IHG Hotels that recognise status

Hotel: InterContinental Fiji Natadola
When: Aug 2023
Status: Diamond Royal Ambassador
Rate: FJD $900/night (AMB certificate) - stayed the weekend
Booked: 1 KING GARDEN VIEW
Received: 1 KING GARDEN VIEW

Pretty disappointed with this stay.
I saw on the app a month before the stay the hotel did give me a 2 category upgrqde prior to stay but it changed back to no upgrade closer to the date.
Upon check-in, they apologised and said they were fully booked but if someone cancels they will let me know the next day. No one called me or updated me the next day. They only offered the standard 10K points for not upgrading me..
The reservations team is also slow in responding to emails and I don't think any requests are being recorded.
On the APP I selected my in room welcome amenity to be a savoury snack but nothing was presented.
During check-in the lady only offered 2 drinks vouchers or 600 points.
 
Because i just did the IHG survey it reminded me how the check out took 30-35mins because there was confusion with the mini bar inclusions.

Check in, they said there are no mini bar drinks in the room but you scan a QR code and call room service. We had $200USD of mini bar included.

Checking out at the IHG member table, the lady said it was all room services charges. Told her we double checked and made sure it was mini bar and all she kept saying was "what, they didn't replenish your mini bar fridge?"
Umm no, you guys told us that it will be empty and we need to order the mini bar menu via the qr code and call room service telling them its mini bar.
This went around 3-4 times before she got a Manager, who had to call room service to confirm..
They also tried to charge for Breakfast when it was included.. luckly our airport transfer was booked for 4.45pm and not at 4pm check out.
We didn't get to have our last drink at the bar.. haha
 
Hotel: Holiday Inn Parramatta
When: Aug 2023
Status: Diamond Elite
Rate: AUS 200/night
Booked: Cheapest room available
Received: 1 King Bed One Bedroom Suite (highest room category)

Got email with upgrade to suite one day before check in, which is a nice touch and definitely better than ALL.
Status recognition at check in was good, have chosen the brekkie of course.
The hotel itself is very dated and needs minimum a freshen up urgently.
Bathroom is spacious with a corner spa bathtub, but again the whole interior is dated.
Room is clean and the free capsule coffee machine is a nice gimmick.
 
IC Sanctuary Cove.
Diamond Ambassador.
Rate Ambassador free weekend night
Room King lagoon room
Received King Marina view.

Though I also got an email the day before saying upgraded to a Queenslander suite which has happened on our previous 3 stays plus we also got club access.
No access this stay.
But the kicker was getting to the room and a card with my name on it.
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Hotel: Hotel Indigo Helsinki
When: August 2023
Status: Diamond
Rate: Stay Longer Pay Less
Booked: 1 Double Bed Standard (excluding breakfast)
Received: 1 King Bed City standard on top floor + breakfast for 2

Second Indigo booking in a row where i was advised that breakfast was included even though the rate i choose did not include it, so took the points as my welcome amenity.

Breaky was buffet with pastries, toast, cheeses, cereals, fruit, bacon, eggs, sausages, pancakes etc plus Blueberry and Cranberry juices (in addition to the usual orange and apple) and barista coffee. Plus could order other eggs or omelets cooked to order.

Location was brilliant, 3 tram stops from Central station, quiet area with lots of food options in walking distance and a laundry 2 blocks away where it only cost EU$8 to wash and dry 8Kgs of clothes.

Shower has great water pressure, bed was super comfy, I would stay again.

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the view
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Hotel: Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York City
When: August 2023
Status: Diamond
Rate: Stay Longer Pay Less
Booked: 1 Queen Bed Standard
Received: 1 King Bed City View Premium

My second stay at this hotel, I love the neighbourhood. Room was comfortable but needed some drawers (which the room last year had). Bed was comfy and shower had great water pressure.

I took the breakfast amenity which was a mistake (should have taken the drinks). Every other Indigo I have stayed at the breakfast is at a minimum a buffet, here I was given 4 * US $15 vouchers to be used for breakfast BUT they dont offer a buffet or even a la carte - just barista coffee (as long as you drink full cream or oat milk - which I don't), muffin/croissant (no spreads) or a choice of pre-made in warmer mini breakfast burritos (only one of which was sans corriander which Im allergic to).

First day I grabbed 2 mini burritos to go but found them uninspiring. Second day had planned on a croissant/muffin but there were no left by 10am. Didnt bother on the other two days, just had a bagel and coffee whilst out and about.

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The view
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I just looked at changing an up coming stay at the Voco Melbourne, to Indigo but because its AFL Grand Final Week (yawn) prices are now super high, to what I locked in back in March. Will have to wait until next year.
 
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Hotel: Kimpton Margot Sydney
When: Aug 2023
Status: Platinum Elite/Ambassador
Rate: AUD $435/night (Advanced Purchase rate for a Saturday and Sunday nights)
Booked: King Bed Essential
Received: King Bed Premium (a one-category upgrade)

Our first stay there, and certainly going back. Received two drink/bar snack vouchers on arrival. We used them on Sunday night, and the barman doubled up on drinks and snacks as we were virtually the only people in the place.

And to add - we booked to go back for the Penfolds Dinner at Luke's Kitchen on Tue night (and Luke Mangan was actually there going around the tables, helping out with orders and drinks) for $350/night King Bed Premium
 
Who is going to be the first to review the New Hotel Indigo in Melbourne?
Looked at making a booking before they opened and contrary to every other IHG property in the country they were quoting rates on the website exclusive of GST. Thought this was poor form and booked the IC instead so as to avoid supporting bad behaviour! I think they have since fixed it.
 
There's now an IHG sale where it's 20% off plus 15% off extra for members (non-refundable), making it $305 for the cheapest room at Hotel Indigo Flinders. Tempted to cancel my other hotel and stay here instead as it'll mean I won't have to worry about finding breakfast places morning of AFL GF.
 
Who is going to be the first to review the New Hotel Indigo in Melbourne?
By popular request:

Hotel: Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders
When: Aug 2023 (less than a fortnight after opening)
Status: Diamond Elite/Ambassador
Rate: AUD $259.57/night (Best flexible)
Booked: 1 King Standard
Received: 1 King 1 Bedroom Suite Spencer Street View

I was rather interested in staying with such a new hotel, and had prepared myself for some minor problems due to the processes being sorted out. I called the diamond line to apply a suite upgrade, and to my delight they were able to grant me the upgrade without consuming the voucher. This disappeared on the day of check-in which lead to a nervous phone call, but they were able to honour the previously granted suite upgrade without much fuss.

The room is quite nice, having views onto multiple streets and much entertainment was had people watching on Spencer Street, with Southern Cross station and the tram line in easy view. Breakfast was good, with staff proudly stating that much of the food is from Victoria. Sadly I missed breakfast on one of the days, due to having commitments requiring me to leave before breakfast started. Overall the staff were quite enthusiastic, and the stay went smoothly.
 
As a Diamond Elite can I call up and request a suite upgrade for any IHG hotel?

Also - does anyone know when redeeming the free night, do you have to pay for the other night or can you use points?
 
As a Diamond Elite can I call up and request a suite upgrade for any IHG hotel?

Also - does anyone know when redeeming the free night, do you have to pay for the other night or can you use points?
1.As long as you have the upgrade certificate and meet the requirements, yes you need to call

2. Which free night are you talking about?
 
As a Diamond Elite can I call up and request a suite upgrade for any IHG hotel?

Also - does anyone know when redeeming the free night, do you have to pay for the other night or can you use points?
If you mean the weekend free night you can redemm that online. The certificate is in your wallet in the summary of your acount. Click on the free weekend end night icon and it comes up with redeem or view. press redeem and then look at the IC you want to stay at. You must select then the free weekend night rate and yes you pay for the first night.

The free suite upgrade coupon you can select as your reward when you have stayed 20 nights at IHG properties in the year. I'm going for 40 nights this year as you can then choose lounge access for a year.
 
1.As long as you have the upgrade certificate and meet the requirements, yes you need to call

2. Which free night are you talking about?
the weekend free night that you get when you pay for the year - DrRon has explained it

Thanks
 
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