Programs: DL GM, WN CP; MR Plt, PC Plt, BW Gld, CC Sil
Posts: 3,294
Candlewood Suites New York City - Times Square
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
No not really...
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked "1 QUEEN BED STUDIO SUITE NONSMOKING", got same on high floor (it's all they have)
How are the rooms?
LOUD LOUD LOUD. The hotel itself is a narrow, tall box, with 6 rooms on each floor. Beginning around 8am, doors began slamming. Slamming, slamming, slamming. Over and over. How are there this many doors to slam on a floor with 6 rooms? Not just a vague closing noise, but a full volume SLAM. Finally gave up trying to sleep. So much for a relaxing vacation.
Also, the air handler apparently had no "fan only" mode and no way to adjust where it pointed. So if the air temp disagreed by more than 1 degree, the only option was full cold or full heat, pointed directly at the bed.
How is the exec. lounge?
N/A
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
Location - close to Times Square but just outside the full thrush of confused tourists
Aside from the lack of daily housekeeping, some decent additional amenities (free DVD rental, some bell/porter service, free computer use...)
Everyone friendly and competent
No grief at check-in for a BRG night
Really good cafe about three blocks away to get work done during the day (Cafe Grind)
Bad:
One of the two elevators broke down for hours - lengthy delays
Had two separate reservations and the front desk could not link them or extend key validity at check-in
Decent kitchen in the room but the lobby "cupboard" convenience store didn't have much to offer, beyond reheated convenience foods
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
It's up to 35k/night now! Not worth it.
__________________
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Marriott Rewards signup (10k)
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 standard room through lastminute.com top secret rooms, upgraded to executive room. Had emailed hotel and asked them to add my Priority Club # to the booking.
How are the rooms?
Nice enough room, especially as an upgrade.
How is the exec. lounge?
N/A
What was your welcome gift?
Voucher for free drink and snack or 500 points, two bottles of water and a KitKat
What was good and what was bad?
Good
•Great upgrade considering the room was booked through lastminute.com (£39 including parking).
•Comfortable bed and good soundproofing.
•Points were posted for the stay which I hadn't expected
Bad
•Shower water temperature was lukewarm, although the bath and hand basin water was hot !
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Definitely.
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
I was disappointed. Probably because I expected-from previous trip reports-that they would treat me better as an elite.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked the standard, got a "partial lake-view," which was indeed very partial.
How are the rooms?
They're fine. Nothing special.
How is the exec. lounge?
N/A
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
Location
Decent enough rooms.
Bad:
They used to give breakfast to plats, but all I got was a coupon for 20%, IIRC.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Depends on the rate. Queenstown is overpriced, hotel-wise. But I stayed at the Hilton Queenstown, which has a poor location, but is really fantastic and elegant and lovely.
Stayed March 2013.
Last edited by FLYGVA; May 9, 13 at 8:14 am..
Reason: added hotel name to post for iPad Users
Programs: Delta GM; PC PlatAmb; Hilton Carlson & SPG Gold; Marriott Silver; Hyatt & Accor Plat; UA Premier
Posts: 686
Holiday Inn Express Seward
Holiday Inn Express Seward
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
I booked a standard King room; was upgraded to a Harbor View with Balcony/
How are the rooms?
Fine- probably redone within the last few years, but starting to show some wear. Balcony was the best part, with gorgeous views of the harbor
How is the exec. lounge?
n/a
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
View
Friendly staff
Good location
Freshbaked cookies in evening
Bad:
No exercise room
Balcony had previous guests' cigarette and cigar butts
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Rate seemed expensive for what it was - $135 - but it is the only substantial hotel in downtown Seward.
(Friendly reminder please put the name of the property you are reviewing in the post, not just in the title, as the title does not appear when using the app.)
Programs: IHG RA, HH Gold, Krisflyer Gold, KLM Gold, Marco Polo Silver
Posts: 264
Holiday Inn Express Ramsgate-Minster
Holiday Inn Express Ramsgate-Minster
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum (Royal Ambassador)
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Doubled Bed/Sofa Room, received same
(only one room type, excepting option of double or twin bed room, so no upgrade possible)
How are the rooms?
Clean, Functional, good lighting, reasonable size
Work desk/chair with power points
TV + ethernet cable only in-room internet (£4.95) .. (Free wifi in Lounge/Bar area)
TV movies, good choice, £9.95 for 24hours which includes internet access too
24" Flatscreen TV doubles up as computer with supplied keyboard if you not have a laptop
Small double bed + 2seater sofa-bed. Bed comfy I slept well.
Bed reading lights on stalks from headboard.
Bathroom has sink + shower, hot water ok and quick, nice thick towels for a HIX
Hairdryer, coffee facilities in room
How is the exec. lounge?
n/a
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
Free car parking
Friendly staff
Great location for Manston (MSE) Kent International Airport, 3 miles, 10minutes.
Petrol station and co-op mini-supermarket opposite hotel (+ macdonalds )
Breakfast scrambled eggs, beans, sausages hot, replaced frequently,
tinned grapefruit, ceraeals, croisants, pastries etc (included in roomrate as HIX)
Bad:
Short on bar/chef staff, as 2 staff had resigned recently, no point ordering evening meal as party of 30 pre-booked
Breakfast sausages very poor, baked in oven I left mine.
Value for money.
Great room price for me at £40 company flex rate, ADR was £49 on Sunday night. Stayed here based for airport location not price.
Yes will happily stay again, as KLM flights for AMS leave twice a day, 06.20 and 10.40
Programs: IHG RA, HH Gold, Krisflyer Gold, KLM Gold, Marco Polo Silver
Posts: 264
Crowne Plaza, London Heathrow Airport
Crowne Plaza, London Heathrow Airport
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum (Royal Ambassador)
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes as usual
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked:- Standard double
Received:- Club Room with Lounge access
(double upgrade, std -> dlx -> Club + Lounge)
How are the rooms?
Club rooms are......................
Large, well furnished. Quiet room, windows soundproof etc
Comfy Double Bed, 4 pillows, plus cushions
Bed, Desk+Chair, 2 seater sofa and table, plug sockets, desklamp
Large Flatscreen TV, Usual Freeview chls + Skysports1/2/3
Bathroom with bath, instant hot water, nice thick towels.
How is the exec. lounge?
Nice size and bright, 2 PC's with printers, all day soft drinks + coffee machine. Free wifi in Lounge
Evening drinks 6pm to 9.30/10.00pm depending on day of week. Nice fizzy wines, Canapes 6pm + cheese board at 2030
Lounge access allows breakfast in ground floor restaurant any morning (lounge breakfast only available Mon-Fri mornings)
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
Platinum recognition + upgrade
Breakast in restaurant is one of the better offerings I encounter in various CP's, HI's.
Large club room, large TV, good channel choice
Pub on ground floor
additionally Restaurant, Bar on ground floor
Good but expensive independent Indian Restaurant on ground floor
Bad:
Internet on slow side, and not cheap.
(roll on Jul2013 when the internet will be free for Plats/Golds)
Value for money?
Yes for cash evbn without lounge access. (Poor value for points at usual room rates though)
Yes, doubly good value for Plats, as upgraded free Club room/Lounge, so no need to buy breakfast or evening beers 1800-2200.
Often stay here before flying out,
OR on late evening arrivals when I have a hire-car as then so easy to go everywhere via M4/M25 first thing next morning.
Programs: CO Plat since '94 now UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, PCR Platinum, Dollar (yes Dollar) Express
Posts: 522
Crowne Plaza Southbury, CT, USA
Crowne Plaza Southbury, CT
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum
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 cheapest room, upgraded to King room with sleeper sofa
How are the rooms?
Really nice. Lots of space, real central heat/air (not window units) Very comfortable bed, TempleSpa goodies.
How is the exec. lounge?
N/A - but have a nightly reception with free hors d'oeuvres for priority club members and free drink coupons for platinums. Platinums also get free breakfast coupons for their (really nice) breakfast buffet (several hot entrees, smoked salmon and goodies, lots of sweet breads, fruit, yogurt, etc etc)
What was your welcome gift?
Two bottles of water and a craft bakery biscotti.
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Very comfortable room and lots of space, and great sound and sun proofing
- Free WiFi worked really well
- Really great free breakfast buffet
- Great staff with great attitudes
- Nice restaurant on site with several healthy food selections
Bad
-Nothing really, it is a slightly older hotel that has been refreshed but their bathrooms are slightly smaller than par. Not a big deal for me.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Absolutely. One of the best IHG properties I stayed in for years, esp for the $
Programs: DL GM, WN CP; MR Plt, PC Plt, BW Gld, CC Sil
Posts: 3,294
Staybridge Suites Syracuse (Liverpool) NY
What is your Priority Club status?
Plat
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes extremely
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked "STUDIO SUITE 1 QUEEN BED NONSMOKING". Might have actually received a King Bed but I didn't ask and don't remember (arrived very late at night). They do have full 1 and 2 bedroom suites here.
How are the rooms? Excellent. Very functional and a ton of features - kitchen with full size appliances, marble countertops, and glass-front cabinets, big wardrobe for clothes, several desk/shelf workspaces. Everything looked brand new. Although I was only there one night, it was the kind of place where I could have nested for weeks.
How is the exec. lounge?
No exec lounge, however in addition to the complimentary hot breakfast, they serve a full paid lunch and dinner menu in either the lounge or via room service, with a discount for PC Plats. (Guessing it's from the kitchen at the attached Holiday Inn)
What was good and what was bad?
Good
Facilities in excellent condition
Acres of free parking
Directly across from the exit ramp of the Thruway (I-90)
Very pleasant employees
Not noisy on a busy weekend
Bad
There's no sign on the front door! (When facing the front of the Holiday Inn, the Staybridge lobby is behind, on the right side.)
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
It's only 10k points! One of the best values in the system.
__________________
Referrals ready to go! - PM if you need:
Marriott Rewards signup (10k)
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador
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 room on points and received 1 king bed Studio Suite
How are the rooms?
Around 35sqm (it was the smallest room)
Fully equipped kitchen (but no table)
Comfortable bed
Desk
Seating area
Dressing
Bathroom with huge bathtub (not really eco-friendly for Las Vegas)..
Simply be well amenities (I like the soap).
View over the pool.
Quite elegant corporate design
Very quiet
Large flat television set with good cable channels selection (but no international channels). The quality of image for some channels (HBO, etc.) was pretty bad though.
Free wifi
How is the exec. lounge?
N/A
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Very friendly staff
- Free breakfast and dinner during the week (I like the healthy choices: fresh fruits, salad, etc).
- Fast wifi
- Pleasant outdoor pool
Bad
- Location is convenient if you have a car, but the property is definitely out of action (there is a free shuttle to the Strip/airport): there is nothing around the hotel, except deserted land, highways...
- You cannot open the window of the room facing the pool as there is no balcony (the only room I could open the window was the one facing the noisy highway)
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
The hotel is convenient on points when The Palazzo/The Venetian are sold out. But I man not quite sure I will pay the full price (the hotel is sometimes more expensive than The Palazzo).
Certainly a good choice for families though.
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
It was ok
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive? Booked cheapest advance rate room and was "upgraded" to a King bed room on Executive level / high floor. Coupons for free drink and free breakfast were offered.
How are the rooms?
Tiny (less than 28 sqm)
Comfortable bed
Armchair (the room is so small that it nearly touches the bed)
Television set with large selection of cable channels (but no international channels).
Very small bathroom with fridge like light and tiny bathtub. TempleSpa amenities. Damaged mirror and faucet.
View over Downtown's buildings
Partially renovated, but still feels dated.
Quiet from outside noise (but you can hear the elevators)
How is the exec. lounge?
N/A
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Convenient location
- Very friendly staff
- Pleasant restaurant (good basic food, very fast service)
- Good breakfast
- Bar surprisingly living in the evening
Bad
- Dated hotel
- Small rooms
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Good value, but do not expect thrilling experience.
If you stay in Houston, do not miss the Ménil Collection, one of the world's best private contemporary art collections (and Renzo Piano's building is superb).
Last edited by nicolas75; May 20, 13 at 10:48 am..
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador
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 cheapest advance rate room and received a corner club room on club level, with club access.
How are the rooms?
Not huge (less than 30sqm)
Very comfortable bed
Flat screen television set with large selection of channels. The television set is fixed to the wall, so you cannot rotate the screen, which is not convenient).
Bathroom with bathtub and separate cubicle shower. Prija amenities (I like the smell). Bathrobe
Very small closet.
Panoramic view over the city.
Pleasant design
Very quiet.
No iPhone dock.
How is the exec. lounge?
Continental breakfast (warm option at the restaurant for GBP 6 more).
Evening canapés and drinks (living atmosphere in the evening).
Soft drinks, coffee, fruits and biscuits during the day.
What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Convenient location (art galleries and trendy bars/restaurant just next to the hotel, department stores and museums at less than 10 minutes walk)
- Very friendly staff
- Recent hotel with pleasant design
Bad
- Nothing
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes
- Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, it was okay. Not brilliant, but passable.
- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Executive - no upgrade. (There are no suites, so an executive room is as good as it gets there!) There were no gold perks other than a cheery "thank you for your loyalty" when checking in.
- How are the rooms?
Smaller than at the nearby Reading West, not enough room for a sofa between the bed and the window. The room had been refurbished relatively recently and instead of curtains had large wooden panels (which moved along tracks in the floor and ceiling).
- How is the exec. lounge?
N/A
- What was good and what was bad?
Good: Room was clean and the bed was comfortable. Amenities were as described by the hotel.
Bad: Air conditioning centrally controlled - it was on "heat" mode and couldn't be switched to cold.
Single-glazed window meant you could clearly hear sounds from outside. Thankfully as the room faced into a courtyard there wasn't much noise.
In-room phone had a dodgy mouthpiece meaning people you called only heard you very faintly.
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
I paid £58 for the room, which seemed reasonable enough. Wifi access was £16 a day, which is pretty expensive - the Reading West is £13 by comparison. Thankfully come July it'll be moot as Golds and Platinums will get free access.
I would return, but hopefully won't have to: the Reading West is better for me location wise and it normally has availability on the days I want, this weekend was an exception.
Programs: SQ TPPS, EK Silver, IC Plat RA, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, HHonors
Posts: 558
Holiday Inn & Suites Makati Manila
- What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum
- Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, pretty good.
- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Basic, upgraded to a premier.
- How are the rooms?
Brand new, the hotel only opened on 1 April. Modern design, somewhat reminiscent of the Hilton KL Sentral. Good size. Nice to see power sockets that accepted all types of plug, and plenty of them. Comfortable room for a business visit.
- How is the exec. lounge?
Don't know, no access. When I asked they quoted PHP 2300 per day.
- What was good and what was bad?
Good: Brand new, good service, everything worked. Good location (connected to Glorietta mall).
Bad: Nothing really. A lot of construction in the area as Ayala develops it, but not a bother.
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes back next week.
