBs), almost always hard wood floors instead of manky carpet. No turn down service but that isnt something Id ever use.

 

[kerfuffle]

No turn down service but that isnt something Id ever use.

Yeah I can live with that haha I didn't even know it was a thing at IC Adelaide until I came back and found drawn curtains and FruChocs on the bed. The second night I happened to be in the room when turndown service lady came by so she didn't get to draw the curtains, but I did take the FruChocs she was offering

 

[VPS]

Hotel: InterContinental Adelaide
When: March 10-12
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: Westpac Partner Rate ($636 for two nights)
Booked: 1 King Classic City View
Received: 1 King Classic River View
Amenity Offered: Breakfast or 600 points. Opted for the breakfast, but also scored 600 points; yay! Also received two bottles of InterContinental branded water with a welcome/thank you card in addition to the two bottles of Cool Ridge water, which was replenished daily.

The aesthetics might not be modern like IC Sydney, but they have Chromecast, Byredo toiletries, a decent shower even though it's not a rainfall showerhead, and a turndown service (first time I've stayed in a hotel with this feature) where the chocolate was FruChocs (of course)! They're currently upgrading the hotel, and have done some of the lifts so far. Unlike the nearby Stamford where I stayed last March long weekend, the wait for the lifts did not take an age. All light fixtures in my room worked too. Status was acknowledged at check-in, check-out and breakfast. Service from staff was excellent.

Breakfast was the usual buffet style, with plenty of physical reading material available and an egg cooking station. Barista coffee was included. Looked like you could get multiple cups too if you wanted.

Would I stay here again? Yes; I can live with dated decor as long as the bed and shower are decent (there was also a bathtub) and there's Chromecast. I really want to try the Hotel Indigo on the other side of the city though; hopefully next time I'm in Adelaide!

Yes that hotel is badly in need of an upgrade but I did enjoy the Indigo and a great location as well

 

[drron]

InterContinental Porto.
Diamond Ambassador.
Booked standard king.
Received 1 bedroom suite.
Took breakfast as amenity.
Plus Portuguese tarts, small bottle of port, welcome coughtail each and 15 euros F&B credit.

 

[jakeseven7]

Hotel: InterContinental Adelaide
They're currently upgrading the hotel,

Would I stay here again? Yes; I can live with dated decor as long as the bed and shower are decent (there was also a bathtub) and there's Chromecast. I really want to try the Hotel Indigo on the other side of the city though; hopefully next time I'm in Adelaide!

Ah ok that’s good news - Do you know if they’ve upgraded any rooms yet?

Hotel Indigo Adelaide is great, enjoyed my stay and like the location. The only things I didn’t love was the rooms are quite small and every time a neighbour left/entered their room, my whole room literally shook from the door hitting the frame…. I just got the feeling the walls weren’t that thick, there is a lot of glass on the outside frame - and I had a corner room perhaps that contributed.

 

[kerfuffle]

Do you know if they’ve upgraded any rooms yet?

No idea. Mine was not upgraded. Probably in the works though unless late 80s chic is their selling point

 

[docjames]

Property : Holiday Inn Darling Harbour (again)
Status : Platinum Ambassador
Booked : Standard room
Received : Upgrade to exec suite
When: Nov 2015

Complimentary water x2 bottles, replaced after night one (two night stay).

I'm now about 6/7 on upgrades at HI Darling harbour. No surprises why i keep staying there!

Property : Holiday Inn Darling Harbour
Status : Diamond Ambassador
Booked : Standard room
Received : Upgrade to exec suite; IHG elite comp breakfast offered and accepted (decent selection and hasn’t really changed at all - at similar level of most HIs); Complimentary water x2 bottles.
When: Mar 2023


Now 7/8 Upgrades at this property.
Nice refurbishment. I think the room i stayed in was the same as last time only totally re-furbed. Now access to ICC much better than previously too - only cross one road, easy walk. Got furthest away from lift (my preference) so nice and quiet room.

Note JD’s bar at property is closed (for Reno per staff member - not much sign of any reno going on, i reckon it’s staff shortage plus the new development across the road means heaps of bars and restaurants to go so i suspect patronage has plummeted.

Checkin wasn’t great - waited to drop bag a significant amount of time (it was 930 so lots of checkouts but no IHG priority line in operation). Better at checkout (line in operation).

Overall the amenity improvements in the broader area and also the refurb make what was a very tired hotel actually quite pleasant.

 

[docjames]

And some photos including the abandoned priority desk.

Floor map - you can see room Size difference from standard room to the corner suite room.

 

[dairyfloss]

And some photos including the abandoned priority desk.

Floor map - you can see room Size difference from standard room to the corner suite room.

Very decent for a HI!

 

[kerfuffle]

Looking to take advantage of the Amex Statement Credit where you spend $350 and get $75 back.

Between voco, Crowne Plaza and IC, which would be your pick for two nights? I have Diamond Ambassador status and have previously stayed at voco, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I have a few Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows on at and around Town Hall.

Here are the rooms I've booked so far:
Crowne Plaza Melbourne: 1 King Standard for $450.90
voco Melbourne Central: 1 King Bed Standard with breakfast ($1!) for $522
InterContinental Melbourne: 1 King Classic for $538.20

Edit 22/3: I have managed to bring CP Melbourne down to $425 before the $75 Amex Statement Credit, so going to try it out!

 

[drron]

I didn’t think the IC Melbourne was up to IC standard. Haven’t tried the others.

 

[kerfuffle]

I didn’t think the IC Melbourne was up to IC standard. Haven’t tried the others.

Thanks! Have cancelled IC Melbourne.

Now to figure out whether staying at CP is worth the extra saving and longer trek to Town Hall ...

 

[exceladdict]

I found the IC service good, it's just the hotel is ageing. Stayed there to use the ambassador certificate and a past statement credit.

 

[The-Aviator]

Hotel: voco Gold Coast
When: March 2023
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: AUD $277/night
Booked: 2 Double Beds Standard City View
Received: 2 Double Premium Ocean View (essentially a three-category upgrade, from worst possible twin room to best possible twin room)

Have stayed at the voco a number of times over the years and have always had a good experience, although this was my first visit as a Diamond Ambassador. Arrival experience was good, instead of choosing a welcome amenity the receptionist kindly gave us all three! 600 points, 4x drink vouchers (2 per person per night, could be used in the bar for beer, wine and house spirits) and daily buffet breakfast.

The Premium rooms are renovated and on the higher floors and are very well appointed, much nicer than the standard rooms which the last time I stayed in one was in desperate need of refurbishment. Wi-Fi was good, TV selection good (sadly no Chromecast) and great location in Surfers Paradise, just across from the light rail stop and one block away from Cavill Avenue and the beach.

Breakfast buffet was good, decent selection of items (including ice cream to go with pancakes!) and an omelette station. We also tried the seafood dinner buffet which was excellent, although sadly not well patronised. The staff said that a table of 20 and another table of 11 had booked but not shown up, which was pretty sad to hear given the chefs had prepared so much food expecting a large crowd.

The bar, called Social House is popular with tourists and locals alike. There is live entertainment in the evenings and light meals are available for reasonable prices, including a very good value weekday lunch special.

All staff we came across were pleasant, hard-working and well-meaning although you could tell some of the newer staff were still finding their way. Some of the waitstaff checking in people at breakfast seemed unfamiliar with the Elite status entitlements and on one of the mornings incorrectly billed $78 for two breakfasts to our room, without even mentioning it to us. When raised at reception on check out the receptionist (wearing a trainee badge) understood it needed to be fixed but didn't know how and said she would fix it with her manager later so as not to delay our departure. Surprise surprise it didn't get fixed and my CC was charged, although it was promptly refunded after an email to them. Little things that cause a bit of annoyance which I'm hopeful they will fix with time and training.

All in all a good stay and I'm sure I'll be back again before too long!

 

[gaz0303]

InterContinental Madrid
March 2024
Diamond Ambassador.
Booked standard room using points
Received standard room on top floor and different outlook. Checked in at 12pm instead of 3pm without issue.
Breakfast or points. Took breakfast which was nothing special. They can do ham very well but not bacon.
15 euros F&B credit which didn’t quite cover 2 beers, free bottled water

Old interior showing its age. My bathroom window had a broken hinge and almost fell out when I opened it. Reception tucked away in a small corner. Highlight was the violin player who played early evening in the bar area. Shame the bar prices were so expensive.

 

[drron]

Intercontinental Lisbon.
Status - diamond ambassador
Booked King river view.
Received the same on 18th floor.
Check in at 1330 with no problem.
Received points and welcome drinks.
Didn’t have to select breakfast as given club access.
Plus the usual water and 15 euros F&B credit.
Very nice.

 

[shadowground]

Intercontinental Lisbon.
Status - diamond ambassador
Booked King river view.
Received the same on 18th floor.
Check in at 1330 with no problem.
Received points and welcome drinks.
Didn’t have to select breakfast as given club access.
Plus the usual water and 15 euros F&B credit.
Very nice.

as an ambassador, aren't you guaranteed an upgrade at IC properties? or did the high floor satisfy that for IS Lisbon?