i guess thats why I book Grand Stanford I pay less than HK1000 and get Lounge or suite and often both.
I dont like the Sheraton, and really enjoy the W,but no lounge at the W, but they always give me suites.

looking at this thread lots of RA dont know they cheat and give a two category upgrade. Also if that is the policy they should tell a RA when we book.:confused:

I don't see how upgrading according to the T&Cs is cheating - IC HK does even more than required by upgrading to superior and deluxe harbour view rooms (i.e. two level upgrading).

If you look at the room list, it should be very clear that the most likely upgrade from the cheapest room is an executive room and not an executive suite - just like in Bangkok and plenty of other locations.

Furthermore, if you had been to the "cheapest room" and an executive room you'd realize that this is a real upgrade and not some "fake category".

They will tell you their detailed upgrade policy whenever you email them - and you have to do the same for any other hotel to find out about upgrades beyond what is guaranteed in the T&Cs. Sidenote, neither Shenzhen nor Bangkok (you need to book an exec room to get one, otherwise, you get an exec room just like in HKG) normally give suite upgrades when booking the cheapest category.

While I agree with you about HKG and BKK, you must realize that at many other IC's, and Starwood's, you will get an executive suite or Club room from the cheapest booking (if available).

Whilst I agree that many ICs give suite upgrades, one should be aware that whenever there's an executive room, there is a good chance that an RA will end up in one - there are numerous (infamous) examples beyond BKK and HKG.

And a club room is simply not available at IC HKG.

I have a reward booking made. Do I have to contact the hotel in advance and request the paid upgrade to a harbour view room or can it be paid at check in?

Of the two ICs, what is the better IC for leisure? Price is also a factor, I understand that the Stanford one is cheaper?

(If this has been already discussed, would you point me out to the discussion?)

Well they are only a few hundred meters apart, so not much difference in location. The main IC is closer to the metro lines. And if you go to the IC website and plug in your dates, you will see the pricing difference. Unless you have some special corporate discount, you will find the main IC to be much more expensive.

I have stayed at more than 25 IC's over the years and without a doubt the IC Hong Kong is the WORST for upgrades.
PS their executive room is JUST a regular room with a fancy name. Its a CON job for suckers.

with a reward stay this IC will treat you as a second class citizen.

I concur.

I have had some correspondence with the hotel to check the different options I have to stay at de luxe harbour view

0/ Book de luxe harbour view at 3200+ HKD/night :td:

1/ Amb free night certificate - very good, upgraded from superior to deluxe without even asking. 3000HKD/2 nights = 1500 HKD/night ^

2/ Friends & Family - no Ambassador privileges (confirmed by the hotel in writing!) :mad: Options Superior harbour view at 1600HKD or Deluxe harbour view at 2100HKD/night

3/ Reward night - only superior plaza view bookable at 40k points/night. No Amb privileges. Upgrade to superior harbour view +1000HKD/night or to deluxe harbour view 1600 HKD/night

In all, F&F for 2100HKD vs Reward nights for 1600HKD + 40k points. Anyone ready to part with 40k points to save 500HK (50 eur,65 usd)? No, I didn't think so.

(the prices quoted are without taxes and for the specific days I am interested, so YMMV)

This was one of the reasons I chose the GS IC for my stay this month. You can keep your upgraded room for free on rewards if you've already booked a paid stay and the reward nights are linked to the revenue stay. The IC looks like a great hotel but looked a bit pricey to book on a rewards basis.

I also like the ability to walk (mostly indoors) to the ferry terminal from the IC HK; and the Harbour in front and accessible instead of across a multi-lane highway.

I stayed at the IC Hong Kong on points and had a great stay.

Was welcomed by the manager, offered a harbour view room for a nominal fee (not the amount being quoted here, about the cost of 1 breakfast at the IC) after I emailed them, and received complementary mini-bar.

Normally the GS would be OK, but this is a special occasion (round number anniversary), it must be the IC - must make an impression on the missus! :D I wasn't that impressed with the view from the GS either, prefer the "full frontal" of the IC
Probably will cancel the reward part and book F&F and use the points much more effectively elsewhere.