How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest?

[esseeeayeenn]

I realised that my report on the Sofitel Adelaide didn't include photos of the Junior Suite.
So here you go, with apologies for the lived-in look.

 

[DJTravels]

Property: Peppers Gallery Hotel Canberra
Status: Platinum Explorer
Rate: Explorer non-refundable rate $134 p/n
Room booked: Classic room
Room upgraded/type: Superior King
Early check in/late out: Early check in, room was available in the morning around 10am.
Welcome drink: Yes. At the lobby as restaurant is closed.
Welcome amenity: yes - chocolate
Recommend: Let's see post reno....

Didn't realise they were renovating, apparently lobby is being updated for the 100th anniversary of the building next year, so it's all scaffolded, driveway relocated, restaurant closed, and a bit of a maze to get to reception. Essentially, the only part still operating are the rooms and the reception. There's a make shift bar at reception for your free drinks, and Platinums can have free breakfast at the QT hotel next door which is a nice gesture. In the day though, you can hear the faint sound of construction. Night time is fine.

All the Accor properties in the city were hovering around the $130 mark, so I could've chosen to stay any of the free, but Peppers is usually the most 'luxe' one. Plus, need to be in ANU so the acton area was perfect, otherwise it's a bit inconvenient to get back to Civic.

Room itself is fine, leather headboard flaking already though so not a good sign, suspicious stain on couch. I'd give it a B. Depending on the room not much in the way of privacy. Thankfully, my room was in the inner garden, but still you're partially looking out to the street level. Aircon surprisingly loud even on the lowest wind setting. Wifi excruciatingly slow - I did a speed test and download was around 2 Mb!!! - thankfully I did not have to work much in the hotel.

Accor options in Canberra are not terribly exciting, they're all around a B standard IMO. I'd choose this place again if I needed to be in the area (ANU essentially), but probably go back to Sebel or Novotel next time, price depending.

 

[Daver6]

Property: Peppers Gallery Hotel Canberra
Status: Platinum Explorer
Rate: Explorer non-refundable rate $134 p/n
Room booked: Classic room
Room upgraded/type: Superior King
Early check in/late out: Early check in, room was available in the morning around 10am.
Welcome drink: Yes. At the lobby as restaurant is closed.
Welcome amenity: yes - chocolate
Recommend: Let's see post reno....

Didn't realise they were renovating, apparently lobby is being updated for the 100th anniversary of the building next year, so it's all scaffolded, driveway relocated, restaurant closed, and a bit of a maze to get to reception. Essentially, the only part still operating are the rooms and the reception. There's a make shift bar at reception for your free drinks, and Platinums can have free breakfast at the QT hotel next door which is a nice gesture. In the day though, you can hear the faint sound of construction. Night time is fine.

All the Accor properties in the city were hovering around the $130 mark, so I could've chosen to stay any of the free, but Peppers is usually the most 'luxe' one. Plus, need to be in ANU so the acton area was perfect, otherwise it's a bit inconvenient to get back to Civic.

Room itself is fine, leather headboard flaking already though so not a good sign, suspicious stain on couch. I'd give it a B. Depending on the room not much in the way of privacy. Thankfully, my room was in the inner garden, but still you're partially looking out to the street level. Aircon surprisingly loud even on the lowest wind setting. Wifi excruciatingly slow - I did a speed test and download was around 2 Mb!!! - thankfully I did not have to work much in the hotel.

Accor options in Canberra are not terribly exciting, they're all around a B standard IMO. I'd choose this place again if I needed to be in the area (ANU essentially), but probably go back to Sebel or Novotel next time, price depending.

I'd imagine QT breakfast is a step up from Novotel at least

 

[Flyfrequently]

Property: Peppers Gallery Hotel Canberra
Status: Platinum Explorer
Rate: Explorer non-refundable rate $134 p/n


Didn't realise they were renovating, apparently lobby is being updated for the 100th anniversary of the building next year, so it's all scaffolded, driveway relocated, restaurant closed, and a bit of a maze to get to reception. Essentially, the only part still operating are the rooms and the reception. There's a make shift bar at reception for your free drinks, and Platinums can have free breakfast at the QT hotel next door which is a nice gesture. In the day though, you can hear the faint sound of construction. Night time is fine.

All the Accor properties in the city were hovering around the $130 mark, so I could've chosen to stay any of the free, but Peppers is usually the most 'luxe' one.

Accor options in Canberra are not terribly exciting, they're all around a B standard IMO. I'd choose this place again if I needed to be in the area (ANU essentially), but probably go back to Sebel or Novotel next time, price depending.

Thanks for that informative review @DJTravels
Spending 2 nights in Canberra in March for a wedding, yet to decide.
Any input from others who frequent the Capital, much appreciated.

 

[Flyingwombat]

Underwhelming experience at Novotel Century Hong Kong as gold… welcome gift two pieces of fruit… late checkout only until 3pm so we’ve had to pay for 6pm.

 

[jase05]

Any input from others who frequent the Capital, much appreciated

There for work a few times per year and always choose to stay at Mercure Belconnen.
They look after me well and it’s a comfortable enough stay. Location is probably the only real downside as it’s away from the action

 

[sudoer]

Sebel Civic is my go-to for Canberra, as long as I'm not driving (there's no parking and the street parking situation is painful)

 

[Flyfrequently]

Sebel Civic is my go-to for Canberra, as long as I'm not driving (there's no parking and the street parking situation is painful)

Good information thanks @sudoer as we will have a car

 

[jase05]

Good information thanks @sudoer as we will have a car

Mercure Belconnen I has onsite parking in a large undercover carpark. The hotel shares facilities with the Labor club but has its own designated levels for secure undercover parking. Parking is $15/night but they do waive it for status guests sometimes.
Breakfast is on the Labor club and the best Brekky at an Accor property in Canberra IMO.
I often have dinner at the Labor club too as it has a huge menu option and prices are good.

 

[Cloud9]

Property: The Silveri M Gallery
Status: Diamond Explorer
Rate: $330 per night
Room booked: Luxury Executive
Room upgraded/type: Nah. Hotel policy's pretty tight and the jacuzzi terrace rooms were all taken.
Early check in/late out: Didn't ask, didn't need.
Welcome drink: Yes. Although the range was underwhelming. Made up for by the freebie coughtails at Pavilion!
Welcome amenity: Yes - interesting little card to claim some nibbles at Pavilion. Truth is I totally forgot to use it.
Recommend: Absolutely.

A little hiking around Lantau. Well, that and a conference. Well, those and a bit of dai pai dong trekking.

Wonderfully warm welcome from J-El and his team at the front desk after a swift taxi ride over from HKG. I was on QF29, but thankfully we landed in time for me to get to the Silveri, checked in, and up to the executive lounge for sunset aperitif.

Massive hats off to Katherine. She's a superstar of a host. Especially when dealing with a pretty knackered Scottish accented Aussie who just about fell asleep standing up whilst pouring himself a vodka orange.

Really nice staff all round in the lounge. If you're expecting a Millésime range of nibbles and drinks, you'll be sorely disappointed. If you're looking for a solid set of nibbles and a fair range of drinks and super well stocked fridges? You're in the right place. The eastern plates of dim sum, noodles, katsu curry etc were really flipping good. Beautiful thunderstorms on arrival as well. Really primed my mind for what was going to be coming in the next few days. Thankfully the rains largely held off.

The rooms are really nicely kitted out. Clean, tidy, and the colour palette reminded me of how I decorated my flat back in the early 00s.

The Pavilion is a fabulous bar. Gen, the mixologist who was on duty when I arrived, mixed me up some truly fab drinks. He even did a little experiment of a variation on a theme for gratis, as I was angling to pull out my freebie drinks vouchers. Had a great chat in here on the second night with some expat boys - ended up in us having more than a couple of cognacs. Really nice venue. In the winter months, I'm looking forward to grabbing a few and sitting out on the terrace here for sunset.

Breakfast at the Enclave was solid. I mean, it would have helped if I read the damned card on the table they turn over to say the table's occupied. It also says to ask staff if you want tea or coffee. But no. Not me. I went on a strange wander around the whole damn place for five minutes trying to find the coffee machine before I caught sight of the text. Service in general was great here - the ladies and gents were friendly and more than happy to help with any little request. Total Hong Kong "service" from the boss woman in charge for two mornings, though. That could be a little off-putting for some who aren't used to the brusque nature of HK here and there. Final morning, the manageress in charge was such a gem - she asked if I would like coffee before she even asked me to follow her to my table.

Now. Word of warning. The baths. They're lovely and big. And they're damned dangerous. Went for a soak on the Wednesday night after imbibing at the bar. And I'm glad I had more than a few. The bath is as high as my waist (well... upper thigh, anyways!), and getting in was fun enough. Getting out resulted in me smashing into the floor. Which was bad enough - but I was on the phone to the wife, who just heard "THUD". Poor dear was a bit rattled by it all. Had some quality bruising from that.

Housekeeping services were fab - and I think my housekeeper realised I was drinking A LOT of water. Came back to find six or eight fresh cartons after my hikes. I've no probs with drinking HK tap water, but it was a lovely gesture and much appreciated.

In common with MGallery, soft drinks in the minibar were gratis - and easy enough to ask for them to be replenished if you swing that way. I just fancied an orange juice after my days out.

I'm already booked back in for November - and again for a few trips next year. I love the Mondrian, but when it comes to bang for buck, and knowing your way around HK relatively well, The Silveri really does stand out as the Accor property I'm most likely to go to when I'm in town.



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