Accor Properties with Executive Lounges - where are they?

[Jstr]

Having recently made ALL Plat, I am eager to make use of all the benefits - which, to be frank, isn't much. Forget the early check-in and late check-out. They are just about NEVER available as all rooms are booked full. Forget the priority queue for check-in. It's just as long as the normal queue if not longer the few properties I've been to in Australia and Europe. The free Asia Pacific breakfast thing might be useful but most hotels would offer a breakfast bundle for early bookings.

So this leaves the Executive Lounge access benefit. I have looked at the ALL website. The list of hotels with Executive Lounges seem incomplete. There are definitely hotels I've been that has one but isn't listed on the ALL website.

I am also very surprised that even though Accor is French and has many many expensive properties in Paris, none appears on the list of hotels with an executive lounge.

Am I missing something? Is that a more complete list somewhere?

 

[jase05]

Don’t know if there is a more complete list. I know from experience that there is relatively few properties in Europe that have EL’s and yes that includes France.
Australia and Asia are your best bets if you want to enjoy a lounge. The ME also has plenty of options especially Dubai

 

[eric2011]

No, that list is complete in that these are the properties that will allow Plats into the executive lounge. It is up to the individual hotel if they will allow this perk. Its a free gimme, not as of right. The other hotels you will need to book an executive room. Its the same as the hotels that offer Plat's breakfast, not every hotel will do that either

 

[Jstr]

No, that list is complete in that these are the properties that will allow Plats into the executive lounge. It is up to the individual hotel if they will allow this perk. Its a free gimme, not as of right. The other hotels you will need to book an executive room. Its the same as the hotels that offer Plat's breakfast, not every hotel will do that either

Do you mean that list includes all the hotels that will certainly give Plats exec lounge access and the rest are on a hotel by hotel basis?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

In general, you're only going to find Executive Lounges at upper tier Accor properties. So if you are planning to stay at ibis or even ibis styles like yours truly that won't cut it. Pullmans and Sofitels generally will have some type of executive lounge. Fairmonts will have lounges too but there are some restrictions around that (i.e. Fairmont Gold lounges), Raffles, MGallery will have it too. Movenpick, Novotels and Mercures sometimes have executive lounges but that tends to be an exception rather than a rule. You can generally check with the hotel directly as to whether they have a lounge and what the lounge requirements are.

No, that list is complete in that these are the properties that will allow Plats into the executive lounge. It is up to the individual hotel if they will allow this perk. It's a free gimme, not as of right. The other hotels you will need to book an executive room. Its the same as the hotels that offer Plat's breakfast, not every hotel will do that either

The list isn't complete. I can say that from experience having stayed at the ibis Sydney Barangaroo. It's not listed as a hotel offering complimentary breakfast for Platinums but I still got complimentary breakfast. Definitely a case of having to check with the hotel prior to booking if you want to ensure you will get it (most Accor hotels list an email address on their website you can contact to raise such question).

Having recently made ALL Plat, I am eager to make use of all the benefits - which, to be frank, isn't much. Forget the early check-in and late check-out. They are just about NEVER available as all rooms are booked full.

Depends on region but it does make a difference. Specifically in Australia where there is a perversion towards setting the checkout time to 10 AM, a late check-out can mean the difference between having a normal checkout time (i.e. 12 AM) versus having to scramble back to your room after having breakfast to pack up and checkout. IME as a Platinum in Australia the latest I got was 1 PM at a couple of hotels (most recently the Novotel Sydney Airport). In Asia they tend to be very generous with this benefit. For instance, staying at the ibis Styles Seoul I was offered a 3 PM check out no questions asked. In Europe you are lucky to get it extended to noon. I can't comment on North America since so far as I can tell Accor doesn't have any properties in North America worth visiting.

The free Asia Pacific breakfast thing might be useful but most hotels would offer a breakfast bundle for early bookings.

Well that really depends on the rate you book. If you have Accor Plus which many of us have, then the red hot room rate often won't include breakfast by itself. And at upper scale hotels (i.e. Sofitel) there is no guarantee the cheapest available rate will include breakfast either.

So this leaves the Executive Lounge access benefit. I have looked at the ALL website.

Incorrect. There are also two suite night upgrade certificates you can use to upgrade that pedestrian superior room to a junior or executive suite. In my case having had 4 of those suckers (2 from last year and 2 earned from this year as Platinum) I used that to book 4 nights in a Junior Suite at the Sofitel Melbourne saving $1000 in the process:

I am also very surprised that even though Accor is French and has many many expensive properties in Paris, none appears on the list of hotels with an executive lounge.

Technically Accor is a Japanese company I'd argue. Yes people will point to it being HQ'd in Paris but when you actually look at the benefits being provided, and where the Accor hotels are located, most are in Asia Pacific. You get treated so much better as an Accor member here in Asia-Pacific than anywhere else in the world when it comes to things like elite benefits, rates (from Accor +) and the sheer option of hotels. Often times when I'm travelling in Australia the Accor hotels I choose from include luxury (i.e. Sofitel) all the way down to budget (ibis Budget). Contrast that with Hilton or Marriott it's all premium priced, a contrast from North America where there are many brands to serve many price points.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Jstr]

In general, you're only going to find Executive Lounges at upper tier Accor properties. So if you are planning to stay at ibis or even ibis styles like yours truly that won't cut it. Pullmans and Sofitels generally will have some type of executive lounge. Fairmonts will have lounges too but there are some restrictions around that (i.e. Fairmont Gold lounges), Raffles, MGallery will have it too. Movenpick, Novotels and Mercures sometimes have executive lounges but that tends to be an exception rather than a rule. You can generally check with the hotel directly as to whether they have a lounge and what the lounge requirements are.

The list isn't complete. I can say that from experience having stayed at the ibis Sydney Barangaroo. It's not listed as a hotel offering complimentary breakfast for Platinums but I still got complimentary breakfast. Definitely a case of having to check with the hotel prior to booking if you want to ensure you will get it (most Accor hotels list an email address on their website you can contact to raise such question).


Depends on region but it does make a difference. Specifically in Australia where there is a perversion towards setting the checkout time to 10 AM, a late check-out can mean the difference between having a normal checkout time (i.e. 12 AM) versus having to scramble back to your room after having breakfast to pack up and checkout. IME as a Platinum in Australia the latest I got was 1 PM at a couple of hotels (most recently the Novotel Sydney Airport). In Asia they tend to be very generous with this benefit. For instance, staying at the ibis Styles Seoul I was offered a 3 PM check out no questions asked. In Europe you are lucky to get it extended to noon. I can't comment on North America since so far as I can tell Accor doesn't have any properties in North America worth visiting.

Well that really depends on the rate you book. If you have Accor Plus which many of us have, then the red hot room rate often won't include breakfast by itself. And at upper scale hotels (i.e. Sofitel) there is no guarantee the cheapest available rate will include breakfast either.

Incorrect. There are also two suite night upgrade certificates you can use to upgrade that pedestrian superior room to a junior or executive suite. In my case having had 4 of those suckers (2 from last year and 2 earned from this year as Platinum) I used that to book 4 nights in a Junior Suite at the Sofitel Melbourne saving $1000 in the process:View attachment 353006


Technically Accor is a Japanese company I'd argue. Yes people will point to it being HQ'd in Paris but when you actually look at the benefits being provided, and where the Accor hotels are located, most are in Asia Pacific. You get treated so much better as an Accor member here in Asia-Pacific than anywhere else in the world when it comes to things like elite benefits, rates (from Accor +) and the sheer option of hotels. Often times when I'm travelling in Australia the Accor hotels I choose from include luxury (i.e. Sofitel) all the way down to budget (ibis Budget). Contrast that with Hilton or Marriott it's all premium priced, a contrast from North America where there are many brands to serve many price points.

-RooFlyer88

Thank you for the detailed reply.

I will just add that the list certainly isn't complete because Sofitel Fiji isn't listed. And that one has the Journal Lounge which is a sanctuary away from the beach/pool - yes, there can be too much beach/pool when on holiday

I just thought maybe we can start thread with the our collective knowledge of the "hidden" exec lounge that Accor doesn't properly advertise.

I will add that the "saving" of $1000 when using a suite upgrade is not really a saving. I will probably pay to upgrade to the suite if it was offered to me for $100 - so I would value that voucher at $100. But I take your point. And a freebie is a freebie.

 

[SeaWolf]

I know this is a bit of a vague question, but other than free food, what's the attraction of the lounge? I've got admit that even though I've had this benefit for a couple of years, I've barely used it. I tend to travel solo and since you can't bring a guest into the lounge I haven't seen much use for it other than as an alternative venue for breakfast.

I'm just wondering what most people see as the attraction/use case for the hotel lounges?

 

[jase05]

I know this is a bit of a vague question, but other than free food, what's the attraction of the lounge? I've got admit that even though I've had this benefit for a couple of years, I've barely used it. I tend to travel solo and since you can't bring a guest into the lounge I haven't seen much use for it other than as an alternative venue for breakfast.

I'm just wondering what most people see as the attraction/use case for the hotel lounges?

Some have decent bats and drinks available.
I might have a couple of glasses of wine and 4 or 5 beers or spirits whilst getting some work done.
I find breakfasts are much quieter in the lounge too

 

[eric2011]

I know this is a bit of a vague question, but other than free food, what's the attraction of the lounge? I've got admit that even though I've had this benefit for a couple of years, I've barely used it. I tend to travel solo and since you can't bring a guest into the lounge I haven't seen much use for it other than as an alternative venue for breakfast.

I'm just wondering what most people see as the attraction/use case for the hotel lounges?

The benefits include some evening canapes, alcoholic beverages, a quiet place to sit during the day (some properties). Breakfast etc. As for guests, if your room is booked for 2 and you are traveling as a single then you can take in a second person.
I, for 1 dont want everyone able to bring countless guests as this will then turn it into what we have in th Qantas pubs

 

[oz_mark]

I, for 1 dont want everyone able to bring countless guests as this will then turn it into what we have in th Qantas pubs

Which is why I find, for example, IHG lounges more of a peaceful haven than say Hilton lounges....

 

[bullerdude]

I know this is a bit of a vague question, but other than free food, what's the attraction of the lounge? I've got admit that even though I've had this benefit for a couple of years, I've barely used it. I tend to travel solo and since you can't bring a guest into the lounge I haven't seen much use for it other than as an alternative venue for breakfast.

I'm just wondering what most people see as the attraction/use case for the hotel lounges?

Depends on the lounge and the type of travel. Solo work travel they are a great place to get some work done while getting some included food and drinks. For travelling with Family they are a great way to have some evening drinks with my wife and keep the kids contained with some food and thus saving money for other activities. Some lounges, like the Sofitel Melbourne, have better views than the Hotel bar and are a really nice place to relax!