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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 the Park/Stay/Fly rate into the entry level room and was upgraded to king room with palour and whirlpool tub. The upgrade was noted in the 'request' line on the page I had to sign and initial. The thing I did note was that I left a note ihn the online res that was longer then 'upgrade requested' so they obviously filter through and pare down the request line. They took off the part about me whining about a Platinum upgrade please if you'd be so kind, blah blah blah. I dont' know if the upgrade was because of the survery I filled out online from my previous stay. That stay I had to ask for an upgrade (didn't put the request in the 'request line'), and then when I got it, the bill the next day was $30.00 more.
How are the rooms?
Room is fine. It's HIE, nothing more, nothing less. Very consistent from my experience. Beds nice, free breakfast prior to airport is nice. Whirlpool is not in the 'palour' like some hotels, it's in the MASSIVE bathroom. But still nice for a good soak.
What was good and what was bad?
Good: Upgrade / Location / Shuttle to airport (take 1 min)
Bad: No recognition (other then the upgrade, but that wasn't addressed, it was just on the rate sign off page. Not a clue how to process the Any Hotel/Anywhere card--even though I sent an email warning them that I was using a $250 CAD card. Then when I was politely walking her through it she was getting irritated stating "it's declined" , yes i'm sure it is becuase you aren't listening to me , woman. But got that all straigtened out when I kept reiterating that you need to authorize the amount for about $30 less for every $100 of card value.....and wowsa sure enough it worked.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
It was a horrible rate, it really was. At $179.00 (to park car there for 8 nights, stay in their hotel for the first night and shuttles to and from BUF) it's about $50.00 more expensive then the Best Western up the road. But dang it all, with all the Radioman points codes I couln't pass up a stay at a ICH property. I will return.
Programs: BA Blue, Qantas Club, Virgin Silver, Priority Club Platinum, Goldpoints Gold, SPG Gold, BA Amex PP
Posts: 797
CP Manchester Airport
- What is your Priority Club status?
Gold
- 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 double and received said room. The hotel does not upgrade Plat members as they have 35 Club rooms and c.20 Plats each night.
- How are the rooms?
Pretty decent really, good comfy bed, chair and desk. Minibar/fridge rather small but good hidden safe that can take two laptops.
- How is the exec. lounge?
They have a club lounge, looks ok but I only saw it through the doors
- What was good and what was bad?
GOOD - some of the service in the bar area exceeded expectation
BAD - Needed a BP printed and asked reception to help out. Their response was to buy 15 mins Internet access. I didn't need 15 mins, I needed something printed. Felt a little put out, I wasn't asking for the earth.
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Despite work paying for my stays I won't be rushing back. This stay will take me to Plat when it posts and I don't feel that I'll be getting anything extra for the money. Will look for other hotels in the area.
that is good news. It just reinforced the poor service I had from the front desk on a few occasions during my stay.
The guy nearly did them out of future revenue. Classic
I wonder if the guy was talking about Golds. I know you asked about Platinums, but maybe he simply didn't quite get it, as you were Gold at the time.
that is good news. It just reinforced the poor service I had from the front desk on a few occasions during my stay.
The guy nearly did them out of future revenue. Classic
Staying there quite often, I can only comment this to front desk: I have learnt who to approach for any requests ... and who better not to approach ...
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum 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 a Superior Room on a BOGOF rate for two nights and paid upgrade of NZD90.00 for two people for two nights for access to the club lounge.
How are the rooms?
Very good, large room.
How is the exec. lounge?
Good self service lounge with attendant during breakfast and eveing drinks
Evening drinks/nibbles from 1730-1930 just help your self.
One computer with Internet access
Free soft drinks/tea and coffee 24/7
PLenty of local newspapers
What was good and what was bad?
Good: Staff are very friendly
Bad NZD20.00 a night for hotel parking in Christchurch
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Good value and I would return. one of the best hotels in Christchurch
Programs: Priority Club Platinum Ambassador, SPG Gold, Marriott Rewards, Flying Blue, Miles & More
Posts: 124
Express by Holiday Inn Swindon city centre
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, generally...
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a standard room. Didnt expect an upgarde at an express hotel but asked at check in anyway. Surprisingly, they did "upgrade" me. They have 2 corner rooms per floor that are larger in size than all the other identically shaped rooms. Also, the corner rooms have 2 large full sized corner windows with a "view" of the city centre or towards the train station. Standard rooms just have 1 small window.
How are the rooms?
Standard HI Express decor...clean and fairly modern.
How is the exec. lounge?
An exec. lounge in a HI Express hotel ?! I was lucky there was a "restaurant" next to reception. Which, by the way, is closed all on Friday's, Saturday's, and Sunday's. Perhaps to avoid the drunks...(see below)
What was good and what was bad?
Good: Location is great, between city centre, coach (bus) station and train station - all within walking distance.
The coffee machines at breakfast actually grind coffee and are available for use ALL day so you can make yourself a hot drink even at 22:00 in the evening.
Bad: It you are staying on a friday or saturday night - watch out. Noise from drunken people shouting and screaming on the street can be heard even on the top floor of the hotel with the windows closed. Added to that, on our floor (on a friday night) drunken guests were coing back to their rooms and talking loudly in the corridors and slamming room doors until 6 in the morning !!!
Breakfast left a lot to be desired. No cold cuts...only cheese was small pieces of cheddar shrink wrapped...bread selection very limited, concentrated orange juice....I'va had better in other HI Express hotels.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Paid £ 30 GBP per night on the 2for1 rate. For a clean, modern hotel with basic breakfast, free tea and coffee, with a location in the city centre AND the possibility to earn points there is no reason to complain about the price.
However unless you have a real reason to be in Swindon (we did) then there's no reason to come here unless you doing a mattress run for extra bonus points.
Last edited by est-gratuite; Jan 27, 09 at 11:18 am..
Programs: BA Blue, Qantas Club, Virgin Silver, Priority Club Platinum, Goldpoints Gold, SPG Gold, BA Amex PP
Posts: 797
That part of Swindon isn't the best the town has to offer. That said, you can't fault the location although drivers might find it just as easy to stay at the one by junction 16 of the M4.
The cluster of bars in the vicinity will always be a downfall around there. It's like the strip in San Antonio but without the good weather and mixture of sun kissed girls and burnt Ginger people from Barnsley.
