Sofitel Melbourne Buffet Breakfast Review?

[FF98]

Hi All,

Will be looking to book Sofitel Melbourne for my wedding night stay (Just 1 night). Deciding if I should book a room with breakfast included.
I am thinking of booking via Qantas Hotels, to earn 4 points per $1 spent and also bonus 5k QFF points for stays >$250.
There is a ~15% difference between Accor Member rates and Qantas hotel.
Just wondering if the buffet breakfast at No35 is worth it? Or should I book the night and have brunch somewhere.
Noting I am new to Accor so have no status/points whatsoever.

Thank you,

 

[sudoer]

Just wondering if the buffet breakfast at No35 is worth it?

You haven't mentioned what the difference in room rate is.

If it's $10, absolutely worth it.
If it's $100, go to one of Melbourne's finest cafes.

Similarly the 15% difference for Accor direct v Qantas Hotels is hard to give advice on without knowing the actual $ difference, and whether both rates include breakfast?

 

[FF98]

Thanks, Qantas hotels is $64 more. This is comparing exact room configuration with breakfast included

Post automatically merged: Apr 20, 2024

You haven't mentioned what the difference in room rate is.

If it's $10, absolutely worth it.
If it's $100, go to one of Melbourne's finest cafes.

Similarly the 15% difference for Accor direct v Qantas Hotels is hard to give advice on without knowing the actual $ difference, and whether both rates include breakfast?

Thanks, Qantas hotels is $64 more. This is comparing exact room configuration with breakfast included

 

[Daver6]

I'm interested in hearing a review of the breakfast too. For all my stays at this hotel I've never made it to No 35 as the exec lounge breakfast and general ambience is really to my liking. I once decided to go, saw there were four people in the queue and being Mr Patient decided to just go to the lounge instead

 

[Cynicor]

Breakfast there is decent enough while not being to SE Asian massive spread standards, generally.
I wouldn’t pay $64 for 1 but figure $32 for 2 would be worth it

 

[aikman]

I have photos of all the food stations but AFF won't upload them because presumably the files are too big. Anyway, it's your standard Aussie spread of bread, cereal, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, tomato, mushroom, cold cuts, small pastries, slices of common fruits, fruit juice. The more uncommon items I noticed were smoked salmon, vegetable dumplings, miso soup, waffles, mini donuts, crepes. Retail price is $50 per person from memory. I'd pay $64 for two but that's probably my limit. Overall it is slightly above average by Australian standards but nothing spectacular.

 

[sudoer]

Qantas hotels is $64 more

If $64 is 15%, you're looking at about $435 direct with Accor vs $500 with Qantas Hotels?

Booking with Qantas Hotels you're getting 5K + 2K QFF (4 points per dollar)
Booking with Accor direct you're getting 600 ALL points if booked direct (worth 1:1 QFF) + 1.5K QFF (3 points per dollar via ALL/Qantas link)

I think I'd pay $64 for those 5K points but it's a close one. If you had any Qantas Hotel vouchers from Points Club or Qantas Wine it would be a much easier decision.

Can you let us know the prices with and without breakfast? Other posters above me have interpreted $64 is the cost of breakfast for two

 

[Cynicor]

Sudoer with the maths.
But also note opportunity cost of getting to next status level with ALL if that was a realistic possibility

 

[ric_melb]

Sofitel Melbourne Number 35 also have a chef cooking eggs to order, such as omelettes etc.

 

[FF98]

If $64 is 15%, you're looking at about $435 direct with Accor vs $500 with Qantas Hotels?

Booking with Qantas Hotels you're getting 5K + 2K QFF (4 points per dollar)
Booking with Accor direct you're getting 600 ALL points if booked direct (worth 1:1 QFF) + 1.5K QFF (3 points per dollar via ALL/Qantas link)

I think I'd pay $64 for those 5K points but it's a close one. If you had any Qantas Hotel vouchers from Points Club or Qantas Wine it would be a much easier decision.

Can you let us know the prices with and without breakfast? Other posters above me have interpreted $64 is the cost of breakfast for two

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. Looking at the same room type (Superior King River/Bay view) 1 night for 2 guests

Without breakfast, non refundable rate :
Qantas Hotel $429
Accor $408 (member rate)

With Breakfast, non refundable rate :
Qantas Hotel $509
Accor $446 (member rate)

 

[Port Power]

Being new to Accor, status points are possibly not an issue. Booking with Qantas Hotels, welcome drink still applies. Also, from past experience, better not to book included breakfast if on the day you receive a 50% discount. The continental breakfast can be so vast and varied that there is no need to pay more just for some boring bacon and eggs!

Edit since @FF98 posted: Accor rate with breakfast seems pretty good. Only $38 for breakfast for 2. Linking memberships still earns QF points.

 

[sudoer]

Booking with Qantas Hotels, welcome drink still applies.

It is rare for any status benefits to be extended on bookings made through OTAs.

 

[Port Power]

It is rare for any status benefits to be extended on bookings made through OTAs.

I have been in Accor hotels many times during land tours where the tour operator has booked the hotels for the group. Or when I have booked through Qantas to use my hotel voucher. Upon check in, I add my Accor number and have always received my drinks vouchers. (If a QF booking, I add my Accor number in advance and also receive a room upgrade.)

 

[sudoer]

I have been in Accor hotels many times during land tours where the tour operator has booked the hotels for the group. Or when I have booked through Qantas to use my hotel voucher. Upon check in, I add my Accor number and have always received my drinks vouchers. (If a QF booking, I add my Accor number in advance and also receive a room upgrade.)

You've been very lucky, and likely encountered hotel staff who aren't familiar with ALL restrictions on these rates. Here are the relevant extracts from the terms:

9.1 Programme benefits and services relevant to all Members
Only the cardholder Member is entitled to the benefits associated with the membership card.
These benefits are offered only for Eligible Stays, with the exception of Day Use bookings as defined herein.

2. Definitions
Eligible Stay: Stay booked at a participating hotel at eligible rates (as defined in Article 7.1 ‘Rates Eligible to Earn Points’) via Accor distribution channels (Websites, Accor booking office, hotels) and traditional travel agencies connected automatically to the Accor booking office. Stays booked through a reseller, tour operator or third-party online travel agency (such as Expedia.com, booking.com, etc.) are not considered Eligible Stays and do not earn Points or Eligible Nights towards a Status level.

Anyway this discussion is a bit redundant because OP said they have no status with ALL

Edit: It's also possible your tour operator has booked through a GDS like a tradition travel agency and the property hasn't done a group rate. This is more likely if it's a small group.

 

[Austman]

A comment I read in the Melbourne Age's Good Food Guide:

Why don't we review breakfasts?

The reason is that breakfast at restaurants and at hotels is more-or-less the same standard stuff.

It doesn't make it bad. But it makes it ordinary. Repetitive. Same, same.

It's the day after your wedding. Maybe make it different by ordering room service? It might be expensive but at least it will be private!

And you never know, the hotel might choose, if they know it's the morning after your wedding, to make it a bit special.

 

[sudoer]

Without breakfast, non refundable rate :
Qantas Hotel $429
Accor $408 (member rate)

With Breakfast, non refundable rate :
Qantas Hotel $509
Accor $446 (member rate)

With these rates, I'm probably picking the Qantas no breakfast $429 option (with 5K points) and taking my $80 elsewhere

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. Looking at the same room type (Superior King River/Bay view) 1 night for 2 guests

Without breakfast, non refundable rate :
Qantas Hotel $429
Accor $408 (member rate)

With Breakfast, non refundable rate :
Qantas Hotel $509
Accor $446 (member rate)

Is Accor late check-out/amenity something that appeals to you @FF98 ?

My brief take on this would be Accor for $408/446 if cost is an issue - or if you value the 5k QFF points on offer for the $509 spend.
As @sudoer has done the sums, my question to you - is brekky the next morning something you would embrace after your big special day?

Congratulations to you both and let us know what you eventually decide.

 

[sudoer]

Is Accor late check-out/amenity something that appeals to you @FF98 ?

They don't have any status so any late check-out/amenity offered is unlikely to be different to the OTA rate.

Noting I am new to Accor so have no status/points whatsoever.

 

[Daver6]

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. Looking at the same room type (Superior King River/Bay view) 1 night for 2 guests

Without breakfast, non refundable rate :
Qantas Hotel $429
Accor $408 (member rate)

With Breakfast, non refundable rate :
Qantas Hotel $509
Accor $446 (member rate)

Do you happen to have a QF hotels $50 voucher you can use?

 

[Flyfrequently]

They don't have any status so any late check-out/amenity offered is unlikely to be different to the OTA rate.

Thanks for that @sudoer