Two stays in last month
Property: Sofitel on Collins, Melbourne
Status: Platinum
Room booked: Prestige Suite
Room upgraded/type: Yes - Imperial Suite - I have stayed here for the past 10 years and this is the only time I have been upgraded ever! I always booked a Prestige Suite and I know that all the Opera Suite was out of bounce for upgrades, but they might have changed that with ALL? The suite was over the top and unfortunately I travelled on my own to really fully enjoyed the Suite.
Rate: Members fully flexible Rate
Free internet: Yes - but didn't work and I was given the staff access
Welcome drink: Yes - 2 drink vouchers and bottled water through the stay
Early check in/late out: Did not use
VIP treatment: Not in the Club - but definitely at the bar. Can't beat the Imperial Suite upgrade. Which was contrast by a small packet of biscuits and a card. No fruits in the room.
Access to executive lounge (if existing): Yes, but my booking also include Club Access
Additional care: Been looked after by the bar manager very well, but I am a frequent guests there
General comments: Impressive upgrade - but the staff in the Club definitely lackluster. Bar staff however was absolutely amazing with very personalised service and recognised me as a frequent guests. Food however was generally subpar compare to all other property I stayed at this year.
Property: Sofitel Darling Harbour Sydney
Status: Platinum
Room booked: Junior Suite x 4 nights, and another 2 rooms for my associates - flexible rate
Room upgraded/type: No
Rate: Fully flexible rate
Free internet: Yes - Free premium internet
Welcome drink: Yes - and as a Platinum I was given a special drink Voucher - that has an imprint of Sofitel Darling Harbour. I was told at check in that I can have a champagne at the Champagne Bar - however, when I was down at the Bar - I was told basically I can have anything I want, as long as I don't crack open a bottle of Champagne. Water throughout the stay, and a bottle of wine was left in each room.
Early check in/late out: Not utilised
VIP treatment: Bottle of wine in each room, water, chocolate and a written card. When I checked in at reception and I was escorted to 35th floor to check in at the club.
Access to executive lounge (if existing): Yes, but my room rate also covers lounge access.
Additional care: Free press (used); butler service - but not used.
General comments: I seems to have a drastically different experience to phat-dave, may be the general staff are trained differently? The club staff are generally good, and they remembers your order from day to day. I had some issues with my internet which they have to use a workaround, but the tech person and club was very attentive to have the problem resolved. It was a bit of a "let down"
- first world problem that there's no upgrade after the very overthetop upgrade in Melbourne however, I guess it is always in their discretion.
I was encouraged to prepaid the nights which was rather strange; as I am an elite and they don't require security, but then the issue is they only have a limit of $1000 of credit before they have to charge.
Amazing staff/team work at The Champagne Bar, food and drinks was amazing. Altier was also amazing to my surprise. Overall a very nice stay. I feel the Junior Suite was on the small size, but I can see most of the space is used in the bathroom area.
I generally stayed at FS in Sydney as I prefer the Quay area - but will certainly consider the Sofitel again after this stay.