Please post your Royal Ambassador experiences (Archive Thread 2011)
Feb 15, 2011, 7:42 am
#136
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: FL
Programs: AA, BA, HH
Posts: 174
I'm posting this in both the Elite and Ambassador threads.
What should I expect in mixing a reservation between reward nights and paid nights in an IC with Platinum Elite status and no Ambassador Status?
Three nights (Sat., Sun. & Mon.)
1 paid (Executive Floor or Junior Suite)
2 award
Any chance I'll stay in the same room? What if I purchase Ambassador at the hotel?
Thanks
What should I expect in mixing a reservation between reward nights and paid nights in an IC with Platinum Elite status and no Ambassador Status?
Three nights (Sat., Sun. & Mon.)
1 paid (Executive Floor or Junior Suite)
2 award
Any chance I'll stay in the same room? What if I purchase Ambassador at the hotel?
Thanks
Feb 17, 2011, 5:06 am
#137
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Programs: Priority Club Plat/Amb, Hilton Gold, Acor Platinum, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 29
IC Marine Drive, Mumbai
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, very.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Cheapest room on advanced purchase, recieved Corner suite
How are the rooms?
Great Modern design, executive feel, mini office in suite.
How is the exec. lounge?
none
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
- Service
- Suite
- Staff were amazing
- Free 20 minute massage for me and my lady in the room.
- Director of rooms was so professional and helpful, let us check out at 7pm so we could catch the full sunset on the roof bar, and would not accept a tip from me.
Bad:
- Nothing, other than dirty windows(which is a shame as they look out over the Bay)
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
$265- I think it was great value
Would you return?
Sure
Yes, very.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Cheapest room on advanced purchase, recieved Corner suite
How are the rooms?
Great Modern design, executive feel, mini office in suite.
How is the exec. lounge?
none
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
- Service
- Suite
- Staff were amazing
- Free 20 minute massage for me and my lady in the room.
- Director of rooms was so professional and helpful, let us check out at 7pm so we could catch the full sunset on the roof bar, and would not accept a tip from me.
Bad:
- Nothing, other than dirty windows(which is a shame as they look out over the Bay)
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
$265- I think it was great value
Would you return?
Sure
Feb 17, 2011, 5:16 am
#138
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Programs: Priority Club Plat/Amb, Hilton Gold, Acor Platinum, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 29
IC Lalit Goa
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
No, Not really
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Garden view room and had to get Ambassader services to speak to the hotel to upgrade me to suite. (they just wanted to give me sea view room)
How are the rooms?
The Suite was one big room, with wooden antique style furnishings.
How is the exec. lounge?
None
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
- Pool was big, grounds are very nice with Golf course.
Bad:
- Service was terrible, had to argue with reception for half an hour to get 4pm check out. I had to tell them after they offered me 2 pm check out, that 4pm check out is not a favour, but a right guarenteed by RA.
- Mini bar had 2 beers and a few soft drinks, but no spirits.
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Not good value, including tax it came to more than $200 a night
Would you return?
No way
No, Not really
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Garden view room and had to get Ambassader services to speak to the hotel to upgrade me to suite. (they just wanted to give me sea view room)
How are the rooms?
The Suite was one big room, with wooden antique style furnishings.
How is the exec. lounge?
None
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
- Pool was big, grounds are very nice with Golf course.
Bad:
- Service was terrible, had to argue with reception for half an hour to get 4pm check out. I had to tell them after they offered me 2 pm check out, that 4pm check out is not a favour, but a right guarenteed by RA.
- Mini bar had 2 beers and a few soft drinks, but no spirits.
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Not good value, including tax it came to more than $200 a night
Would you return?
No way
Feb 17, 2011, 5:18 am
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 11,030
Intercontinental Paris Le Grand
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
No.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked 2 nights with Sweet Dilemma (classic room). Received upgrade to "Executive" Room overlooking the courtyard. Was initially told that breakfast in the Cafe de la Paix would be included, but then told (still during check in) that since it was an award stay, it was for room only, so breakfast not included. Declined offer of 150Euro for club privileges. Internet is 8Euro per hour.
How are the rooms?
Small, dated. Tiny bathroom (tub/shower combo) with slow drain. Overlooked courtyard.
How is the exec. lounge?
Didn't utilize - declined their offer of 150Euro for club access.
What was your welcome gift?
Silver metal intercontinental key chain and chocolate eiffel tower.
Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes. Four oranges, some grapes. One bottle sparkling water, one bottle still.
What was good and what was bad?
Good -- location, historic building, close to metro, l'occitane toiletries.
Bad -- Charged for minibar because award stay was for "room only." Extortionate club access charges. Room was dark and claustophobic due to small size and view of courtyard. Didn't receive "comment card" to let management know whether I was happy with stay (I have a feeling they don't give you one when they put you in a dumpy room). Had to carry our own luggage because no doorman available when we arrived and when we left.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
No.
Would you return?
No.
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
No.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked 2 nights with Sweet Dilemma (classic room). Received upgrade to "Executive" Room overlooking the courtyard. Was initially told that breakfast in the Cafe de la Paix would be included, but then told (still during check in) that since it was an award stay, it was for room only, so breakfast not included. Declined offer of 150Euro for club privileges. Internet is 8Euro per hour.
How are the rooms?
Small, dated. Tiny bathroom (tub/shower combo) with slow drain. Overlooked courtyard.
How is the exec. lounge?
Didn't utilize - declined their offer of 150Euro for club access.
What was your welcome gift?
Silver metal intercontinental key chain and chocolate eiffel tower.
Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes. Four oranges, some grapes. One bottle sparkling water, one bottle still.
What was good and what was bad?
Good -- location, historic building, close to metro, l'occitane toiletries.
Bad -- Charged for minibar because award stay was for "room only." Extortionate club access charges. Room was dark and claustophobic due to small size and view of courtyard. Didn't receive "comment card" to let management know whether I was happy with stay (I have a feeling they don't give you one when they put you in a dumpy room). Had to carry our own luggage because no doorman available when we arrived and when we left.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
No.
Would you return?
No.
Welcome gift and fruits
What do you expect on Sweet Dilemma?!
Feb 17, 2011, 10:56 am
#140
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: RA Platinum, GoldpointsPlus Elite, HH Gold VIP, Sixt Platinum, *A Gold, TK ElitePlus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 183
I'm posting this in both the Elite and Ambassador threads.
What should I expect in mixing a reservation between reward nights and paid nights in an IC with Platinum Elite status and no Ambassador Status?
Three nights (Sat., Sun. & Mon.)
1 paid (Executive Floor or Junior Suite)
2 award
Any chance I'll stay in the same room? What if I purchase Ambassador at the hotel?
Thanks
What should I expect in mixing a reservation between reward nights and paid nights in an IC with Platinum Elite status and no Ambassador Status?
Three nights (Sat., Sun. & Mon.)
1 paid (Executive Floor or Junior Suite)
2 award
Any chance I'll stay in the same room? What if I purchase Ambassador at the hotel?
Thanks
Feb 17, 2011, 10:59 am
#141
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Plat Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Club Carl Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,002
A doorman or bell hop available to help with bags. The desk clerk to look at the reservation before quoting benefits. The ability to shower without the dirty water pooling around my shins. Consistency (some RAs get free minibar on award stays, others don't).
Feb 17, 2011, 12:23 pm
#142
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Princeton, NJ; Lviv Ukraine
Programs: UA 3.6MM, AF/KL Lifetime Plat, BA Gold, AA 1MM, IC Spire RA, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, et alia
Posts: 2,732
Real InterContinental SAP San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
7 out of 10
- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked standard room, got upgraded to a junior suite, with Club access.
- How are the rooms?
Nice and modern.
- How is the exec. lounge?
Closed Sundays, so couldn't check out the snacks/drinks (they gave a coupon for 2 free drinks at the downstairs bar instead).
Breakfast was better than the usual Club breakfast, still a bit humble, with a few Central American additions.
- What was good and what was bad?
+ Location is convenient to a shopping mall, and that's it. Decent food court if you're in the mood for a snack.
- Everything else requires a hotel car ($5 each way).
- They even dissuaded me from walking 4 blocks to a restaurant; heck it's not THAT dangerous in the area they are in.
- True downtown is about 15 blocks away, or as they say "15 minutes by taxi" even though it's about 5.
- On the other hand, the airport is only "10 minutes away" where it's really more like 25. Hotel shuttle runs 6 times/day and costs $10 each way per person.
+ Cigars are CHEAPER in the hotel than they are at the airport (where the Duty Free shop does not cell cigars but other shops do, the big one being landside, the crappy one airside). A $160 box airside was $105 at the hotel gift shop.
+ Friendly but fairly incompetent desk clerk. Proudly gave me the run-down on RA benefits when I checked in: Free PAY-TV Movie (they don't have any Pay TV movies), free soft drinks and beer and liquor from the minibar (they only had soft drinks and beer, NO LIQUOR----), single rate for double occuapncy (like the rate I had booked), late checkout (even though I had already booked my return trip to the airport for the following morning). In other words, trained, but clueless.
- Did not give me free Internet. Not even for an hour. And paid Internet did not work (you have to type in your name and other details and the system claimed a mismatch). Took an hour to get a code to me.
+ Concierge helpful
+ Drinks at the bar inexpensive for an IC ($2.50 for a beer).
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
$120 is a pretty good deal.
7 out of 10
- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked standard room, got upgraded to a junior suite, with Club access.
- How are the rooms?
Nice and modern.
- How is the exec. lounge?
Closed Sundays, so couldn't check out the snacks/drinks (they gave a coupon for 2 free drinks at the downstairs bar instead).
Breakfast was better than the usual Club breakfast, still a bit humble, with a few Central American additions.
- What was good and what was bad?
+ Location is convenient to a shopping mall, and that's it. Decent food court if you're in the mood for a snack.
- Everything else requires a hotel car ($5 each way).
- They even dissuaded me from walking 4 blocks to a restaurant; heck it's not THAT dangerous in the area they are in.
- True downtown is about 15 blocks away, or as they say "15 minutes by taxi" even though it's about 5.
- On the other hand, the airport is only "10 minutes away" where it's really more like 25. Hotel shuttle runs 6 times/day and costs $10 each way per person.
+ Cigars are CHEAPER in the hotel than they are at the airport (where the Duty Free shop does not cell cigars but other shops do, the big one being landside, the crappy one airside). A $160 box airside was $105 at the hotel gift shop.
+ Friendly but fairly incompetent desk clerk. Proudly gave me the run-down on RA benefits when I checked in: Free PAY-TV Movie (they don't have any Pay TV movies), free soft drinks and beer and liquor from the minibar (they only had soft drinks and beer, NO LIQUOR----), single rate for double occuapncy (like the rate I had booked), late checkout (even though I had already booked my return trip to the airport for the following morning). In other words, trained, but clueless.
- Did not give me free Internet. Not even for an hour. And paid Internet did not work (you have to type in your name and other details and the system claimed a mismatch). Took an hour to get a code to me.
+ Concierge helpful
+ Drinks at the bar inexpensive for an IC ($2.50 for a beer).
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
$120 is a pretty good deal.
Feb 17, 2011, 12:40 pm
#143
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IHG Diamond Amb, Bonvoy Plat (+LTP), VS Silver
Posts: 1,396
Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Absolutely superb
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked standard room (Executive King?) using Sweet Dilemma free nights; received Executive Suite City View (although I still had a reasonable view of the river from the bedroom)
How are the rooms?
Excellent - don't need to add much more to the reviews on here. Very classic design but generally well maintained. Entrance Hall, Sitting Area with TV and Philips sound system, Bedroom with another TV and sitting area, huge marble bathroom with excellent shower and L'Occitane products
Free very slow internet access
How is the exec. lounge?
N/A
What was your welcome gift?
Other than the standard water and bowl of fruit, I received a Holland fridge magnet and chocolates on sticks.
I was provided with a letter welcoming me to the hotel and explaining Royal Ambassador benefits (i.e. food/drink in the mini-bar was mine, but the bottles on the shelf above were not)
What was good and what was bad?
Good
Excellent RA treatment (especially for free night)
Beautiful historic property
Friendly/helpful staff
Health Club - great pool
Breakfast - I'm sure I got charged incorrectly, but this was only EUR13
Location - I'm not a great fan of the central station area, so to have somewhere further away is good for me. I walked to the hotel from central station on arrival and really enjoyed the walk/sunshine(!). I had a meeting in Schiphol the following day; checked out of the hotel 8:30 and through a combination of metro/train was at the airport by 9:10
Bad
Costs a lot more than I can usually spend on the company's behalf!
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Amazing value for free night
Would you return?
Absolutely - even if I end up having to pay some myself
Platinum Royal Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Absolutely superb
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked standard room (Executive King?) using Sweet Dilemma free nights; received Executive Suite City View (although I still had a reasonable view of the river from the bedroom)
How are the rooms?
Excellent - don't need to add much more to the reviews on here. Very classic design but generally well maintained. Entrance Hall, Sitting Area with TV and Philips sound system, Bedroom with another TV and sitting area, huge marble bathroom with excellent shower and L'Occitane products
Free very slow internet access
How is the exec. lounge?
N/A
What was your welcome gift?
Other than the standard water and bowl of fruit, I received a Holland fridge magnet and chocolates on sticks.
I was provided with a letter welcoming me to the hotel and explaining Royal Ambassador benefits (i.e. food/drink in the mini-bar was mine, but the bottles on the shelf above were not)
What was good and what was bad?
Good
Excellent RA treatment (especially for free night)
Beautiful historic property
Friendly/helpful staff
Health Club - great pool
Breakfast - I'm sure I got charged incorrectly, but this was only EUR13
Location - I'm not a great fan of the central station area, so to have somewhere further away is good for me. I walked to the hotel from central station on arrival and really enjoyed the walk/sunshine(!). I had a meeting in Schiphol the following day; checked out of the hotel 8:30 and through a combination of metro/train was at the airport by 9:10
Bad
Costs a lot more than I can usually spend on the company's behalf!
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Amazing value for free night
Would you return?
Absolutely - even if I end up having to pay some myself
Feb 18, 2011, 5:38 pm
#144
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: WARSAW , POLAND
Programs: LH SEN,PC RA PLATINUM ,HH GOLD
Posts: 248
Ic carlton cannes
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
YES!!! Perfect stay, great hotel
- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked classic room, get upgrade to 1 KING BED SUPERIOR SEA VIEW SUITE
- How are the rooms?
verry large, modern and luxury, big living room, great large bedroom, real big and spectacular bathroom, great terrace
- How is the exec. lounge?
there is no lounge
- What was good and what was bad?
Good: all
perfect warm welcome from managment, welcome wine in room and cake, same nice gift, full free mini bar
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would y
ou return?
O yes!!!
YES!!! Perfect stay, great hotel
- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked classic room, get upgrade to 1 KING BED SUPERIOR SEA VIEW SUITE
- How are the rooms?
verry large, modern and luxury, big living room, great large bedroom, real big and spectacular bathroom, great terrace
- How is the exec. lounge?
there is no lounge
- What was good and what was bad?
Good: all
perfect warm welcome from managment, welcome wine in room and cake, same nice gift, full free mini bar- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would y
ou return?
O yes!!!
Feb 19, 2011, 1:15 am
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 11,030
I stay every year a week before Christmas with my nephew at this hotel (I live in Paris) and ALWAYS have been welcomed by doorman when arriving with taxi (opening the door of the taxi, saying hello, taking the luggage to my room). Am I so lucky ??
Free breakfast has NEVER been a benefit for RA at IC Paris (has it been in any IC??)
I hope you still enjoy Paris without these horrible issues
Free minibar is not a RA benefit for RAs on awards stays
If the hotel, for some reasons, wants to add some benefits to some guests, why shouldn't it?
Free breakfast has NEVER been a benefit for RA at IC Paris (has it been in any IC??)
I hope you still enjoy Paris without these horrible issues
If the hotel, for some reasons, wants to add some benefits to some guests, why shouldn't it?
Feb 19, 2011, 5:15 am
#146
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan 100K BA executive club, IC/platinum/RA
Posts: 162
Feb 19, 2011, 5:17 am
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I agree. Lack of consistency in how RA's are treated at IC's is a benefit for me.
Feb 19, 2011, 1:16 pm
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
IC Madrid
Using an iPad so cannot format this properly but...
Booked the default BOGO room, Executive King @ 170 for a stay during this fabulous Art Fair weekend...upgraded to suite with Club access, free wifi.
Arrived before my room was ready but given temporary suite on the 2nd floor to freshen up in and store my bags while I went off to one of the four art fairs going on, and the Reine Sofia gallery.
Friendly lounge staff apologized for room not being ready but accomodated me in fine fashion.
Ambassador amenity was a folder of chocolates along with the standard plate of fruit and bottle of water. (Since I plan to carry my bags onboard my flight home, glad it was not a bottle of local olive oil!)
Will certainly return here, as I have done this time and in the past. RAs treated very well here.
Booked the default BOGO room, Executive King @ 170 for a stay during this fabulous Art Fair weekend...upgraded to suite with Club access, free wifi.
Arrived before my room was ready but given temporary suite on the 2nd floor to freshen up in and store my bags while I went off to one of the four art fairs going on, and the Reine Sofia gallery.
Friendly lounge staff apologized for room not being ready but accomodated me in fine fashion.
Ambassador amenity was a folder of chocolates along with the standard plate of fruit and bottle of water. (Since I plan to carry my bags onboard my flight home, glad it was not a bottle of local olive oil!)
Will certainly return here, as I have done this time and in the past. RAs treated very well here.
Feb 20, 2011, 2:25 am
#149
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: UK
Programs: IHG RA, BAEC Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 229
IC Hong Kong GS
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Stay 1 Got a best rate match so normal room mailed hotel and got club and 1 category upgrade (1035 excellent harbor view)
How are the rooms?
Good size for Hong Kong
How is the exec. lounge?
Perfect The Moet slips down well and the evening canaps are interesting if not overwhelming
What was your welcome gift?
Great selection of caramelized fruits (it was Chinese New Year) and strangely a can of espresso coffee
Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes
What was good and what was bad?
Great service nothing bad really
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Great value on price match
Would you return?
Did the following week!
Platinum Royal Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Stay 1 Got a best rate match so normal room mailed hotel and got club and 1 category upgrade (1035 excellent harbor view)
How are the rooms?
Good size for Hong Kong
How is the exec. lounge?
Perfect The Moet slips down well and the evening canaps are interesting if not overwhelming
What was your welcome gift?
Great selection of caramelized fruits (it was Chinese New Year) and strangely a can of espresso coffee
Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes
What was good and what was bad?
Great service nothing bad really
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Great value on price match
Would you return?
Did the following week!
Feb 20, 2011, 2:30 am
#150
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: UK
Programs: IHG RA, BAEC Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 229
IC Hong Kong GS (stay 2)
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Stay 2 - booked normal room mailed hotel and got club and 1 category upgrade (1739 excellent high floor harbor view)
How are the rooms?
Good size for Hong Kong
How is the exec. lounge?
Oysters last night yummy and the breakfast cooked to order eggs are perfect.
What was your welcome gift?
Impressively built chocolate box with six chocolates inside
Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes
What was good and what was bad?
Great service nothing bad really, gift wasn't as impresssive as last week.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Good value given the price in HK and free minibar
Would you return?
Yes
Platinum Royal Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Stay 2 - booked normal room mailed hotel and got club and 1 category upgrade (1739 excellent high floor harbor view)
How are the rooms?
Good size for Hong Kong
How is the exec. lounge?
Oysters last night yummy and the breakfast cooked to order eggs are perfect.
What was your welcome gift?
Impressively built chocolate box with six chocolates inside
Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes
What was good and what was bad?
Great service nothing bad really, gift wasn't as impresssive as last week.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Good value given the price in HK and free minibar
Would you return?
Yes