Please post your Royal Ambassador experiences 2017

Old Mar 11, 2017, 12:52 pm
  #91  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: IHG Royal Ambassador
Posts: 813
Originally Posted by stimpy
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Superior, given Studio Suite. At check in I was told that under new IHG rules RA no longer get suites at this property. The new RA upgrade is to a Skyview King. But they made an exception for me this time as it was a recent rule change.
That's strange and ridiculous. Studio Suite is not included the upgrade exception list in T&Cs.
Raynyan is offline  
Old Mar 12, 2017, 6:04 am
  #92  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 167
IC Estoril

IC Estoril

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, it was a very pleasant stay of four nights with the greatest weather possible at the beginning of March. Temperature went up to 26 degrees Celsius.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Garden View Deluxe King room got upgrade to Ocean View Intercontinental Club room on 3rd floor, which is the highest floor and same floor as the reception.

How are the rooms?
Great bathroom with big bathtub and separate shower. Bathtub with view into the room if you prefer so. Large balcony with sofa and table with two chairs. Room itself is large, with king bed, sofa and two chairs at the working desk.

How is the exec. lounge?
Very limited offer close to nothing during the day and in the evening.
Breakfast in the lobby restaurant is included for club guests.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
A botttle of white whine, a big bottle of sparkling water, some small cakes and fruits.

How was the mini-bar.
At check-in I was asked for my preferences, so it was filled up as I wanted plus two beers and some little bottles of spirits. Mini bar gets refilled on request for RAs.
(Every guest gets the first mini bar fill up for free and has just to pay for refills)

What was good and what was bad?

Good
  • Very good food at the Atlantico restaurant which belongs to the hotel.
  • The dinner from my last night was put off the bill at check-out for the inconvience of having no warm water in the shower for one evening and morning. I did not ask for any compensation.
  • Great staff, attentive and very friendly. They also remembered my name.
  • Free breakfast at the main restaurant.
  • Great outdoor pool, if you do not fear cold water.

Bad
  • Club is very limited in its offerings. (Did not care much about this.)

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Great value.
Would you return?
Yes I hope so.
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Old Mar 13, 2017, 4:31 pm
  #93  
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,898
InterContinental Berlin

What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Spire Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, as always

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked cheapest room and received a senior suite on the Western wing.

How are the rooms?
Around 55sqm
Warm contemporary interior design (but I prefer the design of senior suite on the Eastern Side).

One room with sofa and desk. iPhone dock. Tassimo coffee machine.
Bedroom with very comfortable bed.

Dressing with exercise bike

View over the city and Zoologischer Garten

Champagne as welcome gift

How is the exec. lounge?

Great staff and very pleasant atmosphere.

Very good breakfast options

No more lunch time food offer

Very good evening canaps (but I miss the light options we used to have)

What was good and what was bad?

GOOD
- Excellent staff
- Very attentive Guests Relations Manager
- Elegant dcor
- Very pleasant indoor pool and spa
- Bicycles can be rented

BAD
- No more lunch offer at club lounge
- The hotel was preparing in the lobby the Hotel Investment Forum (the lobbylooked at this occasion more like a commercial fair rather than a quiet luxury hotel's lobby)

Value for $ or IHG Rewards Club Points? Would you return?
Yes, definitely


Pictures of the hotel

Pictures of the city
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Old Mar 13, 2017, 4:52 pm
  #94  
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,898
InterContinental Lisbon

What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Spire Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay ?
Yes, as usual.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked best advance rate , and received a Club room on high floor with view and club access.

How are the rooms?
Around 30sqm.
Comfortable bed.
Sofa and desk
Nice marble bathroom with double sink, bathtub. Very nice Castelbel amenities (love the smell).
Dressing area.
Flatscreen television with large selection of international channels.
Nespresso expresso machine, kettle
Elegant classic design
Very quiet.
View over the park
Impressive minibar.

How is the exec. lounge?
Recently renovated
Friendly staff
Unfortunately, evening option closed at 7pm (which is rather useless)

What was good and what was bad?
Good
- New renovated hotel (lobby, club lounge, restaurant)
- Excellent breakfast at the 1st floor restaurant: large choice of very good products (including local products), very efficient and smiling service despite large number of guests
- Central location, 15 minutes walk to the Bairro Alto historical district. Metro station is at 5 minutes walk to the hotel
- Great attentive and smiling staff
- Great weather

Bad
- Club lounge open lately but with evening option until 7pm only

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Absolutely.

Pictures of the hotel

Pictures of Lisbon

Video of the room
nicolas75 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2017, 4:53 am
  #95  
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 26
IC So Paulo

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

yes! What a great stay.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Cheapest room on points - upgraded all the way to Executive Suite with club access

How are the rooms?

Plain but large and comfortable.

How is the exec. lounge?

really excellent lounge. Food was tasty and libations during happy hour included a caiprahina bar.

Did you receive a welcome gift?

Fruit plate

How was the minibar?

Meh. But who cares with lounge access.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good

almost everything! Including guest relations staff member Jean-Pierre, who was a treat to work with.

-Bad

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?

Almost unbeatable - 35K for a $800 / night room.

Would you return?

if in SP
trevor.h is offline  
Old Mar 16, 2017, 12:53 am
  #96  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
IC Cairo Citystars

IC Cairo Citystars (the one close to the airport)

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
At first no, later yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked cheapest.
At check in the agent told me that my upgrade would be a 'Diplomatic Suite' without Club. Asked for club. Ni club rooms available but he offered to change to a club room next day.
Next day I called to change, they promised to call back and never did. Went to reception in the afternoon and asked to speak to the hotel manager. His response: of course you have club access as an RA, you can keep the suite.

How are the rooms?
Showing age, but relatively well kept. Separate living room and bedroom, extra toilet, around the size of two normal rooms.

How is the exec. lounge?
Nice, great service. The have me late checkout until 7:30 pm and then allowed me to stay in the lounge till 11 pm (had a late flight). Above average selection for breakfast, high tea and at dinner time.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Relatively large fruit basked, refilled the next day. No gift or water.

How was the minibar?
Average, nothing special

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
+ Location close to the airport (hotel car is less than 10 US$)
+ Huge shopping mall next door (indoor connector)
+ Upgrade suite and club after inquiring

-Bad
- No club upgrade at first

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Price was reasonable

Would you return?
Yes when I start my next RTW there
Unterwegs is offline  
Old Mar 17, 2017, 10:08 pm
  #97  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Amsterdam
Programs: EK Platinum, FB Ulti PFL, Marriott Ambassador, IHG Spire RA
Posts: 70
IC Dubai Festival City

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, the property is comfortable, only 10-mins from the airport and the staff are great

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Deluxe King room on company rate and got upgraded to Executive King Creek room on 12th floor, which is one of the lower floors of the hotel and club access.

How are the rooms?
Good size room with king bed, sofa, chair and small round table. Bathroom with bathtub/walk-in shower, two sinks and separate room with toilet and bidet.

How is the exec. lounge?
I checked in after 9pm and left before 630am so was not able to use the lounge.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Two gift wrapped gifts and fruits.

How was the mini-bar.
Very well stocked with mini's from Remy Martin, Bombay Sapphire, Bacardi, Johny Walker black label and Grey Goose, white wine, rose wine, juices water and soft drinks.

What was good and what was bad?

Good
All staff at this property are very good and made me feel very welcome. Like the bed and pillows. Good minibar. Short trip to/from the airport. Something went wrong with my airport pick-up, but the next morning they had found out what went wrong and put measures in place to prevent this from happening again. Like I said, great staff.

Bad
Nothing

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
This is not a cheap property and if value for you means a suite, make sure you don't book a DeLuxe room as since the beginning of this year this no longer will get you a suite (in the past I always had a suite regardless of room type booked). If you value customer experience and great staff this definitely is a great property.

Would you return?
With the new upgrade policies for RA I think I would stay here for a short stay, for longer stays I probably would use one of the Dubai SPG properties as they guarantee suite upgrades and lounge access for Platinum

Last edited by HaikoW; Mar 19, 2017 at 7:48 am
HaikoW is offline  
Old Mar 19, 2017, 11:13 am
  #98  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum (3 Million Miler), IHG Spire Royal Amdassador
Posts: 280
IC Willard Washington DC

IC Willard Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?Yes, as always! Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?Booked Superior Room at a Govt rate and received King Executive Suite. In the past, I typically received an upgrade to Willard room, but so far this year, I've been getting the Exec Suite.

How are the rooms?Excellent! The suite has 2 bathrooms, 2 minibars, and the living room has a couch, side chairs, plus a dining table for 4. The rooms at this hotel are very traditionally decorated.

How is the exec. lounge?
No lounge at this hotel

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Fruit (2 apples, 3 tangerines, 3 dates this time - the fruit is different every time I stay here) and water. Usually, I get a bottle of red wine, too so I called the front desk and they had one sent up. I usually don't even drink the wine, but I had a friend with me.

How was the minibar?Great! A little bit of everything including a champagne, Bailey's, red and white wine, 4 beers, scotch, vodka, gin. But they did not have any sparkling water this time in either minibar.

What was good and what was bad?
-GoodMini bar; staff; location; upgrade
-Bad
Nothing!
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? At a government rate, it is a great value
Would you return?Yes! Any time!
VaBeachGirl is offline  
Old Mar 19, 2017, 5:18 pm
  #99  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: IHG Royal Ambassador
Posts: 813
ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort

ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort

What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Spire Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
YES, delighted!

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Premium Corner Terrace Room, Received Premium Deluxe Corner Terrace Suite. Highest category room of this hotel.

How are the rooms?
This room is 96sqm two bedroom Suite, Former President of United States Bill Clinton stayed in this room on Year 2000 G8 Okinawa Summit. So, this room is usually called "Bill Clinton Suite". 2x Hollywood twin bed, 1x huge Jacuzzi with independent shower booth, Famous TOTO's Washlet toilet, 1x guest bathroom, 2x 43inches Panasonic LCD TV, Sharp Plasma-cluster air cleaner, Nespresso, and Terrace with small dining table with daybeds.

Video of Premium Deluxe Corner Terrace Suite (A.K.A. Bill Clinton Suite)

How is the exec. lounge?
Yes, granted. Located on the penthouse floor, just in front of my room. But this hotel's executive lounge cannot named Club InterContinental due to its facilities (smallness, no meeting room, and etc...) Very small lounge, but cozy place, I like it. Food and Beverage selection is also very small but nice quality. Every staff are very friendly and kind.

How was the mini-bar?
Two mini-bars! No Champagne, but cheap red/white wines. Other selections are not too bad.

What was your welcome gift?
Okinawa Sweets

Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes

What was good?
++++++++++ Guest recognition (room upgrade, every managements came to greet me)
++++++++ A lot of restaurant outlets selection. quality is also excellent. (My recommendation is Ishigaki Beef Shabu-Shabu at Japanese Restaurant UNKAI.)
+++++ A lot of resort activities. Scuba diving training/tour, Sea walk, Fishing, Cruising, Sea park, Private Beach, Pools, Whale watching tour, and etc...
+++++ In-house Convenience Store and Souvenir Shop

What was bad?
+++++ At the Bar Wavy (1st floor), inside of bar counter was not tidy. It ruined atmosphere of Bar Lounge.
- No information of executive lounge operation (No information letter)
- No menu/price list of restaurant outlets on web.

Value for $ or Rewards Club Points?
Yes

Would you return?
Yes

Last edited by Raynyan; Mar 19, 2017 at 5:54 pm
Raynyan is offline  
Old Mar 21, 2017, 1:50 pm
  #100  
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,898
InterContinental Athens

What is your IHG Club status?
Spire Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, even if room upgrade was not so nice as usual.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked cheapest advance rate + points and received a Deluxe Room with Acropolis view.

How are the rooms?
35 sqm.

Seating area

Bedroom with comfortable bed, desk. Flat screen television with large selection of international channels

Bathroom with bathtub. Korres amenities.

View over Athens and Acropolis

Recently renovated in an elegant contemporary design
Fast wifi
Very quiet (2 double glass)

How is the exec. lounge?
Very good breakfast.
Good selection of evening hot meals, drinks and afternoon pastries

Great staff

Nice view and pleasant terrace

2 PCs with printer
Quiet
Somewhat dated decor

What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Wonderful staff (especially at Club lounge), pool staff and housekeeping (smiling, responsive, proactive)
- Pleasant Club lounge

Bad
- New poor upgrade policy
- Outdoor pool is closed despite good weather

Value for $ or IHG Rewards Club Points? Would you return?
Yes, even if new poor upgrade policy is pretty poor.


Photo of the city

Photo of the hotel
nicolas75 is offline  
Old Mar 30, 2017, 12:35 pm
  #101  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 167
IC Frankfurt

IC Frankfurt

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes as always.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked standard room, got upgrade to Club Studio King on 20th floor.

Note: Probably once in four stays I get this or a Club Suite instead of a Corner Deluxe Room.

How are the rooms?
Spacious with sofa and chairs around the living room part table, nice working desk, bathtub and shower separated. Compared to a Deluxe room the big difference is the bath room. Also amenities like shampoo are different in the Club room.

How is the exec. lounge?
Very attentive staff and good atmosphere.
Breakfast has a rather limited selection on ham and cheese, but good bread, vegetables and egg dishes to order,
At noon they offered bread & butter, some sandwiches, each day a different soup and some small cakes and other sweet stuff.
At the evening one main dish, salad, some small entries, and some small sweet deserts.

No changes I can recognise since beginning of the year, or last year.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Some jam.
An apple, a mini cake and some big olives.

How was the mini-bar.
Forgot to look into it.

What was good and what was bad?

Good
  • Good upgrade.
  • Great and attentive staff in Club, at front and restaurant. .
  • Restauramt for dinner was quiet with attentive staff and really good food.
Bad
  • Nothing
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Good value
Would you return?
Yes.
cazane is offline  
Old Mar 31, 2017, 11:52 am
  #102  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,587
IC Amstel Amsterdam

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally ) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes very.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked standard room,got upgrade to river view suite.Obstructed view due to external scaffolding.

How are the rooms?
Spacious with living room and separate bedroom.Comfortable and well furnished with spacious bathroom.

How is the exec.lounge?

No lounge but given afternoon tea,evening cocktails with canapes and breakfast.

Due to a corporate function the terrace and A bar were closed.Had an excellent afternoon tea outside the brasserie on the riverbank,and evening cocktails at the brasserie bar.Both were plentiful and good quality.
At breakfast mrs rapidex has scrambled eggs and caviar,normally a 30 Euro supplement,but they just waived all charges.

Did you receive a welcome gift.
A nice tin of biscuits.

How was the mini-bar
Good,plenty of choices.

What was good and what was bad?

Good
Good upgrade
great new benefits
excellent breakfast.

Bad
Nothing

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Expensive but nice hotel.The new benefits make for great stay.

Would you return?
Of course.
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Old Apr 4, 2017, 6:31 am
  #103  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
IC Frankfurt

IC Frankfurt

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
very

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked cheapest and got club suite (size of around 2.5 regular rooms).
Nobody mentioned any change in upgrade policy.

How are the rooms?
Spacious. Decor is a bit dated but well kept. Separate bedroom/living room. Not enough power outlets, but otherwise noi issues

How is the exec. lounge?
Nice. A bit limited selection for breakfast. Great service

Did you receive a welcome gift?
A plate with one apple, a few olives and a tiny cake, also a jar of jam

How was the minibar?
Below average, seemed to be sanitized (only 2 small bottles of alcohol)

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
+ No Agraria amenities
+ Club
+ Parking Service, check in and bell service very friendly and efficient

-Bad
- Hotel is a bit dated and could use a complete refresh

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
It was ok

Would you return?[/QUOTE]
Yes
Unterwegs is offline  
Old Apr 4, 2017, 6:46 am
  #104  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
IC Shenzhen

IC Shenzhen


Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
In general yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked cheapest and received club room on top floor. Before i always got suite+club. Not any more. When asking they told me that they changed policy in April and RAs get only a two level upgrade.
From cheapest it is a club room.
If you want to have club+suite you need to book their 'pool view club room'. They have inflated their categories - the pool view is not worth any extra money.

How are the rooms?
Actually nice and spacious. Not as big as the suites but bigger than many junior suites with a huge bathroom with an outside window, large bathtub, separate shower.

How is the exec. lounge?
Food offerings for breakfast and happy hour is below average. They went overboard and serve something like champagne - the label even says 'superior sparking wine'. Service tries hard, but lacks training. They also put out tiny portions. In the evenings they refilled quickly, but not for breakfast - at one point around half of the dishes where out and nobody in sight to refill.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
One ugly coaster
Some fruits, water, 2 cookies, 2 pieces of chocolate

How was the minibar?
Below average, some soft drinks, water, 4 miniature bottles of alcohol and two beers

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
- Spacious room
- Location (easy to reach by subway from the SZX airport or from Hong Kong by KCR)

-Bad
- Agraria amenities

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
The rate was much lower than a year ago. Now it is ok

Would you return?[/QUOTE]
Yes
Unterwegs is offline  
Old Apr 4, 2017, 6:54 am
  #105  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
IC Hong Kong

IC Hong Kong

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, as usual

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked cheapest harbor
view, got the usual xx16 Junior Suite (the one with the perfect view).
Unfortunately they informed me that they changed policy in March and in the future will do 2level upgrade only for RA.
Their categories are
Superior
Deluxe
Executive
Harborview
Deluxe Harbor View
Superior Junior Suite (the ones at the end of the corridor with limited view)
Deluxe Junior Suite
Executive Suite
.....
Need to book Deluxe Harbor now for the Deluxe Junior suite


How are the rooms?
Nice, the view and the two big windows is perfect

How is the exec. lounge?
Two words: The best.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
A small bowl, fruits, 1 bottle of (good) champage

How was the minibar?
Most likely the best in any IC.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
- View
- Upgrade (unfortunately the last time)
- Tuscan Soul Amenities

-Bad
- Last time for the nice upgrade. Even at close to 100 stays only a 2 level upgrade for me in the future

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Expensive, but worth it.

Would you return?[/QUOTE]
Yes, already booked two more stays.
Unterwegs is offline  

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