Sydney: Pullman or Sofitel?

[k3nnis]

Hi All,

Looking to stay 1 night in Sydney with wife and nearly 3 year old just after Christmas this year. Looking to use up my free accor night. The harbour rocks is not available not surprising on the dates I want as it's the most expensive out of the lot, I can choose between Sofitel wentworth and Pullman hyde park. Which would you go for? We will just probably relax and go to do some shopping etc. I'm based in Sydney. I guess I shouldn't drive out as parking will be an issue?

Also I am an Accor Plat Plus member. I think both these hotels have exec lounges? Hence I will get guaranteed access to the lounge?

Thanks,
K.

 

[MartinMemo]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

I thought it was only the pullman with the lounge?

Personally I prefer the pullman because it's nice and close to Oxford St and museum train station, but of the 2 hotels the sofitel would be better hands down. The 2 reasons I do the pullman is because I love the park view and the sofitel is too far in the city for me.

 

[MartinMemo]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

The way I look at it sofitel is old money style, pullman is new money style

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Ok thanks. I wonder if the lounge at the Sofitel is anygood? Also is the Sofitel closer to the main shopping strip I.e Pitt st mall?

 

[MartinMemo]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Yep 100% it's basically about half way between the rocks and the big shopping area. If you want to walk around and do things it's in a much better location - just near Martin place from memory.

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Thanks for the info. I read the ausbt review couple of years ago and it says it's great. Hopefully it's true! Do you think the exec lounge access is guaranteed for plats like what Hilton diamond has?

 

[MartinMemo]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

It is at the pullman, though I wouldn't see any harm in calling the sofitel direct before booking to ask them. When are you staying again? I think I've booked there early Jan because the pullman was too $$$

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

I haven't booked. Possible to be early jan but most probably just after Boxing Day.

 

[MartinMemo]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

I'd look at the sale rates rather than use the free room if it's boring day + as I just picked up the pullman Brisbane for 130 per night on weekends either side of Christmas, and even boxing day.

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Hmm. I was trying not to pay any cash and pretty much that's the only time I had free. It came with my Amex plat charge membership.

 

[MartinMemo]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Either way both date ranges will be a great time to be in Sydney City.

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Ok sounds good.

 

[psyentist]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Pullman Hyde Park Exec Lounge is a small but good offering, with a nice view overlooking Hyde Park.

The club lounge at Sofitel is excellent. Large, nice decor, wide ranging food and beverage selection. Definitely a cut above. The only bummer is the lack of views.

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will go for the Sofitel. Just hope they will honor lounge access for plats.

 

[Bazzi]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will go for the Sofitel. Just hope they will honor lounge access for plats.

You might be interested in this post below on the forum thread 'Accor - platinum benefits?'


Originally Posted by Katie59
Stayed at the sofitel wentworth Sydney on 9th October. Upon checkin presented both my advantage plus and platinum le club cards. I asked what benefits were available and receptionist said that none were as the sofitel Sydney was no longer part of the program. I should check the website. I checked and under the list of excluded hotels were the Menzies and novatel Sydney. I went back to reception, different girl, who checked with management and came back and said "the website is wrong and is currently being updated - we do not offer platinum benefits"! Needless to say not impressed and will not be renewing advantage plus next year and will continue to use my club Carlson and spg privileges instead.

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Oh no. That is bad news. I will email the hotel just to make sure. If they don't have any benefits I will just go to the Pullman Hyde park.

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

I just checked the Accor t&c's and as of oct 2013 Sofitel Sydney is not in the exclusion list so they should be ok to give out plat benefits. http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/leclub/pdf/terms-and-conditions.pdf

 

[ashleyn]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

The Sofitel lounge is excellent IMHO

 

[k3nnis]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Bad news in terms of exec lounge access for Sofitel Sydney. Here is the reply I received when I asked the question yesterday: I wonder why they don't grant lounge access if they follow the accor program... Now unsure if I should book a 1 night stay in Pullman hype park or Sofitel Sydney.... I'm pretty sure Pullman has lounge access for plats.

Bonjour

We are pleased to advise that we cater the same offer for Le Accor Club Platinum members with the exemption of the Club Sofitel access.

The Room upgrade will be subject to availability.

Kindly advise us your preferred date of travel and we will be glad to assist you.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further assistance.

Kind regards,

 

[Bazzi]

Re: Accor Summer Sale - this time worldwide for stays up to 50% off

Bad news in terms of exec lounge access for Sofitel Sydney. Here is the reply I received when I asked the question yesterday: I wonder why they don't grant lounge access if they follow the accor program... Now unsure if I should book a 1 night stay in Pullman hype park or Sofitel Sydney.... I'm pretty sure Pullman has lounge access for plats.

Bonjour

We are pleased to advise that we cater the same offer for Le Accor Club Platinum members with the exemption of the Club Sofitel access.

The Room upgrade will be subject to availability.

Kindly advise us your preferred date of travel and we will be glad to assist you.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further assistance.

Kind regards,

I don't understand how you can agree to be a part of a group like Accor and not be required to offer full benefits or point earn to members of the group's loyalty program. I have no issue with a sliding scale of benefits/point earn for each hotel class within the group and level of loyalty membership but personally I would be less tempted to stay at a property if I couldn't receive either.


From my experience, Accor are appalling at updating their website for changes or exclusions to their properties and you quite often have to dig deep to find the answers to your questions. It is negligent for the individual property to not ensure that those updates are advertised well ahead of any scheduled changes to their involvement in the program. If I booked the Sofitel Wentworth today and my decision to stay at that property was influenced by the status benefits available to me but there was no notification on the Accor website about changes to Platinum benefits i.e. lounge access, I would consider this to be false and misleading behaviour.


We have an upcoming reservation at a property in Paris which came under the Accor Brand in March and also came up for discussion on this forum earlier this year. For months after the rebranding the signage on the property remained from the previous licensee, some Accor benefits were not being offered (points/free internet), the room description/photos/services were misleading and you couldn't use an Amex card to secure the reservation. According to the manager of the property these were all issues that they had brought up with Accor HQ. I contacted Accor as we were going to be affected by all of these issues, Accor replied immediately but it still took over 5 months for change to take effect both at the property and on the website.