The best welcome gift in some huge IC which sometimes look like "travel factories" rather than boutique hotels is a big and warm smile when check in.

Unfortunately I cannot really say that it is always the case in IC, even if I am RA.

As I am getting older (nearly 35...), I must say that I do not care anymore to get some welcome gifts or even big suites (but I really appreciate the early check in at 8 am).

I must even say that each time I had to stay in HI and CP, welcome and service were generally much better than in IC (certainly because these hotels are generally quite smaller and have time to take care of their customers).

IC is a brand which wants to be positioned on the luxury segment, but which mostly fails in doing so. Because a luxury hotel is not only square meters and pool, but true attention towards customers. And for that, you needs numerous and happy staff.

Even if Sofitel have a very poor loyalty program, and some of their buildings have definitely no cutting edge design , I must say that I prefer staying in their hotels. I NEVER had some problems with them, and the staff is incredibly well trained