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.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Property: Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse
Status: Explorer Platinum
Room booked: Standard Room with 1 king size bed and 1 single bed
Room upgraded/type: Yes. See notes
Rate: Red Hot Room $117/night.
Early check in/late out: Neither offered, nor required.
Free internet: Yes
Welcome drink: Yes, vouchers used for barista coffee at breakfast.
Welcome amenity: None
Recommend: Yes, especially at discount rates.

We arrived just before 8pm expecting our room access card to be in the night safe. However, reception was still open and the staff member unlocked the safe and provided the some basic info about the hotel.

I enquired about an upgrade and was told the hotel was fully booked. I'd searched availability and anticipated this answer.

The standard room had the basics, though the bathroom was tight and not very well designed. See pics 1 &2. Even so, it was good value at $117/night with breakfast for three included.

The next morning I was walking through reception and the staff member who checked me in called me over to the reception desk. He advised an upgrade was available to the next room category and that he was looking to see if he could do even better. He asked me to check back later in the day.

I checked at reception mid-afternoon and was advised a one-category upgrade was available immediately, or if we wanted to wait to the following day, we could move to the top room category. We took the second option and enjoyed the ocean view executive suite for the final three days of our stay. See pics 3 onwards.

Given it was school holidays and the hotel appeared to be hosting at least two small conferences (~20 pax each) it was an excellent upgrade from a deep discount rate.

In my experience it's unusual for breakfast to be included at a Mantra, and the offer here was a good mid-range hot and cold buffet. Eggs on the buffet rotated between scrambled and poached. However, omelette, fried egg and whichever type was not on the buffet could be ordered for no extra charge. Drip filter coffee was available. Barista coffee attracted a coffee tax. A table by the window was reserved for us each day.

Service throughout the hotel was average to good. Common areas have seen better days and could do with a facelift.

There is also a guest laundry (free) however, any time we attempted to use the laundry it was unavailable because housekeeping staff were laundering towels (final pic). Eventually one staff member offered to remove towels from one machine so we could get some washing done. Not sure if this was a cost cutting measure, or something else. Bit odd.

Good stay overall. Recommended especially if you can get it under $150/night.

Original room:


Tight but functional bathroom:


Upgrade room - executive suite:


*Lounge area not pictured because Miss H was already sprawled out on the pull-out bed.





Spa bath and separate shower:






Views from suite:




Laundry shambles:

 

[goldenhorn]

Property: Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok
Status: Explorer+ Platinum
Room booked: Base room, 1 night
Room upgraded/type: Upgraded to a suite
Rate: A$255/night (redeemed 6,000 points plus A$60)
Early check in/late out: Arrived 3pm, had to leave 5:15am for an early flight, so no late check-out needed
Free internet: yes
Welcome drink: Yes, at the pool
Welcome amenity: Initially nothing in the room, called reception to ask about the platinum amenity, they apologised and brought up a fruit plate and card

Notes: Loved this hotel, so peaceful and beautifully green throughout. The suite upgrade was lovely, great bathroom with a second toilet, huge shower room with amazing water pressure, and a view over the canal (and an abandoned building that looked like it might be a relic from the GFC).

Arrived at 3pm right in the middle of afternoon tea, they brought out a good stack of nibbles for us. Went for a swim afterwards and had our welcome drink at the pool, was only meant to get something off the welcome menu but the bartender kindly made us coughtails off the classic menu instead, a margarita and a Long Island iced tea.

Went along to coughtails and canapés at 5pm, food was varied and tasty, though drinks were fairly standard with only one coughtail of the day on offer. Service was a touch passive, had to ask for top ups ourselves.

Disappointed we didn’t get the chance to try breakfast given the early flight out. The gym looked incredible, and I tried the steam room in the changerooms, really hot and powerful, excellent.

Will definitely come back and stay longer next time.

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

Property: Ibis Osaka Umeda
Status: Explorer+ Gold
Room booked: Standard Room with 1 Double Bed
Room upgraded/type: N/A
Rate: Hotel Sale, $130 p/n
Early check in/late out: Yes, room made available at 12pm.
Welcome drink: Yes, via downstairs Brasserie La Loge a COOKPARK. (draft beer )
Welcome amenity: N/A
Recommend: Yes

Stayed recently for 3 nights. Great location close to both JR Osaka Station and Umeda Station (Hankyu). Direct link to the underground walkways downstairs, with access to restaurants, all the stations, department stores and shops. Very handy for staying out of the hot weather and sunlight.

Room was a very small as standard, had a nice view of HEP 5. Otherwise, comfortable stay, no issues noted.

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

Property: Ibis Styles Ginza
Status: Explorer+ Gold
Room booked: Standard Room with 1 Single Bed
Room upgraded/type: N/A
Rate: Hotel Sale, $75 p/n
Early check in/late out: Late check out requested, and provided for 2pm.
Welcome drink: Yes, voucher via app - options provided at check-in.
Welcome amenity: N/A
Recommend: Yes

A revisit to my preferred hotel in Ginza. Great location close by to Ginza Six and the bustling shops, restaurants and great transport options either via Ginza/Higashi Ginza Stations or Shimbashi a short walk away.

Room was tight as expected given previous visits, no room update (to a double) this time even though the hotel seem very empty on a mid-week stay in the middle of summer.

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

Property: Sofitel Singapore City Centre
Status: Explorer+ Gold
Room booked: Luxury Room, 1 King Bed
Room upgraded/type: N/A
Rate: Unsure, $491 p/n
Early check in/late out: Late check out requested, and provided for 1pm
Welcome drink: N/A
Welcome amenity: N/A
Recommend: Yes

First visit to this hotel as part of a two night stay to attend a conference. Told at check in that our corporate travel provider FCM booked the hotel via Experia - so no benefits would be provided. Had no idea until that FCM also used Experia to make bookings

Room was very spacious, and nicely detailed - very comfy bed. Bathroom was large and had a separate rain shower and toilet. Location of the hotel was convenient, with the Tanjong Pagar station downstairs and other MRT stations a 5-10 min walk away.

Not to mention heaps of food options with Chinatown close by and Lau Pa Sat (and its satay stalls).

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

Property: AKI Hotel Hong Kong - MGallery Collection
Status: Explorer+ Gold
Room booked: Classic Room, 1 King Bed
Room upgraded/type: Not provided.
Rate: ALL Accor+ Explorer - 15% off Flexible Rate
Early check in/late out: Late check out, 1pm provided.
Welcome drink: Yes
Welcome amenity: Yes
Recommend: Yes

Another first time hotel stay. Arrived after midnight - unfortunately one only staff member at reception who was dealing with a unhappy customer and took over 20 mins to be checked in.

Room was small, designed to maximise the space available. Room had automatic shutters and blinds which were a bit fiddly to use. USB-C charging ports were provided in the table next to the bed as well as a wireless charger (which never worked).

Hotel was in Wan Chai, about a 5-10 min walk to the MTR, or a couple mins walk to the island trams. Walking distance to Causeway Bay as well. A few Michelin star food options nearby and some great yum cha choices too (recommend Lung Dim Sum).

Overall, not bad with friendly staff and service.

 

[Daver6]

Property: Sofitel Singapore City Centre
Status: Explorer+ Gold
Room booked: Luxury Room, 1 King Bed
Room upgraded/type: N/A
Rate: Unsure, $491 p/n
Early check in/late out: Late check out requested, and provided for 1pm
Welcome drink: N/A
Welcome amenity: N/A
Recommend: Yes

First visit to this hotel as part of a two night stay to attend a conference. Told at check in that our corporate travel provider FCM booked the hotel via Experia - so no benefits would be provided. Had no idea until that FCM also used Experia to make bookings

Room was very spacious, and nicely detailed - very comfy bed. Bathroom was large and had a separate rain shower and toilet. Location of the hotel was convenient, with the Tanjong Pagar station downstairs and other MRT stations a 5-10 min walk away.

Not to mention heaps of food options with Chinatown close by and Lau Pa Sat (and its satay stalls).

I was there earlier in the week. It's ridiculous the hassle to get some soap/shampoo to use if you want to have a bath. It's locked in the shower. The staff just couldn't understand why I might want those amenities within reach for the bath.

 

[Seat0B]

I was there earlier in the week. It's ridiculous the hassle to get some soap/shampoo to use if you want to have a bath. It's locked in the shower. The staff just couldn't understand why I might want those amenities within reach for the bath.

My pet hate! It’s so annoying.