scubaccr

With 1night IC-GS followed by IC-HK 2nights, I was going to walk, but in end got taxi this morning for my swap, less than Ł4 (less than hk$40)

I recommend if on AE and want IC-HK either taxi direct from AE station or free shuttle to IC-GS then 5minute hk$40 taxi onwards to IC-HK

scubaccr

I am in Exec Suite 316 3rd Floor right now, probably 1 room to left of center of AoS looking out into the harbour at 14:00 local time Wednesday 25/11/2016

Not impacting my view of harbour at all, obviously closed to pedestrians for the immediate future, something like 3 years.

However all the statues etc already removed, but no work currently visable or ongoing and not seeing any workers on the walkway either.

View from room 316 3x pics looking out to Right, Centre and left

TravelLawyer

Thanks to both your recommendations. We were particularly interested in AE partially due to the cost savings, but mostly due to the time savings. Our flight is early afternoon, so we might be caught in the lunch rush in traffic if we took a taxi or car.

quitecontrary

As an IHG Plat I suggest the CP at Causeway Bay - nice hotel with excellent treatment of top status holders. I much prefer staying on the island but the HKIC is excellent if you're an RA. If you intend staying at the IC it would worth purchasing Ambassador membership.

Land-of-Miles

If there is more than one of you a taxi will typically match the AX price. I have to say I have never had traffic issues at any time I have arrived or departed including the lunchtime period but I haven't ever really arrived or departed at the most peak evening time.

The AX makes most sense for me if staying either in Central to avoid the tunnel and related traffic on the island or if staying at the W or RC above the Kowloon AX station.

Otherwise I just find it much more convenient to take a car and if there are 2 or 3 people even the hotel cars aren't a terrible deal. YMMV.

As for location you trade off a little bit of convenience being in Kowloon against much better views and airport access by car. It isn't like being south of the river in London though or say in Brooklyn or Hoboken if visiting NYC. Kowloon (and particularly the IC) is very well connected by public transport and not too bad by taxi. I prefer the Kowloon location on balance but everyone has their own view of where they like to stay in HKG and other big cities (e.g. Riverside versus Sukumvit in BKK, uptown vs midtown versus downtown and aligned locations in NYC, west end versus park lane in London etc.).

eyuro

I just read the last 20 or so pages of this thread and I've still got a question. My point stay in the ICHK is from the 13th to the 19th of Jan. I'm just gold. Would buying the Amb status now get me any upgrade benefits? I know now after reading that Club privileges are probably not forthcoming.

t_cliff

CP Causeway Bay will only do an upgraded race course view room, no pre-arranged check in document package thus long check in time, no pre-arranged room welcome fruit plate (and forgotten on date of arrival despite mentioning during check in, delivered upon reminder late in the evening, with an old orange starting to mold, one side flat), no breakfast, no other recognition of IHG Platinum Elite. Unless you take taxi or not mind being sweaty from walking in HK's Nov weather, this is not a good location.

Other issues include old analog TV program feed to a 720p tv, inattentive / non-existing doorman, soiled "small things make a big difference" card in bathroom, very slow charging USB port. Small things indeed make a big difference.

UpInTheAir

To the contrary, quitecontrary is correct about the CP Causeway Bay. The hotel gives IHG Plat members free breakfast for 2, lounge access on the 28th floor and if available, a room with a view, even on reward night stays.

I also agree with quitecontrary on purchasing Ambassador status if staying at the IC as Ambassador status guarantees a one-category room upgrade on paid stays.

t_cliff

This may be the case for you, but not me. So it appears to be a YMMV thing. My stay last weekend using reward nights as IHG Platinum (not IC RA) did not include free breakfast. The loyalty manager called me after checked in and steadfastly refused on the free breakfast. So, not a consistent status recognition if others have this.

Paid stay may be different, but I am not going to find this out myself going forward given the issues above.

Raynyan

Just gold will not receive upgrade.
If you are expecting upgrade, you should buy Amb status.
In principle, ICHK don't offer upgrade to just gold.

eyuro

Thanks! I didn't think I would get it with just Gold status. My question was with the purchase of Amb, would I have a chance?

Raynyan

Sure!

jix

I got 50000 points accumulated through here and there and now have a date in 2016 where I will be in HK for a night. I would like to redeem it as a free night but the hotel is sold out (black out, presumably) on my date. What's the best way to go about getting the inventory freed up?

The date I'm looking for is Oct 1, 2016, which happens to be the national day and I completely overlooked that before ticketing my flight that has a long overnight in HK that day.

Also, given that I have no status with IHG, will the redemption really be worth it? Do all rooms come with the view facing HK island / fireworks?

Raynyan

Both the national day and CNY fireworks day are blackout days. And Reward Night redemption will not be received harbour view room. If you really want to stay and see fireworks in those day, you should choose paid stay with the harbour view room.

supermintyfresh

Anyone have any experience getting a Reward Night stay upgraded as Plat (non Amb) to harbour view or club (wishful thinking)? Would consider getting Amb but heard that even for award nights, it is not guaranteed.