Sydney: Pullman or Sofitel?

[MartinMemo]

I'm hoping to convince them to reserve me a table, for more people than I should be allowed to take in (3-4) and am praying they do me that favour... Unlikely, but worth asking!

 

[MartinMemo]

Lounge was lovely - nice spread. Empty enough to bring a few people in, though I am told it isn't usually that empty!

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks for the info. Is this the Pullman lounge you are referring to? If yes do they 100% allow plats access?

 

[MartinMemo]

Thanks for the info. Is this the Pullman lounge you are referring to? If yes do they 100% allow plats access?

Yep - Anyone in an exec room or a plat. I stayed on my Gold le Club Accor, not my plat, got upgraded to an exec room with lounge access, comp water in room & fruit.

Was greeted on arrival (very early in the morning, about 9am) by the Rooms Division Manager, who pulled some strings to get me in a room straight away - I wasnt expecting to be checked in, was simply wanting to dump my luggage somewhere. RDM took me through the facilities, service times for the lounge ETC and kept checking up with me as he saw me through the stay. 2 drink tix, though i think if i booked as me + guest in the room it would have been 4.

coughtails & Canapes all self service/make your own - better IMO as you can mix how you like. No top shelf booze, but its not like its bottom shelf either (for most people). Bruchetta (sp?), spring rolls etc.

The breakfast is nice, especially considering they just bring it in from the restaurant where others are paying cash ($20-30?) for the full buffet. This was breads, pastry, eggs, bacon, cheeses etc.

Met a plat guest in the Lounge who every time she left her room and came back in there was another comp bottle of wine waiting for her - she is a regular there, which explains it.

They are really going big with their loyalty at the pullman - i have written up a full review of the hotel and facilities on my travel blog (link below).

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks for that. If only Sofitel gives lounge access to plats in Sydney! Looks like I will stay at the Pullman.

 

[Jama]

I know there has been heaps of feedback on this, but any loyalty program that isn't consistent and has venues honour just the bits they feel like is a joke.

I'm at the Sofitel Wentworh and after pointing out the new T's & C's stating that if there is a lounge, Platinum members have access to it, I was told the same as others. That they are an exception. I expressed my feelings and the effect it has on the entire Accor loyalty program to management.

In my case, I am involved in allocating a 1.5M travel budget and I have the satisfaction of scratching Sofitel from the accomodation list, which I told them. I will stick to this too. I am not having a travellers staying places that they may or may not get looked after. We will use accomodation that we know is going to be consistent.

 

[basso]

It is a published exception though. This on https://secure.accorhotels.com/gb/leclub/index-no-connect.shtml

Access to Executive lounge, if existing(5) (5) except in Sofitel Melbourne and Sydney.

and Melbourne and Sydney both publish this on their club sofitel pages:

Please be aware, the LeClub Platinum member benefit of complimentary ‘access to Executive lounge’ is not offered at this hotel. All other LeClub Platinum member benefits are recognised.

 

[k3nnis]

Jama, did you get upgraded to a better room at least? Also if we get upgraded to a club room will we get lounge access at Sofitel Sydney?

 

[MartinMemo]

Our MEL Dinner last night off the record confirmed the above. I've asked for the offical advice and once I receive I'll post it up.

 

[Jama]

It is a published exception though. This on https://secure.accorhotels.com/gb/leclub/index-no-connect.shtml and Melbourne and Sydney both publish this on their club sofitel pages:

So they tell you upfront they have an inconsistent loyalty program. That doesn't make me feel better about how my loyalty is regarded.

 

[Jama]

Jama, did you get upgraded to a better room at least? Also if we get upgraded to a club room will we get lounge access at Sofitel Sydney?

Only after complaining about the hideous stay last time (had some appalling service). I decided to give them another go. I said nothing about the lounge last time and had no expectation as it was before the updated T's & C's were released

 

[Blackbird]

Club room gives access to the lounge. An upgrade to a club room will give you lounge access.
My room upgrades have been to the next size room.
Club room includes breakfast in the lounge so consider that when booking the room.

 

[k3nnis]

I had a look at the Accor website and it says no upgrades for Sofitel Sydney and melbourne... So no chance of room upgrade...

 

[markis10]

Maybe Le Club needs renaming to Le # or Le *, or maybe just Le Exceptions!

 

[anna2103]

Just to let people know I wrote to Ben Mellor yesterday at Sofitel Sydney and he confirmed no lounge access. Advised I am directing my travel budget to Hilton

 

[Pablo]

Just to let people know I wrote to Ben Mellor yesterday at Sofitel Sydney and he confirmed no lounge access. Advised I am directing my travel budget to Hilton

Who is Ben? The General Manager is Erkin Aytekin isnt it? Are you able to pass on an email address? I'd like to email them expressing my disgust![FONT=arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif] [/FONT]

 

[Sprucegoose]

I know there has been heaps of feedback on this, but any loyalty program that isn't consistent and has venues honour just the bits they feel like is a joke.

I'm at the Sofitel Wentworh and after pointing out the new T's & C's stating that if there is a lounge, Platinum members have access to it, I was told the same as others. That they are an exception. I expressed my feelings and the effect it has on the entire Accor loyalty program to management.

In my case, I am involved in allocating a 1.5M travel budget and I have the satisfaction of scratching Sofitel from the accomodation list, which I told them. I will stick to this too. I am not having a travellers staying places that they may or may not get looked after. We will use accomodation that we know is going to be consistent.

Correct. Vote with your feet and let everyone know.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I would probably go the Sofitel over the Pullman as I feel its better located, while the rooms are small they have a lot of suites so upgrades are pretty good (I was upgraded when there last month). I would spend the money on a visit to Rockpool Bar and Grill around the corner rather than a lounge, bound to create more memories and the food was devine at the QF cash lunch!

That area has special memories for me and its relationship with Qantas, it was quite surreal staying at the Sofitel which is next door to Chifley House, Qantas's first real HQ in Sydney where my Auntie worked in the staff canteen and gave me a roo pin on a visit one day, then going to a Qantas event at Rockpool Bar and Grill next door!

Its the old wentworth isnt it? Grand old dame, especially if you're a Liberal!