Please post your Ambassador experiences (Archive Thread 2015)
Nov 26, 2015, 1:17 am
#76
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 108
IC New York Times Square
IC New York Times Square
What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
The hotel is nice if you can ignore the area around it
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a standard king room on points. No upgrade because the hotel was at capacity, and upgrades aren't guaranteed on award stays, or so I was told. Oh well.
How are the rooms?
Standard king was nice - the bed was noticeably more comfortable than other IC's I've stayed at. Pretty big room, too - and a really nice bathroom with an excellent shower. Noise is an issue, though - honking horns and ambulence sirens all through the night. Good thing I brought a white noise machine!
What was your welcome gift?
I was offered a choice between a box of chocolates, 1000 points, or a $20 minibar credit. I took the credit.
How is the exec. lounge?
If this hotel has one, I didn't know about it.
What was good and what was bad?
Times Square suuuuuuuucks, and so I wouldn't stay here again. I wanted to book an IC on points and the other one in NYC was sold out. I'm now wishing I had saved some points and booked another IHG hotel somewhere else in the city instead.
Value for $? Would you return?
This hotel is insanely overpriced, IMO. It's only worth the $400 - $600 a night they usually charge if you have to be near Times Square and can't bear not to stay at an IC. I also felt like this hotel didn't have much personality - it's a generically nice hotel, but the other IC's I've been to seemed like they were designed to fit in with the city (Austin, Monterey, SF/Soma), whereas this one is really bland, albeit in an upscale way.
What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
The hotel is nice if you can ignore the area around it
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a standard king room on points. No upgrade because the hotel was at capacity, and upgrades aren't guaranteed on award stays, or so I was told. Oh well.
How are the rooms?
Standard king was nice - the bed was noticeably more comfortable than other IC's I've stayed at. Pretty big room, too - and a really nice bathroom with an excellent shower. Noise is an issue, though - honking horns and ambulence sirens all through the night. Good thing I brought a white noise machine!
What was your welcome gift?
I was offered a choice between a box of chocolates, 1000 points, or a $20 minibar credit. I took the credit.
How is the exec. lounge?
If this hotel has one, I didn't know about it.
What was good and what was bad?
Times Square suuuuuuuucks, and so I wouldn't stay here again. I wanted to book an IC on points and the other one in NYC was sold out. I'm now wishing I had saved some points and booked another IHG hotel somewhere else in the city instead.
Value for $? Would you return?
This hotel is insanely overpriced, IMO. It's only worth the $400 - $600 a night they usually charge if you have to be near Times Square and can't bear not to stay at an IC. I also felt like this hotel didn't have much personality - it's a generically nice hotel, but the other IC's I've been to seemed like they were designed to fit in with the city (Austin, Monterey, SF/Soma), whereas this one is really bland, albeit in an upscale way.
Nov 26, 2015, 2:44 am
#77
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,552
I have moved a question regarding the delay in sending Ambassador Kits to the dedicated thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ed-thread.html)
This thread is only about sharing experiences of Ambassadors but not so much about the program itself.
FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum
This thread is only about sharing experiences of Ambassadors but not so much about the program itself.
FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum
Dec 3, 2015, 7:24 pm
#78
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
IC Panama Miramar
IC Panama Miramar
What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Spire Ambassador
Also, they actually recognized spire ambassador, which was great-- I had a fear after becoming "spire" they would assume that I had no status...
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, extremely
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Standard King, AAA rate for USD 139.
Upgraded to top floor royal suite (this suite is huuuuuge), with club access.
Stayed for only one night, 1PM check-in, 5AM check-out (shame, shame...)
How are the rooms?
The suite is huge, about 5 large sized rooms... (1200 sq ft, maybe?) It occupies almost all of the 25th floor. Furnishings are more classic, kind of like IC Paris, but still nice room. Molton brown amenities.
What was your welcome gift?
Some fruits and a bottle of water.
How is the exec. lounge?
Well, it was a bit dated (yeah, nothing like the lounges in Europe, but fairly good for central america), but the staff were generally attentive and offered free drinks during the day. At happy hour (6-8pm) they had a decent offering of food and desert with ceviche and all.
What was good and what was bad?
In general, everything was great. The hotel is located in a decent location, (~10m walk to a nearby shopping mall and to old panama), I just took an uber everywhere, recommend doing that instead of the the taxis (someone told me the hotel taxis are more expensive than regular taxis). Uber was $12 from the Crowne Plaza Airport, where I stayed the night before, and $8 to Miraflores (closest set of Panama canal locks).
Value for $? Would you return?
Great value at the price, would definitely return.
What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Spire Ambassador
Also, they actually recognized spire ambassador, which was great-- I had a fear after becoming "spire" they would assume that I had no status...
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, extremely
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Standard King, AAA rate for USD 139.
Upgraded to top floor royal suite (this suite is huuuuuge), with club access.
Stayed for only one night, 1PM check-in, 5AM check-out (shame, shame...)
How are the rooms?
The suite is huge, about 5 large sized rooms... (1200 sq ft, maybe?) It occupies almost all of the 25th floor. Furnishings are more classic, kind of like IC Paris, but still nice room. Molton brown amenities.
What was your welcome gift?
Some fruits and a bottle of water.
How is the exec. lounge?
Well, it was a bit dated (yeah, nothing like the lounges in Europe, but fairly good for central america), but the staff were generally attentive and offered free drinks during the day. At happy hour (6-8pm) they had a decent offering of food and desert with ceviche and all.
What was good and what was bad?
In general, everything was great. The hotel is located in a decent location, (~10m walk to a nearby shopping mall and to old panama), I just took an uber everywhere, recommend doing that instead of the the taxis (someone told me the hotel taxis are more expensive than regular taxis). Uber was $12 from the Crowne Plaza Airport, where I stayed the night before, and $8 to Miraflores (closest set of Panama canal locks).
Value for $? Would you return?
Great value at the price, would definitely return.
Last edited by FLYGVA; Dec 4, 2015 at 5:03 am
Dec 4, 2015, 5:04 am
#79
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,552
A reminder, that question to individual hotels will be moved to the master thread of the hotels. A overview of all master threads are in this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...read-list.html
FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...read-list.html
FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum
Dec 7, 2015, 11:11 am
#80
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: GIG
Programs: JJ OW Emerald, TK*G, O6*G, Smiles Diamond, IC Amb, Le Club Platinum, former LH SEN (miss it!)
Posts: 291
IC at The Doral Miami
IC Miami Doral
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Poolside room booked, executive room on 5th floor granted.
How are the rooms?
Not really big, somewhat cramped, I'd say.
How is the exec. lounge?
It's a small one, but breakfast is good enough.
What was good and what was bad?
Location is not the better for Miami Beach, but I enjoyed to be close to the airport (10-15 driving).
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Used one ambassador BOGO (close to expire...) and a paid night. I'd be back, but not really looking foward to it.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Poolside room booked, executive room on 5th floor granted.
How are the rooms?
Not really big, somewhat cramped, I'd say.
How is the exec. lounge?
It's a small one, but breakfast is good enough.
What was good and what was bad?
Location is not the better for Miami Beach, but I enjoyed to be close to the airport (10-15 driving).
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Used one ambassador BOGO (close to expire...) and a paid night. I'd be back, but not really looking foward to it.
Last edited by FLYGVA; Dec 8, 2015 at 6:15 am Reason: adding name of property to post instead of post title only
Dec 15, 2015, 2:37 pm
#81
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Gold; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meliá & HH & Marriott Gold
Posts: 5,447
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin (Austin, Texas)
This was a better stay than our past few visits (for the most recent past stay see post 104 of this thread).
What is your status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, although it's far from being one of the IC's best properties.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
We booked a Queen room (lowest category) on a BOGO and received a corner "King Suite".
How are the rooms?
Renovated, clean and the corner location meant it was quiet. The "King Suite" has (glass) doors separating the sitting area from the bedroom, but doesn't quite pass the IMH genuine suite test because it would not be possible for a coffee/drinks visitor to use the toilet without going through the bedroom.
What was your welcome gift?
The same as usual: a bottle of Italian water
), a jar of nuts and raisins and a very large apple without a knife.
What was good and what was bad?
nothing of note
How is the exec. lounge?
no access this time
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Using a BOGO meant we paid just $275 for two nights (plus parking at $41 per night). That's very good for a decent hotel in downtown Austin. We'll return, as usual, because the location's great and the bar is a pleasant place to finish the evening.
This was a better stay than our past few visits (for the most recent past stay see post 104 of this thread).
What is your status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, although it's far from being one of the IC's best properties.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
We booked a Queen room (lowest category) on a BOGO and received a corner "King Suite".
How are the rooms?
Renovated, clean and the corner location meant it was quiet. The "King Suite" has (glass) doors separating the sitting area from the bedroom, but doesn't quite pass the IMH genuine suite test because it would not be possible for a coffee/drinks visitor to use the toilet without going through the bedroom.
What was your welcome gift?
The same as usual: a bottle of Italian water
), a jar of nuts and raisins and a very large apple without a knife.What was good and what was bad?
nothing of note
How is the exec. lounge?
no access this time
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Using a BOGO meant we paid just $275 for two nights (plus parking at $41 per night). That's very good for a decent hotel in downtown Austin. We'll return, as usual, because the location's great and the bar is a pleasant place to finish the evening.
Dec 16, 2015, 8:56 am
#82
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: CX SL, IHG PA
Posts: 8
Intercontinental Osaka
What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked "1 Bed Premium Suite" using a BOGO voucher. Upgraded to "1 Bed Premium Corner Suite"
How are the rooms?
Fantastic view from the corner room. Very nice bathroom. Two tv sets.
What was your welcome gift?
Local snacks.
How is the exec. lounge?
No lounge access
What was good and what was bad?
Every thing is great.
Value for $? Would you return?
Very good value with BOGO in Momiji(maple) season. Very good quality over all.
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked "1 Bed Premium Suite" using a BOGO voucher. Upgraded to "1 Bed Premium Corner Suite"
How are the rooms?
Fantastic view from the corner room. Very nice bathroom. Two tv sets.
What was your welcome gift?
Local snacks.
How is the exec. lounge?
No lounge access
What was good and what was bad?
Every thing is great.
Value for $? Would you return?
Very good value with BOGO in Momiji(maple) season. Very good quality over all.
Dec 17, 2015, 6:53 am
#83
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BA EC Gold, IHG Rewards Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 97
IC New York Times Square
What is your Priority Club status?
Spire Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Not especially - it's an average, overpriced hotel
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
- King Bed Deluxe
- Got put on a higher floor and given a room with 2 queen-size beds... not sure how that constituted an updgrade
How are the rooms?
- Nice decor and good beds, but lacking basic room features, such as light switches by the beds, decent TVs and good sound-proofing
How is the exec. lounge?
- What executive lounge?!
What was your welcome gift?
Nothing - nada, zip
Did you receive fruit and water in the room?
No, as I took the 'generous' $20 minibar credit which afforded me 1 bottle of water, a small pot of Pringles and a bag of M&Ms
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Decent sized room
- Nice option for Ambassadors to be able to choose between amenity or a credit on their mini-bar
- Comfortable beds
- Great location
Bad
- Rooms are basic... old TVs, poor channel selection, no light switch by bedsides, noisy aircon... all basics which disappointed considering newness and cost of hotel
- Walls are thin: I could hear people in other rooms / floors especially in evenings
- Towels in bathroom were thin and worn
- System failed to recognise my benefits on check-in (an IHG or a hotel problem?)
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Not good value for either, IMO
Spire Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Not especially - it's an average, overpriced hotel
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
- King Bed Deluxe
- Got put on a higher floor and given a room with 2 queen-size beds... not sure how that constituted an updgrade
How are the rooms?
- Nice decor and good beds, but lacking basic room features, such as light switches by the beds, decent TVs and good sound-proofing
How is the exec. lounge?
- What executive lounge?!
What was your welcome gift?
Nothing - nada, zip
Did you receive fruit and water in the room?
No, as I took the 'generous' $20 minibar credit which afforded me 1 bottle of water, a small pot of Pringles and a bag of M&Ms
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Decent sized room
- Nice option for Ambassadors to be able to choose between amenity or a credit on their mini-bar
- Comfortable beds
- Great location
Bad
- Rooms are basic... old TVs, poor channel selection, no light switch by bedsides, noisy aircon... all basics which disappointed considering newness and cost of hotel
- Walls are thin: I could hear people in other rooms / floors especially in evenings
- Towels in bathroom were thin and worn
- System failed to recognise my benefits on check-in (an IHG or a hotel problem?)
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Not good value for either, IMO
Last edited by Irons80; Dec 17, 2015 at 7:01 am
Dec 17, 2015, 7:02 am
#84
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BA EC Gold, IHG Rewards Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 97
IC Singapore
What is your Priority Club status?
Spire Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes - it's a great hotel, fantastic VFM
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
- Club Room
- Upgraded to a Heritage King
How are the rooms?
- Great: comfy beds, big TVs, lovely bathroom
How is the exec. lounge?
- Amazing
What was your welcome gift?
A cute lion plushie
Did you receive fruit and water in the room?
Yes, refreshed every day
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Rooms
- Pool
- Club lounge is fantastic
- Fantastic staff
Bad
- None
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes, great value for $ and would definitely return
Spire Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes - it's a great hotel, fantastic VFM
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
- Club Room
- Upgraded to a Heritage King
How are the rooms?
- Great: comfy beds, big TVs, lovely bathroom
How is the exec. lounge?
- Amazing
What was your welcome gift?
A cute lion plushie
Did you receive fruit and water in the room?
Yes, refreshed every day
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Rooms
- Pool
- Club lounge is fantastic
- Fantastic staff
Bad
- None
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes, great value for $ and would definitely return
Dec 27, 2015, 9:49 pm
#85
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Singapore
Programs: IC Ambassador
Posts: 8
IC Athenaeum
What is your Priority Club status?
-Gold Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
-Extremely satisfied. Exceeded all expectations.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
-Booked an King Deluxe Acropolis view Room and was upgraded to a Junior Suite.
How are the rooms?
- The Junior Suite is Huge. Two bathrooms, one with a bathtub and the other with a standing shower. Walk-in closet, decent sized living area with work desk. Super King sized bed. Quite amazing!
How is the exec. lounge?
- Nope. Had to top up for that. About 20-30 Euros per day?
What was your welcome gift?
A bottle of Greek extra virgin olive oil upon arrival and two days later, three bars of Greek olive oil body soap!
Did you receive fruit and water in the room?
-Yes
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Huge room
- Staff were friendly, spoke good English, thoughtful and very accommodating.
- Bed is too comfortable! Slept like a baby!
- Great breakfast! Decent selection but very well cooked. The Premiere restaurant is fantastic.
Bad
- Probably location. Though there a shuttle bus every 30 mins.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
A big fat yes!!!!!!!
-Gold Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
-Extremely satisfied. Exceeded all expectations.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
-Booked an King Deluxe Acropolis view Room and was upgraded to a Junior Suite.
How are the rooms?
- The Junior Suite is Huge. Two bathrooms, one with a bathtub and the other with a standing shower. Walk-in closet, decent sized living area with work desk. Super King sized bed. Quite amazing!
How is the exec. lounge?
- Nope. Had to top up for that. About 20-30 Euros per day?
What was your welcome gift?
A bottle of Greek extra virgin olive oil upon arrival and two days later, three bars of Greek olive oil body soap!
Did you receive fruit and water in the room?
-Yes
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Huge room
- Staff were friendly, spoke good English, thoughtful and very accommodating.
- Bed is too comfortable! Slept like a baby!
- Great breakfast! Decent selection but very well cooked. The Premiere restaurant is fantastic.
Bad
- Probably location. Though there a shuttle bus every 30 mins.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
A big fat yes!!!!!!!
Dec 30, 2015, 4:48 pm
#86
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1
IC Toronto Centre
IC Toronton Centre
What is your Priority Club status?
-Gold Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
-Satisfied.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
-Booked a Double room for 2 adults & 2 Kids and received upgrade to 2 x King adjoining rooms
How are the rooms?
- Located on 25 th floor with Amazing views of the city
Amazing Room
How is the exec. lounge?
- Was not aware of this
What was your welcome gift?
Tin of Maple Tea
Did you receive fruit and water in the room?
-Yes
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Huge room
- Bed is comfortable!
- Great breakfast!
Bad
- Room was located directly behind Elevator therefore causing noise in the room
throughout my stay
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
yes!!!!!!
What is your Priority Club status?
-Gold Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
-Satisfied.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
-Booked a Double room for 2 adults & 2 Kids and received upgrade to 2 x King adjoining rooms
How are the rooms?
- Located on 25 th floor with Amazing views of the city
Amazing Room
How is the exec. lounge?
- Was not aware of this
What was your welcome gift?
Tin of Maple Tea
Did you receive fruit and water in the room?
-Yes
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Huge room
- Bed is comfortable!
- Great breakfast!
Bad
- Room was located directly behind Elevator therefore causing noise in the room
throughout my stay
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
yes!!!!!!
Last edited by FLYGVA; Dec 31, 2015 at 5:39 am Reason: added name of hotels to post instead of post title only
Jan 1, 2016, 7:53 am
#87
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,552
Thank you all for your contributions to this thread, sharing you experience in various hotels around the globe from the perspective of a Ambassador Member.
The thread for 2016 is now open and could be found here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...es-2016-a.html
This thread is now "unsticked" and will remain open for a couple of days in case there are any question regarding posts in this thread but will be closed without further notice.
Please post your stays in the thread mentioned above.
Happy new year and safe travels
FLYGVA
for The IHG Forum moderation team
The thread for 2016 is now open and could be found here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...es-2016-a.html
This thread is now "unsticked" and will remain open for a couple of days in case there are any question regarding posts in this thread but will be closed without further notice.
Please post your stays in the thread mentioned above.
Happy new year and safe travels
FLYGVA
for The IHG Forum moderation team