IHG Hotels that recognise status

[QF WP]

HI Cairns - booked King Room on Winter Package for 4 nights last week. Upgraded to top floor King Room, overlooking The Esplanade and Bay (they don't have Suites). Excellent staff and buffet breakfast.

 

[markis10]

Crowne Plaza Newcastle

Upgrade - No, not possible as I booked the best available room and still missed out on a balcony.
Elite Recognition - Nil

General comments: Dont book the executive level, its not worth the extra $70 a night (even on a BOGO like I was), overcrowded "lounge" for drinks and breakfast items not cleared in morning as lounge is not staffed at brekie.

Parking - compulsory $17 valet as no self parking option other than battling with 4 hour council meters in street.

Checkin - please allow up to an hour, front desk with room for two staff does not help when 20 couples arrive!

 

[markis10]

HI Cairns - booked King Room on Winter Package for 4 nights last week. Upgraded to top floor King Room, overlooking The Esplanade and Bay (they don't have Suites). Excellent staff and buffet breakfast.

Lindsay, they have suites, one on each floor ocean side, normally bookable at $295 best flexible.

 

[QF WP]

HI Perth City Centre - stayed last night (23/9), Entertainment Card rate ($225), booked standard king bed room, upgraded to top floor (8th). A small glass jar of (maybe 10) jelly beans as Plat gift .

Deplorable service and conditions, the GM knows my feelings if he read his mail today - will be very interested in his response (if he deigns me with one).

Compare that with my stay in the Perth Hilton tonight, humble Silver member, upgraded to Queen Suite at Premium Club rate of $180. You knw who's likely to keep my patronage.

 

[NM]

HI Perth City Centre - stayed last night (23/9), Entertainment Card rate ($225), booked standard king bed room, upgraded to top floor (8th). A small glass jar of (maybe 10) jelly beans as Plat gift .

Deplorable service ann conditions, the GM knows my feelings if he read his mail today - will be very interested in his response (if he deigns me with one).

I had a few nights there back in April or May. I ended up moving to CP which was much nicer, even if less conveniently located. I was quite under-whelmed by the HI City centre.

 

[mbeder]

In the US (HIs & CPs in LA, SF & Dallas), I've received a mixed bag of recognition, ranging from daily free drinks (at least 1 drink per day, sometimes 2) to chocolates on the pillow during the daily turnover service. Some hotels also have a pseudo separate check in area (gold pole & rope) for PC members, but I've tended to not notice these and instead just head for the non-busy check-in person or the shortest queue.
IMHO, one of the better perks I received was at the HI near LAX (a somewhat less than salubrious location - it has a Maccas right out front)...a "discount" card for all meals/drinks you purchased at the hotel. I think it gave 10-15% off...it made providing the obligatory 15% tip somewhat less painful.

 

[oz_mark]

I had a few nights there back in April or May. I ended up moving to CP which was much nicer, even if less conveniently located. I was quite under-whelmed by the HI City centre.

The HI City Centre is a much older hotel that has been a number of different hotels over the years. While I don't have the experience of staying there, I have certainly had the displeasure of interacting with some of their staff.

 

[straitman]

Compare that with my stay in the Perth Hilton tonight, humble Silver member, upgraded to Queen Suite at Premium Club rate of $180. You knw who's keeping my business.

Lindsay,

No doubt you'll recall the issues with Hilton on The Park in Melbourne for Oz Fest IV, and possibly the post I put on FT in this regard. I was promised some good things for the future by the HOP GM and found her extremely responsive to comments. She is now the GM at the Perth Hilton and I'm sure she would appreciate the positive feedback. I'll PM you her email address should you wish to use it.

 

[QF WP]

Not surprised with NM's and oz_mark's comments. Bill, you have PM.

To showcase the differences, as a humble Silver HH (I probably have ~10 stays and 15 nights there in the past 6 years versus 2 stays for 3 nights at HI), I was upgraded to a Queen Suite.

 

[QF WP]

Interestingly, I have just had a long telephone call from the Front Office Manager of the HI Perth City Centre. He had read my page long dissertation and wanted a step-by-step recollection from me of the issues (and I pointed afurther one out that I hadn't written about). He advised that the staff involved have been counselled in their service standards. We agreed that the service issues were "disappointing".

I told him about this thread and he was surprised to learn about NM's experience (no names mentioned NM, just advised him that another Plat member who is another Moderator of this web site had an experience similar to mine).

He has promised that the General Manager will ring me on Monday. I'll post the outcome.

 

[QF WP]

Crowne Plaza Royal Pines (Gold Coast). Booked 2 nights in Spa Suite ($245 per night) Fri 28 & Sat 29 Sept.

Given Room 1515 (Corner Spa Suite), so allocated room as booked - didn't expect an upgrade as school holidays and no availability.

Plat amenity received - fruit bowl (apple, orange & banana). Note from Exec Director of hotel.

Beautiful property; excellent view to mountains and across Golf Course (but I couldn't play ). Very attentive service. Will go back

 

[ioki]

HI Gold Coast, booked two rooms, one on points and the other $$ at the lowest possible rate. both upgraded to higher floors rooms

HI Melb (flinders), upgrade to a corner suite + bottle of wine.

 

[Flashback]

He has promised that the General Manager will ring me on Monday. I'll post the outcome.

How'd you go?

 

[QF WP]

Flashware, was out seeing clients so didn't get back to my office until tonight, but no emails saying that he had rung. So still waiting...

 

[NM]

Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, on a Points Break (5000 points/night) 2 night stay, received a fruit platter with hand-written welcome card. Given high-floor room with 270 degrees views.

 

[straitman]

Flashware, was out seeing clients so didn't get back to my office until tonight, but no emails saying that he had rung. So still waiting...

Still waiting to see how Lindsay got on with this. I may be interested to book a couple of nights at 5000pts/night in early Nov.

 

[oz_mark]

Still waiting to see how Lindsay got on with this. I may be interested to book a couple of nights at 5000pts/night in early Nov.

Would I be right in assuming that there is a red bull involved here somewhere.

 

[markis10]

Burswood is the only HI with reward nights available if you want to chase Extra Flugzeugbau Extra 300's Mind you it is a very nice property IMHO

 

[straitman]

Would I be right in assuming that there is a red bull involved here somewhere.

Good guess.

 

[QF WP]

Still no phone call from the Perth HI's GM.

Got a nice letter from the CP Royal Pines about my written comments.

Next property will be HI on Flinders next week. They always look after me....