IHG Hotels that recognise status

[VPS]

Great check-in experience too, but I had exactly the same problem with inconsistent water temperature when I was there in Oct. I was told there was no problem, then the problem had been fixed, then I could change rooms ("Same floor?" "Er, yes" "So different system for each room?" "Erm, no... what about a different floor?" "Can you *guarantee* that I won't have the same problem?" "You need to speak to the manager") and after the problem happened again on the 2nd day I had the whole stay comped after I incentivised him to seek an agreeable solution.

Had the same issue w the key.

Guess not a lot has changed in 9 months.

oh maybe I should have gone for the whole stay off instead of one night

 

[Ryan Bingham]

oh maybe I should have gone for the whole stay off instead of one night

It happened for my whole stay, hence my strong representation for him to realise an agreeable solution. And way better for him and the hotel not to have me having this convo in the lobby!

 

[fantastikforce]

They were apparently 'unaware' of the issue (yeah right) and are looking into it (sure thing... but you never know).

So if anyone else wants to raise this with the IC Syd - I just emailed reception and asked them to foward my email to the GM.

You never know, if enough people complain, its the only way things get fixed....

They should just be upfront about it if they aren't looking to load any Ambassador nights for this year.

I emailed the IC Bangkok and IC Khao Yai and both said they will be loading up Ambassador nights from January 2024.

 

[bits]

Hotel: Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre
When: 9-12July
Status: Ambassador Diamond
Rate: Aus Gov QBT booking, around $172/night
Booked: 1 King bed standard
Received: 1 King Bed City View High Floor

Amenity Offered:Not booked through IHG so wasn't expecting any status benefits, but on check in the staff asked if I was an IHG member. Said yes, and they saved me having to ask to attach my membership number. They just went ahead and attached it, and gave me all the usual benefits: room upgrade, free drink provided at the bar, offered free breakfast or 600 points (took breakfast). Macaron welcome plate, handwritten welcome card, and bottle mineral water sent to room. Did not require late check out. Staff were friendly and welcoming.

No issues with the water pressure (room 1134), nice and hot. Staff asked if I was ok with the room being next to the lifts because the layout is apparently nicer - I said sure no prob, its pretty quiet anyway. Room is very spacious, as was the bathroom with walk in robe. The shower itself was huge (1.5m x 1.5m) and had two independent shower heads (two can shower together comfortably). Breakfast was simple but acceptable, unlimited coffee machine prepared coffee (by staff).

 

[emilbulls]

Hotel: Holiday Inn St.Mary’s
When: July
Status: Diamond
Rate: IHGR Advance
Booked: 1 Standard Room
Received: 1 King Bed Premium room (bigger room at the end of the hallway)
Rate: Book early and Save, 210 Aud per night
Amenity Offered: points or brekkie, chosen the brekkie which is served in St Mary’s league club. Breakfast was underwhelming, especially compared to Novotel Rooty Hill

Nice Hotel in the Western Suburbs of Sydney, quick check in, good status recognition heaps of free parking and good dinner option in the adjacent leauges club.
Unfortunately, breakfast is quite underwhelming. Selection is basic, but the presentation (served in the buffet restaurant at the league club) was quite poor.

If the price is right and you have appointments in the area, its definitely worth a stay

 

[Rick93]

Hotel: Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre
When: 9-12July
Status: Ambassador Diamond
Rate: Aus Gov QBT booking, around $172/night
Booked: 1 King bed standard
Received: 1 King Bed City View High Floor

Amenity Offered:Not booked through IHG so wasn't expecting any status benefits, but on check in the staff asked if I was an IHG member. Said yes, and they saved me having to ask to attach my membership number. They just went ahead and attached it, and gave me all the usual benefits: room upgrade, free drink provided at the bar, offered free breakfast or 600 points (took breakfast). Macaron welcome plate, handwritten welcome card, and bottle mineral water sent to room. Did not require late check out. Staff were friendly and welcoming.

No issues with the water pressure (room 1134), nice and hot. Staff asked if I was ok with the room being next to the lifts because the layout is apparently nicer - I said sure no prob, its pretty quiet anyway. Room is very spacious, as was the bathroom with walk in robe. The shower itself was huge (1.5m x 1.5m) and had two independent shower heads (two can shower together comfortably). Breakfast was simple but acceptable, unlimited coffee machine prepared coffee (by staff).

"Two can shower together comfortably ... "
Any photos, to prove this ?
( bodies insitu )

 

[bits]

"Two can shower together comfortably ... "
Any photos, to prove this ?
( bodies insitu )

Nope. 1.5m 1.5m with shower heads in opposing corners.

 

[Lynda2475]

St Mary’s league club

This would turn me off, I don't patronise Clubs/RSLs because they scan and keep a copy of photo ID just to enter, and many will only accept a driver's license as that is only photo ID with an address on it. Rife for identity theft and completely unnecessary, they could just check ID on entry.

It would IMO be better for hotels without restaurant facilities to partner with a local Cafe for breakfast.

 

[emilbulls]

This would turn me off, I don't patronise Clubs/RSLs because they scan and keep a copy of photo ID just to enter, and many will only accept a driver's license as that is only photo ID with an address on it. Rife for identity theft and completely unnecessary, they could just check ID on entry.

It would IMO be better for hotels without restaurant facilities to partner with a local Cafe for breakfast.

They don’t scan ID if go for breakfast.
You enter the RSL via the side entry (next to the hotel) and the entry to the RSL is blocked off during breakfast hours.

But I definitely agree, partner with a cafe and give your guests the option of a nice brekkie there.
Love the Mercure Rouse Hill in this perspective, brekkie in the adjacent cafe, good selection and really tasty.

 

[larrymull]

Hotel: Intercontinental Singapore
When: July
Status: Diamond Elite
Rate: Ihg1r Best Flexible
Booked: 2 x Standard Rooms
Received: 1 King Bed Premium room and 2 doubles Premium room
Amenity Offered: Welcome points, welcome drink or Breakfast (no brainer Breakfast x 4)

A nice enough hotel in the Bugis area, close to everything and the staff were lovely. The Prince of Brunei was staying there whilst we were, nice guy. Restaurants were OK, a bit too $$ for what they were.

Would I stay again? Probably not, the only the reasons I would stay again being that the room was well fitted, good comfortable sleep and recognition of status.

 

[levelnine]

Would I stay again? Probably not, the only the reasons I would stay again being that the room was well fitted, good comfortable sleep and recognition of status.

Nothing about that sounds like a bad stay. Where would you choose over this place when in Singapore?

 

[kerfuffle]

New Club InterContinental is now open at IC Melbourne.

 

[larrymull]

Nothing about that sounds like a bad stay. Where would you choose over this place when in Singapore?

I really liked the St Regis when I was last there. Also that is good is the Ritz Carlton (although a big hotel). The Kempinski also looks good. In Singapore you are spoilt for choice.

 

[http_x92]

Stayed on the HIX Sunshine Coast and they gave me a surprise Junior suite upgrade as a Club member (just started out with IHG). Free breakfast (albeit its a HIX so limited options) as well.

It does look like IHG has decent coverage around Australia even with the Mr and Mrs Smith partnership winding down. Having presence on the Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter Valley is a nice surprise. If I buy the Ambassador membership, the $25 US dining credit I assume only applies for Intercontinental hotels and not any other brand right?

IHG or Accor as my second hotel program... decisions.

 

[FishFood]

the $25 US dining credit I assume only applies for Intercontinental hotels and not any other brand right?

Correct, only for IC hotels. Another thing to note is the credit is $20 USD and the local currency conversion is at a fixed rate for common currencies:

United States of America USD20, Euro currency member states EUR15, United Kingdom GBP15, Thailand THB600, Australia AUD25, Japan JPY2000, Saudi Arabia SAR70, Malaysia MYR50, Indonesia IDR180,000, Vietnam VND280,000 (excluding Danang which is VND460,000), Hong Kong HKD135, Korea KRW20,000

 

[soliloguy]

Hotel: Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre
When: 28/07-02/08
Status: Ambassador Diamond
Booked: 1 Queen Bed standard
Received: 1 King Bed High Floor

Had a little snack plate thing and a bottle of water as a Welcome Amenity - would have preferred a drink voucher tbh. Simple breakfast offering; no issues with hotwater were encountered.

 

[kerfuffle]

Had a little snack plate thing and a bottle of water as a Welcome Amenity - would have preferred a drink voucher tbh. Simple breakfast offering; no issues with hotwater were encountered.

The snack plate and water aren't welcome amenities as per the IHG One Rewards benefits. It's either points, breakfast (which seems to have been the welcome amenity you chose), or drinks.

 

[Lynda2475]

Hotel: Hotel Indigo Kensington
When: August 2023
Status: Diamond
Rate: Stay Longer Pay Less
Booked: 1 queen bed standard (excluding breakfast)
Received: 1 queen Bed City standard + breakfast for 2

As were fully booked and couldn't provide an upgrade, given breakfast (rather than use amenity) and then for Amenity given both 2 welcome drinks and points.

Breakfast is continental plus ala carte hot menu choice and includes Barista made coffee. As with all Indigo mini bar is included so free water, sparkling water and sodas replenished daily.

Location is very convenient, 1 minute walk from earl's court tube station (£6 from LHR). Nice rainfall shower, comfy bed with duvet in a proper cover non of the nonsense in between two sheets malarkey, fast wifi and plenty of usb ports and powerpoints. Great air conditioning, very simple and responsive controls.

Only criticism is lack of usable drawers or shelves for unpacking. There is ample hanging space and proper non attached hangers, but otherwise of wardrobe is taken up with safe, mini bar and coffee/ tea station.

 

[The-Aviator]

Hotel: InterContinental Sydney
When: July 2023
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: AUD $445/night (Advanced Purchase rate for a Saturday night)
Booked: 2 Double Classic
Received: 2 Double Classic High Floor (a one-category upgrade)

As others have noted in the past, this is very much a hotel that plays it by the book when it comes to upgrades and benefits so don't be surprised when you get exactly what you are entitled to and nothing more! An OK stay overall but not an extraordinary one.

Arrived around 2pm and check-in experience was good, the receptionist proactively offered the 4pm late check-out and asked what welcome amenity we wanted, selected breakfast.

The recently renovated rooms are on the plainer side (IC Perth remains my favourite IC in Australia for design!) but nice enough. The beds and pillows were not particularly comfortable, I expected better. The TV surprisingly did not include any cable or international channels apart from Optus Sport, understandable enough in destinations serving the domestic market but I found it odd for an international brand in Sydney. Thankfully had Chromecast though. Wi-fi was good. Minibar was well stocked but pricey, complimentary bottled water was left by the beds.

Bathroom was nice and stocked with the brand-standard Byredo toiletries. I was very disappointed though to find the pump on the shampoo bottle didn't work, couldn't be bothered raising with housekeeping for a one-night stay so I just unscrewed it from the holder and poured it out. This is now the third hotel where I have come across issues with the refillable bottle, one where it was empty and now two where it was full but pump didn't work. I'd be interested to know if I am just unlucky or if others have also experienced it and it is a sign of things to come!

As for breakfast, if you are thinking about paying the full $50pp for this, don't. It is set up in the old Café Opera space and has an interesting setup, where you can order hot drinks and eggs to order from your server and can then grab any other items from the buffet. There are menu cards on the table for the dishes you can order but not everything is listed, for example I saw others ordering Eggs Benedict so ordered one too but it is not listed on the menu. The fluffy pancakes at the buffet were delicious and definitely the highlight of the meal but apart from that it was very mediocre, certainly no sight of the BBQ pork buns or other Asian dishes I have seen others mention in their reviews. Plates at the buffet were also poorly cleaned. Overall it certainly doesn't compare with other luxury hotel breakfasts and would be more along the lines of what I might expect to see at a HI or, at a stretch, a CP/Voco.

As for other facilities, the hotel gym and pool are at the top floor and offer some great views of the harbour. Didn't get a chance to visit but The Treasury bar in the atrium is visually stunning and seemed to be popular with guests and locals alike. Unfortunately didn't have time to use our Ambassador F&B credit although it would have been nice to use it at The Treasury.

Location is good, especially if you're a visitor to Sydney as Circular Quay is just steps away.

Final gripe is that 10 days after checking out, they still hadn't removed the $100 credit card hold! Had to email to request it be removed and to be fair they actioned it within a few hours. I haven't seen others reporting this issue so I'll mark it down as a one-off but would obviously be concerning if this is a ploy they are pulling on a regular basis.

Overall as you can see, quite a few issues which prevented it from being an excellent stay. Fine for my needs for a night but if you're looking for a stay in Sydney that's memorable for all the right reasons I would suggest somewhere else, perhaps the Kimpton instead.

 

[kerfuffle]

Hotel: InterContinental Sydney
When: July 2023
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: AUD $445/night (Advanced Purchase rate for a Saturday night)
Booked: 2 Double Classic
Received: 2 Double Classic High Floor (a one-category upgrade)

As others have noted in the past, this is very much a hotel that plays it by the book when it comes to upgrades and benefits so don't be surprised when you get exactly what you are entitled to and nothing more! An OK stay overall but not an extraordinary one.

Arrived around 2pm and check-in experience was good, the receptionist proactively offered the 4pm late check-out and asked what welcome amenity we wanted, selected breakfast.

The recently renovated rooms are on the plainer side (IC Perth remains my favourite IC in Australia for design!) but nice enough. The beds and pillows were not particularly comfortable, I expected better. The TV surprisingly did not include any cable or international channels apart from Optus Sport, understandable enough in destinations serving the domestic market but I found it odd for an international brand in Sydney. Thankfully had Chromecast though. Wi-fi was good. Minibar was well stocked but pricey, complimentary bottled water was left by the beds.

Bathroom was nice and stocked with the brand-standard Byredo toiletries. I was very disappointed though to find the pump on the shampoo bottle didn't work, couldn't be bothered raising with housekeeping for a one-night stay so I just unscrewed it from the holder and poured it out. This is now the third hotel where I have come across issues with the refillable bottle, one where it was empty and now two where it was full but pump didn't work. I'd be interested to know if I am just unlucky or if others have also experienced it and it is a sign of things to come!

As for breakfast, if you are thinking about paying the full $50pp for this, don't. It is set up in the old Café Opera space and has an interesting setup, where you can order hot drinks and eggs to order from your server and can then grab any other items from the buffet. There are menu cards on the table for the dishes you can order but not everything is listed, for example I saw others ordering Eggs Benedict so ordered one too but it is not listed on the menu. The fluffy pancakes at the buffet were delicious and definitely the highlight of the meal but apart from that it was very mediocre, certainly no sight of the BBQ pork buns or other Asian dishes I have seen others mention in their reviews. Overall it certainly doesn't compare with other luxury hotel breakfasts and would be more along the lines of what I might expect to see at a HI or, at a stretch, a CP/Voco.

As for other facilities, the hotel gym and pool are at the top floor and offer some great views of the harbour. Didn't get a chance to visit but The Treasury bar in the atrium is visually stunning and seemed to be popular with guests and locals alike. Unfortunately didn't have time to use our Ambassador F&B credit although it would have been nice to use it at The Treasury.

Location is good, especially if you're a visitor to Sydney as Circular Quay is just steps away.

Final gripe is that 10 days after checking out, they still hadn't removed the $100 credit card hold! Had to email to request it be removed and to be fair they actioned it within a few hours. I haven't seen others reporting this issue so I'll mark it down as a one-off but would obviously be concerning if this is a ploy they are pulling on a regular basis.

Overall as you can see, quite a few issues which prevented it from being an excellent stay. Fine for my needs for a night but if you're looking for a stay in Sydney that's memorable for all the right reasons I would suggest somewhere else, perhaps the Kimpton instead.

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Kimpton was definitely memorable for me as the hot water died last time I stayed there

As for dodgy pumps, I had that issue at IC Melbourne last time I stayed. Luckily I was in a room that had a bathtub with unsecured Byredo bottles, so was able to use that, but left a note in the shower to get it fixed. It's why I still carry those sorts of toiletries just in case.