loyaltypointschaser

An upgrade is guarantee for an RA or an AMB on pay stays (including using BOGOF certificate) at ICs.

The easiest way to know what upgrade you could get as an AMB is to email the hotel directly.
Things might have changed recently, but for your information, below are their response to my email last June~

In regards of your inquiry, please find the room upgrade arrangement for our Ambassador members as follow for your consideration:

1. Deluxe Plaza View Room upgrade to Executive Plaza View Room (Pool View Room; 450 sq. ft.)
2. Executive Plaza View Room upgrade to Superior Harbour View Room (350 sq. ft.)
3. Superior Harbour View Room upgrade to Deluxe Harbour View Room (450 sq. ft.)
4. Deluxe Harbour View Room upgrade to Superior Junior Suite (studio suite with partial harbour view; 550 sq. ft.)
5. Superior Junior Suite upgrade to Deluxe Junior Suite (studio suite with full harbour view; 550 sq. ft.)

I have never seen the Executive Plaza View Room listed on the IC website site though...
My general understanding from this thread, is that if you want a Harbour view room you have to book a harbour view room, or pay extra to upgrade to a Harbour view room.

I am afraid that you have to book on the Ambassador Weekend Rate. Prices are more or less the same as Best Flexible Rate.
Also if you are Europe based, it will take 4 to 6 weeks for your Ambassador kit with the BOGOF to arrive..

xenole

So what's a partial harbour view? A glimpse of water between 2 skyscrapers?

Also is buying club access open to all or just for specific status members / room types?
And how much?

Unterwegs

The partial view junior suites are at the end of the building facing back (inland). The side window of the suite has harbor view, but facing either west or east. It is nowhere near as spectacular as the 'real' full harbor view you see in their usual pictures.

xenole

Saw a video of the a junior suite on YouTube and the view didn't seem too bad.

Could probably get the full view from outside and save £££ by booking a cheaper room in that case.
Club wise, is there a way outside or do you get the view through the windows?

Unterwegs

The club is above the lobby, windows are to the lobby area - you have a bit of a view thru the lobby area. You would be better off in the lobby lounge or the downstairs coffee shop.
I have not been there for a few month and don't know if anything has changed recently, but before you had to leave the hotel thru the main door, walk down to the street, make a left and a second left to get to the outside walkway in front of the hotel.

xenole

Read a bit about the lobby being better and then looked at the price list. HKG$200 + 10% service charge for a sandwich! (£19ish).....no worse than room service in some places but I'm sure I could eat well for a fraction of that elsewhere.

Unterwegs

It is a bit OT, but:
If you are on a budget but still want to experience the view a few suggestions:
Walk along the harbor starting at the star ferry terminal.
Take the Star Ferry (nobody says anything when you don't get off and take the same ferry back)
Eat at the Chinese restaurant inside the cultural center (they have tables with a great view and prices are very reasonable, good Dim Sum for lunch)

The IC is a high end hotel and charges accordingly.

xenole

Is there something special, or not, about the IC at New Year?

Looking at prices / reward nights and:
30th Dec - 2nd Jan

IC:
from £566 a night or 35k points + $70

Grand Standford IC:
from £237 a night or 40k points + $70.

You're not going to get a harbour view room at for a redemption or the cheapest rate anyway so why pay more than double at the IC in cash when the reward night rate is cheaperto buy points for?

Chinatrvl

Of course, you have a perfect view on the fireworks from your room without having to stand on the walk of stars for hours.

Furthermore, you can always book a more expensive room to get harbor view, or upgrade your award reservation with cash - that won't be cheap on New Year's though.

Really, this is an expensive hotel. There are the YMCA and Sheraton with some views that might better suit one's budget.

xenole

I know about the fireworks but I was wondering why the IC is charging more than double the amount of the GS when neither room will give any sort of view so you would have to pay loads to upgrade or go outside anyway (yet points wise is cheaper therefore giving the impression that they are less likely to sell rooms with no view)?

It's a third of the price to buy the points for a reward stay which makes it a bargain for those nights.

jonecasey

I am looking for some advice for the IC HKG. I understand that on award stays for RAs I should not expect an upgrade at all, can anyone confirm or deny that?

I am considering doing the following - booking a deluxe harbor view for the 1st night of my stay with upgrade to full view junior suite (confirmed in an email from the hotel), and then 2 nights following that booked with points. Does anyone have any experience doing it this way, will they force me to move rooms or offer me a middle group of some sort like the deluxe harbor view for the whole time? Any insight or advice about this specific property is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

stimpy

I don't know if we can tell you for sure. You can call the reservations mgr to find out probably. But I can say that your method is the best. Put the paid nights first and dare the hotel to downgrade you. I would guess that you would keep your upgraded room, but benefits like free mini-bar would not be extended on the award nights.

redshift27

My reading of others' experiences suggests you may be disappointed.

jonecasey

normally i expect this to be the case and have done this in the past with no problem. but i have heard such bad stories about this specific IC on RA treatment that I was hoping someone had experience?

Unterwegs

I believe they move you when you reserve different rooms. Also upgrades (doubt that they will happen on points) will be room size, not from non-view to view