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.

EDIT - John the hotel manager showed us one of the finished base rooms before we left and the new room design is absolutely stunning and luxe. The renovation is going to completely transform the property.

 

[DJTravels]

Two recent stays...

Property: Ibis Sydney World Square
Status: Explorer+ Gold (friend booked)
Room booked: Standard double
Room upgraded/type: No as expected for ibis.
Room Rate: A$185 p/n
Early check in/late out: Not required
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: Yes, at lobby drinks fridge.
Welcome amenity: None.

Great location in the city, for the rate, can't complain. All the basics were there, good enough bed and shower relatively modern and clean. Aircon can't be adjusted, but fine. Proper desk to work is a plus. Would come back for this price given Novotel level was around $300.

Property: Peppers Blue on Blue resort magnetic island
Status: Explorer+ Platinum
Room booked: Hotel Room (base room)
Room upgraded/type: No - same room type, but got one facing the marina instead of street level. Was told the place was too busy to upgrade....
Room Rate: Used points but rate was around $250 p/n
Early check in/late out: Asked for late check out given till 12pm
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: Yes, at the restaurant
Welcome amenity: legacy white. reception called day before to check preference for red or white.

Good location right off the terminal, big pools, and restaurant was good with the explorer discount. I didn't mind my side of the property, but those facing towards the street would be a bit poor privacy wise. Platinum gets free breakfast with barista coffee which is better than if you just added breakfast to a regular booking as they only get access to the machine coffee. Nice!

 

[History]

Property: Hyde Perth
Status: Explorer+ Gold
Room booked: Base room
Room upgraded/type: No
Rate: $1,270 for five nights, pay at property, breakfast not included (it is a la carte at the Farra bar), and a $600 bond.
Early check in/late out: Not needed
Free internet: Yes!
Welcome drink: Yes, hot chocolate time!
Welcome amenity: No, and I asked about it at reception, and was told the welcome drink is the amenity, which is strange and kind of poor behaviour, as it is an advertised Gold and above benefit at Accor.

This was a really good stay and is highly recommended for Perth, although I have noticed the prices have become rather steep in the next coming months. I loved my room (the design is truly wonderful) and everything seemed thoughtful, fresh, and exciting. Special mention to the staff - who were amazing, brimming with recommendations and good times. I didn't eat at the Farra restaurant, yet I greatly enjoyed the pool bar + bar. Breakfast is particularly special and egg-centric. I thought the food was terrific and amazing, you must try the avocado and charred corn option with a poached egg. I am very happy to recommend Hyde Perth, and now I want to try Hyde London City and maybe the properties in Bodrum and Ibiza (I am not one to party, though). Special kudos to Hyde Perth also for hiring a security guard around night, the area seemed safe and rather quiet, yet outside there was what seemed a road incident with police.

The disappointments are brief. I did not expect an upgrade as my stay was five nights, so no biggie. Yet the lack of a welcome amenity did leave a sour note, but oh well. The pool was a bit too cold for my liking (and I guess other guests thought so too - I had it all to myself over four full days).

I'd recommend this hotel to the same crowd who is drawn to 25hours and the Hoxton. It's not for everyone, but outside noise was rarely an issue. I also tried the gym, which was rather straight forward. On a somewhat final note, I want to briefly talk about the price. In retrospect, the rate I paid was a bargain. So if you want to stay here keep an eye out for sales. I would consider the General Admission room, excluding breakfast, to have a value of $300 (thereabouts). I can accept a higher price, granted, but I think that figure is fair.

And lastly... and rather off-topic, if you are visiting Perth for leisure, you should see Fremantle and the excellent (so much so I'm raving about it to my family, days later) Army museum. It is a defense site, so bring identification. Yet it was so touching and moving, I was certainly in my element as both a student of history AND as an Australian. Other highlights in Perth: St. George's Cathedral (Anglican) and St. Mary's (Catholic), Perth Zoo, King's Park, His Majesty's Theatre, and in the Fremantle area, the prison. It was nice to see some Federation buildings, too.

 

[ellen10]

Thanks @History for your review and for Perth recommendations, most appreciated.
I did look at the Hyde for a one night stay in September. (We will be back later for 6 nights). But the rate went up to about $360 for the base room, (with mixed reviews), so I chose the Adnate, as it was a better price and closer to where we have to pick up a rental car.