IHG Hotels that recognise status

[drron]

As a room with Club privileges it certainly counted as an upgrade.

 

[gaz0303]

Hotel: InterContinental Adelaide
When: April 5
Status: Diamond Ambassador. Diamond status remains valid into April after signing up using the promo code last year.
Rate: Accor Rate $212, booked week prior
Booked: 1 King Classic City View
Received: 1 King Classic River View High Foor
Amenity Offered: Breakfast or 600 points. Took the points due to being on 6am flight. $25 bar/restaurant credit.

As noted above, some dated decor but the rooms are large and the views over the river are great. Also one of the largest and well equipped hotel gyms I have come across in a while.

But what’s happened to Adelaide? I know it was a Wednesday night, but bar patrons outnumbered by the homeless. Some places on laneways of Hindley were desolate and majority only had a few tables of diners. Very different to my previous stays (also midweek) when the district was buzzing.

 

[kerfuffle]

But what’s happened to Adelaide?

Cost of living

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thanks! Have cancelled IC Melbourne.

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

@kerfuffle, it is a short walk to Flinders Street, then catch tram to CP, or tram down Collins St then walk along Spencer St - free tram zone

 

[VPS]

Hotel: InterContinental Adelaide
When: April 5
Status: Diamond Ambassador. Diamond status remains valid into April after signing up using the promo code last year.
Rate: Accor Rate $212, booked week prior
Booked: 1 King Classic City View
Received: 1 King Classic River View High Foor
Amenity Offered: Breakfast or 600 points. Took the points due to being on 6am flight. $25 bar/restaurant credit.

As noted above, some dated decor but the rooms are large and the views over the river are great. Also one of the largest and well equipped hotel gyms I have come across in a while.

But what’s happened to Adelaide? I know it was a Wednesday night, but bar patrons outnumbered by the homeless. Some places on laneways of Hindley were desolate and majority only had a few tables of diners. Very different to my previous stays (also midweek) when the district was buzzing.

Interesting I was at a restaurant on King William Rd out of the city and it was buzzing. Most of the restaurants were full

 

[kerfuffle]

@kerfuffle, it is a short walk to Flinders Street, then catch tram to CP, or tram down Collins St then walk along Spencer St - free tram zone

I read here that CP doesn't have Chromecast, so changed my mind on staying there. Turns out I'll be in Melbourne twice this month, so going to stay at IC Melbourne too ... right after I stay at IC Sydney (yay trackwork but I used my points on a Rewards Night and have a concert, plus when am I ever going to have the opportunity to stay there when I live 30km away from the city haha)

 

[Kerrodt]

I have a stay coming up with IC Sydney. Any feedback on how they have been recently recognising status?

 

[pangwen]

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
When: April 7
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: Westpac partner rate (just over $300/night)
Booked: Standard King Jewel Wing
Received: Standard King with Pool View
Amenity Offered: Breakfast or 600 points or drinks vouchers. We took the breakfast - the food selection was great with Western (e.g. eggs to order, hash brown, sausages), Chinese (congee, dumplings), Malay (Nasi Lemak, noodle soup to order) and Indian (roti parata, potato masala) options. We also received a plate of fruit in our room.

 

[SYD]

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Fort Bragg, CA
Status: Diamond, Ambassador
Rate: IHGR Advance
Booked: Standard King
Received: Standard King, High floor (3 of 3), Carpark View (Note: they do have “Forest view” and I believe “Ocean Glimpse” - if you stand on the toilet and look out the window).
Amenity Offered: 500 points (“Oh, you’re a Diamond. You’ll get those 500 points.”)

Being a HIE, breakfast was included and whilst basic, actually not bad by US standards. The pancake machine got a workout.

 

[jakeseven7]

Any thoughts on the new(ish) Crowne Plaza Sydney?

 

[exceladdict]

I have a stay coming up with IC Sydney. Any feedback on how they have been recently recognising status?

We had free breakfast on a four night reward stay as diamond October last year. No room upgrade or lounge, but the lounge wasn't open at the time.

 

[doctorstrangelove]

As a room with Club privileges it certainly counted as an upgrade.

You were upgraded from a King Room to a Club King Room and given Club Intercontinental Privileges? It's not usual IC policy according to articles I've read!

PSA: IHG club-level upgrades don't include Club Lounge access - The Points Guy

IHG recently clarified its terms to reinforce the fact that club-level upgrades don't include Club Lounge access.

thepointsguy.com

 

[drron]

You were upgraded from a King Room to a Club King Room and given Club Intercontinental Privileges? It's not usual IC policy according to articles I've read!

PSA: IHG club-level upgrades don't include Club Lounge access - The Points Guy

IHG recently clarified its terms to reinforce the fact that club-level upgrades don't include Club Lounge access.

thepointsguy.com

It can happen though. I did get it once at the IC Double Bay but have had ~ 20n stays there.

 

[pangwen]

Hotel: IC Singapore
When: April 8
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: Ambassador weekend voucher
Booked: King Classic Heritage Wing
Received: King Classic Club level (no club access)
Amenity Offered: Breakfast or 600 points. As with the Crowne, we took the breakfast, which was delightful. There was some sort of morning tea going on for Easter which changed the breakfast hours but that didn't impact us. We arrived relatively early (~10am) and were able to check into our room immediately, which was very helpful.

 

[MikeG]

Hotel: Holiday Inn Sydney Airport
Status: Diamond, Ambassador
Rate: IHGR Advance
Booked: 2 x King Standard High Floor Standard Room
Received: As stated - but check-in/front-desk service was ridiculously bad.
Amenity Offered: Free Breakfast or points - I took the breakfast

Hotel: Crown Plaza Perth - stay 1 in Nov 2022
Status: Diamond
Rate: not sure - booked last minute through a travel agent
Booked: 1 Queen Standard Balcony River View
Received: As stated - room was pretty old and not upkept very well.
Amenity Offered: Free Breakfast or points - I took the points

Hotel: Crown Plaza Perth - stay 2 in Nov 2022
Status: Diamond
Rate: IHGR rate
Booked: 1 Queen Premium
Received: I think there's no difference, as the room as pretty similar to the standard room - room was pretty old and not upkept very well.
Amenity Offered: Free Breakfast or points - I took the breakfast

Hotel: Crown Plaza Melbourne
Status: Diamond
Rate: IHGR rate
Booked: 1 King Standard
Received: Upgraded to a suite - WOW!!!
Amenity Offered: Free Breakfast and points - both - I took both - VIP service at check-in and the restaurant

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Newcastle
Status: Diamond
Rate: IHGR rate
Booked: 1 Queen Bed Standard
Received: 1 Queen Bed Standard - very nice - near new and squeaky clean
Amenity Offered: Free Breakfast and points - I took both

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4
Status: Gold
Rate: IHGR rate
Booked: 2 Single Beds Standard
Received: 2 Single Beds Standard - near new and squeaky clean - very compact though
Amenity Offered: Free Breakfast

 

[kerfuffle]

Hotel: voco Melbourne Central
When: April 11-13
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: Best Flexible Rate with Breakfast (room was $221/night inclusive of $1 breakfast); $75 statement credit via Amex.
Booked: 1 King Bed Standard
Received: 1 King Bed Premium City View (was on Level 19 last time looking east, this time was on Level 23 looking west)
Amenity Offered: Complimentary drink (beer, house wine, soft drink) or 600 points. Took the drink, which I was able to redeem for a glass of prosecco.

 

[jakeseven7]

Hotel: voco Melbourne Central
When: April 11-13
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: Best Flexible Rate with Breakfast (room was $221/night inclusive of $1 breakfast); $75 statement credit via Amex.
Booked: 1 King Bed Standard
Received: 1 King Bed Premium City View (was on Level 19 last time looking east, this time was on Level 23 looking west)
Amenity Offered: Complimentary drink (beer, house wine, soft drink) or 600 points. Took the drink, which I was able to redeem for a glass of prosecco.

Thoughts on this hotel?
I've heard mixed reviews,,,

 

[kerfuffle]

Thoughts on this hotel?
I've heard mixed reviews

It's the second time I've stayed there. Staff are friendly, $1 breakfast, good location. I'd stay there again.

They're weird about face washers though. Have to use a hand towel to wipe my face.

 

[MikeG]

Here’s the video of the suite upgrade at Melbourne Crown Plaza. Not too shabby…

 

[Kerrodt]

Hotel: InterContinental Sydney Circular Quay
When: April 11 - 16
Status: Diamond Ambassador. D
Rate: Stay Longer Pay Less. Booked January 2023 via IHG.com
Booked: 1 King Classic City
Received: 1 King Classic East Harbour View
(as an interesting side-point, I was travelling with friends who stayed the same dates as me in their own room, booked at the same time as me, booked via Qantas website, similar rate booked and have basic status level and no Ambassador etc. The politely requested at check-in if there was any chance of an upgrade and they were upgraded to a corner East Harbour View room on a much higher level - better than mine. I struggle to see how they have fairly applied the Diamond Ambassador benefit here and makes me seriously question the benefits of the status and Ambassador membership.
Amenity Offered: Breakfast, free drink or points at check-in. Took the free drink. Was only a standard house wine or beer. 2 Bottles of water in the room daily.

The IC Sydney is nicer now that it has been refurbished. Breakfast each morning was very busy and hectic and I'd suggest that the staff were overwhelmed by the volume of people and were probably understaffed.

Overall, I was extremely underwhelmed by the experience vis-vis my status and Ambassador membership. I would have been treated no worse if I stayed at a Holiday Inn or even another branded hotel where I would hold no status.