How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[Captain Halliday]

Property: Mercure Sydney
Status: Accor+Platinum
Room booked: Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed
Room upgraded/type: No?
Rate: Accor+ Family Fun Offer, Bed and Breakfast - $179/night
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes
Early check in/late out: Given 9 AM early check-in ; didn't need late checkout
Welcome drink: Yes, one voucher. Used it for a takeaway coffee on the last day
Welcome gift / amenity: Bottle of wine, bottles of water and small box of chocolates
Exec lounge access: N/A

Stayed here for aforementioned conference in Sydney CBD as it was close to the venue, and thought it was a good deal for a hotel stay. The hotel itself is located on Broadway in Sydney so right across from UTS and just by Central station. The hotel has a number of amenities including a pool, terrace, restaurant, etc. In terms of the room itself, I must say not too bad, the room was recently renovated although there was a smell of latex paint as other rooms on the floor I was on was being renovated:

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Breakfast was offered at the restaurant and ran from 6:30 to 10 AM IIRC. Usual mid-tier Accor breakfast buffet spread, nothing to write home about but certainly nothing to complain about either:View attachment 322127
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Would stay here again if the price was the same (or less).

-RooFlyer88

That corner room with sofa and city view is definitely an upgrade at the Mercure.

Standard Queen rooms are smaller than that, single windows and most face into the student accommodation across the laneway.

 

[RooFlyer]

Property: Mercure Sydney

Staying there in a few weeks, so thanks for this. I notice double/queen bed is 2 singles pushed together, which is a major negative for me.

Property: Ibis Styles Hobart

If there is a gripe I have with the hotel

Plus parking is limited if you have a car.

Property: Mövenpick Hobart

The restaurant itself (Tesoro) is pretty good. In particular,

IIRC the restaurant is pretty small isn't it? I coudn't get in and had to forage elsewhere. Also when its closed. nowhere to get a coffee in the hotel.

I think Movenpick has gone down in standard globally after Accor took over the brand.

 

[pauly7]

Just a warning for anyone thinking of visiting Peppers Broadbeach - extremely loud construction on beach facing rooms from nearby tower going up. AFF warning

 

[Lynda2475]

Another thing you may have noticed is the use of large containers of soap/shampoo with a pump. Again, not something I would expect at a high end hotel like the Movenpick

Actually this is very standard for the better classs hotels in the Accor range, certainly at the Sofitel. Plus the higher quality properties in IHG too.

Personally I prefer the large pump gel/shampoo/conditioner provided it is a decent brand in a non offensive fragrance because in the event luggage goes astray one can use as much product as needed.

Those dinky little bottles of shampoo/conditioner dont usually have enough contents to wash ones hair (if you have long thick hair like me) and those tiny bars of soap are wasteful not to mention all the discarded packagaing.

Plus if like me you travel with your own shampoo/conditioner/shower/moisturiser and then decide you like the stuff in the pump pack, you can refill your empty Go Toob with some nice stuff.

 

[jase05]

IIRC the restaurant is pretty small isn't it? I coudn't get in and had to forage elsewhere. Also when its closed. nowhere to get a coffee in the hotel.

Unless things have changed on previous visits the restaurant has been open from about 6am through to 10-11pm. It doesn’t shut during the day. The great thing is that the Movenpick Hobart offers all day breakfast so we will often go for a walk and then comeback at lunch time for the complimentary breakfast. I hate having to get up for breakfast between 6-9 or whatever

 

[RooFlyer]

Unless things have changed on previous visits the restaurant has been open from about 6am through to 10-11pm. It doesn’t shut during the day. The great thing is that the Movenpick Hobart offers all day breakfast so we will often go for a walk and then comeback at lunch time for the complimentary breakfast. I hate having to get up for breakfast between 6-9 or whatever

That's good. My stay was very soon after it opened, so maybe things have changed, or my memory is off!

 

[Daver6]

Property: Mövenpick Hobart
Status: Accor+Platinum
Room booked: Superior Room with King Size Bed
Room upgraded/type: Deluxe Room
Rate: Accor+ Flexible Rate, Bed and Breakfast
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes
Early check in/late out: N/A
Welcome drink: Yes, one voucher. Used it for a takeaway coffee on the last day
Welcome gift / amenity: Two bottles of water and 6 pack of granola bars
Exec lounge access: N/A

This hotel was booked out of necessity since JetStar decided to cancel my flight back to Sydney about 4 hours prior to departure and with there being no other flights operating that day (and given the fact JetStar will compensate up to $200 for hotels) decided to give this gem a shot, and glad I did:
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The hotel room itself was sleek and modern but I do have a couple of complaints as an Accor member who has been spoiled with good quality hotels in the past. For one thing there was no Nespresso machine, just instant coffee and tea, and a kettle. I thought this was supposed to be a luxury hotel? Another thing you may have noticed is the use of large containers of soap/shampoo with a pump. Again, not something I would expect at a high end hotel like the Movenpick. The last annoying thing about the room was there wasn't a proper desk, just this circular table thing. Not the end of the world but would expect a proper workspace in a high end hotel.

There were two strong points of the hotel which in my opinion made up for these shortcomings: the restaurant and the internet. The restaurant itself (Tesoro) is pretty good. In particular, I call your attention to the breakfast. Now I've stayed at many Accor properties over the past few months, and all of them from the cheapest Ibis property to the Fairmont Blue Mountains feature a breakfast buffet. I've got nothing against buffets, and in some cases they can feel premium if properly plated (look at the Emirates lounge for an example there) but at least at Accor properties I stayed at, I couldn't tell the difference between it and a $25 all you can eat buffet I can get at Harrahs in Vegas. This hotel was different: as a Platinum you ordered whatever you wanted off the menu and it was free
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I have eaten at this restaurant last year for lunch when they had the table d'hôte was offered and enjoyed the quality of the food. This breakfast was no exception either. Way better than the mass produced buffet cough you get at most Accor properties. The other saving grace of the hotel was the aforementioned internet speeds. Very quick and responsive with me downloading a 1 GB file in a 3 minutes (my benchmark for good internet speeds). Certainly if you have a teleconference or important event and want to ensure your internet isn't cough Movenpick is where to stay.

-RooFlyer88

Was there a couch/day bed in the room or just those two rather uncomfortable looking chairs? The website pictures show a couch in the superior room.

 

[jase05]

I thought this was supposed to be a luxury hotel?

Movenpick are actually in the second tier of Accor properties and is a Premium hotel.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

That corner room with sofa and city view is definitely an upgrade at the Mercure.

Standard Queen rooms are smaller than that, single windows and most face into the student accommodation across the laneway.

Did not know that. That being said, I wasn't complaining when I saw the room!

Staying there in a few weeks, so thanks for this. I notice double/queen bed is 2 singles pushed together, which is a major negative for me.

Yes they are although I didn't notice it much sleeping there. From what I read it seems like the Sofitel Darling Harbour is your best bet if money isn't a concern, although I will note that there is a Novotel Sydney Central as well. With all of that said, I did appreciate the early check-in I received and the fact I was put on a renovated floor, no doubt something you too would receive as a valued Accor elite.

Plus parking is limited if you have a car.

Can't comment on parking since I took the SkyBus in and considering Hobart is a bike friendly city.

IIRC the restaurant is pretty small isn't it? I coudn't get in and had to forage elsewhere. Also when its closed. nowhere to get a coffee in the hotel.

You are right that the restaurant is a bit on the cozy side. With that being said, it was not busy when I had my breakfast as I was the only one there having breakfast at 10 AM on Monday. When I visited the Movenpick in April last year I popped in for lunch and again wasn't that busy (remember I'm a social distancing nut so if I saw it was chock-a-block that would be a no go for me).

I think Movenpick has gone down in standard globally after Accor took over the brand.

I suspect many loyal Fairmont guests could make the same remark too. I don't know what it was like in the good ol' days pre-Accor. What I will note though is that this consolidation does make it easier to earn loyalty status. Whether Accor+Platinum is worth anything is I suppose a subject for another thread although I will point out that the status must be earned - you can't simply hold the right AmEx credit card to get it.

Actually this is very standard for the better classs hotels in the Accor range, certainly at the Sofitel. Plus the higher quality properties in IHG too.

Personally I prefer the large pump gel/shampoo/conditioner provided it is a decent brand in a non offensive fragrance because in the event luggage goes astray one can use as much product as needed.

I suppose each traveller has their own perspective on the use of pumps. I suppose what grosses me out about the pumps is you can't be sure it hasn't been tampered with in some way nor that the contents have gone dry having stayed in the bottle since the Carter administration.

Unless things have changed on previous visits the restaurant has been open from about 6am through to 10-11pm. It doesn’t shut during the day. The great thing is that the Movenpick Hobart offers all day breakfast so we will often go for a walk and then comeback at lunch time for the complimentary breakfast. I hate having to get up for breakfast between 6-9 or whatever

You are absolutely correct there. I'm not sure if it was a 10 or 11 PM close but when I arrived at the hotel at 8 PM the restaurant was still open and reception offered to make a reservation at the restaurant for dinner. In terms of breakfast, it's not all day I think it ends at 4 PM but in any event yes it can be a boon since you don't have to drag yourself out of bed at ungodly hours.

That's good. My stay was very soon after it opened, so maybe things have changed, or my memory is off!

When did the Movenpick open in Hobart?

Movenpick are actually in the second tier of Accor properties and is a Premium hotel.

You could certainly have me fooled here, jase05! When I stayed at the Fairmont Blue Mountains resort it was hardly a Luxury experience with a dated room and Vegas style buffet breakfast. IMHO the Movenpick is head and shoulders above the Fairmont.

 

[jase05]

You could certainly have me fooled here, jase05! When I stayed at the Fairmont Blue Mountains resort it was hardly a Luxury experience with a dated room and Vegas style buffet breakfast. IMHO the Movenpick is head and shoulders above the Fairmont.

That may be the case and I agree that the few Fairmont’s I’ve stayed at haven’t been luxury but nonetheless that is where Accor has them in the pecking order

 

[RooFlyer]

Whether Accor+Platinum is worth anything is I suppose a subject for another thread although I will point out that the status must be earned - you can't simply hold the right AmEx credit card to get it.

Fallible memory, but I’m pretty sure I was gifted it somehow a few years back. It was good while it lasted but the fall back to I think it was gold, was pretty brutal as several of their systems couldn’t figure out what status I actually had - Moonee if them plat . Lots of calls to a clueless call centre.

 

[RooFlyer]

I was put on a renovated floor, no doubt something you too would receive as a valued Accor elite.

Maybe. I retain Accor gold. I don’t know how, as I’ve hardly stayed with them since they mucked around with their loyalty scheme structure and I got gifted IHG platinum, and also Hilton diamond.

But I have a few stays with them in France coming up so hopefully it’ll be worth something.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Maybe. I retain Accor gold. I don’t know how, as I’ve hardly stayed with them since they mucked around with their loyalty scheme structure and I got gifted IHG platinum, and also Hilton diamond.

Do you have Accor+ or an Ibis card? There are a couple of paid memberships that will get you to Gold with no stays. But Platinum or anything higher requires some amount of stays (even with Accor+ accelerators).

But I have a few stays with them in France coming up so hopefully it’ll be worth something.

Hopefully that works out to a bottle of French champagne as a welcome gift instead of the usual bottle of Australian champagne!

 

[RooFlyer]

Do you have Accor+ or an Ibis card? There are a couple of paid memberships that will get you to Gold with no stays.

No; as I’ve mentioned in other threads, I don’t chase any hotel status but I’ll take it when it’s on offer with a status match or a gift. And of course with Accor when their systems are dumb enough to give it to me anyway

 

[kangarooflyer88]

No; as I’ve mentioned in other threads, I don’t chase any hotel status but I’ll take it when it’s on offer with a status match or a gift. And of course with Accor when their systems are dumb enough to give it to me anyway

My philosophy with status is to only bother chasing it if you are going to make use of the published benefits and of course if you actually receive said published benefits. In my case travelling a decent amount in Australia Accor tends to be the best option in terms of price, location and published benefits as a Platinum. Being able to book a cheap Ibis Styles for under $100/night and getting free breakfast really makes a difference when travelling. The welcome gifts are nice that's icing on the cake, but everything else like early/late check in is inconsistent at best. If Accor could ever match the consistency of Marriott when delivering such benefits, I suspect many more people would stick with Accor when travelling versus shopping around.

 

[Lynda2475]

I retain Accor gold. I don’t know how

Qantas gifted it to Gold & Platinum if you linked it to your QFF account - so likely that is it.

 

[RooFlyer]

Qantas gifted it to Gold & Platinum if you linked it to your QFF account - so likely that is it.

Ah, yes, that'll be it, thanks. I recall now trying to take advantage of a more recent QR (I think it was) tie-up with Accor but couldn't because I had it with Qantas and I couldn't undo that!

 

[Muppet501st]

Just a warning for anyone thinking of visiting Peppers Broadbeach - extremely loud construction on beach facing rooms from nearby tower going up. AFF warning

Good thing i went for the Sofitel this week. 4th stay this year at the Sofitel Broadbeach, was similar in price to Peppers- but it irks me, that you earn less points with that chain.

 

[maia200]

Property: Pullman Sydney Airport
Status: Accor Plus Platinum
Room booked: Superior Double
Room upgraded/type: Yes Executive Double on 11th floor (1109)
Rate: $232pn
Free internet: Didn't use
Free Breakfast: Yes the buffet
Early check in/late out: Neither requested
Welcome drink: two drink vouchers
Welcome gift: Two small sparkling waters and the normal biscuit thing in the box with Platinum on it.

Reception staff very friendly. Acknowledged 'status' and mentioned the upgrade. Arrived from Brisbane about an hour before the 'lounge' near the restaurant closed but most of the canapes were dried out or finished - plenty of carrot cake which no-one seemed to want. We were going to have dinner so that did not matter. Was full though and no where to sit. Dinner very average, long wait, overcooked but got the 50% Accor Plus discount. Breakfast was average again with empty buffet dishes, tables not cleaned, no water, very little staff. Restaurant seemed to be short staffed both at dinner and breakfast with long waits at restaurant to be seated and not filling up the buffet. Eggs to order and speciality coffee was appreciated. Having said all of that it is very convenient hotel to stay at.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Good thing i went for the Sofitel this week. 4th stay this year at the Sofitel Broadbeach, was similar in price to Peppers- but it irks me, that you earn less points with that chain.View attachment 322258

We have booked Peppers Blue on Blue Magnetic Island for July, any feedback for this property?
As Gold, what can we expect?
Thanks