How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[Daver6]

Property: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins (3-night stay, May 2026)


The TVs showing fishing and cooking programs add nothing and kill the atmosphere; the lounge doesn't need them at all. The coffee was disappointing and seemed to come from an automated machine, which is a miss for Melbourne.

I couldn't agree more with this! No idea why they even have TVs in there. They're just annoying noise.

 

[bits]

Property: Sofitel Darling Harbour Sydney
Status: Explorer+ Platinum
Room booked: Corner King
Room upgraded/type: No
Rate: $317.40 red hot
Early check in/late out: Requested and granted 4pm
Free internet: Yes
Free breakfast: Yes, restaurant or lounge
Welcome drink: Yes, used at Champagne Bar for Pommery champagne. Note: no more view of Darling Harbour from here due to the new building in front...
Welcome amenity: Bottle of DeBartoli Red, 2 sparkling waters
Recommend: Not really. Price needs to be $250-300 for me to consider again

General comment:
Disappointing stay on this occasion for the following reasons:

- Executive lounge seems understaffed, especially since afternoon tea, evening canapes and breakfast are totally full. Drinks orders take too long to be delivered.
- Kitchen can't keep food coming out quick enough during evening canapes. At 6.30pm literally all the food along the counter apart from the salad section was empty - not a good look.
- At 9.30am for breakfast all tables taken, either still occupied or used but not reset. Had to find a staff member to clear a table.
- Food offering was generally underwhelming, nothing particularly special (I think Sofitel Wentworth is now better)

Definitely not as nice as it used to be.

 

[csg001]

Property: Sofitel Darling Harbour Sydney
Status: Explorer+ Platinum
Room booked: Corner King
Room upgraded/type: No
Rate: $317.40 red hot
Early check in/late out: Requested and granted 4pm
Free internet: Yes
Free breakfast: Yes, restaurant or lounge
Welcome drink: Yes, used at Champagne Bar for Pommery champagne. Note: no more view of Darling Harbour from here due to the new building in front...
Welcome amenity: Bottle of DeBartoli Red, 2 sparkling waters
Recommend: Not really. Price needs to be $250-300 for me to consider again

General comment:
Disappointing stay on this occasion for the following reasons:

- Executive lounge seems understaffed, especially since afternoon tea, evening canapes and breakfast are totally full. Drinks orders take too long to be delivered.
- Kitchen can't keep food coming out quick enough during evening canapes. At 6.30pm literally all the food along the counter apart from the salad section was empty - not a good look.
- At 9.30am for breakfast all tables taken, either still occupied or used but not reset. Had to find a staff member to clear a table.
- Food offering was generally underwhelming, nothing particularly special (I think Sofitel Wentworth is now better)

Definitely not as nice as it used to be.

I also just had a recent stay here, also booked the same corner king via RHR rate (around $380 for me) and my experience felt similar to yours.
Lounge was ok but to be honest felt comparable to a lower-rung business class airport lounge rather than a 5 star hotel. Staff were pleasant but clearly overworked/punching the timecard.
Was hoping to catch the drone show for Vivid but unfortunately that got cancelled due to that malfunction earlier in the week. Had I known all this I would have booked Wentworth.

 

[bits]

I also just had a recent stay here, also booked the same corner king via RHR rate (around $380 for me) and my experience felt similar to yours.
Lounge was ok but to be honest felt comparable to a lower-rung business class airport lounge rather than a 5 star hotel. Staff were pleasant but clearly overworked/punching the timecard.
Was hoping to catch the drone show for Vivid but unfortunately that got cancelled due to that malfunction earlier in the week. Had I known all this I would have booked Wentworth.

For me in recent years the choice between Sofitel DH and Wentworth was broadly balanced (after Wentworth's recent renovation). My bias historically was towards DH because but they each have their pros and cons:

Sofitel DH
- newer building, rooms, decor, modern bathrooms
- lounge offering *was* good, and was less crowded.
- main restaurantis generally a zoo on my experiece
- On any given day DH generally commands a price premium over Wentworth. Sometimes the asking price is ridiculous (eg $600-800 while Wentworth is 350ish??)
- Welcome drink in Champagne Bar gives good value, but no more view now. View towards Barangaroo from the lounge is also now blocked by the new adjacent tower.

Sofitel Wentworth:
- $70m renovation seems to have gone mostly on the public areas (lounge is very nice) but minimal on the rooms. Structurally no changes, so rooms are still smaller than DH, and the bathrooms have still have the old 1960s vibe (yellow marble etc). Bath tubs are small.
- Food in the lounge is very good, definitely their strong point. They usually have 1 hero hot item (eg roast pork, roast lamb with sides etc) plus the buffet selection, so you can easily have a proper dinner.
- The clientele here seem to be older (might be from cruise ship travellers), and seems to be less families/young kids running around. It's definitely a much more relaxed civil vibe here.
- Price is more competitive, very good actually (eg starting prices $268+, which is a steal if you have lounge access)
- Tilda went back under hotel operation so the accor 30% dining discount applies, hopefully they can maintain the standards of the previous external operators.

Based on my recent experience at DH, the pendulum has swung back to Wentworth for me.

 

[DJTravels]

choice between Sofitel DH and Wentworth

Agree with all the points there. Honestly if they spent more on the Wentworth's bathrooms in the Reno, that'd make it pretty damn perfect in my books. It's my only gripe with the hotel - that and the check-in kiosks which cheapen the experience, but I always check-in at the lounge anyway

Even though DH is nicer, I just never linked DH as a location unless going to the ICC. Kinda awkward to go back to the main bits of town and honestly anywhere that isn't on the L1.

 

[Daver6]

Agree with all the points there. Honestly if they spent more on the Wentworth's bathrooms in the Reno, that'd make it pretty damn perfect in my books. It's my only gripe with the hotel - that and the check-in kiosks which cheapen the experience, but I always check-in at the lounge anyway

Even though DH is nicer, I just never linked DH as a location unless going to the ICC. Kinda awkward to go back to the main bits of town and honestly anywhere that isn't on the L1.

Issue with the lounge check-in there is last time I went to the lounge the there was a single person checking in and took over 10 minutes with the person in front of me. Other staff walking around just ignored me.

My other gripe is sound proofing of the room I had to the street was terrible.

 

[RooFlyer]

I also tend to Sofitel Wentworth. Suites have walk-in bathrooms

Unfortunately the check-in tablets are infecting everywhere.

 

[Silvia]

Property: Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore
Status: Explorer+ Gold
Room booked: Premier room king
Room upgraded/type: Yes, upgraded to Premier room with Marina Bay view
Rate: 15% Advanced saver rate with breakfast plus used a stay plus, so $339 AUD for 2 nights
Early check in/late out: Requested late check out, got granted 2pm
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: Yes, many options to get the drinks from including Fairmont next door.
Welcome amenity: Piece of fruit
Recommend: Yes.

First time here and I can see why many of the AFF members recommend. The location was great, easy to get around. Views are amazing and we got the buffet breakfast which was really good. Extensive drink selection for the free drink vouchers which included coughtails. We also wondered for dinner close by which was at a really good rate. I would happily stay again here.

 

[SYD]

Property: Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore
Status: Explorer+ Gold
Room booked: Premier room king
Room upgraded/type: Yes, upgraded to Premier room with Marina Bay view
Rate: 15% Advanced saver rate with breakfast plus used a stay plus, so $339 AUD for 2 nights
Early check in/late out: Requested late check out, got granted 2pm
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: Yes, many options to get the drinks from including Fairmont next door.
Welcome amenity: Piece of fruit
Recommend: Yes.

First time here and I can see why many of the AFF members recommend. The location was great, easy to get around. Views are amazing and we got the buffet breakfast which was really good. Extensive drink selection for the free drink vouchers which included coughtails. We also wondered for dinner close by which was at a really good rate. I would happily stay again here.

Probably the best hotel if you’re after a Marina Bay view (soooo many floors). The Marina Bay Sands is the worst!

But MBS does have a decent view of the Swissotel from the infinity pool.

 

[Flyfrequently]

We arr staying here over the long weekend. Wondering if this is only real dinner option or are there others in walking distance or a shirr uber (do they have uber) away.?

Bit late @Aeryn as you have probably worked this out by now, a few within walking distance, Uber was scarce then, though it may have improved.

Or should we plan to get Ferry into Townsville and back each evening for better dining options?

Nope

The price differencr between return and unlimited ferry ticket might pay for itself if dining is better and cheaper on mainland.

Ferry finishes at ~6pm

 

[andye]

Property: Hotel Maison Maastricht Centrum
Status: Gold
Room booked: Deluxe Queen
Room upgraded/type: not sure
Rate: ALL Accor+ Explorer - 15%
Early check in/late out: Not needed
Free internet: Yes
Free breakfast: No
Welcome drink: yes
Recommend: Yes

Small hotel well located near central square and transport
I faffed around on arrival amd missed restaurants. Food officially room service only by then but the barman arranged for a great grazing plate
Cute turndown chocs

 

[kileskus]

Property: Ibis Wellington
Status: explorer gold
Room booked: standard queen
Room upgraded/type: not to next category but to corner room
Rate: usually <100 AUD base rate
Early check in/late out: never used
Free internet: yes
Free breakfast: yes (included in base rate)
Welcome drink: yes, can be used on anything up to $12 at the restaurant
Welcome amenity: finger of Whittaker's (~8 times out of 10) and bottled water
Recommend: definitely

I go to Wellington regularly for work reasons but have to pay for my own accommodation. Of the budget Accor options by far prefer the ibis. The base rate I've never seen above 100AUD and that includes breakfast. Afaik ibis properties don't have to give welcome amenities but most times I've received a little chocolate. All but one time I've been given a corner room. This is better than the Mantra for instance in terms of recognition (for roughly the same rate) and the rooms are newer than the Mantra's.



Property: Pullman Auckland
Status: explorer gold
Room booked: executive king
Room upgraded/type: not that I'm aware but did get a high floor
Rate: about 200AUD
Early check in/late out: not used
Free internet: yes
Free breakfast: yes (I didn't choose the breakfast rate but was informed at check-in that it was included)
Welcome drink: yes
Welcome amenity: fruit plate of apple, feijoa, and persimmon. Promptly gave the feijoa to my kiwi colleague. Have been trying to embrace the NZ lifestyle since moving here but I draw the line at the soap bars they call feijoas
Recommend: if the rate suits

Spent one night in Auckland for work. The first time I checked the executive lounge room rate was only $10 higher but I didn't nab that and the rate went up a lot more when I checked again so settled for the king room. Got a harbour view but the hotel's located a bit far from the harbour so it wasn't the best view.



Prior to check-in they asked for my room preferences in the app which was a nice touch though my pillow preference wasn't provided. The room was pretty new and the washroom included a tub. The indoor gym was on the smaller side with lots of machines but little bench space, but it had an outdoor area with kettlebells, medicine balls, and mats. The gym is operated independently I think and non-guests can purchase subscriptions. I wouldn't go there as a non-guest but as a guest it was an excellent hotel gym. Good breakfast and bar with Explorer discount applied at check-out without prompting.

Overall comfortable stay, though I would recommend booking early and trying to get the executive suite which includes lounge access.

 

[phoenixdu]

Anyone have recent experience with a Platinum booking 2 rooms and then implications for guests staying in the 2nd room getting access to lounge/breakfast?

It looks like I am out of luck under the rules, but wasnt sure how strictly it was enforced.

 

[DJTravels]

Anyone have recent experience with a Platinum booking 2 rooms and then implications for guests staying in the 2nd room getting access to lounge/breakfast?

It looks like I am out of luck under the rules, but wasnt sure how strictly it was enforced.

Did this at a couple of places, and have always received free breakfast for both even though, as you mentioned, technically not allowed in the rules.

I tried at ibis Melbourne Airport and two Sofitels overseas last year and had no issues for breakfast. For lounge, I had trouble with one of the Sofitels I stayed at one particularly full night where they said it was only member + those staying in same room, but haven't had issues elsewhere. So YMMV, but so far pretty good on the breakfast.

 

[jase05]

Anyone have recent experience with a Platinum booking 2 rooms and then implications for guests staying in the 2nd room getting access to lounge/breakfast?

It looks like I am out of luck under the rules, but wasnt sure how strictly it was enforced.

Some countries better than others we have found. Vietnam I’ve found in nearly all stays have offered benefits including breakfasts, welcome gifts, upgrades etc.

 

[jase05]

Anyone have recent experience with a Platinum booking 2 rooms and then implications for guests staying in the 2nd room getting access to lounge/breakfast?

It looks like I am out of luck under the rules, but wasnt sure how strictly it was enforced.

Recent data point as a Diamond
Booked 3 rooms at Novotel Bali Benoa. After reaching out to the property it was decided that the beach wing looked the better part of the property to stay. Booked 3x Tropical terrace rooms and obviously hoped our room would get an upgrade to a Private pool villa.
On arrival all 3 rooms upgraded to private pool villa and they threw in a heap of extras such as half board, 1x 60 minute massage per person and 1hr free pour drinks each.
It’s definitely nowhere near Sofitel level but it’s ok and friends are loving it here. Very relaxing place

 

[RooFlyer]

Property: Ibis Styles Budapest airport
Status: explorer Plat
Room booked: Standard room with double bed
Room upgraded/type: No
Rate: A$204
Early check in/late out: not used
Free internet: yes - 80 Mbps
Free breakfast: yes , very basic
Welcome drink: No
Welcome amenity: Little box with a choc.
Recommend: Fine for airport overnight

Booked BUD as a LHR T3 lounge crawl destination, which got in a 00:15 and I had an 11:00 departure, so Ibis it was.

Bog standard Ibis Styles, did the job.

Room





View of the terminals from the hotel entrance. 2B left and 2A right.

 

[serfty]

Free breakfast: yes , very basic

Note that along with several others, we found the breakfast in the restaurant area of conjoined Tribe was more advanced than that for the 'Ibis' and there appeared to be checking of credentials (Ibis or Tribe) Seems these two properties only offer breakfast inclusive rates.

Note that when I was previously there (Ibis) in December, the same area was used for both hotels.

 

[RooFlyer]

Property: Novotel CDG
Status: explorer Platinum
Room booked: Executive room
Room upgraded/type: None
Rate: A$286
Early check in/late out: not used
Free internet: yes
Free breakfast: No
Welcome drink: yes
Welcome amenity: None
Recommend: OK for CDG overnight

I've stayed here a number of times. At 'Roissypole', itsright on the RER to Paris, the CGDVal inter-terminal train and the bus station. A good cafe for breakfast just outside the hotel and a mini mart as well.

If you ask for a room facing the RER/CDGVal station, its quietest (no airport noise).

In-house restaurant OK - gets v busy with kids.





Stations under the glass to the right.

 

[RooFlyer]

Property: Novotel Angers Lac de Maine, France
Status: Explorer+ Plat
Room booked: Classic - 1 King
Room upgraded/type: Yes, upgraded to Executive Room (included minibar of several softdrinks, plus desk)
Rate: 15% Advanced saver rate with breakfast plus used a stay plus, so $339 AUD for 2 nights
Early check in/late out: Not required
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: Yes.
Welcome amenity: Yes, little bag of caramel popcorn.
Recommend: Yes.

The place was booked for a quick overnight stay on my road trip west. Its right next to a little shopping centre, so could stock up on stuff. Bank Postale has free-free Wise withdrawals. Free parking, area is gated off at night.



Excellent black-out curtains





Very high bath lip to step over.



Welcome amenity.



Minibar



View. Room was quiet.