IHG Hotels that recognise status

[Verbal]

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
When: August 2025
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Rate: MYR 162 per night (Visa partner rate, inclusive of 18.8% tax)
Booked: 1 Queen Bed Standard
Received: 1 Queen 2 Single Two Bedroom Suite
Amenity Offered: Welcome drinks or points

Let's cut to the chase - the biggest drawback of this HIX is the location. About 10min walk from Johor Bahru (JB) City Square mall and 15min walk from the JB Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) checkpoint where you cross the border between Malaysia and Singapore. Add in SE Asian humidity and this location isn't for everyone. You could Grab/taxi it from CIQ but the pick up/drop off location can be busy even at quiet times and worse during peak.

Ignoring the location, the place is pretty nice:

PROs:
- cheap rate, often half the price of the Holiday Inn JB City Centre (HI JBCC)
- free parking is available via reception validating your Touch n Go card (local eWallet like our Opal/Myki card, used for highway road tolls and KL public transport) to swipe into the car park
- good breakfast range of western and Asian dishes that cycle daily
- complimentary HIX branded shuttle bus that runs on a fixed schedule, departing HIX JB daily at 11am/2pm/5pm/8pm and drops you off outside the HI JBCC
- you can also jump onto the shuttle bus from the HI JBCC as it makes the return journey to HIX JB, add 5-10min to the above times for rough departure times (but don't be late, the driver doesn't linger after dropping off passengers)
- shuttle has space for 8 passengers in the back, 1 in front
- you need to reserve a seat at reception for departure from HIX JB; no need to book if you plan to jump on the return bus

CONs:
- the location will put most people off compared to the HI JBCC which is right in the middle of the action
- water drainage from taps/shower is noticeably loud, even minutes after you've turned off the water
- the building is showing signs of age, scuff marks everywhere and many obvious signs of plaster jobs on the walls
- the cable TV channels aren't HD, it's like watching TV from the 90s
- for some strange reason in the bedroom suite, the bedroom TVs have less channels than the communal TV

WOULD I STAY THERE AGAIN?
Yep, I have another night booked for Oct. Cheap location to get those extra nights in for milestone rewards. Not so great if you plan to use JB as a launch pad for daily Singapore trips, but fine if you want to explore the JB area.

WALKING DIRECTIONS FROM CIQ:

Johor Bahru City Square to 12, Jalan Dato Dalam

maps.app.goo.gl

I left my suitcases in Singapore and did this walk with a backpack and a light duffel bag slung around my shoulder. I wouldn't recommend doing this walk in the heat with any type of suitcase - best to get a Grab/taxi or wait for the HIX shuttle bus.

- after you exit Malaysian immigration, follow the crowd to City Square Mall via the overpass walkway onto level 3 of the mall (don't go too far down to roadside level as that's the pick-up/drop off point for Grab/taxis)
- take the escalator down to ground level and exit next to J Co Donuts and Coffee
- cross the road (Jalan Wong Ah cough, there's no lights so you have to time your crossing well) and to the right of Public Bank there is a covered walkway shortcut up to Jalan Trus
- cross Jalan Trus at the light and it's a steep uphill along Jalan Salim (real steep, feel free to take rest breaks walking up in the humidity)
- at the top of Jalan Trus, turn right at the Restoran Al Damascus and walk past the Johor International Convention Centre
- cross the road and follow Jalan Dato Dalam, sticking to the left side along the blue paint for pedestrians
- when you arrive at the back of HIX JB, there is a sheltered pedestrian staircase that leads you down to the front entrance, but the trick is to use the car park entrance instead
- the ramp down takes you to level 3 (easier for arriving), the ramp up leads to level 4 (easier for departing)
- you don't need a keycard to use the lift to select the lobby level (only needed for the upper levels)
- best to use your phone torch at night for the last stage, less for lighting your way and more to tell cars that you're walking in the dark

 

[Beano]

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
When: August 2025
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Rate: MYR 162 per night (Visa partner rate, inclusive of 18.8% tax)
Booked: 1 Queen Bed Standard
Received: 1 Queen 2 Single Two Bedroom Suite
Amenity Offered: Welcome drinks or points

Let's cut to the chase - the biggest drawback of this HIX is the location. About 10min walk from Johor Bahru (JB) City Square mall and 15min walk from the JB Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) checkpoint where you cross the border between Malaysia and Singapore. Add in SE Asian humidity and this location isn't for everyone. You could Grab/taxi it from CIQ but the pick up/drop off location can be busy even at quiet times and worse during peak.

Ignoring the location, the place is pretty nice:

PROs:
- cheap rate, often half the price of the Holiday Inn JB City Centre (HI JBCC)
- free parking is available via reception validating your Touch n Go card (local eWallet like our Opal/Myki card, used for highway road tolls and KL public transport) to swipe into the car park
- good breakfast range of western and Asian dishes that cycle daily
- complimentary HIX branded shuttle bus that runs on a fixed schedule, departing HIX JB daily at 11am/2pm/5pm/8pm and drops you off outside the HI JBCC
- you can also jump onto the shuttle bus from the HI JBCC as it makes the return journey to HIX JB, add 5-10min to the above times for rough departure times (but don't be late, the driver doesn't linger after dropping off passengers)
- shuttle has space for 8 passengers in the back, 1 in front
- you need to reserve a seat at reception for departure from HIX JB; no need to book if you plan to jump on the return bus

CONs:
- the location will put most people off compared to the HI JBCC which is right in the middle of the action
- water drainage from taps/shower is noticeably loud, even minutes after you've turned off the water
- the building is showing signs of age, scuff marks everywhere and many obvious signs of plaster jobs on the walls
- the cable TV channels aren't HD, it's like watching TV from the 90s
- for some strange reason in the bedroom suite, the bedroom TVs have less channels than the communal TV

WOULD I STAY THERE AGAIN?
Yep, I have another night booked for Oct. Cheap location to get those extra nights in for milestone rewards. Not so great if you plan to use JB as a launch pad for daily Singapore trips, but fine if you want to explore the JB area.

WALKING DIRECTIONS FROM CIQ:

Johor Bahru City Square to 12, Jalan Dato Dalam

maps.app.goo.gl

I left my suitcases in Singapore and did this walk with a backpack and a light duffel bag slung around my shoulder. I wouldn't recommend doing this walk in the heat with any type of suitcase - best to get a Grab/taxi or wait for the HIX shuttle bus.

- after you exit Malaysian immigration, follow the crowd to City Square Mall via the overpass walkway onto level 3 of the mall (don't go too far down to roadside level as that's the pick-up/drop off point for Grab/taxis)
- take the escalator down to ground level and exit next to J Co Donuts and Coffee
- cross the road (Jalan Wong Ah cough, there's no lights so you have to time your crossing well) and to the right of Public Bank there is a covered walkway shortcut up to Jalan Trus
- cross Jalan Trus at the light and it's a steep uphill along Jalan Salim (real steep, feel free to take rest breaks walking up in the humidity)
- at the top of Jalan Trus, turn right at the Restoran Al Damascus and walk past the Johor International Convention Centre
- cross the road and follow Jalan Dato Dalam, sticking to the left side along the blue paint for pedestrians
- when you arrive at the back of HIX JB, there is a sheltered pedestrian staircase that leads you down to the front entrance, but the trick is to use the car park entrance instead
- the ramp down takes you to level 3 (easier for arriving), the ramp up leads to level 4 (easier for departing)
- you don't need a keycard to use the lift to select the lobby level (only needed for the upper levels)
- best to use your phone torch at night for the last stage, less for lighting your way and more to tell cars that you're walking in the dark

This takes me back to the 80s when I attended a wedding in JB. It was an all day affair with wedding in the morning followed buy an Indian themed buffet lunch (women and children first!) and Chinese in the evening. At the Chinese dinner there were four tall glasses (hi-ball), one for water, one for wine, one for beer and one for spirits. The servings were all the same nearly full!

 

[cove]

Crowne Plaza Changi gave us a lovely upgrade to a suite thanking us for our loyalty.

 

[The-Aviator]

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Canberra
When: September 2025
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Rate: $200/night (Visa cardholder rate)
Booked: 1 King Bed Standard City View
Received: 1 King Bed Standard Park View (one-category upgrade, visible in app about a week out plus received an email the day before arrival)

Now that plans have been revealed to completely redevelop the site I suspect there isn't too much life left in this hotel, so what you see here is probably what it's going to look like until its demise!

Arrived at around 8pm and check-in experience was ok. As part of IHG Global Customer Appreciation Week guests were invited to spin a wheel. Prizes included a piece of chocolate, a drink voucher, 20% off dinner, 1 night free parking, 1 free breakfast or 1,000pts and I won the points. I asked about a late checkout and after a quick check on the computer and going out back to get approval, a 2pm extension was confirmed. The receptionist forgot to offer a welcome amenity but when I asked I was offered points or a drink voucher, I took the drink voucher.

Upon entering my room, I was a bit concerned to find the lights not turning on after putting my card in the slot. I was close to returning to the front desk but after reinserting a couple of times it eventually clicked and was fine from there on. I can't fault the rooms for cleanliness and (apart from the lights issue!) pretty much everything is in good working condition but they are certainly looking old and in that regard the redevelopment can't come soon enough. King bed was comfy, TV with Chromecast was good and the air-conditioning worked well. The bathroom was well stocked amenities-wise but they have my dreaded shower/bath combo and bath towels on the smaller side.

The hotel has a well-equipped gym however the weather was nice enough during my visit to workout outdoors. Location is a big plus, just down the road from the Canberra Centre for shopping/dining and adjacent to the casino and the entertainment/convention centre.

Used my drink voucher at the Estate LUME bar - on my last visit it was a snack and drink voucher which provided a hot snack and any drink (including spirits) from the menu so they have cut back a bit here. I was offered a choice of beer or wine, when I asked about non-alcoholic options he first offered a mocktail before taking that offer back saying he wasn't sure if that was allowed and instead saying it could be a soft drink only. Not fussed by it but just found it pretty funny and perhaps something they should be better prepared for!

I had planned to do buffet breakfast on one of the two mornings, however this changed at check-in. The receptionist said I could prepay for $32, a 20% discount on the walk-up rate but when I asked if I could do just one morning I was told no, it had to be both or nothing. Knowing that I could have saved $8, on principle I decided they wouldn't be getting my $40 and I went down the road to Catbird Cafe instead! I was the winner because the brekkie burrito there was unreal and the hotel's strange policy meant they missed out on my $32.

There are definitely nicer hotel rooms in Canberra but this is always where I've stayed and given the price and status benefits, I guess I'll continue staying. Hopefully the redevelopment kicks off soon!

 

[moa999]

Some recent stays.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Gold Coast
When: September 2025
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Rate: ~$180 Advance Member X 2 nights, no breakfast
Booked: 1 King Bed Standard
Received: 1 KJS Ocean View (processed 2 nights before). 1706 (think 06/07 are this took type)
Amenity: Drink or points. Took drink (and got 2 vouchers). Redeemed at the Sports Bar, which is weirdly only accessible by walking outside the hotel.

For those that know the Gold Coast, this is the old Park Royal, on the southern end of the tower district, opposite the Florida Gardens LR stop (other part of the old Park Royal - the Gold Tower is now the Oaks).
Room is recently renovated and a stunning view with wrap around balcony and a small table and two chairs.
Weirdly the room is higher than the balcony and the railing isn't high, so you need to be careful as you walk out. In pic below the three towers are the newish Langham development.
Hallways are average with obviously 20yo wallpaper peeling. The pool is decent size but doesn't get much sun. About 3 block to the beach.
Equally the bathroom appeared original with an inactive spa bath and separate shower (no photo)

Was a 2hr happy hour at the main bar/buffet with good prices on beer/ wines and spirits.

Also has a single Tennis court and a strange basement gym that seems to be an office conversion.




Shifted last night a bit north.

Hotel: Voco Gold Coast
When: September 2025
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Rate: ~$200 Advance Member w/ breakfast
Booked: 1 King Bed Standard
Received: King Premium High Floor Mountain View. 1924 (end of hall)
Amenity: Drink or points. Took drink (and got 1 vouchers). Redeemed at main bar.
Also has a happy hour but it was early (4-5) or late (9-11)

Again another renovation property (this one the first Voco in the world) - the old Watermark Hotel, opposite Q1 tower and at Surfers Paradise LR stop.
Decent renovation throughout other than the two small pools on different levels, one east facing and one west.
Gym is quite decent.





Hotel: Crowne Plaza Sydney Macquarie Park
When: September 2025
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Rate: ~$170 Advance Member, no breakfast
Booked: 1 King Bed Standard
Received: 1 King Standard High Floor Rear side

Amenity: Drink or points. Took drink (and got 1 vouchers). then told bar closed and only redeemable via room service (interestingly no delivery charge)



Good points earn on these stays as Platinum (60%), 2x Sept Promo, and 3x Select Brands (inc CP and Voco) for Aug/ Sep.
So basically 4.6x base points.

 

[moa999]

Also some news on HI Sydney Kings Cross

The owner Salter Brothers (who also own a bunch of other IHG properties) have proposed a large apartment tower on the site under the NSW SSD process.

Targeted to commence construction in 2027.

One Kings Cross by Salter Brothers

salterbrothers.com.au