Originally Posted by
AA100SegmentsORD
Any updated suggestions on IHG brands in London? I have about 500,000 pts to burn on a 4 night stay in a couple of weeks, so points are no object. I would like some place central and sort of hip. CP Kensington, IC Westminster or other???
You need a central location, which means HI/HIX at 35K, CP/INDIGO at 45K and IC at 50K per night. By hip I am not sure you mean hotel or area or nightlife or all in combination.
Depending on your dates, you may find you can't get a 4night award stay at all central London IHG's on your dates, especially Friday and Saturday nights.
CP Ken you may still get room upgrade on points, but no Lounge Access, even if a paid stay. I'd rather go for Indigo Paddington if you don't mind not having a bath tub, as has large walkiin shower bathrooms.
IC Westminster as IHG Plat may get you nothing, and IC Park Lane normally guaranteed no upgrade.
Deciding factor may be your IHG status which appears non-Ambassador and Plarinum and whether if you stay at a London IC you will buy Ambassador for us$200. If you can/will then IC PL would be most peoples choice.
(You could buy Ambassador for us$200 at IC checkin time, and ask what upgrade you can then get, neither IC's will comp the lounge which is £78/night but for two people is worth it as can use for breakfast )
Indigo Paddington is nice, a 65room hotel, in interesting area, easy to travel to/from. Indigo rooms are 'shower only' big walk in's. If as IHG Plat you get upgraded to Exec Room you get free minibar with sodas, water. and some wine plus free movies. I got upgraded on points in November here in points sale at 25% of nornmal , and still received upgrade to an Exec Room.
HI Oxford street although nice and central enough, I found standard room even when I paid as an IHG Plat below par for me, and no longer stay there so maybe best avoided.
Heart of nightlife is probably Leicester Square, which doesn't have an on the doorstep IHG brand hotel . One could walk to/from Leicster Square most easily from IC Westminster or HI Mayfair. Else you only 20minutes by tube and day pass covers night busses too.
Mon-Thus nights at CP/HIX/HI you'll probably find points rate gets you reasonable return on cents/point bais, but Fri, Sat/Sun nights could be poor value at several IHG Hotels, and cash may be better, although I did note you have 500k points saved up.