Property:
SO/ Auckland
Status: Accor+ Gold
Room booked:
SO Urban - 30 SQM, Bold Design, Vibrant City Views, Deep Soaking Tub and Rainshower, Maraca bathroom amenities, 49" TV, Nepresso Coffee Machine, Complimentary Non-Alcoholic Minibar and Wi-Fi
Room upgraded/type: No upgrade, received an apology that were fully booked because of the local long weekend
Welcome drink: one drink voucher (even though room was booked for 2) to be used at foyer bar, rooftop bar or the cafe
Welcome gift: 3 chocolates (see pic below)
Rate: 2 nights ACCOR PLUS - STAY LONGER AND SAVE - BED AND BREAKFAST plus Stay Plus benefit for the 3rd night. Booking confirmation said no breakfast on the 3rd morning, but on check in was told buffet breakfast included on all 3 morning, not that it was relevant.
I booked this property to cover my stay as part of a QF DSC run.
My flight from MEL-AKL was late, landed at 1:30am instead of 00:15am; then there was a huge queue at customs because many flights had just arrived, didn't get out of the airport until 2:10, but thankfully no traffic so was at reception by 2:30am.
I was one of 5 rooms yet to check in seemed several flights were late. Check in took about 3mins and I was soon on my way to my room. Swipe room key and lift takes you direct to your floor, no numbers to press.
I liked the room and its perfect for a solo traveler, super comfy bed, convenient powerpoints, nice walk in shower with a shelf and great water pressure, plenty of hanging space and drawers for clothes, good sized desk if need to work, and very quiet did not hear any other guests.
Welcome chocolates were delicious
The view (room was on 11th floor)
BUT I would not book this room type if staying with someone else, as the toilet is in an alcove with no door. In fact whilst seated on the toilet, your knees protrude past the nib wall. I don't care how close you are to your partner you don't need to see/hear/smell them poop!
The complimentary min-bar contained 2 * bottles of Still water (even though my profile says I refer sparkling), 2 * bottles of Remedy Kombucha , 2 * cans of L&P, 1 bottle of juice and 2 Whitakers chocolate bars. The Bottle of water, Kombucha and chocolate bar I ate were not replaced during my stay.
The included buffet breakfast was pretty typical cereals, breads/pastries (including bagels), fresh fruit, juice, yoghurt, charcuterie, cheeses, bacon, sausages, tomato, mushrooms, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, mini spring rolls and an omelette station. However no ability to get poached or fried eggs cooked to order. Took me a while to find the butter, was in a squeezy tube not a pat.
Also included barista made coffee but it was awful so I didn't drink it day 1 and didn't bother to order it day 2. There are many fabulous places to get great coffee in Auckland no need to drink a bad one.
The concierge happily offered me an umbrella (with torch built into the handle) when It was raining on my way to dinner with local friends Saturday night.
Location was excellent, easy walk to everywhere i needed to be.
Although I paid for 3 nights (Thur, Fri, Sat) I was only actually there for 49 hours checking in at 2:30am on Fri, checking out at 3:30am on Sunday because of stupid early 6am flight.
Now for the
negative: I figured 10 minutes for check out would be ample at that time of day. The efficient girl who had checked me in was dealing with some drunken guests who were trickling in from a nearby nightclub and wanting room service; leaving the guy on the front desk with very poor English and no sense of urgency to check me out.
He slowly turned on the laptop (no idea why it would be off when they have 24hr reception), had to look at his phone to get the log on details, took about 10 minutes to bring up my booking and then says that will be $92. I said my room was fully paid at time of booking (and confirmed at check-in) and I had not charged any meals or drinks to the room, could he please explain what the $92 was for, as I suspect it is an error? He says why don't you pay it and we will email you a receipt and you can challenge it later. I was like no, can I speak to a supervisor please, he tells me he is the night manager (which seemed like BS given the low proficiency).
Luckily the girl who had then checked me was now free and came over, I explained I wanted to know what I was being charged $92 for given the room was paid for. She looks at the booking and says "oh you paid for 2 nights and used your Accor+ member stay benefit for the 3rd right"? I said yes, and she is like so nothing to pay, we will email you the statement.
Interesting they value a Saturday night stay on a long weekend at only $92, as the website says NZ $315.
38hours later no statement received, nights not showing in my Accor account but also thankfully no charges on my credit card. I don't know if the guy was trying to run a scam or just incompetent; but I will be making a complaint when the post stay survey email arrives.
Would I stay again? Yes if solo, but would likely book elsewhere if travelling with a friend or partner because of the toilet unless I could confirm a better layout with a door in advance.
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