How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[DJTravels]

Property: Fable Auckland - MGallery
Status: Explorer+ Platinum
Room booked: Classic King
Room upgraded/type: Yes, to superior king.
Rate: $400 NZD per night
Early check in/late out: Late out given until 12pm
Free internet: Yes but intermittently cut out/very slow
Free breakfast: Yes, platinum benefit
Welcome drink: Yes in app
Welcome amenity gift: Plate of macarons
Recommend: Only if cheaper than nearby properties (and you dont need a desk)

Great location on the lower end of queen street with the CityLink right outside to take you wherever you need elsewhere and Waitemata just across the road.
Several things led to a less than stellar stay:
1. No desk in the room. There is a far too low coffee table with two armchairs. No place essentially to eat, and you will have to work on your bed. And to that end, there seems to be a general lack of amenities everywhere. Space seems to be used very inefficiently.
2. Noise at night and lack of privacy. My room faced onto Queen street and you can hear some of the wilder happenings late night very well. You can't open the blinds ever unless you want everyone on the street to see you! Also means there's not much light in the room naturally.
3. Breakfast selection was disappointing. No barista coffee, poached eggs made to order were overcooked.

The SO/ and Movenpick nearby was within 10-20% of the price range, and I would probably stay there next time. The room just didn't work for me. I'd only stay here again if it was much cheaper than those places. The location is awesome, but everything else is meh.

 

[Muppet501st]

Property: Ibis Styles Madrid Centro Maravillas
Status: Explorer+ Diamond
Room booked: Premium room with views
Room upgraded/type: maybe? Disability access
Rate: $610 for 3 nights
Early check in/late out: not needed
Free internet: Yes
Free breakfast: no, weekdays
Welcome drink: Yes in app
Welcome amenity gift: no
Recommend: highly


Location, location location, brilliant. So many food options from the surrounding streets. Short walk to tour pick ups, parks etc.
property is more like a Novotel
Buffet breakfast €14 which was reasonable and did us thru to dinner.

 

[Muppet501st]

Property: Pullman Doha West Bay
Status: Explorer+ Diamond
Room booked: base king room
Room upgraded/type: yes, executive deluxe suite,
Rate: $180
Early check in/late out: not needed
Free internet: Yes
Free breakfast: yes, but not needed
Welcome drink: Yes in app
Welcome amenity gift: nothing
Recommend: yes

short 15 hour overnight stay, upgraded to a huge suite, 30th floor. Checked out executive lounge, we’re we where the only ones there.

 

[million_thanas1968]

Property: Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree
Status: Explorer+ Platinum
Room booked: City Oasis, base room with 2 singles
Room upgraded/type: yes, initially +1 to Courtyard Oasis, then +1 to Grand Deluxe Oasis
Rate: $260
Early check in/late out: not needed
Free internet: Yes
Free breakfast: Yes, either buffet at The Courtyard or alacarte at lounge
Welcome drink: Yes in app, mocktails at The Cove
Welcome amenity gift: Malaysian kiuh treats, then cheese platter
Recommend: Hesitantly. I will need to try the Pullman and main Banyan Tree to compare.

Stayed the week leading in to Christmas with my brother. The hotel was busy, being directly connected to Pavilion Mall, with plenty of families staying. I’d read mixed reviews before arriving, especially about management and elite recognition. Initially upgraded to a Courtyard Oasis room facing the courtyard, I would have preferred no upgrade in a city view room instead.

The first night was difficult: loud event music carried through the courtyard, and there was a noticeable air gap by the bathroom glass, which allowed sound (and partial visibility) from the next room. We were personally not okay with it and tried to get it looked at. It took over an hour and two calls to the duty manager before the engineering team arrived. They were quite friendly and shared our concern, though said it was the first time reported. I was not happy with being upgraded into an echo chamber + bathroom privacy issues.

We were moved to a corner Grand Deluxe Oasis room with a prime view of the main road and mall complex. A cheese platter and apology call followed. The room was a bit of a walk from the lift. Lounge access was straightforward, with a pleasant happy hour, though it got busy and a few kids were running around. Enjoyed chatting with staff at The Cove and relaxing by the pool. The second half of the stay was calmer as the hotel emptied out before Christmas.

We were treated wonderfully by all staff throughout the stay, everyone was warm and genuine. The only issue was with the duty manager’s handling of the initial complaint. Looking online it seems other guests have also voiced similar frustrations about the same manager. We booked two separate airport transfers at the end of the stay, the ride was convenient and comfy. Managed to fall asleep enroute.

The privacy concern was likely an isolated case, but the response to it left a mixed impression. Would definitely return to give the property another try. Perhaps some grace could be extended since it was a busy holiday season. Location wise it is very centrally located, a short walk to the metro. Traffic in the area is always at a standstill, I would suggest if taking taxi's to be picked up on Jalan Raja Chulan and not Jalan Bukit Bintang.

Courtyard Oasis (1221):

Grand Deluxe Oasis (1117):

My brother enjoyed the corner views.

 

[jase05]

Hesitantly. I will need to try the Pullman and main Banyan Tree to compare.

The Pullman was a bit so,so when we stayed there. Much better experience at the Sofitel but that obviously is a bit further away from the action but transport is cheap and efficient.
The BT is our normal go to but is quite pricier and seems to vary in consistency from good to great across the various stays. The BT staff aren’t a patch on the Sofitel IMO

 

[million_thanas1968]

The BT staff aren’t a patch on the Sofitel IMO

I heard that as well, from what I was told both BT and Pavilion Hotel share staff. Need to be back in July for 4 people, I'm comparing Pullman vs Sofitel currently, just a little difference in rate. Seems like 2 Sofitel rooms are better than a Pullman apartment.
Seems like the transport from Sofitel is a bit further away, maybe 15 mins extra by metro?

 

[jase05]

I heard that as well, from what I was told both BT and Pavilion Hotel share staff. Need to be back in July for 4 people, I'm comparing Pullman vs Sofitel currently, just a little difference in rate. Seems like 2 Sofitel rooms are better than a Pullman apartment.
Seems like the transport from Sofitel is a bit further away, maybe 15 mins extra by metro?

We always go to the Pavilion as there is a restaurant near by we always visit when in KL and the metro took about 15 minutes from Sofitel to Pavilion.
The Sofitel and the hotels around the Pavilion are about the same distance from airport.
BT tree staff can be a bit stand-offish but we get great room upgrades there, the views are superb and breakfast is really good. Smallish pool area.
Sofitel staff are amazing and treat status customers well. Good upgrades, EL that does decent evening snacks and alcohol. Breakfast good and has a great pool and bar area. Has the new Pavilion right across the road which has a metro station.
Sofitel price is great and represents the best value in KL IMO, the BT though is our favourite if we want to treat ourselves

 

[million_thanas1968]

Property: ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza
Status: Explorer+ Platinum
Room booked: Standard Room with 2 single beds
Room upgraded/type: High floor
Rate: 6 nights @ $330/night (Guaranteed rate)
Early check in/late out: No
Free internet: Yes
Free breakfast: Yes, "buffet" at Thai restaurant below
Welcome drink: Yes, apple juices
Welcome amenity gift: Box of cakes
Recommend: Yes, very central to great shopping and food. 15min walk from Tsukiji market, close to trains.

My 2nd time in Japan, took my sister for Christmas and New Years. Spur of the moment trip, managed to lock-in a guaranteed rate as member. Hotel was extremely busy, understandably were not able to offer early check-in, but tried to give us a high floor room.
This turned out to be extremely useful, as during morning to noon there is quite a rush. We noticed many guests on the lower floors having to wait some time for lifts.

The room is compact but comfy by Tokyo standards. Big enough to fit 3 large checked bags + 2 carry ons and more. Free bottle of water per person daily and complimentary self-serve coffee in the lobby. The location was excellent—easy access to shopping, Tsukiji Market, train stations, and nearby food streets like Gado‑cougha.
Heating worked well, a bit too dry as we had some issues turning it off sometimes. We kept the bathroom fan on 24/7 and it would tend to get a bit musty.
I stayed at Hotel Groove in Shinjuku last time, I think Ginza is far better for shopping and atmosphere.
For an ibis and a trip where we weren’t in the room much, no complaints it worked perfectly.

Standard Room 2 singles (1201):

 

[elanshin]

I heard that as well, from what I was told both BT and Pavilion Hotel share staff. Need to be back in July for 4 people, I'm comparing Pullman vs Sofitel currently, just a little difference in rate. Seems like 2 Sofitel rooms are better than a Pullman apartment.
Seems like the transport from Sofitel is a bit further away, maybe 15 mins extra by metro?

I've stayed sofitel and Novotel (near Pavilion) as well on my last 2 trips.

The Sofitel is nice but as mentioned a little away and gmaps threw me off completely - ive since learnt not to use gmaps doe navigating KL. The Pavilion Damansara mall next to Sofitel is new and still having tenants moving in (late Nov 2025 it was still having lots of opening soon in Dec signs). One thing Sofitel win brownie points was that it had freshly fried chicken at breakfast buffet (although you need a seat with a view of the station).

The Novotel I found to be reasonable for it. A couple of minutes walk from Pavilion entrance. Ok breakfast. No real views of anything so the EL is on the ground floor - makes checking in easier.