IHG Hotels that recognise status

[drron]

Hotel Intercontinental Bangkok.
When. April 2024.
Status. Diamond Ambassador
Rate. Flexible plus 5000 points per night. $A300
Booked. Standard King.
Received. Premium King floor 33 in position I had requested when we checked out in January.

Amenity. Points. I have annual lounge access.Plus fruit bowl and suites.

Treated like Royalty by all. Great club lounge.
Even met at the airport on departure. Definitely our new go to Bangkok hotel.

 

[bussyboy]

Hotel: InterContinental Perth
When: April 2024 (two stays)
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Rate:
1st Stay: $300/night (Best Flex)
2nd Stay: $319/night (Visa partner rate)
Booked:
1st Stay: 1 King Classic
2nd Stay: 1 King Premium Corner
Received:
1st Stay: 1 King Classic City View
2nd Stay: 1 King Premium Corner Cityscape View
(one-category upgrade in both instances, visible the night before in the app)

Two one-night stays in late April. Always enjoy a stay at this hotel and these two were no different although there were some small issues with the second room.

On both occasions I arrived early and the room was ready, which was really appreciated. I still think these are some of the most beautiful city hotel rooms in Australia and I really loved the cityscape views from the three windows in my second (much larger) room. The problems I had with the second room were a strange odour in the entryway and a dodgy flush button on the toilet, the cistern would not refill on flushing and the only way I found it would work was to keep hammering the button until eventually it would start to refill at a snail's pace. Given the odour only affected the entryway, the flush buttom had a workaround of sorts and it was a one-night weekend stay I decided to live with it instead of go through the drama of a room switch.

Everything else about the room was good with strong Wi-Fi, complimentary bottled water, a bar of chocolate as a welcome gift, good rainfall shower and plush bedding.

The CBD location is excellent with easy access to the free bus stops, Perth Station (great for the airport line!) and Elizabeth Quay. Very easy to get around and the city was certainly busier than it was on my last visit in early 2023.

Chose the drink voucher as my amenity, received one voucher on the first stay and two on the second, they can be used at either the Loft Bar or Heno & Rey. On the first stay I used one at the Loft Bar, on the second stay I used one at each venue. Both have their pluses and minuses but I would say the drink selection at Heno & Rey is better, the complimentary tempranillo was actually very good!

The $25 Ambassador credit can be used at any venue plus in-room. For the first stay I had a very early departure so used it on a few items from the minibar, on the second I put it towards buffet breakfast which is usually $45pp. The breakfast here is always fantastic with lots of cooked-to-order egg options and high-quality items on the buffet. I do miss the early days though when this hotel first opened and they had grilled meats available on the breakfast buffet!

In terms of other facilities the hotel has a gym however didn't visit on this occasion.

Late checkout to 1pm granted without issue on the second stay. Overall I had an enjoyable experience and will certainly be back, only thing I would say is after about 6-7yrs although the rooms still look nice design-wise some are evidently in need of a bit of maintenance work.

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Thanks for a comprehensive review!! I'm surprised there's a decent view from there! Any chance you've visited club lounge in the past??

 

[drron]

Hotel. Crowne Plaza Changi.
When. May 2024.
Status. Diamond Ambassador
Rate. Senior $A 305
Booked. Basic King.
Received. Premium King Pool view.Usual upgrade for platinum and diamond members.
Amenity. Points and large fruit bowl.

Unfortunately our flight was an hour late so only got to the club lounge at about 1915 when coughtails ended at 1930 but staff made sure a couple of extra glasses of wine were poured for us. Nice pizzas and cheese selection.
Breakfast was Eggs Benedict
Late check out 1400. Checkout at lounge and able to stay until we wanted to leave.

 

[FishFood]

Thanks for a comprehensive review!! I'm surprised there's a decent view from there! Any chance you've visited club lounge in the past??

I've been to the club lounge multiple times and always enjoy the view. The breakfast is nice with your typical a la carte items from an Intercontinental lounge. Reasonable coughtail menu in the evening, with the staff happy to make minor modifications. Overall it sits between Melbourne and Adelaide, so worthwhile checking out if you have access.

 

[Gold Member]

Unfortunately our flight was an hour late so only got to the club lounge at about 1915 when coughtails ended at 1930 but staff made sure a couple of extra glasses of wine were poured for us. Nice pizzas and cheese selection.
Breakfast was Eggs Benedict
Late check out 1400. Checkout at lounge and able to stay until we wanted to leave.

Last I stayed at CP Changi (maybe 6 months ago) they were still working on the revamped club lounge. They did however grant me free drinks and food at their bar as an interim workaround.

The old club lounge adjacent to the pool wasn’t too bad, but how is the new lounge looking these days?

 

[drron]

It’s where the Bar was previously. Has been well done and a pleasant experience. Staff are fantastic. One of them had been a SQ FA for 30 years and retired 2 years ago. Had a nice long chat with him. Name is Alvin.

 

[The-Aviator]

Thanks for a comprehensive review!! I'm surprised there's a decent view from there! Any chance you've visited club lounge in the past??

I have! It's on the top floor and certainly has nice views. The Club offering itself was also excellent although it was a while ago, shortly after the hotel opened so I'm not sure how different it is now.

 

[kerfuffle]

Hotel: InterContinental Sydney
When: April 25-26
Status: Diamond Ambassador
Rate: Reward Night at 39 000 38 000 32 300 points thanks to the recent 15% off promo
Booked: 1 King Classic City View
Received: 1 King East Harbour View 1 Harbour Bridge View (yay!)
Amenity Offered: Breakfast, 600 points, or drinks. Took the breakfast as I missed out last time I stayed here.

Yikes I've never seen a hotel buffet breakfast that busy before! Combination of school holidays and a 'long' weekend I guess. But the food offerings and service was decent. Was hoping for a better room than last time since I booked a slightly better room than last time. Check-in and check-out process was efficient as usual and was proactively offered a 4 p.m. checkout without asking. Used my $25 Ambassador credit on a can of Pringles and some vodka lemon soda mix thing which tasted OK but likely won't get again next time I stay here during Vivid.

 

[drron]

Hotel: Intercontinental Sydney.
When: May 3-6.
Status: Diamond Ambassador.
Rate: Senior ~ $300/
Booked King classic City View.
Received: King classic City view on floor 13.
Amenity: 600 points as usual.

Checked in just before 1300 and was told best room available. Did suggest we could wait in the lounge until something better was arranged but that was ignored. So nothing in the room such as welcome note or other amenity such as fruit bowl and nothing further in the whole 3 days. Only saving grace was that I have lounge access and the lounge was excellent.
Will give them one more chance and if not excellent will return to Double Bay.

 

[Kerrodt]

Hotel: Intercontinental Sydney.
When: May 3-6.
Status: Diamond Ambassador.
Rate: Senior ~ $300/
Booked King classic City View.
Received: King classic City view on floor 13.
Amenity: 600 points as usual.

Checked in just before 1300 and was told best room available. Did suggest we could wait in the lounge until something better was arranged but that was ignored. So nothing in the room such as welcome note or other amenity such as fruit bowl and nothing further in the whole 3 days. Only saving grace was that I have lounge access and the lounge was excellent.
Will give them one more chance and if not excellent will return to Double Bay.

I think this is one of the most underwhelming IHG properties at the top end of their stable of brands. And it’s primarily a management issue i.e management decisions at the property make it underwhelming. I discovered the Margot Kimpton Sydney recently and rate it far higher than this place on service and recognition.

 

[Ryan Bingham]

I think this is one of the most underwhelming IHG properties at the top end of their stable of brands. And it’s primarily a management issue i.e management decisions at the property make it underwhelming. I discovered the Margot Kimpton Sydney recently and rate it far higher than this place on service and recognition.

Classic case of your mileage might vary. We've stayed at both in the last 6 months. Bargain of a deal at the IC and upgraded well. Paid close to rack rate ($750/night is the figure that springs to mind) at the Margot due to a last-minute unavoidable in-person meeting, rationalised it by assuming I'd get an upgrade (to a suite?) as a Diamond and was told there were no upgrades, despite me showing them availability on the app. It wasn't a terrible stay, but better VFM at the IC (upgrade, breakfast). Also stayed at the IC in Melbourne and thought that the IC Sydney was better...

 

[kerfuffle]

So nothing in the room such as welcome note or other amenity such as fruit bowl and nothing further in the whole 3 days

I've never received a fruit bowl at any Australian capital city IC I've stayed at. I've only received welcome notes at IC Perth and IC Adelaide.

Also stayed at the IC in Melbourne and thought that the IC Sydney was better...

Well yeah; IC Sydney is newly refurbished compared to the ageing IC Melbourne ...

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

IC Times Square

So I was in New York for a work conference so the rate was booked through the conference provider. I don’t actually think it ended up being much cheaper in all honesty….

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a standard king room. Initially allocated a king room low floor when booking transferred from conference team through to IC team.

Upgraded on the app at T-7 to a king premium low floor, then subsequently at T-2 upgraded to a king premium corner room on the 24th floor

How are the rooms?
I think the polite way to describe the room would be “classic”. There really isn’t a lot to write home about. It was sufficiently functional.

Perhaps my only gripe is that the television faces the one chair in the roo, rather than the bed. So if you wanted to watch the TV from your bed it’s a rather contortionist affair.

I also still struggle with the no kettle in American hotels thing. I like my hotels to have a selection of teas, but I guess when in Rome, do as the Romans do

Pillows were soft and flat (if you like that), bed similarly soft (I prefer Asian firm beds).

Good bathroom with functional shower.

How is the exec. lounge?
Didn’t get 40 nights last year and there is no lounge here anyways

What was good and what was bad?
In terms of the good:
- location for musicals/broadway
- easy access to the NY subway - right on top of the A/C/E train and a short walk to 42 st/Times Square for 1/2/3/7 trains
- breakfast was adequate (though extortionist in terms of pricing)
- diamond status acknowledged and breakfast offered

In terms of the bad:
- more junk fees. However, may rate waived the junk fees so it was unclear if I even ‘qualified’ for any of it. Turns out when I asked on day 3 of 7, I did qualify for it through the conference rate. Inconsistent messaging from staff
- interesting crowd around the hotel
- overpriced

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

I don’t think I would return to this hotel. Given the cost, I don’t think it delivered appropriately. As usual, New York has ridiculous hotel prices which are out of proportion of the comfort that one receives while on premises. The one benefit was diamond breakfast was completely covered (unlike the ridiculous $15 voucher at the indigo LES).

Having said all this, your other IHG options are the Barclays, Theta and Eventi in terms of midtown. All the same price range.

 

[NM]

IC Times Square

Thanks for your review. I have a booking there later in the year, using my Ambassador free weekend night voucher (Saturday-Monday stay). I chose it due to location and trying to get good value from the voucher, given the hotel costs in the area. Planning to use train from JFK to Penn Station and walk to hotel. See one or two Broadway shows and some local sights, then departing via train heading up-state.

Your post has lowered my expectations a little, but still likely reasonable value compared with other options for our plans. So best to arrive with decreased expectations and hopefully will be pleasantly surprised.