Sydney: Pullman or Sofitel?

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Yeah poor form. I don't understand why Sofitel Sydney can offer all the plat benefits except lounge. I thought it's all or nothing. Puzzled...

 

[mono88]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Yeah poor form. I don't understand why Sofitel Sydney can offer all the plat benefits except lounge. I thought it's all or nothing. Puzzled...

+1. You and Bazzi are so correct. I have wanted to stay at Sofitel Sydney 3 or 4 times but did not because I was so confused about entitlements.
They should either be completely in Accor group or out of it; not acting on the whim of local hotel management every time you make a reservation.
Accor needs to get its act together.

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

I may still stay at Sofitel Sydney even without lounge access but still deciding whether if the Pullman is worth it even if I had lounge access there....

 

[MartinMemo]

That is ridiculous. We are already treated so poorly by half the sofitel hotels in Australia, Brisbane and broadbeach, by not even recognising le club Accor. Now Sydney is out too? It's clear the are really trying their hardest to make the pullman their new flagship in Australia, but a big shame for sofitel loyalists.

Like I said I pick the pullman hands down based on its location and closeness to Oxford Street, but it's not a bad or very far walk from there to anywhere in the city - you could even just jump on the museum train if the walking is too much. At least you know pullman appreciates loyalty. The new food and beverage manager is excellent and the general manager is outstanding. If you can get past the overly arrogant check in staff you'll find the rest of the pullman Hyde Park experience to be close to flawless (with the exception of the sometimes dirty Hyde Park windows and the average toiletries).

 

[k3nnis]

Yeah looking like I will probably stay at the Pullman.

 

[k3nnis]

I also emailed the pullman sydney hyde park, and similar issue in regards to lounge access. I really don't understand, I am starting to doubt the lounge access benefit that accor plats gets according to the website... This is the reply to the email I received from Pullman Sydney Hyde Park: If this is the case with the lounge access I will just go to the sofitel since I won't get it with both as the free night I won't be upgraded to an exec room if it's just 1 cat upgrade.

[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]Thank you for your enquiry. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]Pullman Sydney Hyde Park participates in the Le Accor Club Program. If you are a Platinum member you will have the following benefits:[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]-[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]Welcome Drink[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]-[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]Welcome Gift[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]-[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]Upgrade upon availability at check in (1 Level)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]-[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]Late check out at 4 PM[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]-[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]Internet no charge[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]Please note that you can have access to the Executive Lounge, if you are staying in one of our Executive Floors. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]We are located opposite to the Hyde Park, and we are very close to the main shopping area. We recommend to go walking, but if you prefer to take a bus or train, the closest bus stop and Museum Train Station are located in Oxford Street (1 block from the Hotel). [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]If you have any further questions feel free to contact me back.[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[Pablo]

I emailed the Sofitel Sydney a week ago to enquire as to the experiences on this site for Platinums (linked to the posts on it) and got this response from the Front Office

Bonjour Mr. Pablo,


I apologies for any confusion, kindly please be advised that Accor is updating the Le Club benefits. In order to see the most updated information in regards to benefits please log onto the accorhotel.com website. The following link has the benefits of Le Club Platinum membership: https://secure.accorhotels.com/gb/leclub/benefits/cards.shtml all the benefits as the same with some small changes.

So who knows. I'm there in December - will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[markis10]

I would probably go the Sofitel over the Pullman as I feel its better located, while the rooms are small they have a lot of suites so upgrades are pretty good (I was upgraded when there last month). I would spend the money on a visit to Rockpool Bar and Grill around the corner rather than a lounge, bound to create more memories and the food was devine at the QF cash lunch!

That area has special memories for me and its relationship with Qantas, it was quite surreal staying at the Sofitel which is next door to Chifley House, Qantas's first real HQ in Sydney where my Auntie worked in the staff canteen and gave me a roo pin on a visit one day, then going to a Qantas event at Rockpool Bar and Grill next door!

 

[k3nnis]

Will check out rock pool. Is mgallery a higher scale brand or Pullman??

 

[zig]

I emailed the Sofitel Sydney a week ago to enquire as to the experiences on this site for Platinums (linked to the posts on it) and got this response from the Front Office



So who knows. I'm there in December - will be interesting to see what happens.

The constant evasion of the question is extremely irritating. Would it be so very difficult for him to clarify what the 'some small changes' might be !!!! It really is false and misleading on the behalf of not just Accor, but the individual hotel's management.

 

[MartinMemo]

I think the problem is that they have changed all the benefits (for the better imo) but they are now a lot more complex, and I doubt even the staff could explain them properly and in full. Even that email about from the pullman stating platinum only has access to the executive lounge if in an executive room; that is simply not true and very clearly detailed under the new benefits section of their website. It was even confirmed to me by the director of service, marketing and loyalty.

Seriously, thank you Accor for significantly increasing and expanding your benefits, but please just put together a black and white terms and conditions text document clearly stating eleiganility criteria for benefits based on hotel brand!

 

[k3nnis]

Hi Guys,

Have an update re: Pullman Hyde Park:

I replied back to the email complaining about the accor website not reflecting the benefits and this is the reply I received:

[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]Thank you for your enquiry.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]I apologize for the miscommunication. I just reconfirmed the information with the Revenue Manager, and from November 1[/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][SUP]st[/SUP][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] 2013, our Accor Members will have the access to the Executive Lounge. Please note that this benefit is subject to availability and will be confirmed upon check in.[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif] [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,serif][FONT=Calibri,sans-serif]If you have any other question ,feel free to contact our Reservations Team.[/FONT][/FONT]



Now what does subject to availability mean?? I don't understand, you either give access or not???

 

[Kendall Roy]

Thank you for your enquiry.

Pullman Sydney Hyde Park participates in the Le Accor Club Program. If you are a Platinum member you will have the following benefits:
-Welcome Drink
-Welcome Gift
.

Better luck than I had, even on request!

That said, I did receive an UG to the Exec Floor and was advised I could access the lounge. That's a fair outcome for not receiving a welcome drink!

 

[markis10]

Apparently the lounge access is only for Asia and America, according to the Sofitel in Melbourne in another thread, website being modified to indicate so.

 

[k3nnis]

Does this only apply to sofitels? Or Pullmans as well?

 

[MartinMemo]

I check in to a pullman tomorrow and will ask them. To me it looks like Accor did a lot of work improving their loyalty program, but didn't do a roadshow or properly brief their hotels and staff about what they are now expected to offer.

 

[Pablo]

The Pullman in Brisbane last week gave me all the new Platinum benefits including lounge access. Was so good

 

[MartinMemo]

Yeah I already confirmed they would - I just think I'll talk to them anyway and try and get some face to face clarification on other pullman and sofitels in Australia, as they see it.

 

[MartinMemo]

Also how was the lounge? It's my intention to take a client their tomorrow afternoon for a few drinks during our meeting.

 

[Pablo]

Also how was the lounge? It's my intention to take a client their tomorrow afternoon for a few drinks during our meeting.

The lounge is ok. Not as good as others but not bad. They could do with some more chairs but a reasonable selection of food, beer, wine and spirits.