How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[HappyFlyerFamily]

From my observation a lot of StayPlus use on higher category rooms come with a supplement,

 

[Daver6]

The irony as well is the suite I booked is actually cheaper than most of the standard rooms with better views. The hotel really places a premium on higher floors and CBD/Marina Bay views.

 

[QfHrGr]

From my observation a lot of StayPlus use on higher category rooms come with a supplement,

That's been my experience. I recently used my 2 Stay plus at different hotels and chose as offered a higher category room with a surcharge for that free night. I even received an upgrade to a suite on check-in at one on them, pretty good for a 4 night stay.

 

[equus]

Have booked 2 Stay Plus at different Sofitels in Sydney for higher category rooms (including Club rooms) with no surcharge.

 

[QfHrGr]

Have booked 2 Stay Plus at different Sofitels in Sydney for higher category rooms (including Club rooms) with no surcharge.

Wow really. I can see that would be possible with the Wentworth that don't charge much more for a luxury room and a luxury room with Club access but Sofitel DH? They usually have a mark up of $200+ for a room type without and with club access when paying but gives it totally free when you use stay plus! That's where I would use mine next time if I don't have access from status.

 

[equus]

Well, to be honest, the Club suite is at the Wentworth - at Sofitell DH for a conference, and whilst could have got Club with the Stay Plus, the extra cost (you still have to pay for the first night at the going rate) for the Club room was not worth it, given timings and what we are likely to be doing.

 

[goldenhorn]

Property: Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort
Status: Explorer+ Platinum
Room booked: Base room
Room upgraded/type: Upgraded to Prestige Suite, advised this was a four category upgrade
Rate: A$812 for four nights (originally over A$1,000, dropped a number of times via RateDrop.net), plus a US$100 hotel credit
Early check in/late out: Arrived at 6pm, didn’t need late check-out as we left at 10am, though we were told late check-out wasn’t available anyway if we stayed in the Prestige Suite
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: Yes - can be redeemed at most places and Explorer Bar
Welcome amenity: A selection of macaroons and chocolates

Notes: This was one of the best check-in experiences I’ve probably ever had. We arrived during coughtail hour and asked to check in at the lounge, they were initially reluctant but I was insistent, and it turned out great, we sat down, got a drink straight away with some nibbles, and did all the paperwork from there. The general manager John introduced himself immediately, and the whole experience was lovely, everyone was incredibly friendly and warm. The GM was very visible and pro active throughout our stay. Lovely to see.

The initial upgrade offered was to a luxury room, seemingly a one category upgrade, but they then came back after 10 minutes and said they’d made an error and upgraded us to the Prestige Suite instead.

Not sure if that had anything to do with the 10 minutes I spent chatting with the GM or that I looked disappointed about the initial upgrade (lol) but either way it was a very nice outcome.

The suite itself is huge, furthest room from the lobby which was fine, with immediate ocean views. We were told we were among the last guests to stay in that wing before it undergoes a full renovation. It would be great to see the results because it’s definitely feeling old and tired now, and the bathroom in particular was less than desirable and not worthy of a 5* resort. The GM said they are spending $10 mill on renovations.


Had dinner the first night at White Lotus, an Indian meal which was tasty. Second night we tried Venezia Ristorante, which was disappointing and not something I’d recommend. Otherwise we ate in Ao Nang, meals there were a quarter of the price and much more delicious. The hotel adds a 10% service charge and then the 7% tax so even with the 30% explorer discount it was pricey by Thai standards.

On the first day we didn’t realise there was an a la carte breakfast option in the lounge, so we went to the main buffet, which was an absolute zoo, overcrowded, chaotic and very noisy. Once we discovered we could order a la carte in the lounge instead, it was a much more pleasant experience and we didn’t go back to the buffet.

We also did a half day 4 island boat cruise, 9am to 2pm. The hotel quoted around A$200 per person including taxes and service fees, so we booked the same tour through Klook instead for A$54 per person. I understand that hotels charge a premium the services but four times the going rate is highway robbery. The spa services here were also ridiculously expensive. I really wonder if they made their prices more competitive. They might get more business - anyway we found wonderful massage services in Ao Nang for a quarter of the price.

The lounge was genuinely the highlight of the stay, it offered real exclusivity and was almost always a peaceful, wonderful refuge from the chaos of the main buffet. The wonderful staff got to know us over the days and were incredibly friendly. Afternoon tea was lovely, delicious coughtails from 5 to 7pm were great with a nice blanc de blancs sparkling on offer, and varied nibbles each day.

Without the lounge experience, this stay would not have been nearly as enjoyable as it was. I would come back here again for the lounge experience, but if it wasn’t available, I would probably give this hotel a pass.