Is InterContinental Brisbane Just a Crowne Plaza in a Fancier Suit?

[trippin_the_rift]

I recently stayed at the InterContinental Brisbane, and it feels more like a good Crowne Plaza than a property worthy of the InterContinental brand.

When I saw that Intercon was in Brisbane, I was admittedly excited to give it a try compared to other options.
For context, I've been a Diamond Ambassador for many years, have stayed at a dozen InterContinents this year, and will easily qualify for Royal Ambassador.

I left thinking, 'How did this property get approval to use the Intercontinental name?

- The lounge, while acceptable, is small and not worth the visit unless you want to pick up a bottle of something to go. While probably great a decade ago, the age is showing.
- TV in the rooms is tiny and old. I remember buying the same model 20 years ago for my home.
- Bathrooms: Straight out of an IKEA catalogue a decade ago, and never updated.
- Bathoom amenities on par with what you'd expect from a Holiday Inn.
- The room had cracked paint, rust in the corners of the bathroom, and the glass panel shower screens... Holiday Inn Express stuff.
- Like many Intercons, the '500 points per night green thing for no room service', not credited (not BNE specific).

I didn't have any problems during my stay and the staff were pleasant and accommodating -- but I would expect this from any 4-star or above hotel.

I can't help but think that the property is more of an old Hilton than a charming Intercontinental.

Am I missing something?

 

[Princess Fiona]

I recently stayed at the InterContinental Brisbane, and it feels more like a good Crowne Plaza than a property worthy of the InterContinental brand.

When I saw that Intercon was in Brisbane, I was admittedly excited to give it a try compared to other options.
For context, I've been a Diamond Ambassador for many years, have stayed at a dozen InterContinents this year, and will easily qualify for Royal Ambassador.

I left thinking, 'How did this property get approval to use the Intercontinental name?

- The lounge, while acceptable, is small and not worth the visit unless you want to pick up a bottle of something to go. While probably great a decade ago, the age is showing.
- TV in the rooms is tiny and old. I remember buying the same model 20 years ago for my home.
- Bathrooms: Straight out of an IKEA catalogue a decade ago, and never updated.
- Bathoom amenities on par with what you'd expect from a Holiday Inn.
- The room had cracked paint, rust in the corners of the bathroom, and the glass panel shower screens... Holiday Inn Express stuff.
- Like many Intercons, the '500 points per night green thing for no room service', not credited (not BNE specific).

I didn't have any problems during my stay and the staff were pleasant and accommodating -- but I would expect this from any 4-star or above hotel.

I can't help but think that the property is more of an old Hilton than a charming Intercontinental.

Am I missing something?

Not stayed in it since it switched over from Hilton.
Stayed many times previously over the years.
Lounge has always been completely underwhelming except for the lovely staff.
Rooms are tired, old with nothing memorable other than the weird damp smell on some floors intermittently.
It was barely good as a vanilla Hilton can’t imagine it would be up to brand standard for IC without a major over haul.

 

[kerfuffle]

It's being refurbished from next year onwards. Not sure why they didn't copy what IHG are doing in Coogee and closing the hotel for refurbishment before opening it up again

 

[NM]

Thanks for the update. Planning to stay there pre-Christmas and was not expecting it to be the full IC experience. Its been many years since we stayed there (as a Hilton obviously) and we expecting it to still be very much in the same condition as it would have been when exiting Hilton branding. There just was not enough time between closing as Hilton and opening as IC for it to brought up to the IC banding level. Hopefully they will be undergoing upgrades/renovations over time. But I always knew my pre-Christmas stay would be "too soon" for any decent property refresh. Sitting on a reasonable rate for the stay, so will see how this and other options pan out for the stay.