Hotel: Crowne Plaza Christchurch
When: December 2023
Status: Diamond Elite
Rate: Standard Room Reward (23000, 27000 points per night)
Booked: standard room
Received: 1 king city view, high floor
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Christchurch
When: December 2023
Status: Diamond Elite
Rate: IHGBE7 - refundable members' rate, ~255 NZD/night
Booked: 1 king standard city view
Received: 1 king city view, high floor
Had two adjacent stays at this hotel, booked the first few nights with points then the rest with cash. Status acknowledged, selected breakfast, which was great and included barista coffee with no surcharge. Also had a 2pm checkout on the last day.
Staff were great and room was nice, received the "we've upgraded your room" email a few days in advance but from what I could tell it was only a high floor (labeled as "executive rooms" on the floor itself, but with no lounge or other benefits from what I could see). I had to check in and out but they managed to keep us in the same room the whole time so no need to change.
The "city view" in Christchurch, including the nice park on the opposite corner from the hotel:
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour
When: December 2023
Status: Diamond Elite
Rate: Standard Room Reward (44000 points per night)
Booked: standard room
Received: 1 King City View - may have been high floor (for this relatively small hotel)
Diamond status recognized and selected breakfast. Also had no issues with a 1.30pm checkout. I think the hotel was at full occupancy.
I didn't screenshot the actual room type from the booking so can't be certain because IHG no longer include room details in any emails and you can't access a booking retrospectively. This hotel was nice but was relatively small and only had two lifts, which were very busy on a couple of occasions.
I thought I'd remembered a recent review of this hotel and it having a nice poolside bar or restaurant, but I think I was mistaken. At the small-ish pool area you could order things via your phone, but they would be delivered (with a tray charge). Instead, we ate at the (very quiet) hotel restaurant for a light dinner and (busy but impressive) breakfast, again no barista coffee surcharge which was great. Staff were nice, but in my mind I was constantly comparing the stay to one I'd had at both the immediately previous stay in Christchurch at half the price, and the new IC Sydney last year for a similar points price (admittedly at a quieter time of year).
We hadn't stayed in this location before but it was reasonably convenient for what we needed. Altogether a good stay, I'd be happy to stay here again but would probably look first to the IC or may try out the kimpton next time.
The "city view" here: