Changes to Australian hotels

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ronone69

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Has anyone else noticed the changes in hotel management over the past few months ?

The Sheraton in Brisbane has become a Sofitel (Sofitel = sh.. hotel). This used to be a great hotel - it is not any more. I am told the Marriott in Brisbane is good. The Novotel in Brisbane certainly is not very good.

The Sheraton in Melb has become a Langham.

The Burswood in Perth as become and Intercontinental

It would appear the Accor (Accor = VERY POOR) hotel group are buying up hotel rights all over AUS so they can add to their Novotels (Novotel = Overpriced cough hotel) and Mecure & Ibis (Mecure & Ibis = so poor not even with a description) hotels

Any others ?

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
 
I think the Burswood got changed to an Intercontinental more than a few months ago.

Accor renamed a bunch of Mecure Inns to All Seasons recently.
 
I stayed at the Sofitel Brisbane last Thursday night.

I stayed there very frequently under Sheraton Brisbane (SPG Plat) and there was no real difference between the two brands.

Most of the staff were the same and continued to recognise me, rooms the same, amenities same.

They have the Sheraton booking history and put me into a corner suite and welcomed me for my first stay with them but also regular visitor.

I've not stayed in any of the holets in Accor's chain before, so I only have this experiance to go by. But between Sheraton and Sofitel with regard to Brisbane, I can't see much difference. Still it is only 3 months into the takeover - perhaps this may all change!

Cheers
 
My vote for BNE hotels is either the Stamford or the Conrad, all depending on which end of the city you want to be.

At the Conrad, go for a deluxe room and request one on the 4th floor with the terrace.
 
In Brisbane I use the Hilton, but maybe that is because I get lounge access and regularly upgraded to exec floor and even a suite upgrade every now and then. They look after their HH Diamond members pretty well. And its about as central as it gets, with access right onto the mall.
 
I am going to miss the royal suite now that Sheraton have gone, looks like it is back to Quay West to play spot the cricketer!
 
My experiene has been that most of the hotel stock is getting older and changing management, mostly for the worse. I haven't liked the Sheraton Brisbane for a while, since the last lot of renovations, it has felt more like a motel than a Sheraton to me (and I have Starwood Platinum status).

Hyatt seemed to change Asia Pacific management about 18 months ago and the consequence was loss of perks for Diamonds, so I haven't been staying with them any more. They are right onto the growing trend of pay less than a certain rate and you get nothing regardless of status.

I'm an Intercon fan, and whilst Burswood is out of town a bit, and I don't need to be near a casino, I'm going to try them in a few weeks.

In Melb. I have recently been staying at the Ascott (Somerset) apartments in Elizabeth Street. Not a Westin or Hyatt but central and good value for the money.
 
I think you will like Burswood, stayed there twice last year and enjoyed the experience, very comfortable rooms and the restaurant meal options are good. Used to stay at Scarborough in some apratments that were part of accor (next to Obs city) but they are long stay now and I miss them.
 
Thanks! I recall the Chinese restaurant there being very good, but that was a while ago! I am looking forward to the stay, and like you, being a Plat/Ambassador helps!
 
NM said:
In Brisbane I use the Hilton, but maybe that is because I get lounge access and regularly upgraded to exec floor and even a suite upgrade every now and then. They look after their HH Diamond members pretty well. And its about as central as it gets, with access right onto the mall.
Same here NM.Used to belong to Spg and rarely upgrade.Swapped to hilton and an upgrade every time.Now have acheived diamond and the odd suite appearing.Lounge is good as well.
 
Changes to Sheratons

Have stayed at the Sofitel Brisbane and Langham Auckland (both former Sheratons) in the last month.

Didn't notice much had changed with either.
The Langham Auckland still leave chocolates on your pillow every night (which my waist line doesn't need) and turn the TV on for you (which I can't say is that environmentally friendly) but their cleaners are not that keen - they might change the towels but they didn't tidy the room at all.

I have stayed at the New Otani in Tokyo and the Peninsula in Manila in recent months. At both I noticed just how tidy the rooms were after the cleaners had been through. It was a pleasure to come back to the room.
Certainly don't see that in most Australian hotels.
 
I use the New Otani in Tokyo...good value and location for my work. Getting a bit tired though, but have been generally good to me. I am also a memeber of their New Otani Club (NOC)...no upgrades but free continental brekky.
 
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One place that has certainly gone downhill since Accor took over is the old Sydney Airport Hilton (now Mercure).

My wife stayed there recently and had a running waterfall in her room (presumably from the room above),

Stay there at your peril.

:(
 
I'm using the Rydges Jamison in Sydney. 7 weeks so far and probably 6 more to go.

For the corporate rate I pay ($170 per night) I have requested a twin share room near the top (out of 33 floors).

I ask for the twin share are the single deluxe king gets a smaller room. The twin share is much larger and the hotel is very near my client.

I get 3 points per dollar spent in the Hotel and since I get double points on my Diners I get 5 points per dollar spent all up.

The TV could be a bit larger but in the two hotels I've stayed at before this one (Shangri-La-Sydney and arrrggghhh, some resort in the Gold Coast but i forgot name) they did not have working RCA TV-in ports and since I have all my TV and movies stored on my portable DIVX media drive, it is a very good thing. :)

Regards
Daniel
 
danielh said:
I'm using the Rydges Jamison in Sydney. 7 weeks so far and probably 6 more to go.

There is no way I could spend 13 weeks in a hotel regardless of points earned. You've got good "staying" power Daniel, pardon the pun.
 
It can get hard sometimes but I like the work so far so that takes the edge off.

At least I get to fly back each weekend.

Regards
Daniel
 
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