Please post your Ambassador experiences (Archive Thread 2008 - 2013)
Dec 7, 2011, 1:11 pm
#166
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: SPG Plat, Hyatt DIA
Posts: 76
Thanks
Dec 7, 2011, 2:17 pm
#167
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,914
Grand Stanford is older and in need of an update. The property is fine, convenient with professional staff. Stay here and take the five-minute walk over to the newer IC (Salisbury Way), order a drink or two and watch the 8pm harbor light-show from their lounge....spectacular views and worth the price of drinks.
Dec 7, 2011, 5:26 pm
#168
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, SPG; IC Pl/A; AA; DL
Posts: 14,333
IC Times Square
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, very
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked 1 king bed deluxe (cheapest room), Upgraded to King Corner Sky View
How are the rooms?
Very nice, everything is new and well thought out. The rooms are spacious for New York. Comfy bed. The bathroom is spacious, the roomy rain shower is super. No bath in our unit but we don't use anyway.
King Corner Sky View: We stayed in 2725 (hudson view and to downtown/Times Square).
How is the Club Lounge?
There is no club lounge.
What was good and what was bad?
GOOD
-It is pretty new
-location is great--we could walk almost everywhere we wanted except downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn
-staff were great, service good
-free internet
-Soap smells like roses (Gilchrist and Soames)
-Upgrade was honored on points
-Quiet for New York
-Turn down service is nice with chocolates, etc..
-restaurant is ok for breakfast although bagels not up to snuff!
- contrary to others, room was a good size for NY hotel rooms
BAD
--Daily water forgotten 1 day (but they brought glass bottled water up right away when informed)
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Six nights at 40K points per--good value--rates ranged from high $200s to high $400s during our stay for basic king rooms.
Would you return?
Absolutely!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, very
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked 1 king bed deluxe (cheapest room), Upgraded to King Corner Sky View
How are the rooms?
Very nice, everything is new and well thought out. The rooms are spacious for New York. Comfy bed. The bathroom is spacious, the roomy rain shower is super. No bath in our unit but we don't use anyway.
King Corner Sky View: We stayed in 2725 (hudson view and to downtown/Times Square).
How is the Club Lounge?
There is no club lounge.
What was good and what was bad?
GOOD
-It is pretty new
-location is great--we could walk almost everywhere we wanted except downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn
-staff were great, service good
-free internet
-Soap smells like roses (Gilchrist and Soames)
-Upgrade was honored on points
-Quiet for New York
-Turn down service is nice with chocolates, etc..
-restaurant is ok for breakfast although bagels not up to snuff!
- contrary to others, room was a good size for NY hotel rooms
BAD
--Daily water forgotten 1 day (but they brought glass bottled water up right away when informed)
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Six nights at 40K points per--good value--rates ranged from high $200s to high $400s during our stay for basic king rooms.
Would you return?
Absolutely!
Dec 25, 2011, 6:54 am
#169
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Singapore
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hh Gold, NH*G, SPGP, SQ-CC
Posts: 1,381
IC Jiuzhaigou
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes( The area made me happy more than the hotel)
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked deluxe double mountain view, gotten club double.
What was your welcome gift?
There was nothing
Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes
How is the Club Lounge?
Lounge was closed so Non-applicable.
What was good and what was bad?
PROS:
Hotel is large.
It is an amazing property, the scenery was the best I have ever seen in life.
Club room was to the large size, there was a balcony and a fireplace.
Plat Amb Benefits:
A one level upgrade
300 CNY laundry Credit
Free Soft drinks in the minibar
Free cakes
Well, the soft drinks and cake were explicitly requested.
Cons:
Laundry charge appeared on my bill when checking out, I needed to mentioned that it was free then they removed it.
50CNY for Internet despite it being mentioned that it was free by the check in clerk.
Despite the upgrade to a club room, there was no breakfast, they "Sold" me breakfast at a discounted rate. 100 Yuan(service charge included) for 2 of us for 2 mornings.
Breakfast was a mess, more chinesety than westernised. Only one option of eggs, Sunny Sided up only. I saw staff giving boxes and chopsticks to take away breakfast.
I chose a mountain view room right for the start because I really wanted to see the view. They nicely upgraded me to a club room which is much appreciated but there was no view!
The location is far from the Scenic area entrance, around 30 km. I paid 60Yuan for a one way from hotel to Scenic area. It should be 50 but roads iced up and I was fine with the driver's explanation.
Was DCCed at this property, staff did not know how to handle it. Was disappointed, circled it and going to call my issuing bank.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Used a BOGO, so it was value for $
Would you return?
Would opt for a Jiuzhaigou Xizhang homestay the next time round or the Sheraton 1.5km away from the scenic area entrance.
Nonetheless, property was nice and only if the staff had more communications between them.
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes( The area made me happy more than the hotel)
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked deluxe double mountain view, gotten club double.
What was your welcome gift?
There was nothing
Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes
How is the Club Lounge?
Lounge was closed so Non-applicable.
What was good and what was bad?
PROS:
Hotel is large.
It is an amazing property, the scenery was the best I have ever seen in life.
Club room was to the large size, there was a balcony and a fireplace.
Plat Amb Benefits:
A one level upgrade
300 CNY laundry Credit
Free Soft drinks in the minibar
Free cakes
Well, the soft drinks and cake were explicitly requested.
Cons:
Laundry charge appeared on my bill when checking out, I needed to mentioned that it was free then they removed it.
50CNY for Internet despite it being mentioned that it was free by the check in clerk.
Despite the upgrade to a club room, there was no breakfast, they "Sold" me breakfast at a discounted rate. 100 Yuan(service charge included) for 2 of us for 2 mornings.
Breakfast was a mess, more chinesety than westernised. Only one option of eggs, Sunny Sided up only. I saw staff giving boxes and chopsticks to take away breakfast.
I chose a mountain view room right for the start because I really wanted to see the view. They nicely upgraded me to a club room which is much appreciated but there was no view!
The location is far from the Scenic area entrance, around 30 km. I paid 60Yuan for a one way from hotel to Scenic area. It should be 50 but roads iced up and I was fine with the driver's explanation.
Was DCCed at this property, staff did not know how to handle it. Was disappointed, circled it and going to call my issuing bank.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Used a BOGO, so it was value for $
Would you return?
Would opt for a Jiuzhaigou Xizhang homestay the next time round or the Sheraton 1.5km away from the scenic area entrance.
Nonetheless, property was nice and only if the staff had more communications between them.
Dec 25, 2011, 5:59 pm
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,424
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes( The area made me happy more than the hotel)
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked deluxe double mountain view, gotten club double.
What was your welcome gift?
There was nothing
Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes
How is the Club Lounge?
Lounge was closed so Non-applicable.
What was good and what was bad?
PROS:
Hotel is large.
It is an amazing property, the scenery was the best I have ever seen in life.
Club room was to the large size, there was a balcony and a fireplace.
Plat Amb Benefits:
A one level upgrade
300 CNY laundry Credit
Free Soft drinks in the minibar
Free cakes
Well, the soft drinks and cake were explicitly requested.
Cons:
Laundry charge appeared on my bill when checking out, I needed to mentioned that it was free then they removed it.
50CNY for Internet despite it being mentioned that it was free by the check in clerk.
Despite the upgrade to a club room, there was no breakfast, they "Sold" me breakfast at a discounted rate. 100 Yuan(service charge included) for 2 of us for 2 mornings.
Breakfast was a mess, more chinesety than westernised. Only one option of eggs, Sunny Sided up only. I saw staff giving boxes and chopsticks to take away breakfast.
I chose a mountain view room right for the start because I really wanted to see the view. They nicely upgraded me to a club room which is much appreciated but there was no view!
The location is far from the Scenic area entrance, around 30 km. I paid 60Yuan for a one way from hotel to Scenic area. It should be 50 but roads iced up and I was fine with the driver's explanation.
Was DCCed at this property, staff did not know how to handle it. Was disappointed, circled it and going to call my issuing bank.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Used a BOGO, so it was value for $
Would you return?
Would opt for a Jiuzhaigou Xizhang homestay the next time round or the Sheraton 1.5km away from the scenic area entrance.
Nonetheless, property was nice and only if the staff had more communications between them.
Platinum Ambassador
Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes( The area made me happy more than the hotel)
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked deluxe double mountain view, gotten club double.
What was your welcome gift?
There was nothing
Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes
How is the Club Lounge?
Lounge was closed so Non-applicable.
What was good and what was bad?
PROS:
Hotel is large.
It is an amazing property, the scenery was the best I have ever seen in life.
Club room was to the large size, there was a balcony and a fireplace.
Plat Amb Benefits:
A one level upgrade
300 CNY laundry Credit
Free Soft drinks in the minibar
Free cakes
Well, the soft drinks and cake were explicitly requested.
Cons:
Laundry charge appeared on my bill when checking out, I needed to mentioned that it was free then they removed it.
50CNY for Internet despite it being mentioned that it was free by the check in clerk.
Despite the upgrade to a club room, there was no breakfast, they "Sold" me breakfast at a discounted rate. 100 Yuan(service charge included) for 2 of us for 2 mornings.
Breakfast was a mess, more chinesety than westernised. Only one option of eggs, Sunny Sided up only. I saw staff giving boxes and chopsticks to take away breakfast.
I chose a mountain view room right for the start because I really wanted to see the view. They nicely upgraded me to a club room which is much appreciated but there was no view!
The location is far from the Scenic area entrance, around 30 km. I paid 60Yuan for a one way from hotel to Scenic area. It should be 50 but roads iced up and I was fine with the driver's explanation.
Was DCCed at this property, staff did not know how to handle it. Was disappointed, circled it and going to call my issuing bank.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Used a BOGO, so it was value for $
Would you return?
Would opt for a Jiuzhaigou Xizhang homestay the next time round or the Sheraton 1.5km away from the scenic area entrance.
Nonetheless, property was nice and only if the staff had more communications between them.
Dec 26, 2011, 9:07 am
#171
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Singapore
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hh Gold, NH*G, SPGP, SQ-CC
Posts: 1,381
Dec 26, 2011, 8:33 pm
#172
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,424
Dec 28, 2011, 8:53 am
#173
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, MR Bonvoy Bonzaiiiii, National EE
Posts: 622
IC Manila
-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?
Booked a King Deluxe, but was upgraded to a Junior Suite Smoking (didn't smell though)
- How are the rooms?
Beautiful Junior suite room with big comfortable bed and sitting area. It had a nice new flat screen tv and plenty of stations. Bathroom was big with a nice tub and separate shower area. It also had dual sinks, which was a welcome addition after staying in small hotels with one sink with the fiancee.
- How is the exec. lounge?
Didn't ask if we had access and didn't go; we were only there for one night.
- What was good and what was bad?
Good:
Staff were great, albeit a little slow during check-in and check-out (this is the Philippines though).
Was given a voucher for free parking for my fiancee's cousin who dropped us off.
Free fruit after we checked in.
We had to ask for some bottled water, but staff came up and gave us 4 free small bottles when we asked.
Two free drink vouchers that we used at night in the hotel bar downstairs.
Bad:
Nothing really.
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Got a super saver rate for 6000++ PHP ($136 USD) and upgrade to a suite, so most definitely. This was a welcome change from staying in pension houses while traveling around remote areas of Philippines.
Yes!
- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a King Deluxe, but was upgraded to a Junior Suite Smoking (didn't smell though)
- How are the rooms?
Beautiful Junior suite room with big comfortable bed and sitting area. It had a nice new flat screen tv and plenty of stations. Bathroom was big with a nice tub and separate shower area. It also had dual sinks, which was a welcome addition after staying in small hotels with one sink with the fiancee.
- How is the exec. lounge?
Didn't ask if we had access and didn't go; we were only there for one night.
- What was good and what was bad?
Good:
Staff were great, albeit a little slow during check-in and check-out (this is the Philippines though).
Was given a voucher for free parking for my fiancee's cousin who dropped us off.
Free fruit after we checked in.
We had to ask for some bottled water, but staff came up and gave us 4 free small bottles when we asked.
Two free drink vouchers that we used at night in the hotel bar downstairs.
Bad:
Nothing really.
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Got a super saver rate for 6000++ PHP ($136 USD) and upgrade to a suite, so most definitely. This was a welcome change from staying in pension houses while traveling around remote areas of Philippines.
Jan 1, 2012, 12:34 am
#174
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Singapore
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hh Gold, NH*G, SPGP, SQ-CC
Posts: 1,381
IC Jiuzhaigou Points posting
To add woes to my post check out,
My stay was posted as non-qualifying despite it being an ambassador weekend rate using BOGO.
My stay was posted as non-qualifying despite it being an ambassador weekend rate using BOGO.
Jan 1, 2012, 12:52 am
#175
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,424
Jan 1, 2012, 4:26 am
#176
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Singapore
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hh Gold, NH*G, SPGP, SQ-CC
Posts: 1,381
Jan 1, 2012, 9:54 am
#177
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,424
Jan 1, 2012, 12:38 pm
#178
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Singapore
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hh Gold, NH*G, SPGP, SQ-CC
Posts: 1,381
Jan 1, 2012, 6:42 pm
#179
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 10
InterContinental Paris Le Grand
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
It was OK.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Had multiple bookings which included 3 nights in Opera View Room and 2 nights on BOGO in club room. Ended up in a junior suite.
How are the rooms?
Quite large but did not like the toilet in separate room. Not well lit. Furniture is quite old and needs refreshing.
TV was quite small and in an odd position in the room.
No kettle in room, had to pay a 5EUR fee to get a kettle sent up from room service.
How is the exec. lounge?
Only used it for breakfast and free wi-fi. Wi-fi worked in room as well but had issues when connecting multiple devices using the same code so had to get separate codes. Breakfast wasn't anything to write home about.
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
* Room was big
* Got to keep the same room for all 5 nights.
* Concierge was great, really helpful
* Breakfast in the restaurant was great
Bad:
* First room smelled of smoke, we were moved after I complained the morning after arriving (arrived late and went straight to sleep before realising how bad it was). In the second room the ceiling had a leak in the toilet.
* Toilet was in a room on the opposite side of the suite to the bathroom and there was no basin to wash hands in in the toilet. This was very annoying.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
OK, but probably wouldn't return.
Platinum Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
It was OK.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Had multiple bookings which included 3 nights in Opera View Room and 2 nights on BOGO in club room. Ended up in a junior suite.
How are the rooms?
Quite large but did not like the toilet in separate room. Not well lit. Furniture is quite old and needs refreshing.
TV was quite small and in an odd position in the room.
No kettle in room, had to pay a 5EUR fee to get a kettle sent up from room service.
How is the exec. lounge?
Only used it for breakfast and free wi-fi. Wi-fi worked in room as well but had issues when connecting multiple devices using the same code so had to get separate codes. Breakfast wasn't anything to write home about.
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
* Room was big
* Got to keep the same room for all 5 nights.
* Concierge was great, really helpful
* Breakfast in the restaurant was great
Bad:
* First room smelled of smoke, we were moved after I complained the morning after arriving (arrived late and went straight to sleep before realising how bad it was). In the second room the ceiling had a leak in the toilet.
* Toilet was in a room on the opposite side of the suite to the bathroom and there was no basin to wash hands in in the toilet. This was very annoying.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
OK, but probably wouldn't return.
Jan 1, 2012, 6:42 pm
#180
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 10
InterContinental Paris Le Grand
What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
It was OK.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Had multiple bookings which included 3 nights in Opera View Room and 2 nights on BOGO in club room. Ended up in a junior suite.
How are the rooms?
Quite large but did not like the toilet in separate room. Not well lit. Furniture is quite old and needs refreshing.
TV was quite small and in an odd position in the room.
No kettle in room, had to pay a 5EUR fee to get a kettle sent up from room service.
How is the exec. lounge?
Only used it for breakfast and free wi-fi. Wi-fi worked in room as well but had issues when connecting multiple devices using the same code so had to get separate codes. Breakfast wasn't anything to write home about.
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
* Room was big
* Got to keep the same room for all 5 nights.
* Concierge was great, really helpful
* Breakfast in the restaurant was great
Bad:
* First room smelled of smoke, we were moved after I complained the morning after arriving (arrived late and went straight to sleep before realising how bad it was). In the second room the ceiling had a leak in the toilet.
* Toilet was in a room on the opposite side of the suite to the bathroom and there was no basin to wash hands in in the toilet. This was very annoying.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
OK, but probably wouldn't return.
Platinum Ambassador
Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
It was OK.
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Had multiple bookings which included 3 nights in Opera View Room and 2 nights on BOGO in club room. Ended up in a junior suite.
How are the rooms?
Quite large but did not like the toilet in separate room. Not well lit. Furniture is quite old and needs refreshing.
TV was quite small and in an odd position in the room.
No kettle in room, had to pay a 5EUR fee to get a kettle sent up from room service.
How is the exec. lounge?
Only used it for breakfast and free wi-fi. Wi-fi worked in room as well but had issues when connecting multiple devices using the same code so had to get separate codes. Breakfast wasn't anything to write home about.
What was good and what was bad?
Good:
* Room was big
* Got to keep the same room for all 5 nights.
* Concierge was great, really helpful
* Breakfast in the restaurant was great
Bad:
* First room smelled of smoke, we were moved after I complained the morning after arriving (arrived late and went straight to sleep before realising how bad it was). In the second room the ceiling had a leak in the toilet.
* Toilet was in a room on the opposite side of the suite to the bathroom and there was no basin to wash hands in in the toilet. This was very annoying.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
OK, but probably wouldn't return.