Property: Pullman Brisbane Airport
Status: Accor+ Platinum
Room booked: Executive Suite (Superior King w/SNU applied)
Room received: Executive Suite (highest category)
Rate: $296
Free Internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes - if you can call it that*
Early check-in/late check-out: Room was available at 1:30PM when I arrived; left after breakfast so no late check-out needed
Welcome drink: Didn't check
Overnight stay on a quick status run to retain QF WP for my Sep-Aug membership year. Also coincided with an event at one of my favourite breweries in the world - Range Brewing (Newstead) - so was able to check that out while up there in BNE, as well.
First time staying at the Pullman BNE Airport; in fact I can't recall if I've
ever stayed at a Pullman, now that I think of it. The hotel is a reasonably short walk from the BNE Domestic terminal, most of which is covered and easy to move through with a small spinner suitcase alongside, but I reckon it could be a bit more of a pain or even a struggle if you had larger / heavier items, or ones that didn't move that well. Coming from the international terminal you'd need to get their shuttle or a taxi, or I suppose if travelling light you could transfer to Domestic on the Airtrain and walk from there.
Check-in was quick and easy, but I can't help but think it would been even easier if I'd been given the option to check-in online... which I wasn't. This said, I did want to make sure they were aware that I planned to settle part of the folio using ALL Rewards points, and so checking in this way was likely best for my situation. They arranged the points redemption there and then, and confirmed my suite was ready, which was good given it was just 1:30PM.
Suite was on the top/9th floor, and had views towards the city and the edge of a runway that didn't seem to be much in use... or at least not at the times I was watching. Well appointed with with most of the usual stuff. Notably they still had single-use toiletries in the bathroom, which felt like a bit of a novelty after the last few years without seeing this in most places. Standard was decent, but must barely scrape into the 5* category that they claim. More like a newish Novotel or Crowne Plaza. Welcome gift of a small box of those Spring Hill Farm slices. No wine; which is fine by me, but also no water... which I would have liked. The only option was tap water with no filter, which was a bit meh.
*After my rather large afternoon and evening out on the beers, I was looking forward to my included breakfast, but unfortunately it didn't hit the spot. Very meager offerings of a poor standard and taste. Scrambled eggs by the scoop that were wet, but still managed to taste dry. Cheap rubbery-skinned and off-tasting chipolatas. No grilled tomatoes! I guess I should have known I was in trouble when I saw tater tots in place of proper hash browns. Pastries were just as sad, and then I got to wash it all down with a bitter UHT orange juice that tasted like the
No Frills poppers my mum would get from Franklins for our lunch boxes as kids. I guess they score some bonus points for bringing back childhood memories, at least. Only saving grace was I got to say g'day to a couple of the Wallabies players at breakfast, who were in for what looked like some slices of dry toast for breakfast. Some would say that's fitness related, I would say they've been here before.
Checkout was friendly, quick and easy, and then it was back to the terminal for my WP qualifying flight home. I'd probably stay again if the price was right and I had a need or preference to be close to the airport rather than the city... but given it doesn't take that long to get into town, and you have the Airtrain option for that as well, I think better off just staying in town. And if there is a next time, I will save my stomach for breakfast at a QF lounge, which is saying a fair bit!
Cheers,
Matt.
(4K should be standard ACCOR)
