PP not accepted at Crowne Plaza, Alice Springs.

[Austman]

The PP card is NOT ACCEPTED at the Hanuman restaurant at the CP Alices Springs. Despite what the websites say.

PP website:*
The spicy tastes of Thai cuisine can be enjoyed in Hanuman Restaurant open for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner Monday*to Saturday.*

The CP website:*
Work up an appetite in our outdoor pool ortennis court before indulging in fine dining. Dark wood and scarlet tones create a cosy warmth in Hanuman, which serves up Thai and Indian-influenced dishes full of fragrant flavours and spices. Balloons Restaurant is the place for fresh Australian ingredients cooked with local passion. Soak up the vibe with a beer or coughtail on the outside decking of the Lobby Bar.

Balloons is not even open for lunch or dinner either...

A first for me that the PP card was not accepted in a IHG property in Australia.

 

[Austman]

I see that the restaurant is a chain, inside Holiday Inn Darwin, Crowne Plaza Alice Springs and Hilton Cairns.

http://www.hanuman.com.au/

 

[markis10]

I see that the restaurant is a chain, inside Holiday Inn Darwin, Crowne Plaza Alice Springs and Hilton Cairns.

Yes, a very notable chef well known in NT runs them!

 

[oz_mark]

I see that the restaurant is a chain, inside Holiday Inn Darwin, Crowne Plaza Alice Springs and Hilton Cairns.

Hanuman Restaurant : Darwin, Alice Springs and Cairns

Ahh, I was thinking I had struck this problem with the Hilton program as well. Pretty sure it was the Hanuman in Cairns.

 

[straitman]

Ahh, I was thinking I had struck this problem with the Hilton program as well. Pretty sure it was the Hanuman in Cairns.

Yep it was Cairns.

 

[Austman]

Well so far PP and the CP Alice Springs seem to think all is fine. But there is now no PP restaurant at CP Alice Springs for lunch or dinner. Just the lobby bar (nice, but not really a restaurant !)

 

[Austman]

Priority Privilege have at least contacted me about the issue.
They claimed:
1. Members must always check first to see if the PP card is accepted.
2. They do not mention Hanumans on their website.

I pointed out that I could not find that limitation anywhere in the T&Cs and that it was ridiculous to require members to call each restaurant first. And also this link from PP that mentions Hanumans as a restaurant choice: Hotel Details - Priority Privilege - Crowne Plaza Alice Springs - Guaranteed savings on selected accommodation rates, along with exclusive dining discounts.

If PP are going to limit what restaurants take part, they should really publish a list.
So far CP Alice Springs management have not bothered to even contact me. If their Balloons restaurant was open for lunch and dinner that might be something but as it stands, they only have the limited Lobby Bar.

 

[markis10]

I wonder if the restaurant has different hours for wet vs dry seasons?

 

[Austman]

I wonder if the restaurant has different hours for wet vs dry seasons?

Not sure. But on Tripadvisor, there is a local review of Balloons Bistro for November, 2011 (they ordered gnocci, so I assume it wasn't for breakfast... ).

The CP Alice Springs website is a real mess. Alice Springs Hotels - Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Alice Springs Hotel in Alice Springs | Best Price Guarantee or First Night Free

The Overview page says: "Balloons Restaurant is the place for fresh Australian ingredients cooked with local passion." while the Dining page says: "Modern Australian cuisine like rich trumpet mushrooms and fruity white wines is served at Balloons Restaurant, decorated with light wood furnishings." yet down a bit, it's: "Balloons Bistro, Location: On-site Serves: Breakfast Offering continental and full breakfast daily."

And on this page is finally a mention that Hanuman is "independently operated". But it's under the heading "Hotel Restaurants".

Hanuman has been there for over 10 years, so they should have the Priority Privilege matter properly handled by now.

 

[Austman]

A letter arrived from PP today. Just an envelope with a free bottle of house wine cert in it!

I did not ask for anything, so it was a nice surprise. Thank you PP!

But I do think if it's not particpating, PP should remove Hanuman from their website (link is in post #7) or publish a list of participating restaurants. (or both)

 

[Fiona Lau]

Dear Austman

Greetings from Priority Privilege.

I would like to thank you for your support for Priority Privilege and is glad that you like the little surprise house wine certificate which we've sent you. You can use your Priority Privilege card at over 70 F&B outlets at 39 participating hotels in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu. The Hanuman restaurant in CrownePlaza Alice Springs does not accept the Priority Privilege card as it is an independent restaurant chain that is not owned by the hotel. The Balloons Restaurant is open daily for breakfast from 6am to 10.30am and is closed for lunch and dinner. Members can choose to have their lunch and dinner at the Lobby Bar. The Priority Privilege dining discount will apply at Balloons Restaurant for breakfast and the Lobby Bar for both lunch and dinner.

We would like to apologise if the information on the website is unclear and we are in the midst of improving this. We thank you for your feedback and hope to see you back in our hotels again.

Regards
Fiona Lau
Loyalty Programs Manager
InterContinental Hotels Group

 

[Austman]

Dear Austman

Greetings from Priority Privilege.

I would like to thank you for your support for Priority Privilege and is glad that you like the little surprise house wine certificate which we've sent you. You can use your Priority Privilege card at over 70 F&B outlets at 39 participating hotels in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu. The Hanuman restaurant in CrownePlaza Alice Springs does not accept the Priority Privilege card as it is an independent restaurant chain that is not owned by the hotel. The Balloons Restaurant is open daily for breakfast from 6am to 10.30am and is closed for lunch and dinner. Members can choose to have their lunch and dinner at the Lobby Bar. The Priority Privilege dining discount will apply at Balloons Restaurant for breakfast and the Lobby Bar for both lunch and dinner.

We would like to apologise if the information on the website is unclear and we are in the midst of improving this. We thank you for your feedback and hope to see you back in our hotels again.

Regards
Fiona Lau
Loyalty Programs Manager
InterContinental Hotels Group

Thank you Fiona! And it's very good to see that a Priority Privilege representative is on AFF!

 

[adrian]

Off-topic, but this hotel is available for 5000 points a night with Pointbreaks.