Expat_852

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre

Location: Birmingham, UK

IHG status(s): Spire Ambassador

Paid / award night: Paid

Upgrade to club floor: Could not be offered because we had children with us

Club lounge access: Offered, but for the adults only

Club lounge services / quality:
* Situated on the top floor, along the North-East side of the building with a single entrance, F&B area just inside to the right, small business desk (pc & printer) just inside to the left and lounge area beyond the business area.
* F&B area quite small with just 5 tables of 2 people
* No Hot food served at breakfast in the morning (although sachets of tomato sauce, brown sauce etc were available), just a Cold / Continental selection, There was a catering type hot tray but the 3 sections were filled with cold hard-boiled eggs, olives and mini pre-packed cheese (3-types). Other items available included yoghurt, fruit, cereals, breads, pastries, 2 cooked meats and a bowl of cherry tomatoes.
* Alcoholic drinks served in the evening, but unsure anything else on offer as I did visit at that time.
* Tea, Coffee and Soft-drinks available throughout the day.

Other comments: Children not allowed on the Cub Floor or in the Club Lounge (as is stated on the website). Reason given by reception is that alcohol is served in the lounge. Notice outside the lounge states that "In order to create a working and meetings environment for our club lounge guests we do not permit children in the club lounge at any point". Neither of these explain why children are not allowed to stay on the Club floors.

BinSabai

I have experienced several other Club Lounges of IHG Group in Asia, where children are not allowed....and I have some understanding for that.However that does not justify that they are also banned from rooms on club floor

hockeyinsider

As much as I despise families with children in lounges -- particularly when alcohol is being served -- I question whether this is legal, given age discrimination laws in some litigious countries. What's a child? I was traveling at 17-18-19 by myself and staying at IHG properties. Back then, I had Ambassador status.

One could easily substitute "women" for children in certain Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia.

Expat_852

Each will have their own opinion. For me it is about the behaviour of the guest and their children. If the children are not unruly and stay away from the alcoholic beverages (when available) etc. then I have no problem. My own kids certainly know what is expected of them and I will also make a comment to remind them any time we go somewhere and have lounge access (e.g. hotels and airports). Any silliness and they get a reminded about other guests not wanting to be disturbed. We have never needed to go beyond that and remove them from the lounge completely.

A quick internet search advises that in the UK appears to indicate that you can still "Exclude children, as the age discrimination ban does not apply in respect of children aged under 18" [taken from 'Equality Act 2010 - Ban on age discrimination in the provision of services, public functions and associations - A guide for holiday providers, hotels and those letting holiday properties']

That is usually those under-12... unless of the course the hotel has a reason not too want to classify them as an adult.

rumbataz

Interesting discussion about children not permitted into the club lounges at CPs. I'm looking to book a room for a friend and her two children and then a room for myself. I was looking to save money by paying for a CP club lounge access so that we can have a small breakfast and some snacks in the evenings as I need to book a combined of 14 nights (7 nights x 2 rooms). However, if children are generally not allowed into the Club Lounges and CPs then this isn't going to work.

BinSabai

I fully agree with you, if parents care and kids are made sensitive, lounge access for kids is no Problem. However that's not the case anymore nowadays for many parents, who actually even get angry and feel offended, if other guests complain about noise or disturbance and think anything goes for kids. Therefore I fully agree with such policies of hotels

Froggitt

Crowne Plaza Liverpool Airport always give free breakfast in the restaurant whenever Im on a rewards night. No idea if this applies to paid nights as well.

Pid

Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza
Location: Kyoto, Japan
IHG status(s): Spire Ambassador
Paid / award night: 4 x paid nights
Breakfast in restaurant: (list only if offered): N/A as included in rate
Upgrade to club floor: Granted
Club lounge access: Granted
Club lounge services / quality: The Salon had only recently opened. It was very small but we only saw one or two other people in it so no real issue. Served alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and snacks.
Other comments: Upgraded room to Club floor as booked standard room with B/F.

hockeyinsider

I stayed on points there in June 2015 after a month of international travels before flying home the next morning out of Manchester. The breakfast selection was excellent, but I thought the rest of the hotel was tired and in need of a renovation. Hopefully, they've updated the rooms and such since then.

Froggitt

Still in need of renovation, Mrs Frog wouldnt walk on the carpet without slippers, the AC broke during our stay. Service issues as well. eg despite being in a suite, the card wouldnt not open the club lounge door, despite it clearly being displayed as a benefit.....too many phone calls were needed to sort it. Club lounge food would feed a family of mice before running out.

Hot tip for that hotel, all the suites, including the two floor "circular" Presidential Suite or whatever it is called, are (or certainly were) available for a standard reward night redemption, was 20,000 points.

hockeyinsider

To be honest, I thought it was a waste of points, let alone a free-night certificate that comes with the IHG credit card. Then again, I no longer stay at IHG hotels, unless I have to, because the program is lousy and the Crowne Plaza properties too inconsistent.

cumbrianbill

Newcastle Stephenson Quarter (UK)

As a point of interest the Crowne Plaza now no longer offers Spire members the choice of Lounge Access, 600 points or welcome drink.

Since a revamp of the lounge it's now only points or drink.

Slight disappointment

jphripjah

Crowne Plaza Beijing Wangfujing
Spire
They offered lounge access and breakfast in the lounge.
I guess that's in lieu of 500 points because I didn't get those.
(Edited)

BinSabai

there are several Crowne Plaza in Beijing
- Lido
- Wangfujing
- Chaoyang
- Sun Palace
- Zhongguangcun
- Airport
in which one have you been?

jphripjah

Haha, sorry Wangfujing