stimpy

I think I do remember Jerome from ANA Tokyo! He came up to me in the Club and introduced himself. That doesn't happen too often, so it was memorable.

ffgap

Holiday Inn Duesseldorf-Neuss

What is your Priority Club status?

Diamond

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Yes, fully satisfied.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked standard, received one-bedroom suite on top floor

How are the rooms?

Generally nice and refurbished. They didn't upgrade the TVs, though. Theyare old, tiny, outdated. Bathroom seemed only partially refurbished but was fine. Everything was very clean. Small empty fridge in room.

How is the exec. lounge?

N/A

What was good and what was bad?

Nice upgrade, personal and attentive service for a Holiday Inn. Excellent fresh rolls at breaks. Breakfast is really good if you like a German-style breakfast. Don't expect an excellent English/full breakfast.

Bad: Location is so-so. Keep in mind public transportation is a 10 min walk away.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

Would def return. Some other IHG in Duesseldorf/Neuss are cheaper but this is a good HI and value per euro is OK.

ffgap

Crowne Plaza Duesseldorf - Neuss

What is your Priority Club status?

Diamond

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

No, I was not happy.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked standard, received standard with sub-par view (of one of Dusseldorf's main arterial roads).

How are the rooms?

Dated, kind of small. It seems this used to be a Swissotel. They might have refurbished a bit but not much. Small bathroom with German old-school tub. No rain shower. Small TV back from the days when LCD panels were really thick. Internet seemed slow, public areas are a bit dated.

How is the exec. lounge?

N/A

What was good and what was bad?

Bad: No elite recognition whatsoever. Not even a welcome card or higher-speed internet. (Edit: They did ship me 600 IHG points a few days after my stay, though. This was in May 2022.)

Stay was just one night and I arrived tired. So I only complained during check-out and no serious attempt at service recovery was made. In fact, I was checked in and out by the same agent. During check-in, the agent gave me the breakfast upsell pitch. "I see you booked a rate without breakfast. But you can still spontaneously decide to join us for breakfast blah blah".

When I mentioned to the same agent during check-out the lack of benefits, he mentioned that, at least, I had the free Diamond breakfast. *raise eyebrows*

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

This hotel can occasionally have low rates but in light of my unsatisfactory experience, I don't see myself returning anytime soon. This hotel isn't the best location-wise. In terms of location, I would rank it similar to the HI I reviewed in the post above.
​​​​​

nicolas75

What is your IHG One Rewards status?
Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle

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 on points and got King Bed on high floor.

How are the rooms?
Quite nicely designed.

Large and comfortable bed.
Numerous usb sockets next to the bed and desk.

Desk.
Small closet with kettle and minibar, with free bottles of water.

Bathroom with walk-in shower. Biology toiletries (love the fragrance).

Very quiet. View over the city
Floor to ceiling window, that can’t be opened.
Very efficient air conditioning.

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?
GOOD
Very friendly staff
Quite good breakfast served in a pleasant room.
Central location, conveniently located closed to Shudehill Metrolink station (direct to/from airport).

BAD
Nothing

Value for $ or IHG One Rewards Points? Would you return?
Yes, for location and smiling service.



Exterior


Lobby








King bed Room





Bathroom


View



Breakfast







Fitness centre

FlyinHawaiian

Holiday Inn Kansas City (MO) Airport

What is your Priority Club status? Diamond 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? King Standard and received the same

How are the rooms? Unremarkable but no complaints. There are ample power ports throughout the room. Standard mini-fridge, microwave, and K-Cup machine. Digital climate controls on wall. Decent-sized walk-in shower with good water pressure and large shower head.

How is the exec. lounge? n/a

What was good and what was bad? We chose the hotel for one night due to a late (2230) scheduled flight into MCI and didn't want to chance poor rental car selection or arriving after closing. I used my Chase credit card cert for the stay. The airport shuttle has resumed 24/7 availability and for arriving passengers, it is available on call. I rang the driver once we deplaned and it took him about 10-15 min to arrive. The check in desk was unstaffed when we arrived and had to wait about five minutes until someone showed up. I did online check-in via the mobile app so my key was ready so it was quick, once the clerk showed up. I asked for two bottled waters and was given them for free; my amenity points posted automatically.

The shuttle back to the airport is every 30 min on the hour and half hour; guests are encouraged to reserve a seat at the front desk in advance. A nice perk is that they will not only drop off at the terminals but also the consolidated rental car center; this made picking up my car very easy. Parking for hotel guests is free; there is a very large parking lot but they also let locals do park and fly for $5 a day so spaces can be hard to find.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return? Given the proximity to the airport and shuttle service to the rental car center, I felt this was a really good use of my free night cert and will certainly consider staying again for evening arrivals into MCI. Diamond breakfast amenity option starts on June 1, 2022.

Note - I did take a look at the HIX; it's an exit further down the interstate from the HI. It looked ok but it was right next to the freeway so if staying there, I would certainly insist on a room not facing the freeway.

Arctic Troll

Crowne Plaza - Berlin Potsdamer Platz - May 2022

What is your Priority Club status?

Platinum Elite

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Very happy.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked standard room. Upgraded to King Premium with Lounge Access.

How are the rooms?

Beautiful. Tastefully decorated, wooden floors and high ceilings giving a real Berlin loft apartment vibe. Bathroom with powerful rain shower. Vintage-style armchair great to sit and relax in with a beer (although the chair is too low to see out of the window whilst seated).

Air con isn't great, even in April/May it couldn't quite compete with the sunshine in my south-facing room, but the windows open enough to give a nice breeze if there is one. Quiet neighbourhood so no excessive noise if windows open.

South-facing rooms (front of hotel) overlook a primary school, odd to see from a business hotel, but beats the usual traffic noise and felt homely.

How is the exec. lounge?

So-so. Hot and stuffy and not very comfortable seating, the terrace area was locked shut even thought signage was it should be open. In roof space so windows are skylights/Velux; no view. No snacks. But fridge full of beer and wine available all the time for self-service, nice to grab a bottle/glass and go back to room.

What was good and what was bad?

Good customer service- systems were down on check-in so room cards couldn't be amended to provide lounge access, but sorted out as soon as systems came back online. Room comfortable, if a little warm for a Brit, and the public areas were immaculate. 5-minute walk to both a U-bahn and an S-bahn station, 15 minute walk to Potsdamer Platz (despite hotel name), 30 minutes to Brandenburg Gate/Reichstag.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

40,000 points for two nights, calculated at a return of approx. 0.4p/point (GBP) or 0.5c/point (USD). Very good value for quality of hotel and location. Will return.

Admiral Ackbar

What is your IHG Rewards status?
Platinum 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?
Booked standard King room got upgraded to King Executive Suite

How are the rooms?
This is a newish HIX and the look and layout are familiar to anyone that has stayed at HI/HIX. The suite had a separate room off the bedroom with a table and chairs that could be used as a conference room/dining room and worked out perfectly since my spouse and I could work in the same room but different areas. Bed was comfortable room was clean, two TVs (one in each room). Bathroom had a walk-in shower and was spacious

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?
GOOD
Very friendly staff
Proactive upgrade and recognition of benefits
Comfortable and clean room
10 minutes from everywhere in the city, right on Highway 55/40
Breakfast spread was decent and I like the 24 hour coffee

BAD
Need a car to get anywhere such as restaurants and attractions.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
With the upgrade got very good value for money and will return when in area.

yettimatty

Intercontinental hotel -Perth city centre

What is your Priority Club status?

platinum elite

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?
2 double bed city view room and 1king bed classic

How are the rooms?
new and clean. A bit small

How is the exec. lounge?

na

What was good and what was bad?

Got a welcome gift of chocolate and handwritten card. Good location, room is clean and new. The 2 double bed room was a bit small.
no upgrade
breakfast was lack luster and not worth the money.


Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
depending on the price I would return as it is in a good location. Holiday inn is just across the rd so would also be another option -this time it was closed

Admiral Ackbar

What is your IHG Rewards status?
Platinum Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Not really

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked standard King room got standard King room with Parliament view at least

How are the rooms?
This is a newish HIX and the look and layout are familiar to anyone that has stayed at HI/HIX. Room was clean, bed was comfortable, AC efficient and good water pressure. Standard HIX room

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?
GOOD
Comfortable and clean room
10 minute walk to Byward Market, 15 to Parliament


BAD
No recognition of Platinum status except when I ask about upgrade to Suite (which were available to book on the app). Told nothing was available, didn't feel like fighting it.
No asking how my stay was at checkout
Breakfast items were not hot, mostly tepid
24 hour coffee not available after breakfast and no staff around
Lobby cleanliness and upkeep not what it should be. My coffee cups were still on the desk where I worked 24 hours later, had to wipe down the table myself, etc.
No recycling bins in room
SLOW elevators from hell(pet peeve of mine) due to bad setup. Doors take 5 seconds to close, elevators stop on the way up even when down call button is only one lit, all of these cause huge delays and crowded elevators. Most of these are simple configuration that are easy to improve. Was faster for me to go up the stairs to the 7th floor
Area around the hotel is not the best, not a concern for me but I can see how some could be put off

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
There was a huge storm prior to my arrival and a lot of power outages in Ottawa, hotel was full and clients were being walked here from other hotels. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and try it once more when I am back but I am not sure the issues above are directly related to that. They seem more like cost cutting to me. This hotel also paled in comparison with the HIX Trois-Rivieres I reviewed earlier this week, the contrast was stark.

davidw70

What is your IHG Rewards status?
Diamond Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Not the best of stays

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked King Bed Standard, received the same although I think it was a larger room than most

How are the rooms?
Renovated in new US HIX style. Comfortable bed and plenty of storage. Shower only with dispenser bottles




How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?
Good - reasonably modern hotel close to Williams-Grand Canyon train (which is why I stayed there; excellent BTW). I was thanked for being a Diamond member by the same member of staff at least 10 times!!
Bad:
Check-in process - Privacy issue - receptionist read out my address and last four digits of card. I was then told to insert card anyway but remove before it was authorised
No housekeeping "because of COVID"
Public areas didn't seem particularly clean
Check-out process - bill placed under door did not match the reservation from IHG. The problem seemed to relate to a "Utility Surcharge" of $30 per night. The IHG reservation had only included one night but I stayed two. Obviously, someone had not loaded the rates correctly. It was removed after some discussion

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Don't think I'll be back in Williams but if I were, I would probably return. The hotel itself wasn't bad; they were obviously having staffing issues.

Romain_

Crowne Plaza Melbourne, March and April 2022

What is your Priority Club status?
Spire

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?
First stay in March I booked river view and was upgraded to city river casino view, which is nice and slightly bigger.
Second stay in April I booked river casino view and was told at check-in they had upgraded me to a river casino view room, which made me laugh (I guess nobody usually pays for them, so the clerk assumed it was an upgrade). Anyway, it was during F1, so there was zero chance of an upgrade.

How are the rooms?
Much better since the refurbishment. Looking modern and well equipped. As long as you have the outside rooms (river view), they have a big window so they're quite bright.
No more bathtub, which I actually prefer to the old "shower over the bathtub" set-up.

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?
Good:
- Well refurbished. Fits the bill as a business hotel. Nothing missing.
- Breakfast was good too, although they still charge extra for proper coffee
Bad:
- Room service menu is quite limited
- No specific recognition for loyalty. I probably spent 100 nights in this hotel as Spire (now Diamond) and don't think I even had a "welcome back".
- Glasses in the room not well cleaned (both stays)

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes due to location (close to my office). For me it's a business hotel so I'm not sure I'd go here on a personal trip, but I think this being on the edge of the CBD, the hotel is cheaper than if you were right in the middle of it even though it's pretty close. So I think it's good value, and you do get nicer views.

FLYGVA

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
In general yes. Only needed a room for one night (have relatives in Karlsruhe) with easy access to highway. The location is not so good in regard to sighseeing in Karlsruhe but for trips in the region and Alsace, Palantine and Black Forest

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Standard Room and received exactly the same as there is only this category

How are the rooms?
The hotel is not that old and the rooms are of the new more modern design.

The dark Colour of the walls might not please everybody and I also missed a real desk, but for a couple of minutes the small table did the job. Definitely not the for working longer or writing extensive meeting minutes. But the absent of a desk is a general trend among all chains.
Water pressure of the shower as very low. Seems a general problem with the system and the hotel is aware of it. Personally I have my doubt as it seems, that the blocked the shower head at "Eco / Water saving" and lowered the pressure. Might is as it be, even with the low water pressure one could not avoid water dripping on the floor. The sink is working fine with higher pressureby the way. Shower gel and shampoo was not wall mounted but placed on a rack in the shower.

Breakfast is good with a good selection of bread and rolls, average selection of cheese, cereals and yoghurt. Scrambled eggs are also available. Nothing outstanding, but above average general Holiday Inn Express Breakfast.
Service is attentive and friendly. The bar has a good selection of wines.

The rate (booked on a very short notice) were quite high with above 100 EUR. Advanced purchase would have been above 80 EUR. The hotel could be quite expensive.

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?
Good
Good was the location and nice rooms. Breakfast selection is also on the better side.

Neutral
no real desk

Bad
Bad was the water pressure.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Would return, but the rates could be high.


Holiday Inn Express Karlsruhe

Standard Room at Holiday Inn Express Karlsruhe

Standard Room at Holiday Inn Express Karlsruhe

Standard Room at Holiday Inn Express Karlsruhe

Standard Room at Holiday Inn Express Karlsruhe

Standard Room at Holiday Inn Express Karlsruhe

Standard Room at Holiday Inn Express Karlsruhe

nicolas75

What is your IHG One Rewards status?
Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle

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 cheapest rate and got Double Bed corner room.

How are the rooms?
Compact but well organised.

Large and comfortable bed.
Sockets next to the bed and usb sockets desk.

Desk.
Small open closet, kettle.

Bathroom with walk-in shower. Dove toiletries.

Very quiet. View over the leafy environment.
Perfectly clean and well maintained.

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?
GOOD
6 minutes walk to Hoofddorp station (direct to/from airport, one stop, EUR : 3.50 ticket one way).
Friendly staff
Bicycles

BAD
Nothing (I did not try breakfast, but it looked quite basic).

Value for $ or IHG One Rewards Points? Would you return?
Does perfectly the job for an airport hotel.
I am not quite sure there are many dining options in the immediate neighborhood.




Exterior - Bicycles


Lobby



Corner room


Bathroom




View from the room

Breakfast

tomkharrison

Crowne Plaza London Heathrow T4

What is your Priority Club status?
Diamond

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, very enjoyable.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked King Bed Standard Walk-in Shower, received 1 King Bed Premium Club Floor.

How are the rooms?
Well equipped. Had a Nespresso coffee machine as well as a kettle, mini fridge, ice bucket and bottle opener. The wardrobe was big enough to store clothes for a few days. Comfortable bed. Desk with EU, UK and American plug socket and USB chargers.

How is the exec. lounge
Did not have access.

What was good and what was bad?
Diamond status acknowledged and was given complimentary drinks voucher and free breakfast benefit. The restaurant staff were very friendly and proficient and I thought the breakfast spread was good.

Slow reception desk staff but it did seem that they were in the middle of training. Only one member of staff on at the bar when it serves both HIX and CP hotels resulting in slow service.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
I think it was good value considering the price I paid. However, it's a little out of the way for Central London and much better suited to use Heathrow Airport. I would return again.

nicolas75

What is your IHG One Rewards status?
Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, very much so.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked on points and got one Queen bed Suite (there is only one suite at the hotel).

How are the rooms?
Around 45sqm
Wooden floor.
Elegant design.

Very comfortable bed and great pillows.
Sockets and usb next to the bed.

Separate living area with television set, sofa and Desk.
Lavazza expresso machine. Kettle

Open closet.
Strangely no television set in the bedroom but only in the living room.

Very nice marble bathroom with bathtub and separate walk-in shower (with great soft mist shower head). Azzaro toiletries.

Very quiet. View over the interior open courtyard with restaurant and bar (but lights are on all the night long, so you need to close the curtains if you need a dark room for sleeping).

Perfectly clean and well maintained.
Efficient air conditioning.

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?
GOOD
Great staff
Very nice accommodations.
Centrally located with easy access from the airport by public transportation (if you do not want to deal with Belgrade taxi drivers).
Was offered both points and welcome drink voucher.
Good breakfast (free for Diamond members).

BAD
Nothing

Value for $ or IHG One Rewards Points? Would you return?
Definitely for atmosphere, location and friendly staff.

Exterior




Inner courtyard







Suite





Living area



Bathroom







Separate toilets

Minibar


View from the room

Restaurant






Breakfast

Fitness centre