Originally Posted by
eponymous_coward
I don’t think your point about HIXs being more upscale outside the U.S. is unique to that brand or chain. I can think of several non-IHG hotels I’ve been at (4P Sukhumvit, Aloft Soi 11, HP London City East) where the hotel quality and services really exceeds what you would get in the U.S. My guess is the owner wants the U.S. branding but a lower chain like HIX or 4P or HP costs less than Crowne Plaza/Westin/Hyatt Regency. You attract American dollars looking for a reasonably priced option they are familiar with and then you exceed expectations…
Without wishing to appear contentious, I didn't make that point or anything close to it. Nowhere did I claim that HIXs are more upscale outside the US and I certainly wouldn't use the words "HIX" and "upscale" in the same sentence as this would be an oxymoron. I have little personal experience of branded hotels in the US but I do understand that hotels of many brands are so markedly different (whether Four Points, Courtyard, or HIX) and specifically across Asia to make the brand and its standards a mockery if you view them internationally. The point about US brands I was making was that Marriott has a bunch of apparently low-end brands (Residence Inn, Townplace Suites, Fairfield, Springhill) that barely stretch beyond the border of the US and possibly (I don't know - I have no experience of them) these compete in the segment of HIX in the US but not elsewhere because they barely exist. Maybe this is what City Express and Four Points Express are intended to fill. Who knows, until we see them developed widely. One thing I will identify in HIX's favour is that I've not found a Marriott brand that is widely found internationally that provides breakfast for everyone in the room rate as a brand standard and an edible one at that. I'll reiterate that I paid €150 a night in Lisbon at the HIX including an adequate breakfast while the Moxy wanted €500 and as an elite I'd only get 2 x €10 = €20 F&B credit there - enough for two decent cocktails at the bar (at least that's what I spent it on last time I stayed there).
Ultimately, I'm happy with the feedback I've got from this thread. I'll have lounge access for two years from January 2025 to try out ICs and CPs where they make sense and at least Platinum membership of IHG rewards. No credit cards available (bizarrely, for a British company, they dissolved their credit card agreement in the UK a while ago) and I'm not convinced I'd bother paying the IC Ambassador as I won't specifically focus on that brand. Definitely HIXs will feature where I want a budget option due to price and footprint. ICs, CPs, etc. will compete on a level playing field with my Bonvoy brands