Ambassador room upgrade Melbourne Rialto

[workingman]

Hi

I recently booked a weekend at IC Melbourne Rialto. It was my Ambassador Weekend Night and I booked a King Junior Suite. I was not sure if the upgrades applied on an Ambassador Weekend stay, but on check-in I was told I had been upgraded to a Club Room. The room was a standard King Size room, not a suite. I did not query this on the check-in night as we were so tired, which was probably the mistake. When I checked with reception on the next day I was told that a King Club is considered an upgrade to the a King Junior Suite, as it has access to the club room. I was offered a move to a normal King Junior Suite, but by then could not be bothered to pack and unpack again, so my fault for not raising this at check-in time.

I book a Junior Suite as I am travelling with my wife and the extra seating in Suite certainly makes the stay more enjoyable. So lesson learnt there.

 

[markis10]

Have you actually stayed in the Suite mentioned?

 

[workingman]

Not in Melbourne, but in Wellington and Manila. I know they are not huge suites, but they do at least normally have 2 reading seats or a sofa. Makes watching the TV/DVD or reading a book more comfortable than one of you sitting on the bed. In Manila I normally get upgraded to an Executive Suite which has the separate living room, but I have never done that for an Ambassador Weekend night.

 

[markis10]

Not in Melbourne, but in Wellington and Manila. I know they are not huge suites, but they do at least normally have 2 reading seats or a sofa. Makes watching the TV/DVD or reading a book more comfortable than one of you sitting on the bed. In Manila I normally get upgraded to an Executive Suite which has the separate living room, but I have never done that for an Ambassador Weekend night.

I think you will find its not a suite at all, but rather the old Premium rooms renamed, check it out next time you go, its also why it feels you didnt get an upgrade, when in reality the executive is the first real suite they have.

 

[workingman]

Thanks for that. This is the description for the King Junior SUite. "1 KING JUNIOR SUITE RELAX IN A 52SQM SPACIOUS SUITE WITH COMBINED SLEEPING AND LOUNGE AREAS. ENJOY COMPLIMENTARY NESPRESSO COFFEE THEN GO TO WORK WITH HIGH SPEED INTERNET AT A CHARGE. INDULGE YOUSELF WITH EXCLUSIVE AGRARIA BATH AND A SEPARATE BATH AND RAIN SHOWER:" The room we got was certainly smaller than this.

I will check as I am back there towards the end of Sept.

 

[markis10]

You cannot compare rooms descriptions at different hotels, this post on Flyer talk was the first heads up we got of Managements new way of reducing costs:

IC Melbourne The Rialto Master Thread [merged] - Page 13 - FlyerTalk Forums

Cannot say I have ever stayed in a suite of 52sqm

 

[workingman]

That description is taken from the Melbourne Rialto page under the description for the room type of King Junior Suite. Interesting thread to read about the recent changes.

 

[markis10]

That description is taken from the Melbourne Rialto page under the description for the room type of King Junior Suite. Interesting thread to read about the recent changes.

I understand, point being it did not exist until the hotel decided to name it as such, I dont consider it a suite, and now stay at the HI down the road saving money and getting a suite.

 

[Austman]

Too late for you now. But when these sorts of things happen to me and I'm offered a room move, I ask to see the new room first. And in your case you might have accepted the originally booked room, but with Club access as the upgrade. It's also best to sort out these things out sooner than later - meaning before unpacking.

 

[jetlagger]

Too late for you now. But when these sorts of things happen to me and I'm offered a room move, I ask to see the new room first. And in your case you might have accepted the originally booked room, but with Club access as the upgrade. It's also best to sort out these things out sooner than later - meaning before unpacking.

How very apt that you should mention that.. The IC in Cancun recently was trying to do a similar 'trade off" when I politely, then firmly asked to view the room, as much as the trainee tried to 'assure" me that it's a lovely room, I also reassured them that there are better options available to loyal clientele.. Finally resolved after negotiation.
MEL IC is also rarely transparent with options.

 

[workingman]

Austman,

i agree totally. In over 20 years of staying at IC this is the first room upgrade I have not appreciated, even with the Club access. The duty manager was very helpful when I spoke to him. Offered help with the move to another room, but we decided against that. He did send a bottle of wine to the room, which was appreciated as a gesture.

 

[SandyS]

Glad I came across this thread as I’ve got 2 bookings at the IC Melbourne for laterthis year and noticed they’d changed their room descriptions. At least now I’ll know what to expect as theJunior Suite doesn’t sound too great.

When I stayed at the IC Melbourne for the first time early last year, I didn’t get any upgrade and was told that Ambassadors only get an upgrade when there is oneavailable. So this time I emailed aheadof my stays and my first booking has already been upgraded to a Senior Suite onthe reservation. My second booking hasn’t.

The reply to my query on this was that they don’t change the original reservation but I’ll get an upgrade to a Junior Suite when I get there! (I am using a PPBOGO for my second visit and it seems that King Club is the best level room you can book with this voucher).

(apologies - I seem to have messed up the font on that reply)

 

[Rick93]

I've made a PP BOGO booking for four nights in October ( two vouchers ).

Booking been in their system for a month now, and not upgraded ( Modified ) as far as I see.

I've noted some remarks about rooms etc.

As just a Plat. AMB in October, should I ask for a definite decision on an upgrade, and see what happens ( plenty of time til October ) ...

or just cancel, and re-book for CP or HI ( yes, both seem better value, at either less cost, or for same price as IC, larger room types ).

We will be wanting a good breakfast each morning ( conference going ), and won't be wanting Club, as not there during the day, and catered Conference activities each night.

Considerations:
Plat. AMB at IC - upgrade ? AMB gift ? Comp. movie & Late check out to 4pm.
Plat. at CP & HI - upgrade ? Less cost / same cost = larger room type. Possible late check out ( ? 1pm )

Use of PP discount dining card at all three.

So, any advice ?? ( thanks ... )

 

[SandyS]

In my opinion, the breakfast at Rialto is fine but pretty standard hotel breakfast.

Your Ambassador gift will be a voucher for one glass of "wine of the month" at the bar downstairs. If this helps with your decision.

 

[markis10]

I've made a PP BOGO booking for four nights in October ( two vouchers ).

Booking been in their system for a month now, and not upgraded ( Modified ) as far as I see.

I've noted some remarks about rooms etc.

As just a Plat. AMB in October, should I ask for a definite decision on an upgrade, and see what happens ( plenty of time til October ) ...

or just cancel, and re-book for CP or HI ( yes, both seem better value, at either less cost, or for same price as IC, larger room types ).

We will be wanting a good breakfast each morning ( conference going ), and won't be wanting Club, as not there during the day, and catered Conference activities each night.

Considerations:
Plat. AMB at IC - upgrade ? AMB gift ? Comp. movie & Late check out to 4pm.
Plat. at CP & HI - upgrade ? Less cost / same cost = larger room type. Possible late check out ( ? 1pm )

Use of PP discount dining card at all three.

So, any advice ?? ( thanks ... )

Pretty hard to beat the HI, usually you get the corner suite and the restaurant has always been good value. I don't like the CP.

 

[Vim Fuego]

Pretty hard to beat the HI, usually you get the corner suite and the restaurant has always been good value. I don't like the CP.

+ 1 on that, have always been treated much better at the HI than the Intercontinental

 

[Rick93]

Thanks for those impressions ...

Seems like, you need to be RA to get any real value from the IC.

Will strongly consider re-booking to HI.

Can somebody say, what room you need to book ( as a Plat. AMB ) to get the upgrade to "a corner suite" ? ( thanks ... )

 

[doczim]

I am staying in a senior suite later this month. I am not Amb, just Plat elite. one of the benefits says upgrade on availability. Does this benefit really get applied when available or more of a "looks good on the brochure" type thing?

I saw a page which says I could get Amb for $200 USD. Not sure what suite you get guarantee upgrade to from the Senior suite, but wonder if its a reasonable cost to do so if it goes to a much better suite (Iconic for eg)?

 

[doczim]

I ended up purchasing the Ambassador membership. I'll let you all know how the upgrade and benefits go.

edit : woohoo 100th post!

 

[doczim]

staying at Melbourne IC Rialto soon as AMB. When I called they said I would be upgraded to a Signature suite but could not tell me which one. The Rialto website says they have Signature Courtyard Suite, Signature Turret Suite, Signature Premium Suite. Anyone have any preference ? The courtyard seems to be smaller, but then has a courtyard. think i'd prefer just a larger one not so fussed on courtyard. those who have stayed let me know what you think please.