The totally off-topic thread

[Must...Fly!]

You'd have to think that IHG would be on the lookout for an IC location in Brisbane.

 

[Mal]

Isn't there a Holiday Inn on the Gold Coast?


It would be an almost severe waste of money by HI/IHG to upgrade the property if it is sold out of the brand (the money spent to upgrade the property is not even small change used to butter it up before a sale).

GC HI changes branding shortly (or already has). It's January some time.

Those hotels don't sell for chump change, the cost of an upgrade is a smidgeon compared to the value of the building and land. Will have to dig up some older articles, but the Transit Centre package has a significant $$$$$$$$$$ price.

Edit: http://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-qld-brisbane-5858321
http://www.couriermail.com.au/life/...ntre-up-for-sale/story-e6frequ6-1226131143033

 

[drron]

Must have got a union man today flying into MEL from DPO.As usual I had a premium hand carry which is normally there at the base of the steps within a minute of deplaning.Today the fellow had to l;oad the 3 items on to the baggage trolley and then drive the few metres to the stairs.So I was nearly last through security.Not a problem as we were at the gate 20 minutes early.

 

[anat0l]

Weird? No, sad. Very sad IMHO. Almost feels like the Sheraton issue where they lost their hotels in Australia.

Perhaps the brand will find another hotel in Brisbane, perhaps not. Perhaps the new owners will retain the HI rights, perhaps not.

I'm not liking the chances that IHG will find another hotel if this one is sold out of the brand. There aren't a lot of prospects within Brisbane that I can think of without building a new hotel (and where would you put it).

Brisbane desperately needs a few more 3-4 * hotels commissioned.

We've had this discussion many times before, but I see lots of "caveats". In principle I agree with your statement, but most of the new hotels that would fit this description would more likely be in independent or smaller chain brands. For example, look how many Oak properties there are in Brisbane (I believe all of them are minimum 3*).

Even then, some of the 3* or 4* hotels don't really feel like it, even when compared against similarly starred properties around the country.

Finally, Brisbane has this funny thing about demand simply pushing people into properties anyway. I think mining and resources has a lot to do with this (read: expense accounts). In light of this, there's probably little demand to improve properties.

Those hotels don't sell for chump change, the cost of an upgrade is a smidgeon compared to the value of the building and land. Will have to dig up some older articles, but the Transit Centre package has a significant $$$$$$$$$$ price.

Edit: Brisbane Transit Centre & Holiday Inn, 151-171 Roma Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000 - Offices for Sale #5858321 - realcommercial.com.au
'Ugly' Brisbane Transit Centre up for sale | Reviews and Recommendations | The Courier-Mail

I would've thought the upgrade would've come at some significant cost compared to the sale, but what would I know.

The realcommercial.com.au agents should be lynched for putting such a misleading picture of the property. They've used a nice number of light tricks to portray the facade as much more pleasant and clean than it really is. (The building is not dilapidated or derelict, but it certainly is not perky and new as the picture might lead you to believe).


Oddly enough, A|Club has a monopoly on chain hotels in Brisbane. :-| There's two Novotels, a Mercure, an ibis and a Formula 1.... oh, and a non-A|Club Sofitel. (A|Club peanut gallery - shuddup! )

 

[markis10]

Weird? No, sad. Very sad IMHO. Almost feels like the Sheraton issue where they lost their hotels in Australia.

Perhaps the brand will find another hotel in Brisbane, perhaps not. Perhaps the new owners will retain the HI rights, perhaps not.

Brisbane desperately needs a few more 3-4 * hotels commissioned.

It's is starting to feel like Starwood, BNE needs more five star as well but given the recent Westin project failing, I don't see it soon.

 

[markis10]

I'm not liking the chances that IHG will find another hotel if this one is sold out of the brand. There aren't a lot of prospects within Brisbane that I can think of without building a new hotel (and where would you put it).



We've had this discussion many times before, but I see lots of "caveats". In principle I agree with your statement, but most of the new hotels that would fit this description would more likely be in independent or smaller chain brands. For example, look how many Oak properties there are in Brisbane (I believe all of them are minimum 3*).

Even then, some of the 3* or 4* hotels don't really feel like it, even when compared against similarly starred properties around the country.

Finally, Brisbane has this funny thing about demand simply pushing people into properties anyway. I think mining and resources has a lot to do with this (read: expense accounts). In light of this, there's probably little demand to improve properties.



I would've thought the upgrade would've come at some significant cost compared to the sale, but what would I know.

The realcommercial.com.au agents should be lynched for putting such a misleading picture of the property. They've used a nice number of light tricks to portray the facade as much more pleasant and clean than it really is. (The building is not dilapidated or derelict, but it certainly is not perky and new as the picture might lead you to believe).


Oddly enough, A|Club has a monopoly on chain hotels in Brisbane. :-| There's two Novotels, a Mercure, an ibis and a Formula 1.... oh, and a non-A|Club Sofitel. (A|Club peanut gallery - shuddup! )

Factor in the soon to be added Quay West and Sebel portfolios!

 

[drron]

I have just found out how addictive AFF becomes.Have a stay in BKK in December.The SGS is full for a week up to the first day of our proposed stay.So emailed mrsdrron with the alternatives of changing our flights by one day or trying out the St.Regis.
Her reply-well i have looked up the plat benefits at the St.Regis and they dont look as good,besides they dont know us.So her solution-Stay at the Westin Sukhumvit for 1 night and do a mattress run.!!!

 

[Nigelinoz]

I wonder if this means you got a refurbished room (i.e. at the least with new furniture). In the old rooms, the bed was a little hard, pillows not too plump and desk was rather small-ish.

It's not a bad property and the staff are usually very pleasant to deal with. At an average of $110 per night, I'd say you definitely got it at a steal. (And if you were savvy enough to find some PC points deals to slap on top, I think you'll be very happy at check-out).

Yep,thanks to markis10 I signed up for the Q1 7 night 10000 point bonus so hopefully I will get about 17000 points for the stay,also have another 7 nights at the Holiday Inn on Flinders in Melbourne in a few weeks so I should be well on my way to Platinum or at least Gold pretty soon.
Here's the room I am in at the moment-:

Cheers
N'oz

 

[Mal]

That's a refurbished room. Have they also reno'd the bathroom? Last time I was there my bathtub had rust stains. LOL. And that classic "80s" brown marble type sinktop really didn't do anyone favours.

 

[Nigelinoz]

That's a refurbished room. Have they also reno'd the bathroom? Last time I was there my bathtub had rust stains. LOL. And that classic "80s" brown marble type sinktop really didn't do anyone favours.

Vanity remains but bath looks ok though.

Cheers
N'oz

 

[markis10]

I take it you have signed up for all the welcome back codes etc and jump start?:

from FT

Various points Codes and Promos that are being discussed but no dates
1098 - HOLIDAY NIGHTS PROMOTION
1310 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
1357 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
1414 - New Mover Bonus (whatever this is ... ???)
1712 - New member bonus
1848 - Next Stay 1500 Points
1871 – Elite Jump Start in 2011 (not confirmed !)
1935 – book online bonus points
2010 – book online bonus points
2012 - HOLIDAY INN CLUB BONUS
2101 - 1000 POINTS FOR NEXT STAY
2161 - IC 2010 Europe Spring Offer
2162 - RGSTR, STAY, GET 5K POINTS within next 90 days
2275 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
2698 – Welcome Back Bonus (1500 bonus points)
2345 – book online bonus points
2698 – 1500 bonus points for your next stay within in 90 days
2702 - 1000 bonus points for your next stay within 60 days
2703 - 1000 bonus points for your next stay within 60 days
2775 - 1000 bonus points for your next stay within 90 days
2884 – Elite Jump Start in 2011 (not confirmed !)
3010 - Book online 2000 points
3022 - Reward night / 10% rebate (only valid for PC Visa card holders)
3016 – PCR Visa book online bonus points
3028 – PCR Visaa book online bonus
3046 – 5k Point Platinum Bonus (After you reach platinum, 5000 bonus code)
3048 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
3195 – book online bonus points
3219 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
3782 - Stay a Friday AND Saturday or Saturday AND Sunday (2 night min) and receive 5,000 bonus points. Stay must be within 90 days of registering for promo
3890 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
4019 - Welcome back bonus points
4036 - E-statement opt in bonus
4081 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
4158 – book online 5000 bonus points
4323 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
4466 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
4804 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
5008 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus (1000 bonus points)
5013 - New Mover bonus
5267 - 30000 points or 10000 miles
5426 – book online bonus points
5711 - Anniversay offer
5712 – Anniversary Bonus
6173 – book online bonus points
6198 - Welcome back 1,500 points
6199 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6200 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6201 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6363 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6364 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus (1500 bonus points)
6365 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus (1500 bonus points)
6370 - 1,500 bonus points for your next stay within 90 days.
6376 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6395 - Stay 12, Get 25 GBP M+S Voucher
6676 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6680- Welcome back bonus points
6740 - Emirates book online bonus
6778 - 1,000 bonus points every stay next 60 days
6835 - Earn 1,500 bonus points for your next stay within 90 days
7004 - New Mover (sic !!) bonus
7019 – E-Mail Opt In 250 bonus points
7373 – book online bonus points
7807 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
7830 - WELCOME BACK BONUS
7885 - for a $25 reward certificate ($25 Reward Choice® Certificate that can be redeemed online at hundreds of national and regional merchants† for clothing, electronics, sports equipment, home accessories, travel and much more.) if you register and stay within 90 days.
8020 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus (1000 bonus points)
8390 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
8447 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
8803; 8804- triple points (old codes, not confirmed they are still working ?)
8805- 4000 bonus points
8853 - receive 1500 points for a stay within 90 days
8856 - Elite Jump Start 2011
9003 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
9079 - Elite Members Next Stay Bonus
9408 - Staybridge Suites BBQ Offer
9633 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
9663 - BIGGEST FREE NIGHT OFFER
9835 - PCR Bouns offer.
9998 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus


New Member Bonus / Next Stay Bonus
1310 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
1357 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
1414 - New Mover Bonus (whatever this is ... ???)
1712 - New member bonus
1848 - Next Stay 1500 Points
2275 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
2318 - Anniversay bonus points, no number of points mentioned
3046 – 5000 pts for next stay after you reach Platinum only
3048 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
3219 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
3311 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
3312 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
3890 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
4081 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
4323 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
4466 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
4804 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
5008 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus (1000 bonus points)
6199 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6200 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6201 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6363 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6364 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus (1500 bonus points)
6365 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus (1500 bonus points)
6376 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
6676 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
7807 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
8020 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus (1000 bonus points)
8390 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
8447 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
8853 - receive 1500 points for a stay within 90 days
9003 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
9633 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
9998 - New member bonus / Welcome back bonus
9079 - Elite Member Next Stay Bonus

Booking online Promotion
1935 – book online bonus points
1971 – book online bonus points
1997 - book online bonus points
2010 – book online bonus points
2345 – book online bonus points
3010 - Book online 2000 points
3016 – PCR Visa book online bonus
3028 – PCR Visa olnine bonus
3195 – book online bonus points
4158 – book online 5000 points


Welcome Back Bonus
2101 - 1,000 POINTS FOR NEXT STAY
2162 - RGSTR, STAY, GET 5K POINTS within next 90 days
2698 – Welcome Back Bonus (1500 bonus points)
2697 – 3000 bonus points for your next stay within in 90 days (Platinum)
2698 – 1500 bonus points for your next stay within in 90 days
2702 - 1000 bonus points for your next stay within 60 days
2703 - 1,000 bonus points for your next stay within 60 days
2775 - 1000 bonus points for your next stay within 90 days
3311 - Double points for 30 days
3782 - Stay a Friday AND Saturday or Saturday AND Sunday (2 night min) and receive 5,000 bonus points. Stay must be within 90 days of registering for promo
4019 - Welcome back points
4157 - Welcome back 1,500 points
5267 - 30000 points or 10000 miles
5711 - Anniversary Bonus offer
6198 - Welcome back 1,500 points
6370 - 1,500 bonus points for your next stay within 90 days.
6680- Elite Member Next Stay Bonus
6778 - 1,000 bonus points every stay next 60 days
6835 - Earn 1,500 bonus points for your next stay within 90 days
7830 - WELCOME BACK BONUS
8803; 8804- triple points (old codes, not confirmed they are still working ?)
8853 - receive 1500 points for a stay within 90 days
9945 - HI Double points activation. expired December 2010


Platinum Bonus Points and Elite Only (i.e. Elite Jump Start)
1871 – Elite Jump Start in 2011 (not confirmed !)
2884 – Elite Jump Start in 2011 (not confirmed !)
4038 – PC Bonus Offer seems not to work anymore
4310 - 5k Point Platinum Bonus (After you reach platinum, 5000 bonus code)
6186 - 5k Point Platinum Bonus (After you reach platinum, 5000 bonus code)
8856 - Elite Jump Start 2011


E-Mail Bonus
4036 - E-statement opt in bonus
5426 – book online bonus points
6173 – book online bonus points
7019 – E-Mail Opt In 250 bonus points
7373 – book online bonus points

Misc.
1098 - HOLIDAY NIGHTS PROMOTION
1767 - AMBASSADOR ACTIVATION HURDLE
2012 - HOLIDAY INN CLUB BONUS
3022 - Reward night / 10% rebate (only valid for PC Visa card holders)
5013 - New Mover Bonus
5712 – Anniversary Bonus
6395 - Stay 12, Get 25 GBP M+S Voucher
6740 - Emirates book online bonus
7004 - New mover (sicc !!) bonus
7885 - for a $25 reward certificate ($25 Reward Choice® Certificate that can be redeemed online at hundreds of national and regional merchants† for clothing, electronics, sports equipment, home accessories, travel and much more.) if you register and stay within 90 days.
8805- Whole World Half off Promotion
9663 - BIGGEST FREE NIGHT OFFER
9945 - HI Double points activation.
9835 - PCR Bouns offer.

Do you have a quiet afternoon planned LOL

 

[Nigelinoz]

Nah I had no idea about those promotions,have just signed up for the 7 night bonus.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[markis10]

Its not unknown for a haul of 50000 points to be had on your first stay using these codes, especially one which includes a weekend, thats 10 free nights in a hotel using points breaks, the list of properties for those gets updated next week!

 

[Nigelinoz]

Can you buy points in PC? I was thinking of buying the extra points needed to reach platinum level when I hit 30000,that's if it's possible.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[markis10]

Can you buy points in PC? I was thinking of buying the extra points needed to reach platinum level when I hit 30000,that's if it's possible.
Cheers
N'oz

Yes you can but they are not cheap.

 

[anat0l]

I take it you have signed up for all the welcome back codes etc and jump start?:

...

Do you have a quiet afternoon planned LOL

The worse part of this code list is that I can never remember which codes I entered.

I should be smart and keep a list which I cross out, but some codes are reused (either annually or existing code for a new bonus). Some codes disable other codes from being registered.

*sigh* The things we do to get more PC points!

Its not unknown for a haul of 50000 points to be had on your first stay using these codes, especially one which includes a weekend, thats 10 free nights in a hotel using points breaks, the list of properties for those gets updated next week!

They usually find weird places for Points Breaks. I thought actually they had abolished them.

It's only been the odd time that useful points breaks have popped up.

50,000 pts is still a lot, especially if you consider points+pay, which isn't a bad deal (when the US exchange rate is OK).

Can you buy points in PC? I was thinking of buying the extra points needed to reach platinum level when I hit 30000,that's if it's possible.
Cheers
N'oz

Yes you can but they are not cheap.

To buy up to Platinum is a considered decision, but at least not a vastly expensive one (which is commensurate to the benefits of Platinum, i.e. not as much as some of the other reward programs). It is expensive compared to getting PC on vanilla alone (because it's just too simple).

 

[markis10]

They usually find weird places for Points Breaks. I thought actually they had abolished them.

It's only been the odd time that useful points breaks have popped up.

50,000 pts is still a lot, especially if you consider points+pay, which isn't a bad deal (when the US exchange rate is OK).

Every hotel in Australia has been on the list in the past two years, although offerings have dried up since the HI Darwin came up in time for Ozfest.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Every hotel in Australia has been on the list in the past two years, although offerings have dried up since the HI Darwin came up in time for Ozfest.

Indeed. Hasn't been a decent Oceania list for quite some time.

Anyway, those refurbished rooms are quite nice, I'd happily stay in one. When I stayed there for 2 nights early last year for the A-League Grand Final (I'm no band wagoner, just a keen spectator ) I got one of the larger corner rooms (Gold at the time). Very big room but also very dated.

Mind you, I have 4 nights at the Stamford Plaza in Adelaide from Thursday. That should be quite a reality check on dated :shock:

If the air-con works I won't really care...

 

[QF WP]

HOW'S THIS FOR AN EXPENSIVE BOYS TOY?

This is one absolutely amazing remote controlled [RC] model airplane. Not only did they build its jet engines, but included a retractable landing gear, and built it into a fully scaled model of the SR-71 "Blackbird" that flies just like the real McCoy. This SR-71 model was built by an Engineer / RC enthusiast in Germany, and is certainly one awesome toy.

Click here to watch and listen to it soar. And the landing is amazing, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=SDbQ5xvsrIU

 

[PineappleSkip]

Stopped in a room just like N'Oz's pic last week. Still verrry cosy but the chaise longue was a nice touch. Will be tragic if its no longer a HI, we stay (stayed) there regularly.The freebie must vary with length of stay. I gt a stubby of Hahn Light and a packet of nibblies last time. We've had about a 40% strike rate for upgrades.

Indeed. Hasn't been a decent Oceania list for quite some time...

Spoilt for choice in POM! Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn, with the Pacific's first HI Express on the way.e-Travel Blackboard: Travel News Your Way skip