Sydney or Double Bay IC

[travelislife]

So I have 68,000 IHG points sitting there. Not travelling much these days so have let my Ambassador status lapse and am IHG Platinum (so pretty much nothing!). Have my second wedding anniversary coming up in late September so thought a night in Sydney would be good (will already be up there for work).

At the moment I have booked the IC Sydney at 60,000 points for the one night. IC Double Bay is also on offer for 50,000 points.

I have also touched base with the hotel and asked about some upgrades and got the following response:

"Secondly, at the moment you have reserved a King Superior Cityside room. If you wanted to upgrade to a harbour-side room, it would be an additional $25 per night for an Eastern Harbour view, $50 for a view of the Harbour Bridge, and an additional $75 for a view of the Opera House. Furthermore, I have made a note of your request for a high floor on your reservation.

Lastly, an upgrade to access the Club executive floor - contingent on availability - will be an additional $165 for your stay."

A club harbour view room is going for $545 cash, so that puts the points at about $330. Still the club seems pretty exy at $165 for breakfast and some drinks/canapes.

So what would you do?

1. Sydney IC?
2. Double Bay IC?
3. Club or no Club?
4. Other better value options with IHG points?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ANDREW]

Hi, for a peaceful relax, definitely I.C. Dble Bay. But paying extra for lounge access in either is not worth it. Stayed Dble Bay 3 times this year, once with lounge access, but walked out of free breakfast, go across the street to the cafe in the centre of the street at right angles to cross street, Transvaal street I think it's called. Don't opt for an internal courtyard view, it is claustrophobic. Bay view is quieter on weekend nights. Lovely restaurants in the area. Also great ferry ride leaves every half hour or so just 7 to 10 minutes walk from hotel, hope this helps,rgds.

 

[travelislife]

Thanks Andrew, it is a Monday night. Will be coming from North Sydney and then head to the airport the next day.

Will have a bit of a read this weekend.

 

[jackthomas]

I'm a big fan of I.C Double Bay. The staff are fantastic if you are a regular and i find the club lounge great value for all meals, especially breakfast. The Bay view rooms are beautiful, hotel is very modern. IC Sydney has a great lounge but the hotel is tired.

 

[drron]

I am having my first stay at the IC Double Bay at the moment.Loving it.
Have club access.Breakfast is good in the club and you can order omelettes,eggs Benny etc as well as the buffet.Afternoon tea is amazing.Tomorrow will have first visit for the evening spread.Will be posting pictures.

 

[travelislife]

Thanks for the feedback! Keep it coming! Looks like it's all pointing to IC Double Bay.

 

[travelislife]

I have cancelled and changed the booking to the IC Double Bay, King Classic room. 10,000 points cheaper.

Emailed and asked about upgrade options to Bayside view and Club. They have offered $200 to upgrade to Bayside and Club which seems steep.
- King Classic is $290 (Plus $60 breakfast)
- King Bayside is $350
- King Club is $380

So that would only put the points at covering the room at $180 ($380-$200) so doesn't seem that great an idea.

 

[ric_melb]

An alternative way of looking at is as follows. Your points bought you a room that would cost you $290. A King Club would cost only $90 more ($380 - $290). Therefore they want to charge you more than double the cash difference for an upgrade from King Club. I can't see any room category King Club Bayside to compare rates with.

 

[drron]

The evening spread at the exec lounge at Double Bay wasn't the best we have had but the selection of complimentary reds certainly was-

.

 

[GDSman]

I'm an IC SYD fan - but like most things it comes with compromise...
Like: location - views, walk everywhere in the city, breakfast,
Dislike: tired rooms, tired service

 

[travelislife]

So they have responded and said $100 to upgrade to the confirmed bayside room. What are others experience of the rooms at the hotel? Worth it or not?

Breakfast is probably worth $60-$70 as if we don't eat at the hotel will go out somewhere else nearby. So that realistically puts the club access and bayside room at $130. Hmm....

Noting that this is for a second wedding anniversary on a Monday night.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

As you're from Melbourne I'd say the IC Sydney will give you the better Sydney experience as it's all about the harbour.

Even the Eastern Harbour rooms have a great view over the Botanical Gardens and beyond (pic attached) and you're right in Circular Quay where some great places to eat can be found. I'd guess the club access is not worth the $165 but you're still welcome to go up and visit the lounge balcony to take a few pics - especially on a Monday!

 

[OzEire]

MrMax you're caught a glimpse of the RAN's new DDG (guided missile destroyer) prob on its first visit to its new home port at Garden Island, there to be comissioned in the near future as HMAS Brisbane (I think).

 

[Mrmaxwell]

MrMax you're caught a glimpse of the RAN's new DDG (guided missile destroyer) prob on its first visit to its new home port at Garden Island, there to be comissioned in the near future as HMAS Brisbane (I think).

I certainly did notice the old docks were full of ships all weekend I was staying there...certainly an impressive fleet for Oz

 

[ric_melb]

Great photo of Garden Island. Regarding the Navy's new destroyer it is in fact Nuship Hobart, and is scheduled to be commissioned as HMAS Hobart (DDG 39), on 23 September 2017.

 

[Rick93]

For what it's worth ....

I'd vote for IC Sydney ( never been to Double Pay, and probably won't ) lol.

If there was two of you, I would definately take up an offer of $165. for upgrade to Club Access.

Don't worry about a room upgrade. With Club access, the room is good for one thing only ( well, maybe two ? )

When I'm at IC Sydney, and in a Club access room, I am usually there to 'eat & drink' and relax. The Club lounge plays a big part of that.

As I say, having two booked into the room makes all the difference ...

Club access gives you:

Breakfast at $46. pp.
Several coffees per day ( if you choose )
At Twilight Drinks, two people could consume around $100. of drinks, and some $50. in food or 'snacks' available ( depends on your opinion on what's available at the time ).
The 'value' of the Club Lounge view from the 31st. floor / outside balcony ....


So, in my opinion, the $165. is worth it, if using the 60k of points to upgrade to a Club access room.