What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Spire Royal Ambassador

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 King Executive, given a King Executive and they had the brass at check-in to tell me I had been upgraded until I showed them the booking confirmation. Then I got the lecture on how they don't upgrade to suites as the hotel is small (according to them) and they have too many ambassadors. In the end they allowed me to cancel the cash booking and convert it to a points booking for a standard room (allowing me to keep the King Exec). No mention of the points compensation for lack of upgrade until I raised it.

How are the rooms?
Adequate but quite noisy. Even from 9th floor, noise from street was bad. Bed is comfortable. Walk in shower, no bath tub. Mix of amenity brands in bathroom.
IHG clean promise is a joke. I could write my name in the dust on the top of the mini-bar and someone had decided to pick their nose and stick it on the curtain. It took 2 days of reminding guest relations and a talk with the front desk manager to get this cleaned. Apparently housekeeping don't listen to issues raised by the front desk according to the guest relations lady hence the delay in cleaning.

How is the exec. lounge?
Closed until next year I was told. You get given vouchers at check-in for breakfast in the Gin Parlour and a voucher for 2 drinks (up to $20 each which gets you a good cocktail, wine or beer) and a plate of cheese and charcuterie which was a good aperitif for 2 before going out for dinner.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
No. I mentioned this and was told they only offer 1000 points. No water is available either

How was the minibar?
OK but over priced (small mineral water $9; small pringles $11; 1/2 bottle champagne $75; 2 packets M&Ms $12; coke etc $9) Your daily $50 doesn't go far

What was good and what was bad?
Good
Voucher for the evening cocktail
Location

Bad
Attitude and recognition for RAs
Front desk staff (they simply don't care)
Hotel cleanliness

Value for $ or IHG Rewards Points?
Poor value

Would you return?
Never. Probably the worst Intercon I have stayed in in terms of RA recognition and staff attitude.