FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Please post your IHG Rewards Experiences 2023

May 14, 2023 | 9:39 am

#70

FLYGVA

Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany

Join Date: Oct 2002

Posts: 7,194

Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental

Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental

What is your Priority Club status?
Ambassador Diamond

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Not really happy, but also not really disappointed.

I booked the hotel for a one night stay as stopover on my way back from the US to Europe. The rates of other hotels were very high. The Holiday Inn was in regard to proximity to public transportation, location and room rates the best option. (IC was above 800 EUR / Sheraton was close to 250 EUR / Doubletree 180 EUR)

I booked a Standard Room on a flexible rate.

My room was located on 9th floor and very close to the elevators. I had asked for a room away from the elevator on a high floor, but this was not possible at the time I checked in at 13:10. Check In was not the quickest with only three people ahead of me and two agents on duty, but waiting time was close to ten minutes before it was my turn. Check in was possible and I was welcomed as Diamond Member. Breakfast was not mentioned as one of the options and only after I asked I mentioned as well. A voucher was issued and it was mentioned that it was a full breakfast. Breakfast time was mentioned but not correct as it turned out the next day.
The lobby is quite large for a Holiday Inn and currently some parts are redone. The check in desks are on the left side close to the elevators. On the right side are a number of arm chairs, tables and there is also the bar area of the hotel.

Breakfast is served as buffet with hot and cold items in the basement. Rösti, scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, grilled tomatoes and pancakes were available. Cheese, ham, different type of salami were available as cold items. Cut fruits and fruit salad and cereals were on offer. Orange, apple and water were also on offer. Coffee and tea were available from two machines. Very slow as it took app a minute to prepare a coffee.

Quality and quantity were only average. A large tour group had breakfast at the same time with me and the staff could not keep up with the demand. They mentioned, they had informed the hotel of the early breakfast of a large group. It seems, the hotel did not took this in account. In so far, the overcrowding / emptied buffet / could have easily avoided. Also the slow coffee machines added to the quite uncomfortable atmosphere with people queuing. Staff was unable to keep up with the demand and it seems they have up. I also found the quality of the hot items not the best (as long as they were available).

A late check out till 14:00 was given. Again I had to push a bit for it. It might be, that the trainee was not aware of my status as her first reply was noon without even looking on the screen.

Check out was a bit quicker and more friendly.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Standard and received exactly this room. The wish for high floor and away from elevator was not honored. As I checked in ahead of the official check in time, I did not complain and this was only one night.

How are the rooms?
Right next to the entrance was the bathroom with bath, sink, bidet and toilet. Storage space next to the sink was okay. The Mirror was not heated. A bathrobe and slipper for two guests were available. Bathroom is large, Towel (large and medium) were provided for two people. Water pressure was okay. Hairdryer is an older wall mounted one.
Opposite the entrance to the bathroom in the hallway was the closet with iron and ironing board. The safe and minibar were placed there as well.
The room had a king size bed with two bedside tables. An armchair with lamp and small table was placed in front of the window. The window could be opened.
The Desk was integrated in the board opposite the bed, which also hosted the TV and some drawers and the place for putting the luggage.
Mattress was soft, a bit too soft my taste.
The hotel is older and the style of the rooms is a bit outdated. I found the hallways quite dark with a not very bright lamp.

It was nice to have a kind of real desk (and not a small table), though the chair was a bit uncomfortable. Internet speed was okay.

The room had blinds which really darkens the room. Windows could be opened, but there is some street noise.

The flexible rate was 135 EUR / night.

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?
Good
Rooms are of good size
Connection to public transport and major sights
Windows could be opened

Neutral
Staff is not as friendly as they could have been.
No upgrade

Bad
Lack of USB Ports
Breakfast experience, especially the quality and the slow coffee machines
Had to push for certain benefits (breakfast, late check out), so status recognition in general was not the best.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
The location is good. The rooms are of a good size. Downside is the breakfast. The large group might have added to the experience, but I found the quality not the best and also the presentation. Staff was slow in clearing dishes and restocking items.
I would return, but not at every cost and very much depending on the rates of the competitors. I do not say, I was disappointed, as the pictures on the IHG homepage gave a good impression that it is an older hotel and thus my expectation was low. But even then, it could have been better
Would probably try another hotel or another chain even for more money.

Standard Room / Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental

Desk in Standard Room / Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental

Bathroom of Standard Room / Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental