How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[Mort]

Property: Novotel Darling Harbour
Status: Accor+ Platinum
Room booked: Superior Twin Room
Room upgraded/type: No (asked on check-in told no, booked out for conference) did get high floor away from lifts though.
Rate: 20% Off in app sale
Free internet: Yes
Free breakfast. Yes x 4 buffet in the Ternary
Early check in/late out: not required
Welcome drink: via app x 4 anything on happy hour menu
Welcome gift: Ate Shiraz (again) bottle of water handed over in a bag at checkin (no welcome note)
Recommended: If the location suits and the price is right some nights it’s priced similarly to the Sofitel.

Been almost 30years since my last stay here, seems less glamorous
Staying close to star for MJ musical, easy location, for for and entertainment.
Small dated rooms, but did not stay in them for anything but sleep, Shubs in bathrooms for those that care. Breakfast buffet ok, fairly standard.
I probably would not stay here again personally, I think there are better options in the price range.

 

[ellen10]

Interesting @Mort . We are staying there (Novotel Darling Harbour), this week for two nights.
I have always been treated well at this hotel and have always gotten nice upgrades. I am Accor Gold.

I Chose this hotel over the Sofitel, similar rates. But previously Sofitel upgrades were hit and miss.

I will report back.

 

[engbren]

Property: Ibis Melbourne Central
Status: Accor+ Gold
Room booked: Standard Room
Room upgraded: Yes - upgraded to largest room in category
Rate: ~$150 per night
Free internet: Yes
Free breakfast. Not applicable to gold. Breakfast was pre-paid by corporate travel arranger.
Early check in/late out: not required
Welcome drink: Yes
Welcome gift: Ibis branded Chocolate Bar and Bottle of Water

Overall a pleasant stay once again. Rooms are compact but clean, modern and functional. Hotel is in a great location by Hardware Lane. As this is a shared site with Novotel Melbourne Central, breakfast is a highlight! The onsite restaurant Pretty Boy also accepts A+ dining discounts and has regular specials (no further discount). Over many visits to this hotel, I have found them to be quite good for their steaks, pasta dishes and their Tiramisu.

 

[Daver6]

What's the consensus for Canberra these days. Always used the Novotel but it's kinda crummy.

Other central options seem to be Sebel Civic or Mantra on Northbourne. Peppers is an option but I saw someone (@sudoer I think?) mentioned rooms could be a bit noisy?

 

[Assassin]

What's the consensus for Canberra these days. Always used the Novotel but it's kinda crummy.

Other central options seem to be Sebel Civic or Mantra on Northbourne. Peppers is an option but I saw someone (@sudoer I think?) mentioned rooms could be a bit noisy?

I’ve stayed at the Novotel, Sebel, Mantra and Peppers.

I think Peppers is best for me although I would usually just pick the cheapest. Novotel is pretty worn and the lobby of the Sebel is quite grim with the restaurant closed when I was last there. The rooms are pretty fresh and there are good views.

The Mantra is not as well located as the others.

I haven’t had an issue with noisy rooms at Peppers and the restaurant/bar are the best of them.

 

[Daver6]

I’ve stayed at the Novotel, Sebel, Mantra and Peppers.

I think Peppers is best for me although I would usually just pick the cheapest. Novotel is pretty worn and the lobby of the Sebel is quite grim with the restaurant closed when I was last there. The rooms are pretty fresh and there are good views.

The Mantra is not as well located as the others.

I haven’t had an issue with noisy rooms at Peppers and the restaurant/bar are the best of them.

From what aspect do you feel the Mantra location is the worst? Proximity to the lake or something else?

 

[Assassin]

From what aspect do you feel the Mantra location is the worst? Proximity to the lake or something else?

My kids are at ANU so for me it’s proximity to the uni and the city

 

[sudoer]

What's the consensus for Canberra these days. Always used the Novotel but it's kinda crummy.

Other central options seem to be Sebel Civic or Mantra on Northbourne. Peppers is an option but I saw someone (@sudoer I think?) mentioned rooms could be a bit noisy?

Peppers has reasonably noisy floorboards in the hallways and not the best sound insulation in the rooms. The rooms are otherwise good and I'd highly recommend contacting the hotel ahead of the stay asking for a room as far away from the elevator as possible. Alternatively, book a room with a bath as I think these are all at the far end of the hallway. Peppers has the best breakfast of Accor properties in CBR IMO.

Sebel has very modern and practical rooms, and I've never had noise issues there. But like @Assassin says the restaurant (formerly OPL) is closed. Last I stayed (2024) elite breakfast benefit was a voucher to Corner Drinks which had a very basic made-to-order menu that was quite lacklustre, and didn't have anything remotely healthy.



I haven't stayed at Mantra on Northbourne for a few years so I can't remember exactly how it was.

 

[Daver6]

Peppers has reasonably noisy floorboards in the hallways and not the best sound insulation in the rooms. The rooms are otherwise good and I'd highly recommend contacting the hotel ahead of the stay asking for a room as far away from the elevator as possible. Alternatively, book a room with a bath as I think these are all at the far end of the hallway. Peppers has the best breakfast of Accor properties in CBR IMO.

Sebel has very modern and practical rooms, and I've never had noise issues there. But like @Assassin says the restaurant (formerly OPL) is closed. Last I stayed (2024) elite breakfast benefit was a voucher to Corner Drinks which had a very basic made-to-order menu that was quite lacklustre, and didn't have anything remotely healthy.

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I haven't stayed at Mantra on Northbourne for a few years so I can't remember exactly how it was.

Breakfast still looks like a step up from the abysmal buffer at the Novotel

 

[SeaWolf]

I've found the Sebel Civic to be fine, though it's serviced apartments rather than a hotel. So no restaurant but much larger rooms, a kitchenette in the room and it's in a great location. Reception does close at 10pm though, so if you need to check in late you have to call security and access a keybox, which can be a pain. Also, the WiFi is slow.

I've stayed at Peppers Canberra a few times as well. It's nice and has a decent restaurant and the rooms are all renovated, though you can still tell it's an older building. It is in a bit of an awkward spot though, in New Acton and with the current construction works for the light rail it can be a little tricky walking in the city centre proper.

 

[Assassin]

Breakfast still looks like a step up from the abysmal buffer at the Novotel

It certainly is…

 

[Aeryn]

Ive never had noise issue at Peppers, but rooms can be dark and not great for doing work. TBH even though i get no benefits I find the QT more comfortable and in the same area,

 

[Assassin]

Ive never had noise issue at Peppers, but rooms can be dark and not great for doing work. TBH even though i get no benefits I find the QT more comfortable and in the same area,

Once you step outside Accor a lot of better options open up. I think Accor is missing a 5* offering in Canberra.

 

[Daver6]

Ive never had noise issue at Peppers, but rooms can be dark and not great for doing work. TBH even though i get no benefits I find the QT more comfortable and in the same area,

Agree about the area having stayed at the QT and previously Ovolo Nishi. QT I found really old and average and Ovolo too out of the way and dark.

Think I'll try to Sebel and report back.

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 12:08 PM

Once you step outside Accor a lot of better options open up. I think Accor is missing a 5* offering in Canberra.

I think you could say Canberra is missing 5* offerings in general

 

[jase05]

For work I always stay at the Mercure Belconnen but helps that I have a car as it is obviously out of of the city. Always have good stays there and find the rooms are a lot nicer than other Accor properties in town. It’s part of the Labor club so shares the restaurant facilities and breakfasts are generally pretty decent. Had dinner there plenty of times and it’s good pub grub at a good price

 

[Assassin]

Agree about the area having stayed at the QT and previously Ovolo Nishi. QT I found really old and average and Ovolo too out of the way and dark.

Think I'll try to Sebel and report back.

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 12:08 PM

I think you could say Canberra is missing 5* offerings in general

Hyatt and Midnight are both decent. Ovolo is not what it was when it first opened. I think Realm is being refurbed, but yes a bit thin on the ground…

 

[Townsend]

What's the consensus for Canberra these days. Always used the Novotel but it's kinda crummy.

Other central options seem to be Sebel Civic or Mantra on Northbourne. Peppers is an option but I saw someone (@sudoer I think?) mentioned rooms could be a bit noisy?

If you have a car and do not mind Belconnen the Mercure is pretty good. It is my choice of Accor hotels in Canberra but it is a shame that there is not a Pullman or Sofitel.

 

[Daver6]

Hyatt and Midnight are both decent. Ovolo is not what it was when it first opened. I think Realm is being refurbed, but yes a bit thin on the ground…

Hyatt location is a little out of the way but I do like the hotel. No where to eat within a short walk is what puts me off. Realm rooms are nice, but I found the hotel very sterile. Also lots of street noise. That was about 7 years ago though..

 

[Assassin]

Hyatt location is a little out of the way but I do like the hotel. No where to eat within a short walk is what puts me off. Realm rooms are nice, but I found the hotel very sterile. Also lots of street noise. That was about 7 years ago though..

Agreed. I do like the Midnight. Rooms are v dark and it feels a bit cheaply built but it’s nicely fitted out, has a decent restaurant and bar and is right by Lonsdale Street and all the restaurants and bars around there.

 

[Daver6]

Agreed. I do like the Midnight. Rooms are v dark and it feels a bit cheaply built but it’s nicely fitted out, has a decent restaurant and bar and is right by Lonsdale Street and all the restaurants and bars around there.

At least you can't claim false advertising. Room brightness matches the name