How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[Sprucegoose]

Property: Ibis Styles Canberra
Status: Accor+Gold
Room Booked: Standard Queen Room
Upgrade: Deluxe Room (Suite)
Free Internet: Yes. Good speeds too as I could upload some long videos to Youtube!
Welcome Drink: Yes two, although I had to "remind" them I'm Gold to get them. Didn't end up using them.
Early check in late check out: N/A
Welcome gift: Bottle of water?

I was staying at this hotel for 7 nights to attend a conference as well as to explore Canberra, thereby allowing me to finally tick the last territory off my list of Australia to visit. I was pleasantly surprised ending up a Suite room without being told beforehand of the upgrade. It's arguably one of the nicest rooms I've stayed at in an Ibis property (see photos). Housekeeping was a regular occurrence , something that can't be said for many hotels that use "COVID" as an excuse for only tidying rooms every 4th day that ends with banana. Like many Ibis properties the reception closes after 8 or 9 with the restaurant closing around the same time. There is a swimming pool just outside the hotel's restaurant. I didn't have much of an opportunity to go swimming so can't comment on the size of pool, temperature or alkalinity of the water. For those attending events in Canberra CBD it's probably not the most ideal location as it took me about 30 minutes by eScooter to get there from the hotel. That being said the price was right at ~$100/night which for Canberra ain't bad. Would definitely stay here again. The only downside is my stay hasn't yet posted (and it's been a week now) meaning I'll need to follow up to chase this stay down. Something I haven't done with Accor thus far.

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Thats not a bad deal

Property: Ibis Styles Canberra
Status: Accor+Gold
Room Booked: Standard Queen Room
Upgrade: Deluxe Room (Suite)
Free Internet: Yes. Good speeds too as I could upload some long videos to Youtube!
Welcome Drink: Yes two, although I had to "remind" them I'm Gold to get them. Didn't end up using them.
Early check in late check out: N/A
Welcome gift: Bottle of water?

I was staying at this hotel for 7 nights to attend a conference as well as to explore Canberra, thereby allowing me to finally tick the last territory off my list of Australia to visit. I was pleasantly surprised ending up a Suite room without being told beforehand of the upgrade. It's arguably one of the nicest rooms I've stayed at in an Ibis property (see photos). Housekeeping was a regular occurrence , something that can't be said for many hotels that use "COVID" as an excuse for only tidying rooms every 4th day that ends with banana. Like many Ibis properties the reception closes after 8 or 9 with the restaurant closing around the same time. There is a swimming pool just outside the hotel's restaurant. I didn't have much of an opportunity to go swimming so can't comment on the size of pool, temperature or alkalinity of the water. For those attending events in Canberra CBD it's probably not the most ideal location as it took me about 30 minutes by eScooter to get there from the hotel. That being said the price was right at ~$100/night which for Canberra ain't bad. Would definitely stay here again. The only downside is my stay hasn't yet posted (and it's been a week now) meaning I'll need to follow up to chase this stay down. Something I haven't done with Accor thus far.

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Thats, not a bad deal..........The Norman Lindsay Suite!!

Should we start a separate thread on how many unused drink vouchers one may have?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Thats not a bad deal


Thats, not a bad deal..........The Norman Lindsay Suite!!

Should we start a separate thread on how many unused drink vouchers one may have?

I have a few, but recently used one issued by Mercure at a Novotel a week later.

I’d just grabbed it out of my wallet somewhere in my 6th consecutive week on the road without paying attention.

I was told off by the assistant manager at checkout.

I offered to pay for the drink as it was an honest mistake, but after 40 nights at that property this calendar year, you have to wonder what they hope to achieve by making an issue of it.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I was told off by the assistant manager at checkout.

I offered to pay for the drink as it was an honest mistake, but after 40 nights at that property this calendar year, you have to wonder what they hope to achieve by making an issue of it.

CH, I think you are being too kind - it would have been a brisk conversation with me!

Sofitel BNE last week changed my room (the request was for an Eastern facing room). The back office got the 'extras' billing mixed up (who orders sparkling water at 0230 AM!)............not my issue, and accommodation was paid; I advised I don't have the inclination to sort their issues and promptly left.

I am doing a lot of time there now, so I guess you can do that. However, a drink is just a drink!

40 nights - that's a fair whack, it seems you and Jesus have something in common!!

 

[jase05]

Property: Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City
Status: Accor Plus Diamond
Room booked: Superior King
Room upgraded/type: Yes, 4 room upgrade to Executive Suite
Rate: ALL Longer stay $340/night
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes, Restaurant or EL
Early check in/late out: Offered but not required
Welcome drink: Yes, two vouchers
Welcome gift: Bottle of wine, tray of chocolates

4 night stay to catch up with 3 other couples who were staying there for the World Cup.
Not a bad hotel, decent upgrade to a spacious suite and very good staff throughout property. Room was very comfortable and on a high floor with decent enough views from your private large balcony area. EL which has a small assortment of hot and cold dishes plus the usual beer, wine and spirits on offer as self service. Relaxing place to spend a hour or so and any kids were mostly behaved.
Breakfast was at the main restaurant which was a zoo or at the EL which is much quieter but has a limited selection however if you want something not on the menu they will get it from the main restaurant. Pool was freezing but offered decent enough views and made decent coughtails. Rooftop bar with decent views but more of a nightclub type environment. Free parking but I’d say it’s biggest downfall is its location as it’s down towards the Palms so a fair bit out of town. Dubai metro is about 600m away but no shade in the 40 degree heat and involves crossing a 4 lane busy road with no pedestrian crossings so at certain parts of the day you literally had to run the gauntlet.
Happy enough with the stay but not sure if I would return

 

[jase05]

Property: Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Al Ain
Status: Accor Plus Diamond
Room booked: Deluxe Room
Room upgraded/type: Yes, Deluxe Suite
Rate: Advance Saver $62/night
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes
Early check in/late out: Offered but not required
Welcome drink: Yes, two vouchers
Welcome gift: 4x Heinekens and hand written note

Booked for only 1 night as thought it looked an interesting spot on our lap around the whole of the UAE. Hotel is a pretty stock standard Mercure with a fairly ugly decor in the rooms but what makes it stand out is its location and the journey getting there is half the fun. It is situated near the top of Jabel Hafeet which is a mountain that is on the border of UAE and Oman and situated just out of Al Ain. The hotel is at an elevation of about 1200m and the road to get there is a beautiful snaking piece of bitumen with sweeping views of the surrounds. Comfortable enough stay and standard fare for breakfast but the property has stunning views and has a great little restaurant jutting out over the cliff. Staff were amazing and hotel had lots of things to keep people occupied especially the kids. Would definitely return just for the views alone. Another random data point was that we received Accor Plus benefits for our dining and drinks bill without asking. I thought they only applied in APAC areas?

 

[jase05]

Property: Banyan Tree KL
Status: Accor Plus Diamond
Room booked: Banyan Retreat
Room upgraded/type: Yes, Banyan Sky Retreat
Rate: Accor Plus Saver $266
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes
Early check in/late out: Required early check in and was accommodated, received extra late check out
Welcome drink: Not initially but 4x drinks vouchers
Welcome gift: 2x bottles of wine, 4x Carlsbergs

Two night stop over on way home and we normally stay at the Traders KL and love it so we took a bit of a gamble and WOW did it pay off. Our EY flight from AUH arrived early and we were through customs in a jiffy and before you knew it we were at the hotel about 3hrs before check in. Room wasn’t quite ready but staff were wonderful and said to give them an hour and they would have it ready. The hotel is attached by a covered walkway to the excellent Pavilion KL mall so we wandered around there for about a hour and a bit until we received a call saying the room was ready. Offered a local welcome drink whilst paperwork was done and then escorted to room. The room was absolutely stunning and on the highest floors with superb views of the skyline. Comfortable bed with great shower and bathroom. Breakfast was amazing and a small cafe downstairs that offers decent food. Several restaurants and on the first night we ate at their Japanese restaurant and the food was amazing. Highest outdoor rooftop bar in KL but seating near the best views often need to be booked and as we didn’t have a booking were told we would have to queue but thankfully the Manager saw us and said as Diamonds we would get a seat immediately and I saw her move a couple of patrons and clear our table. Didn’t receive welcome drinks initially but after a huge apology we received 4 coughtails whilst gazing at a incredible skyline view. Staff were absolutely fantastic and will definitely return here again. Can’t believe we only just found this place after all our visits to KL

 

[emilbulls]

Status: Platinum

Property: Mercure Brisbane King George Square

Room booked: According to the booking confirmation: MODERN AND SPACIOUS SUPERIOR ROOM, OVERLOOKING BRISBANE. IDEAL FOR ANY STAY!

Room upgraded/type: no idea

Rate: corporate rate incl. breakfast, 246 AUD

Free internet: Yes

Welcome drink: yes, two vouchers for beer on tap or house wine

Early check in/late out: not needed

VIP treatment: bottle still water, bottle sparkling water and box of cookies on the room

 

[Daver6]

Any feedback on what hotels might do for platinum when they don't have a club lounge? I'm specifically looking at the Sofitel Chicago. One of my main motivators for staying there would be lounge access (free breakfast and evening drinks). What normally happens in this situation where a hotel like a Sofitel has no lounge? Any extra for plats?

 

[jase05]

Any feedback on what hotels might do for platinum when they don't have a club lounge? I'm specifically looking at the Sofitel Chicago. One of my main motivators for staying there would be lounge access (free breakfast and evening drinks). What normally happens in this situation where a hotel like a Sofitel has no lounge? Any extra for plats?

You might be lucky and get credits or vouchers but it’s not guaranteed

 

[rginoz]

Any feedback on what hotels might do for platinum when they don't have a club lounge? I'm specifically looking at the Sofitel Chicago. One of my main motivators for staying there would be lounge access (free breakfast and evening drinks). What normally happens in this situation where a hotel like a Sofitel has no lounge? Any extra for plats?

We stayed at the Chicago Sofitel in November 2022. I'm ALL Platinum. Booked a standard room for three nights, but got upgraded to a high floor suite. We got two welcome drinks, and some macarons, and free water each day, but no breakfasts or other goodies. The suite was very nice and I was satisfied. There are plenty of better/cheaper places for breakfasts, coffee, meals etc in the nearby area.

 

[Daver6]

We stayed at the Chicago Sofitel in November 2022. I'm ALL Platinum. Booked a standard room for three nights, but got upgraded to a high floor suite. We got two welcome drinks, and some macarons, and free water each day, but no breakfasts or other goodies. The suite was very nice and I was satisfied. There are plenty of better/cheaper places for breakfasts, coffee, meals etc in the nearby area.

That welcomed gifts are what you'd expect anyway. Welcome gift and drinks.

The other Accor property nearyby is the 21c Museum hotel. Anyone had experience here?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Property: Mercure Gold Coast Resort
Status: Accor Plus Platinum
Room booked: Resort Room Twin
Room upgraded/type: No, although reception did call day before to enquire on floor I'd like to stay in.
Rate: Accor Plus More Escapes, $97.60 (includes breakfast)
Free internet: Yes and fast! Managed to upload a 16 GB file on the last day I was there in about an hour.
Free Breakfast: Yes, included in rate (6 AM - 10:30 AM)
Early check in/late out: Requested and provided a 12 PM check out. Was advised that any later check out would attract a fee of $10/hour
Welcome drink: Yes, one voucher
Welcome gift: Handwritten welcome card, box of packaged cakes, bottle of wine and 6 bottles of water.

Booked this room way back in April as one of the first Accor+ reservations I made for a 3 night stay. Arrived at the hotel around 10 PM after the hassle that was getting a cab from the airport to the hotel (ended up catching the bus to broad beach then transferring to a cab). Check in was prompt, I was thanked for being an Accor+Platinum member and was provided with a single drink voucher (I would say that's a bit stingy for a Platinum member).



Room was surprisingly good for a Mercure and the rate paid, so no complaints overall:


Breakfast on offer was buffet style and the spread was quite nice over the days (including Nespresso Pro coffee):



Pool and hot tub were nice albeit there were a decent amount of families around meaning I'd have to wait if I wanted to have the pool to myself. There's several golf courses nearby including the famous Lakelands Golf Course (the first golf course famed golfer Jack Nicklaus designed in Australia, apparently), some tennis courts and other stuff. It is a little ways from the centreville (City Centre) but is the type of hotel you'd go to stay at and enjoy the amenities, I suppose.



If there is one gripe I have about the property it's that I had a heck of a time figuring out how to get my Accor+ restaurant discount applied. On the first full night I was there I went to the restaurant to order something for takeaway and was told I wouldn't qualify for the Accor+ discount (fair enough). On the following night, I went to the restaurant for sit down at 8 PM only to be told the main restaurant is now closed (despite the online menu saying it closes at 9 PM) and being directed to a sibling restaurant where they don't accept Accor+. That being said, I'm not complaining, the hotel provides a $20 hotel stay credit for each night you opt out of house keeping which meant that the spend at the restaurants wasn't too much of a hit on the ol' wallet:

 

[FishFood]

Property: Ibis Styles Stockholm Odenplan
Status: Gold (from Qantas promotion)
Room booked: STANDARD SINGLE ROOM
Room upgraded/type: Yes, upgraded to double room which was much appreciated due to the size of rooms
Rate: ALL - D-3, BED AND BREAKFAST - 902.5 SEK per night ($130.55 AUD)
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes, included in rate
Early check in/late out: Requested late check out and granted 1:30 PM (standard time was 12:00 PM)
Welcome drink: Yes, voucher mentioned alcohol was not available due to Swedish law but was given a very light beer upon request
Welcome gift: N/A

My first ALL stay since becoming Gold since I am normally loyal to IHG. Was quite nice overall, though the hotel is very basic

 

[aaronm]

Property: Novotel Barossa Valley
Status: Accor Plus Gold
Room booked: Standard Studio King
Room upgraded/type: Upgraded to Superior Studio King
Rate: Accor Plus More Escapes
Free internet: Yes, reasonable speed
Free Breakfast: Yes, included in rate
Early check in/late out: Was offered a late checkout if required
Welcome drink: Yes, two vouchers
Welcome gift: Bottle of wine and some chocolates in the room, along with bottled water

Stayed here for our wedding anniversary, was a great choice to enjoy a weekend away and a good base camp for exploring the Barossa Valley. We had a car but it was also easy to get a taxi into Tanunda or any of the local wineries if we were planning to have a drink. Room was comfortable with a great view of the Jacobs Creek vineyard. Breakfast had a good variety of choices, espresso coffee was extra (boo...). We dined at the hotel restaurant on the first evening (package included a F&B credit as well) and the food was excellent - no problem using the Accor Plus discount either.

 

[aaronm]

Property: Peppers Salt Resort & Spa Kingscliff
Status: Accor Plus Gold
Room booked: 1 Bedroom Spa Suite x2
Room upgraded/type: No, not even a better view (our room faced the road)
Rate: Accor Plus Flexible Rate
Free internet: Yes, reasonable speed
Free Breakfast: Not included, was available for $35/head the restaurant but we ended up going elsewhere.
Early check in/late out: We were able to check in an hour early without any issue, did not ask about checkout
Welcome drink: Yes, two vouchers
Welcome gift: The always disappointing box of three tiny slices, along with bottled water

A weekend getaway ahead of the busy summer season, original plan was a return to Coffs Harbour but when VA cancelled the MEL-CFS route we swapped over to Kingscliff instead. This resort is a little outside of the main Kingscliff town and is co-located with a Mantra property and a small strip of restaurants, and is right next to the beach. Overall a nice resort with good facilities including multiple pools but the rooms themselves were looking in need of some attention. One room had a hole in the wall where an air conditioner had been replaced - surprising this wasn't at least patched up before they put guests in there.

Despite the hotel website stating that Seasons restaurant would be reopening in October 2022 it was available for breakfast only, though a limited dinner menu was available from the bar with a dining area overlooking the pool, a decent alternative. The little shopping strip is still in pandemic recovery mode with most restaurants operating limited hours or only on weekends, but the large bistro at the end seemed to be open all week.

While it wasn't an unpleasant stay overall, frankly there are too many other choices around the Gold Coast area to bother returning to this one for me, particularly given that Peppers is supposedly one of the better local brands in the chain.

 

[emilbulls]

Status: ALL Platinum
Property: Hotel Mövenpick on Spencer
Room booked: Superior Suite with King bed
Room upgraded/type: No, as it’s already highest category
Rate: ALL Flexible- used guaranteed Suite upgrade voucher
Free internet: not needed
Welcome drink: Yes beer on tap, house wine and alcohol free drinks
Early check in/late out: not required
VIP treatment: As it was my partner’s birthday, there were some sweets with a personal note in the suite and a bottle of sparkling wine.

Additional care:

General comments: Very nice hotel and suite, located directly opposite of Southern Cross Station.
Pool area quite roomy and good for a quick dip. Breakfast area was a bit crowded and hectic, although selection and variety was ok.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Status: ALL Platinum
Property: Hotel Mövenpick on Spencer
Room booked: Superior Suite with King bed
Room upgraded/type: No, as it’s already highest category
Rate: ALL Flexible- used guaranteed Suite upgrade voucher
Free internet: not needed
Welcome drink: Yes beer on tap, house wine and alcohol free drinks
Early check in/late out: not required
VIP treatment: As it was my partner’s birthday, there were some sweets with a personal note in the suite and a bottle of sparkling wine.

Additional care:

General comments: Very nice hotel and suite, located directly opposite of Southern Cross Station.
Pool area quite roomy and good for a quick dip. Breakfast area was a bit crowded and hectic, although selection and variety was ok.

Was breakfast running as a buffet or menu-based?

 

[sudoer]

Was breakfast running as a buffet or menu-based?

They unfortunately ditched the a la carte menu for buffet and made-to-order eggs earlier this year. Some pics are in my post below, there's also various fruits, yoghurts, cold cuts, etc.

How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

Rate: Qantas special hotel deals (but we received Accor points - as well as Qantas points I equally enjoyed my stay there back in April. I am curious to know how you managed to pull the quoted part off?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I've found the proactive offer of barista coffee for Plats to be hit & miss, but if you ask they will oblige after confirming you are dining as a Plat and not with a breakfast package etc.

I have stayed about 20 nights over the last 6 months, but haven't posted here as it has been very consistent. Welcome gift is always a box/bag of chocolates & marshmallows, and a bottle of De Bortoli shiraz. I am consistently upgraded to a Deluxe room (two categories up from base Classic room) although on a recent 3nt weekend stay I was allocated an accessible room which was relatively massive, but had some downsides.



As you can see to the right of the photo above, the hanging space was only just above the suitcase shelf, so it wasn't possible to hang any trousers, dresses, etc. The bathroom sink also had very little space for toiletries, there was no towel rack, and it was impossible to have a shower without getting the entire bathroom floor drenched. If I get upgraded to one of these rooms again on a single person stay I think it'd ask for a downgrade back to a regular room.



The properly will extend Platinum benefits to a second room booked in your name (including welcome gift) but no more than that.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

They unfortunately ditched the a la carte menu for buffet and made-to-order eggs earlier this year. Some pics are in my post below, there's also various fruits, yoghurts, cold cuts, etc.

Bummer, I also enjoyed the a la carte menu on a couple of previous stays earlier in the year. I'm staying with them again in a few weeks, so will report back on the benefits for Gold members.

 

[emilbulls]

Was breakfast running as a buffet or menu-based?

As already mentioned by sudoer, breakfast was in buffet style.
At the entrance, they took my order for eggs and I could also order a barista made coffee without extra cost.
Tbh, I don’t know if it’s a Platinum perk or anyone can order it.
Overall, the restaurant was packed and quite loud, but of course this may be due to the public holiday.