FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Please post your IHG Rewards at Kimpton Experiences 2024

Feb 20, 2024 | 7:41 am

#27

IluvJetAirways

Join Date: Jan 2009

Location: New York

Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador, GHA Titanium

Posts: 177

Kimpton St. Honore Paris

What is your IHG One Rewards status?
Platinum (IHG Premier Credit Card)

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?.
1 King Bed Essential (effectively the lowest tier), received 1 King Bed Opera View prior to check-in via app (one-category upgrade). Upon check-in, was upgraded to 1 King Bed Suite - with some suite-talking (

) involved.

How are the rooms?
The rooms are small, but nice. We actually originally were given the King Opera View (which felt tiny even by Euro standards) while the front desk said they'd speak to their manager to determine whether anything nicer was available. I took a shower and all in the cramped room and went out for dinner, but upon our return were informed that we could move to the King Suite! The only downside of this room was that it would not face the main street/Opera (so we wouldn't have a 'view'), but the King Suite was miles better than our previous room. While once again, for suite standards, the room was definitely small, it at least had a living area separated by a mini-hallway (no door) into the 'bedroom' which made it feel more spacious. In addition, the bathroom was also bigger. The rooms feel brand new and are nicely decorated. There didn't seem to be many smart functions on our TV, but with all the tourism we didn't have too much a chance to try it anyway. There's a Keurig-esque coffee maker, steamer, lots of Kimpton-branded amenities constantly stocked.

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A (even if it exists, we didn't have access)

What was good and what was bad?
The Good

Upgrading us to a suite was a nice touch - I know this is not a given feature for Platinums and that too we were on a reward booking
Given this was effectively my first time in Paris, I found the location good being a stone's throw from the Opera metro.
The stylistic elements of the hotel are very nice. It feels very posh with the antique elevators being used as decorative pieces.
For non-IHG Diamonds, I feel that free breakfast is a nice use of the secret password, and they had a decent selection from the buffet
An indoor 'heated' (more on this in the 'bad') pool is a rare amenity that made it feel like we had a hideaway in the middle of the cold city
Guests receive year-round access to the rooftop (which otherwise is only accessible to the public during the warmer months) although the bar is closed in the winter.
Well stocked with [St. Honore-branded] umbrellas which made our rain-filled weekend less inconvenient
Late check-out of 2pm was provided fairly easily upon request

The Bad

Beyond the first interaction, we didn't feel that there was much attention paid to us - i.e. staff would mostly mind their own business unless we came up to them, which felt a bit unpolished for a 'boutique' 5 star hotel
The immediate area is kind of dead at night
The pool was fairly cold for being heated (but perhaps my expectations were too high here) and as a result I couldn't stay for too long.
The rooms [including the suites] by default are very small which, granted, seems par for the course in Paris...
The 'opera view' rooms are not worth it as the hotel is shorter than the opera house AND there are multiple tall buildings between them so you can only barely see the top of the opera (at least from the room we were originally in).

Value for $ or IHG One Rewards Points? Would you return?
I bought points at 100% bonus ($0.005/point) and redeemed using my credit card 4th night free perk for an effective rate of 52.5K points/night which calculates to $262.50/night. At this price point, given the comparative pricing of other 5 star hotels in Paris, and given the fact that we were upgraded to a suite, I was more than satisfied with my 'redemption'. If going the route of trying to stay at an American chain using cash or bought points (and the price was right/I had status), I would not hesitate to return to the Kimpton (on its own merits). That being said, I'm curious to try one of the ICs or Park Hyatt (if I have status) OR stay closer to the Marais which seemed much livelier at night...