starflyergold
Oct 24, 11, 2:02 am
I stayed six nights at the Pullman Changwon.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6275427921_fe7b9e782b.jpg
Before arriving I contacted the hotel, on the advice of the Accor Concierge, to check for A-Club Platinum upgrade opportunities and how to get to the hotel from Busan airport. Three days later I still had no response and thanks to the Accor Concierge it was confirmed that the hotel had not received the email (or checked their email account but let's just say they did not receive it). I sent another email to the General Manager and the concierge replied saying that they had no upgrade available for the first couple of nights but would upgrade me on the fourth night. Well better than nothing. I also reiterated my request for a smoking room which was part of the original reservation. I also got the hotel to arrange for a taxi for KRW 30,000.
Upon arrival at Busan a taxi was waiting for me and whisked me away to the hotel, about 40 minutes from the airport.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6019/6275428531_8d98c3b780.jpg
Arriving at the hotel first impressions were reasonably good, modern stylish lobby.
The reception is equipped with a A-Club priority sign but this made no difference. The receptionist insisted that my request for an Executive smoking room was not possible as they had no such rooms, I could have a “standard” room smoking (unclear what they are as the website does not list standard rooms) or a non smoking Executive. I told here that I wanted what I had booked and subsequently reiterated in my email correspondence and that I was not prepared to settle for anything less. She repeated her line several times and insinuated that I was wrong and that I must show her “evidence” of my request. At this point my patience was wearing incredibly thin. I am not accustomed to being told that I was a liar and that I had to “prove” anything. My insistence that she might want to have another look at my Platinum status and honour my reservation were met with a rude “no”. I asked for a manager but she refused to entertain this as she claimed to be the on duty reception manager.
After travelling for about 20 hours I had enough of this nonsense and grabbed they key for the Executive room (with Platinum drinks voucher) but insisted I would be back shortly. At this point I was ready to cut up my Platinum card and abandon Accor for good. Never in all my years have I been treated so shabbily.
After half hour I went back to reception and the answer was still no. I went off again to work and came back again later. I also made my feelings clear on twitter. Funnily the hotel replied that they had not received any communication.
After another hour they finally relented and gave me the room I had requested all along. I told them that I still wanted to talk to a manager later to discuss the matter.
The Executive room was a medium size modern room with a large king bed, which was comfortable but nowhere as nice as the Sofitel bed but then again it was a Pullman and not a Sofitel. The bathroom was entirely enclosed in glass featuring a separate rain shower and a large bathtub. Nice design for the single traveller but questionable for others. Toiletries are Roger & Gallet Bois d'Organge (for two days running they were not replaced by housekeeping and I had to call for replacements).
The room came with free wifi and free soft drinks. The room also featured a Nespresso cafe machine which was a nice touch.
The hotel claims to be five star but there was no turn down service nor any morning newspaper delivery.
The room came with Executive lounge access. The lounge is located on the ground floor and consists of two rooms. It serves a very simple breakfast and “cocktails” with nibbles from 6-8 pm daily. There is a two drinks maximum and a sign making it clear those drinks are to be “basic” ones. Not very welcoming. The evening fare was very uninspiring. Ham and cheese sandwiches and some lukewarm prawns on most days. Actually most of the food served, either at breakfast or in the evening was never really hot. Service was slow and varied. They also had problems making sure the buffet is properly stocked (there is no dedicated staff for the lounge as they also cover the lobby bar and cafe). The use of a noisy walkie talkie to communicate with the kitchen did not exactly add to the atmosphere of the lounge.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6275952022_96c523c08f.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6275428707_12270ed0c7.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6275428781_1b1a3e511d.jpg
The hotel has two restaurants: a buffet restaurant and a Japanese one. I had lunch one day at the buffet one and while the choice was very large the quality of the food was only so so, again some of the “hot” options were not exactly that. Lunch costs KRW 25,000. Nobody came and asked if I wanted a drink with lunch.
The second day I tracked down the front office manager and we proceeded to have a good and productive meeting dissecting what went wrong at check in (in the meantime I had contacted the Accor Concierge to make my feelings clear). He was very apologetic and conceded that they had difficulties getting good staff. I went through my observations with a view to being helpful and explained to him what Accor elite customers would expect at a Pullman (management come from the Seoul Novotel and I got the sense that they were not exactly familiar with the A-Club perks). I also remarked that nowhere in the hotel it was actually noticeable that the hotel belonged to Accor, there is no mentioning of Accor inside and outside and the obligatory sign of the founders and reference to “Esprit Accor” was missing. A small thing but I think this points to the heart of the matter here. In any case I hope that they will learn from this.
On the fourth day I changed rooms to a “residential suite” which was a very large room with moveable walls. At this point the Platinum welcome materialised (a bottle of Merlot and two Ferrero Rocher) which was nice, the wine that is. ;)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6234/6275428469_977daf7fa1.jpg
Free soft drinks were supplemented by two free beers daily when staying in a suite.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6113/6275428339_c6144f740d.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6219/6275951596_1e09273a18.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6019/6275428261_76afe8378b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6275951526_a5997ca860.jpg
Check out was quick and effortless. I had arranged for a taxi to the airport which to my surprise at the airport was 50% more expensive than when I arrived (KRW 45,000).
In summary, the hotel is a large modern and in parts overdesigned affair. The rooms are fine and comfortable. Rates are reasonable. Service is in parts lacking, especially in relation to Accor A-Club elite status recognition. A-Club points arrived 2 days after checkout.
Small tip: In the mall next to the hotel is a bakery called “Paris Baguette” which sells delicious sandwiches and sweets.
PS: Thanks to the Accor Concierge for acting as a "mediator" ^
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6275427921_fe7b9e782b.jpg
Before arriving I contacted the hotel, on the advice of the Accor Concierge, to check for A-Club Platinum upgrade opportunities and how to get to the hotel from Busan airport. Three days later I still had no response and thanks to the Accor Concierge it was confirmed that the hotel had not received the email (or checked their email account but let's just say they did not receive it). I sent another email to the General Manager and the concierge replied saying that they had no upgrade available for the first couple of nights but would upgrade me on the fourth night. Well better than nothing. I also reiterated my request for a smoking room which was part of the original reservation. I also got the hotel to arrange for a taxi for KRW 30,000.
Upon arrival at Busan a taxi was waiting for me and whisked me away to the hotel, about 40 minutes from the airport.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6019/6275428531_8d98c3b780.jpg
Arriving at the hotel first impressions were reasonably good, modern stylish lobby.
The reception is equipped with a A-Club priority sign but this made no difference. The receptionist insisted that my request for an Executive smoking room was not possible as they had no such rooms, I could have a “standard” room smoking (unclear what they are as the website does not list standard rooms) or a non smoking Executive. I told here that I wanted what I had booked and subsequently reiterated in my email correspondence and that I was not prepared to settle for anything less. She repeated her line several times and insinuated that I was wrong and that I must show her “evidence” of my request. At this point my patience was wearing incredibly thin. I am not accustomed to being told that I was a liar and that I had to “prove” anything. My insistence that she might want to have another look at my Platinum status and honour my reservation were met with a rude “no”. I asked for a manager but she refused to entertain this as she claimed to be the on duty reception manager.
After travelling for about 20 hours I had enough of this nonsense and grabbed they key for the Executive room (with Platinum drinks voucher) but insisted I would be back shortly. At this point I was ready to cut up my Platinum card and abandon Accor for good. Never in all my years have I been treated so shabbily.
After half hour I went back to reception and the answer was still no. I went off again to work and came back again later. I also made my feelings clear on twitter. Funnily the hotel replied that they had not received any communication.
After another hour they finally relented and gave me the room I had requested all along. I told them that I still wanted to talk to a manager later to discuss the matter.
The Executive room was a medium size modern room with a large king bed, which was comfortable but nowhere as nice as the Sofitel bed but then again it was a Pullman and not a Sofitel. The bathroom was entirely enclosed in glass featuring a separate rain shower and a large bathtub. Nice design for the single traveller but questionable for others. Toiletries are Roger & Gallet Bois d'Organge (for two days running they were not replaced by housekeeping and I had to call for replacements).
The room came with free wifi and free soft drinks. The room also featured a Nespresso cafe machine which was a nice touch.
The hotel claims to be five star but there was no turn down service nor any morning newspaper delivery.
The room came with Executive lounge access. The lounge is located on the ground floor and consists of two rooms. It serves a very simple breakfast and “cocktails” with nibbles from 6-8 pm daily. There is a two drinks maximum and a sign making it clear those drinks are to be “basic” ones. Not very welcoming. The evening fare was very uninspiring. Ham and cheese sandwiches and some lukewarm prawns on most days. Actually most of the food served, either at breakfast or in the evening was never really hot. Service was slow and varied. They also had problems making sure the buffet is properly stocked (there is no dedicated staff for the lounge as they also cover the lobby bar and cafe). The use of a noisy walkie talkie to communicate with the kitchen did not exactly add to the atmosphere of the lounge.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6275952022_96c523c08f.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6275428707_12270ed0c7.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6275428781_1b1a3e511d.jpg
The hotel has two restaurants: a buffet restaurant and a Japanese one. I had lunch one day at the buffet one and while the choice was very large the quality of the food was only so so, again some of the “hot” options were not exactly that. Lunch costs KRW 25,000. Nobody came and asked if I wanted a drink with lunch.
The second day I tracked down the front office manager and we proceeded to have a good and productive meeting dissecting what went wrong at check in (in the meantime I had contacted the Accor Concierge to make my feelings clear). He was very apologetic and conceded that they had difficulties getting good staff. I went through my observations with a view to being helpful and explained to him what Accor elite customers would expect at a Pullman (management come from the Seoul Novotel and I got the sense that they were not exactly familiar with the A-Club perks). I also remarked that nowhere in the hotel it was actually noticeable that the hotel belonged to Accor, there is no mentioning of Accor inside and outside and the obligatory sign of the founders and reference to “Esprit Accor” was missing. A small thing but I think this points to the heart of the matter here. In any case I hope that they will learn from this.
On the fourth day I changed rooms to a “residential suite” which was a very large room with moveable walls. At this point the Platinum welcome materialised (a bottle of Merlot and two Ferrero Rocher) which was nice, the wine that is. ;)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6234/6275428469_977daf7fa1.jpg
Free soft drinks were supplemented by two free beers daily when staying in a suite.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6113/6275428339_c6144f740d.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6219/6275951596_1e09273a18.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6019/6275428261_76afe8378b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6275951526_a5997ca860.jpg
Check out was quick and effortless. I had arranged for a taxi to the airport which to my surprise at the airport was 50% more expensive than when I arrived (KRW 45,000).
In summary, the hotel is a large modern and in parts overdesigned affair. The rooms are fine and comfortable. Rates are reasonable. Service is in parts lacking, especially in relation to Accor A-Club elite status recognition. A-Club points arrived 2 days after checkout.
Small tip: In the mall next to the hotel is a bakery called “Paris Baguette” which sells delicious sandwiches and sweets.
PS: Thanks to the Accor Concierge for acting as a "mediator" ^