Where to go at Easter - platinum member

[Rocks]

We are thinking of a mini break at Easter for 10 days or so.

I am a platinum member with a tonne of points to use up, and also two suite night upgrades, but really not sure where to go. I like the Accor hotels that offer an exec lounge with evening drinks, free breakfast, and good with upgrades is also preferable.

My criteria I am using to search is;

- no more than ssy 8hr flights
- a city with good food
- a city with things to see and do
- dont want to spend a tonne on airfares but I know easter means i will pay extra

I would love for you to throw your ideas at me

As an aside I am also platinum with IHG so open to those options also

Edited to add - flying out of Sydney

 

[DC3]

We are thinking of a mini break at Easter for 10 days or so.

I am a platinum member with a tonne of points to use up, and also two suite night upgrades, but really not sure where to go. I like the Accor hotels that offer an exec lounge with evening drinks, free breakfast, and good with upgrades is also preferable.

My criteria I am using to search is;

- no more than ssy 8hr flights
- a city with good food
- a city with things to see and do
- dont want to spend a tonne on airfares but I know easter means i will pay extra

I would love for you to throw your ideas at me

As an aside I am also platinum with IHG so open to those options also

Are you based in Oz? Would you know which airport that you will be flying out from? Do you have status with Hilton?

 

[Rocks]

Are you based in Oz? Would you know which airport that you will be flying out from? Do you have status with hotels other than Accor (e.g., Hilton)

Doh! Yes, flying out of Sydney airport

Only IHG (and i didnt raise a thread there because they havent impressed me once since i achieved status with them)

 

[Quickstatus]

Go to Japan for the spring cherry blossoms if you can make it early april

 

[DC3]

Doh! Yes, flying out of Sydney airport

Only IHG (and i didnt raise a thread there because they havent impressed me once since i achieved status with them)

I only asked about Hilton as I gather that you were interested in the thread How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

 

[Rocks]

Go to Japan for the spring cherry blossoms if you can make it early april

This is an option but room pricing seems crazy. I will digh deeper

Post automatically merged: Jan 24, 2025

I only asked about Hilton as I gather that you were interested in the thread How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

I have no idea how you knew that LOL

I was looking at whether I try for Hilton this year over IHG

 

[goldenhorn]

What about Vietnam? They have a lot of great Accor properties and I have read they really take care of their Platinum members.

I’m heading to Vietnam end of March for a couple of weeks for the first time - most of the time in Danang with HCMC and Hanoi on either end. I’ve only booked Accor properties with lounge access at all hotels (except 4 nights at Pullman Danang, which doesn’t have a lounge).

 

[Rocks]

What about Vietnam? They have a lot of great Accor properties and I have read they really take care of their Platinum members.

I’m heading to Vietnam end of March for a couple of weeks for the first time - most of the time in Danang with HCMC and Hanoi on either end. I’ve only booked Accor properties with lounge access at all hotels (except 4 nights at Pullman Danang, which doesn’t have a lounge).

What hotels have you booked?I have been to Vietnam in the past and Hanoi was my fave spot

 

[goldenhorn]

What hotels have you booked?I have been to Vietnam in the past and Hanoi was my fave spot

Saigon Sofitel (highly rated)
Grand Mercure Danang
Pullman Danang
Grand Mercure Hanoi (this has rave reviews)

 

[Rocks]

Saigon Sofitel (highly rated)
Grand Mercure Danang
Pullman Danang
Grand Mercure Hanoi (this has rave reviews)

We stayed at the Sofitel and it is inredile. A line of about20 maybachs outside when we stayed. We did a birthday dinner there and it was lovely

I will go look these up as maybe we will go back. I don't fancy Bali so thinking Vietnam, Thailand or Singapore are probably my best bets

 

[sudoer]

Go to Japan for the spring cherry blossoms if you can make it early april

I think they want to maximise the consecutive public holiday weekends at Easter & Anzac Day.

Also, the decent Accor hotels in Japan (i.e. with lounges) will be bonkers expensive in late March/early April

I agree with those suggesting Vietnam, I'd also throw Singapore into the mix but 10 days there is too much. Thailand is also a good option. You could easily fit two countries into 10 days, transit in Singapore or Bangkok!

 

[SnowGoose]

Have you considered Cambodia? Two beautiful Raffles properties, one in Phnom Penh and the other in Siem Reap. I see both have stay 3 pay 2 night offers in April and you can pay in reward points. You will be very well looked after as Plat too.

Stayed at both earlier this year and the hospitality was second to none, not to mention both properties are absolutely gorgeous. Flights are cheap too.

 

[Chesty]

Singapore would fit the criteria. Fairmont Singapore would be my pick.

 

[downgraded]

A line of about20 maybachs outside

So you were in one?

 

[bits]

We are thinking of a mini break at Easter for 10 days or so.

I am a platinum member with a tonne of points to use up, and also two suite night upgrades, but really not sure where to go. I like the Accor hotels that offer an exec lounge with evening drinks, free breakfast, and good with upgrades is also preferable.

My criteria I am using to search is;

- no more than ssy 8hr flights
- a city with good food
- a city with things to see and do
- dont want to spend a tonne on airfares but I know easter means i will pay extra

I would love for you to throw your ideas at me

As an aside I am also platinum with IHG so open to those options also

Edited to add - flying out of Sydney

Out of interest I entered your criteria into CoPilot and the following output is provided:

"Suggest five trip destinations around easter time with the following criteria:
- prefer flights under 8 hours, departing from Sydney
- destination should be a city with good food
- destination should be a city with things to see and do
- destination city should have Accor hotels that have executive lounges
- airfare cost should be affordable/cheap"

Here are five trip destinations that meet your criteria:

### 1. **Queenstown, New Zealand**
- **Flight Duration**: Approximately 3 hours from Sydney.
- **Food**: Known for its excellent dining scene, including local wines and fresh seafood.
- **Things to See and Do**: Adventure activities like bungee jumping, jet boating, and hiking.
- **Accor Hotels with Executive Lounges**: Pullman Queenstown.
- **Airfare Cost**: Around AUD 300 - 500 (prices may vary).

### 2. **Auckland, New Zealand**
- **Flight Duration**: Approximately 3 hours from Sydney.
- **Food**: Offers a diverse culinary scene with a mix of local and international cuisines.
- **Things to See and Do**: Visit the Sky Tower, Waiheke Island, and Hobbiton movie set.
- **Accor Hotels with Executive Lounges**: Novotel Auckland Airport.
- **Airfare Cost**: Around AUD 350 - 600.

### 3. **Port Vila, Vanuatu**
- **Flight Duration**: Less than 8 hours from Sydney.
- **Food**: Fresh seafood and local dishes.
- **Things to See and Do**: Explore beaches, Blue Lagoon, and snorkeling spots.
- **Accor Hotels with Executive Lounges**: Pullman Vanuatu Sarafu.
- **Airfare Cost**: Around AUD 400 - 700.

### 4. **Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia**
- **Flight Duration**: Less than 8 hours from Sydney.
- **Food**: Rich in Indonesian cuisine, including street food and fine dining.
- **Things to See and Do**: Visit temples, cultural sites, and beaches.
- **Accor Hotels with Executive Lounges**: Novotel Bali Denpasar.
- **Airfare Cost**: Around AUD 350 - 650.

### 5. **Singapore**
- **Flight Duration**: Approximately 7 hours from Sydney.
- **Food**: Renowned for its diverse food scene, including hawker centers and fine dining.
- **Things to See and Do**: Explore Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, and cultural districts.
- **Accor Hotels with Executive Lounges**: Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay.
- **Airfare Cost**: Around AUD 500 - 800.

 

[jase05]

Don’t know where to start with that but here goes.
- Queenstown doesn’t have a Pullman. Sofitel is the only Accor property in town with a EL.
- Auckland has a few properties with a EL
- No Accor properties in Vanuatu.
- Several properties in Bali, Sofitel has the best EL
- Novotel Clarke Quay closed permanently at least 5 years ago but plenty of Accor properties with EL’s in Singapore

 

[bits]

Don’t know where to start with that but here goes.
- Queenstown doesn’t have a Pullman. Sofitel is the only Accor property in town with a EL.
- Auckland has a few properties with a EL
- No Accor properties in Vanuatu.
- Several properties in Bali, Sofitel has the best EL
- Novotel Clarke Quay closed permanently at least 5 years ago but plenty of Accor properties with EL’s in Singapore

Which is why you never blindly believe AI output, but it gives you a starting point

 

[Rocks]

Thank you!!! This is all very helpful

Still looking but have some great options to look at and some of the hotels are still offering half decent rates

 

[offshore171]

Seoul has some good options

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul
The Ambassador Seoul

​