Please post your Royal Ambassador experiences - Page 6

JLL5100 · Mar 30, 05, 1:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shareholder

Did you call down for the basics [water, fruit bowl, gift]? Often these do arrive after one has checked in, and if not you should call for them as these are givens.

No, I checked in at 5:30 and left at 6 pm for a reception downtown. Returned at 9:30 and was not inclined to call as it could take an hour or more to be delivered and I had to get up for an early flight the next day.

pauleeepaul · Apr 1, 05, 6:27 pm

Booked a Club room for Easter weekend with expectations of an upgrade to a suite, maintaining Club access since paid for. At check in told the RA upgrade at this property was to a Club room (not suite), with Club access, and asked why I paid for something I was entitled to. I explained that I paid for a Club room because I wanted to ensure Club access, and that other ICs did not include Club access as an RA upgrade benefit (ie Le Grand.) With some prodding they procured a very nice junior suite, on the top floor. They also lowered my room rate to the level excluding Club access (about $40 per night discount), since Club access was an RA benefit in their mind, so I guess I made out. I just wish IC had consistent rules for this program.

The hotel itself was very nice, good gym with pool and a sun deck. The location is a little off the beaten path but cabs were so cheap and plentiful it didn't matter. The Club was so so, breakfast was mostly cold, no booze during the day, and a spotty cocktail hour. One nice benefit of being there over the weekend was the Club was closed for Sunday breakfast so the hotel brunch was provided instead- much nicer. Also an RA benefit is 50% discount on wine purchased in the hotel restaurant. I would stay here again.

**Markie** · Apr 2, 05, 3:53 am

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
No.

- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked 2 for 1 offer for Superior Room.
Received small suite in old part of hotel (read Forum Hotel) at end of corridor.

- How are the rooms?
Tired and old

- How is the exec. lounge?
Not allowed access.

- What was good and what was bad?
Poor status recognition.
Poor room.
Service in restaurant for breakfast dreadful.

- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
EU129 for 2 nts = good value to me.
Not unless they let me stay in the new part of the hotel.

Snoopyo · Apr 12, 05, 7:14 pm

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

- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked AAA Special of $89 for a regular king room. Received upgrade to club lounge.

- How are the rooms?
Nice with marble and decent furnishings

- How is the exec. lounge?
Smoked salmon with continental breakfast and one night was Tuna seared appetizer with some veges and free drinks in lounge from 5-7. Also free wireless.

- What was good and what was bad?
Good hotel walk to french quarter and other areas. Given wine, fruit and Pralines as Ambassador gift. Used the minibar perk for the first time and they did not charge for the snacks

Restrained myself since I also had access to the lounge so only a few drinks a day.

- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
US$89 with upgraded club level, Excellent. Would stay again even if rates higher.

Snoopyo · Apr 12, 05, 7:20 pm

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Fairly good. Although I would probably stay at Hyatt next time.

- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked 30K reward room in New part. Rate would have been US$179.
Received 1bdrm suite in Newer building (also offered larger King Deluxe in Historical part if I preferred). No lounge even though front desk implied there was but I think he meant the bar in the lobby.

- How are the rooms?
Nicely decorated with 2 bathrooms but wasted for 1 person. Wireless $9.95 but kept flaking out on me.

- How is the exec. lounge?
None.

- What was good and what was bad?
Decent area for shopping in the Magnificent Mile but I think I prefer IC with lounge or the Hyatt. For reward night, RA priviledges seemed to not apply and was charged for juice and nuts. Too tired for alcohol.

- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Okay value but not great. I think I would now only redeem points for ICs with lounge...
Maybe will return but not definite.

LH738 · Apr 22, 05, 1:28 am

InterContinental London

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

- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
I was upgraded to a (renovated) Club Room on the 8th floor (had booked a standard/classic room).
Welcome gift were fruits, water, bottle of red wine.

- How are the rooms?
Typical Inter-Continental Look and Feel. Nothing special but nice enough to feel comfortable.
Security was sitting on the 7th floor during day and night. I don't know if this is common or if a special guest was in the hotel during that time.

- How is the exec. lounge?
Lounge is on the 7th floor offering an excellent breakfast (cold items only), afternoon tea and canapes (+ drinks). Check-In/Check-Out can also be done in the lounge.

- What was good and what was bad?
Good location, excellent status recognition, nice lounge.
Bed cover was a blanket only wrapped in white linen.

- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
I would return.

demue · Apr 22, 05, 4:51 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoopyo

For reward night, RA priviledges seemed to not apply and was charged for juice and nuts.

Bit OT for this thread, but they should not have charged you for the drinks from the mini bar (snacks are a different story) on your reward night. You are an RA and it does not matter whether it is a paid stay with $$$ or points. I have stayed on reward nights at IC's before and got full RA benefits. Cheers ...

Snoopyo · Apr 24, 05, 11:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by demue

Bit OT for this thread, but they should not have charged you for the drinks from the mini bar (snacks are a different story) on your reward night. You are an RA and it does not matter whether it is a paid stay with $$$ or points. I have stayed on reward nights at IC's before and got full RA benefits. Cheers ...

Well, this was my first award stay at IC and I was running for the airport ORD in a taxi as soon as I settled so was not going to argue $8+. Also, they took off the high speed internet charge $10 after I had diffculty connecting to a VPN via tunnel so I figured it was a wash since I did surf but was not able to do work.

Snoopyo · Apr 25, 05, 12:02 am

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

- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
I was upgraded to a Jr Suite on the 11th floor (had booked a deluxe room for $189). Used a 2 for 1 certificate and told them by phone before checking in.
Welcome gift were fruits, water (2 small Perrier), small box of Lindt chocolates.

- How are the rooms?
Okay but you can see in some small things to confirm it was upgraded from a Crown Plaza. i.e. no slippers, mediocre shampoo in the spa in old and tired dispensers, some minor wear and tear.

- How is the exec. lounge?
Not granted access. Was told upgrade to jr. Suite rather than club floor. I upgraded to a luxury weekend of $199 that included 2 free breakfasts on Sat. None for Sun since that was the free night.

- What was good and what was bad?
Easy access to highway - although somewhat painful with one ways if you are not familiar with the area, 2 blocks from Union station, next to convention center, etc.

- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
I would with 2 for 1 if I have certs to spare (my Ambassador cert expires end of April) or for a convention since it is convenient but otherwise for $199, I would rather do the Park Hyatt Toronto on weekends.

pauleeepaul · May 15, 05, 4:20 pm

I attended a conference at the IC Miami last week. The rate was booked and paid for by the conference organizer but I believe it was around $180. Apparently it wasn't enough to earn points, as the stay has posted with no points. Nonetheless, getting my RA number into the reservation before check in got me a full suite on a club floor with club access. The decor was garish- think 1980s Miami Vice- but the overall experience was positive. The lounge had cold breakfast and evening nibblies, with a cocktail spread in the evening and beer and soda available all day. A decent health club although I could have done without the $10 daily fee. I had to have the minibar beverage charges removed manually at checkout. Welcome gift was an underwhelming fruit plate and bottle of mineral water. I would return, primarily for the free club access and suite upgrade. The location is ok for business but a haul from the resort areas.

Raffles · May 16, 05, 1:35 am

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

Booked the cheapest river view room I could find. Got upgraded to an Executive Suite (river view) which is the standard RA upgrade. Oddly, the hotel REDUCED my rate when I arrived without saying why! I had booked a prepaid rate of Euro 385 which was reduced to Euro 336, with a Euro 49 credit given against my bill. The second night (which I was going to use a voucher for anyway) came down from Euro 550 to Euro 485!

- How are the rooms?

50 square metres. VERY classical - lots of orginal antiques, including a 13 volume encylopedia! The non-antique furniture looks about 10 years old and could do with replacing (old TV's, old looking safe etc) but the carpets, curtains, linens etc were spotless. My girlfriend absolutely loved it - to be honest, I prefer something more modern.

- How is the exec. lounge?

There isn't one. The Amstel only has 79 rooms!

- What was good and what was bad?

This is a boutique hotel the size of a conference hotel. It is NEVER busy! Breakfast is expensive (Euro 25 for the buffet plus extra for any cooked items you order) but is wonderful - I totally, totally recommend paying for it. It is served in the main restaurant by totally professional staff. Everything seemed to be hand made, including the jams and pastries. Only about 1/3rd of the tables were occupied and the pace is leisurely. Our breakfast bill for 2 for 2 days was Euro 120 and it was worth every penny!

Swimming complex is great. Pool is not huge but there is a bar with free coffee, papers, juice, tables to sit at, sunloungers etc. Great view over the river.

We didn't eat in the restaurant, which has 2 Michelin stars but is astoundingly expensive. The bar next door also serves as a brasserie and we had a fantastic meal in there - they had a special asparagus menu as well as the normal menu! Again, though, this wasn't cheap for a meal in a bar - Euro 25 for a main course. It was very, very tasty and well cooked - after all, it does come from the same Michelin-starred kitchen!

The staff, in general, were exceptional. The only weak spot was the check-in lady who was on her first day. She had no idea what RA was, almost laughed at me when I asked if everything in the mini-bar was free, and didn't take my Ambassador free night cert - and when I checked out, I got told off for not handing it in at check-in!

Location is poor for Anne Frank House, the Jordaan and the tatty shops. However, it is perfect for the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the boutiques on PC Hoogstraat. There is a metro station 60 seconds walk from the door - don't try to walk it from the Central Station unless you know the city and have no luggage - it is at least a 30 minute walk.

Minibar - as posted elsewhere, you get six 35cl-50cl bottles of spirits (Absolut, Glenfiddich, Gran Marnier, Courvoisier etc) plus 2 half-bottles of wine. No champagne. Snacks were limited, but on our last day some Godiva chocolate appeared!

The RA gift is usually a Delft china windmill, but they had run out. No replacement was offered. Toiletries are L'Occitane.

- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

It's a no-brainer. The rate may sound expensive but all of Amsterdam is pricey. Total bill for the room (1 night free, 1 paid), 2 breakfasts for 2 and one meal in the brasserie was Euro 549 and was worth every penny.

In many ways this is the best IC there is - on a par with LeGrand but with far nicer staff and a far better guest to staff ratio. With a tiny bit of room modernisation (although my girlfriend totally disagrees with me on this) it would be perfect. Give it a go next time you have an Amb voucher to use.

wideman · May 16, 05, 5:36 am

I concur with everything that RJB mentioned in his thorough review. I might add that, in terms of location and transportation, the tram line on the street in front of the hotel goes directly to the Leideseplein, which is really one of the prime areas of Amsterdam. Lots of restaurants and entertainment there (including the Casino), and just 2 steps from the Vondelpark or the Jordaan and the 9 Straatjes (a little neighborhood with some terrific shops).

Shareholder · May 17, 05, 7:19 am

Did a 2-night weekend stay at the IC Buenos Aires. Hotel not busy, as RA was told they don't normally do suites, but rather upgrade to Club IC, which is what they did for me. Used 2nd night cert for one of the two nights of the stay. Received bottle of Merlot as the gift, handed to me at check-in. No problem with free mini-bar as often happens upon check out at many properties (included on bill, must be manually removed). Also received pressing for two complementary items and usual water/fruit bowl. AMBASSADORS also get 50% off wines ordered with meals at the main restaurant, and a couple of other changing discounts.

As an aside, had originally booked lowest changeable room rate, then opted for Business Options which offered either suite or Club IC upgrade, or free movie/mini-bar credit to ensure Club IC. In the end, I did not get a suite but did get Club IC as RA upgrade, had minibar as RA benefit, and would have had free movie as Ambassador benefit, however, no movie channels were functioning. Also, as there were only a half-dozen of us on the ClubIC floors this past weekend, drinks and hors d'oeuvres only offered in the Lounge on Friday night. Saturday drinks were in one of the bars downstairs -- no hors d'oeuvres -- and two free drinks provided, and Sunday breakfast was in the main restaurant, free of charge. Breakfast buffet in Lounge on Saturday did include scrambled eggs, bacon etc. and not just cold Continental items.

So, in future, unless hotel is heavily booked, RAs should not anticipate suite but can expect ClubIC.

Doppy · May 17, 05, 9:35 am

IC Barclay NYC

Reserved a Jr. Suite (that's all that was available at the time).

Upgraded to a King Suite, which the Web site said was the same as the Jr. Suite, but with a larger sitting room.

Fruit and water, but no welcome amenity or letter from the manager. No club in this property, and no breakfast/cocktails/hors d'oeuvres. Minibar is beverages only - no snacks.

The room itself was a decent size for NYC (not big, but a good size), but really needed some renovation, especially the bathroom which was pretty tired.

eutow · May 18, 05, 5:13 pm

Does anyone have any experiences to share about the IC Marine Drive Mumbai as RA?

I like the hotel a lot, and stay there every month. I have pursued RA mainly to get suite upgrades (they don't have an executive floor) and mini bar benefits whilst at this hotel.

I have found that they don't offer much recognition to Ambassadors, and don't offer many of the usual Ambassador benefits (fruit plate, welcome gift), and I have not pushed for them. I would be interested to know how people have found their recognition of RAs. I will be very disappointed not to get upgraded to a suite on my next stay!