Sofitel Singapore City Centre - Fairmont Singapore challenge
#16
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,823
so this statement
*Note: Le Club AccorHotels room upgrades are not available for Fairmont Gold.
suppose to means that LCAH will not entitle to get upgraded to Fairmont Gold room?
Then there is no point to stay at Fairmont right?
I thought Fairmont Gold was the name of the old program.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
Nope.
The name of the now defunct loyalty program was "Fairmont President's Club". Status levels within that program were "Premier" and "Platinum".
"Fairmont Gold" is the name of the executive/lounge floor product, or Fairmont's version of a "hotel within a hotel" (whatever marketing terminology you prefer).
The name of the now defunct loyalty program was "Fairmont President's Club". Status levels within that program were "Premier" and "Platinum".
"Fairmont Gold" is the name of the executive/lounge floor product, or Fairmont's version of a "hotel within a hotel" (whatever marketing terminology you prefer).
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
so this statement
*Note: Le Club AccorHotels room upgrades are not available for Fairmont Gold.
suppose to means that LCAH will not entitle to get upgraded to Fairmont Gold room?
Then there is no point to stay at Fairmont right?
I thought Fairmont Gold was the name of the old program.
*Note: Le Club AccorHotels room upgrades are not available for Fairmont Gold.
suppose to means that LCAH will not entitle to get upgraded to Fairmont Gold room?
Then there is no point to stay at Fairmont right?
I thought Fairmont Gold was the name of the old program.
#19
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,823
Nope.
The name of the now defunct loyalty program was "Fairmont President's Club". Status levels within that program were "Premier" and "Platinum".
"Fairmont Gold" is the name of the executive/lounge floor product, or Fairmont's version of a "hotel within a hotel" (whatever marketing terminology you prefer).
The name of the now defunct loyalty program was "Fairmont President's Club". Status levels within that program were "Premier" and "Platinum".
"Fairmont Gold" is the name of the executive/lounge floor product, or Fairmont's version of a "hotel within a hotel" (whatever marketing terminology you prefer).
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
Just consider it as Fairmont's way of calling their 'executive' rooms - and include a special lounge for that. So they call that Fairmont Gold. Rooms are higher end, and higher priced.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,803
@gilbertaue : knowing how well you are treated at SSCC and how nice SSCC is, I think you are very adventurous to try this Fairmont !! .
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
@gilbertaue : knowing how well you are treated at SSCC and how nice SSCC is, I think you are very adventurous to try this Fairmont !! .
#23
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,823
I personally think it's ok. Just a matter of getting used to it. For us it's something new.
Just consider it as Fairmont's way of calling their 'executive' rooms - and include a special lounge for that. So they call that Fairmont Gold. Rooms are higher end, and higher priced.
Just consider it as Fairmont's way of calling their 'executive' rooms - and include a special lounge for that. So they call that Fairmont Gold. Rooms are higher end, and higher priced.
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
Update #2
Email correspondence.
Pros:
- Effectively reaching out.
- don't know if ALL Fairmont do that. If so, good! (Not all Sofitel do so).
Con:
- every single email so far has been replied by a different person.
- I requested mini bar to be cleared prior to arrival. Reply was they will do so without charge (??) huh?
- today received email asking about arrival flight info. Second time they're asking this and I replied already once a few days ago. Of course it's a different person asking.
Email correspondence.
Pros:
- Effectively reaching out.
- don't know if ALL Fairmont do that. If so, good! (Not all Sofitel do so).
Con:
- every single email so far has been replied by a different person.
- I requested mini bar to be cleared prior to arrival. Reply was they will do so without charge (??) huh?
- today received email asking about arrival flight info. Second time they're asking this and I replied already once a few days ago. Of course it's a different person asking.
#25
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Italy
Programs: Accor Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond , Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,484
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
I would generally agree as well. For Plat members it wouldn't make much sense to pay more for a property and receive less benefits - especially in cities where you have both Fairmont and Sofitel.
Even in Jakarta, as nice as the Fairmont is, I'll probably still stick to the Pullman Central Park. The Raffles there isn't too much more expensive either.
In North America it may be a different story as their aren't other options. But here in APAC it probably makes more sense to head to a Sofitel or a Pullman.
Even in Jakarta, as nice as the Fairmont is, I'll probably still stick to the Pullman Central Park. The Raffles there isn't too much more expensive either.
In North America it may be a different story as their aren't other options. But here in APAC it probably makes more sense to head to a Sofitel or a Pullman.
#27
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
I have checked in.
Very underwhelmed and can appreciate what Jasper2009 said. Take away some of the suite upgrade certs the FPC members used to get, its just another hotel.
But it certainly isn't the Sofitel Singapore CC - it's worse.
- Check in, no mention of AccorHotels or loyalty.
- "you are checking in with wife and daughter" was acknowledged. I was not asked if I needed an extra bed for my daughter. Had to arrange that myself this evening.
- welcome drink for 3
- upgrade given (one catagory) to Prestige Room. But the way it was given seemed more like an operational upgrade rather than due to status. Again, no mention of status during check in.
- asked to fill in a form for my welcome emenity "for the next time". Same details I had already filled in previously online. I selected then the chocolate emenity. I had fruits in the room. ; yet the fit gear was correct and in my room.
- room wasn't properly made. Sofa pillow lying on the floor. Obviously no Housekeeping supervisor check.
- room temperature doesn't drop below 24C even though it's set to 20C.
- I can understand why some westerners like this hotel, just like how they like SQ. Very friendly staff. But I have lived here long enough to understand that this is in many cases imposed on them and not genuine. Genuine friendliness is different.
- everything seems so sloooow. Had to call the concierge to arrange for some items to be moved to a hotel chiller. Took them 30mins. Extra bed in the evening took 40mins.
- room is ok, but nothing fancy.
I want to add that I am comparing two specific properties here. This is not a Fairmont vs Sofitel comparison. There are certainly a lot of poor Sofitel properties as well. So far it's not horrible, but apart from the view, there is nothing that would draw me back here.
For the Fairmont members out there.... Give the Sofitel Singapore City Centre a try.
Very underwhelmed and can appreciate what Jasper2009 said. Take away some of the suite upgrade certs the FPC members used to get, its just another hotel.
But it certainly isn't the Sofitel Singapore CC - it's worse.
- Check in, no mention of AccorHotels or loyalty.
- "you are checking in with wife and daughter" was acknowledged. I was not asked if I needed an extra bed for my daughter. Had to arrange that myself this evening.
- welcome drink for 3
- upgrade given (one catagory) to Prestige Room. But the way it was given seemed more like an operational upgrade rather than due to status. Again, no mention of status during check in.
- asked to fill in a form for my welcome emenity "for the next time". Same details I had already filled in previously online. I selected then the chocolate emenity. I had fruits in the room. ; yet the fit gear was correct and in my room.
- room wasn't properly made. Sofa pillow lying on the floor. Obviously no Housekeeping supervisor check.
- room temperature doesn't drop below 24C even though it's set to 20C.
- I can understand why some westerners like this hotel, just like how they like SQ. Very friendly staff. But I have lived here long enough to understand that this is in many cases imposed on them and not genuine. Genuine friendliness is different.
- everything seems so sloooow. Had to call the concierge to arrange for some items to be moved to a hotel chiller. Took them 30mins. Extra bed in the evening took 40mins.
- room is ok, but nothing fancy.
I want to add that I am comparing two specific properties here. This is not a Fairmont vs Sofitel comparison. There are certainly a lot of poor Sofitel properties as well. So far it's not horrible, but apart from the view, there is nothing that would draw me back here.
For the Fairmont members out there.... Give the Sofitel Singapore City Centre a try.
#29
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: Accor Platinum, IHG DA
Posts: 664
I have checked in.
Very underwhelmed and can appreciate what Jasper2009 said. Take away some of the suite upgrade certs the FPC members used to get, its just another hotel.
But it certainly isn't the Sofitel Singapore CC - it's worse.
- Check in, no mention of AccorHotels or loyalty.
- "you are checking in with wife and daughter" was acknowledged. I was not asked if I needed an extra bed for my daughter. Had to arrange that myself this evening.
- welcome drink for 3
- upgrade given (one catagory) to Prestige Room. But the way it was given seemed more like an operational upgrade rather than due to status. Again, no mention of status during check in.
- asked to fill in a form for my welcome emenity "for the next time". Same details I had already filled in previously online. I selected then the chocolate emenity. I had fruits in the room. ; yet the fit gear was correct and in my room.
- room wasn't properly made. Sofa pillow lying on the floor. Obviously no Housekeeping supervisor check.
- room temperature doesn't drop below 24C even though it's set to 20C.
- I can understand why some westerners like this hotel, just like how they like SQ. Very friendly staff. But I have lived here long enough to understand that this is in many cases imposed on them and not genuine. Genuine friendliness is different.
- everything seems so sloooow. Had to call the concierge to arrange for some items to be moved to a hotel chiller. Took them 30mins. Extra bed in the evening took 40mins.
- room is ok, but nothing fancy.
I want to add that I am comparing two specific properties here. This is not a Fairmont vs Sofitel comparison. There are certainly a lot of poor Sofitel properties as well. So far it's not horrible, but apart from the view, there is nothing that would draw me back here.
For the Fairmont members out there.... Give the Sofitel Singapore City Centre a try.
Very underwhelmed and can appreciate what Jasper2009 said. Take away some of the suite upgrade certs the FPC members used to get, its just another hotel.
But it certainly isn't the Sofitel Singapore CC - it's worse.
- Check in, no mention of AccorHotels or loyalty.
- "you are checking in with wife and daughter" was acknowledged. I was not asked if I needed an extra bed for my daughter. Had to arrange that myself this evening.
- welcome drink for 3
- upgrade given (one catagory) to Prestige Room. But the way it was given seemed more like an operational upgrade rather than due to status. Again, no mention of status during check in.
- asked to fill in a form for my welcome emenity "for the next time". Same details I had already filled in previously online. I selected then the chocolate emenity. I had fruits in the room. ; yet the fit gear was correct and in my room.
- room wasn't properly made. Sofa pillow lying on the floor. Obviously no Housekeeping supervisor check.
- room temperature doesn't drop below 24C even though it's set to 20C.
- I can understand why some westerners like this hotel, just like how they like SQ. Very friendly staff. But I have lived here long enough to understand that this is in many cases imposed on them and not genuine. Genuine friendliness is different.
- everything seems so sloooow. Had to call the concierge to arrange for some items to be moved to a hotel chiller. Took them 30mins. Extra bed in the evening took 40mins.
- room is ok, but nothing fancy.
I want to add that I am comparing two specific properties here. This is not a Fairmont vs Sofitel comparison. There are certainly a lot of poor Sofitel properties as well. So far it's not horrible, but apart from the view, there is nothing that would draw me back here.
For the Fairmont members out there.... Give the Sofitel Singapore City Centre a try.
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
As the check in agent never mentioned the status, what he said was "we are happy this time to give you an upgrade to a better room..."
It didn't sound like it was due to status. It came across that it was the hotel that decided on the upgrade due to internal reasons.
It didn't sound like it was due to status. It came across that it was the hotel that decided on the upgrade due to internal reasons.