InterContinental Bangkok Master Thread [merged]
Dec 17, 2019, 6:04 am
#1351
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,166
Dec 23, 2019, 10:33 am
#1352
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DUB
Programs: AA EXP IC AMBASSADOR/DIAMOND Tk/ELITE (*G), JumeirahONE Gold
Posts: 487
Ambassador Certificate
It is been 5 years or so since I have used the Ambassador certificate at this property. Looked at a few weekends in January and February and I cannot find any availability.
For the last 5 years, I had used it in Hong Kong, no problems whatsoever re avaibility.
it used to be very easy to use the certificates in Bangkok. At the same time there is point availability.
Any reason for the change?
For the last 5 years, I had used it in Hong Kong, no problems whatsoever re avaibility.
it used to be very easy to use the certificates in Bangkok. At the same time there is point availability.
Any reason for the change?
Jan 7, 2020, 8:18 am
#1353
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Great F&B offerings at the IC Club and the breakfast at Espresso. Great staff providing good service throughout.
Hennessy VSOP for happy hour at the IC Club lounge
Our table at the IC Club during Happy Hour
Room service dining at the IC Club: Half BBQ Chicken with French Fries and Garlic Sauce - 200 THB++ or basically $8 all in!
Hennessy VSOP for happy hour at the IC Club lounge
Our table at the IC Club during Happy Hour
Room service dining at the IC Club: Half BBQ Chicken with French Fries and Garlic Sauce - 200 THB++ or basically $8 all in!
Jan 12, 2020, 7:09 pm
#1354
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
It's obviously noticeable how the service has improved in the IC Club since our last stay. New but professional crew has taken over for the evening service and they are outstanding! Despite of the crowds, they manage (AFAICT) to serve everyone with big smiles and great "can do" attitude.
Congratulations for this positive move!
Congratulations for this positive move!
Feb 13, 2020, 4:50 pm
#1355
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,166
How is the happy hour at the Balcony Lounge like?
Is it a meal service like in a club lounge with various dishes, or is it more like a single plate of canapes with drinks?
I'm trying to decide which executive room benefit to choose (happy hour or breakfast).
Is it a meal service like in a club lounge with various dishes, or is it more like a single plate of canapes with drinks?
I'm trying to decide which executive room benefit to choose (happy hour or breakfast).
Feb 16, 2020, 12:21 am
#1356
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Both are equally tremendous benefits especially if you are traveling with kids. But it all depends on what you value the most, restaurant breakfast or happy hour F&B.
Breakfast at Espresso
Happy hour at the Balcony lounge
Breakfast at Espresso
Happy hour at the Balcony lounge
May 15, 2020, 6:58 pm
#1358
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: ±38,000 feet
Programs: LH HON, BA GGL, AF Plat, EK Plat
Posts: 6,428
Trying to decide where to stay next week in BKK, I used to stay at SGS but that is closed until July, so my backup options are IC, Athenee and Conrad. Given top status everywhere but IC, I was thinking should I attempt the RA challenge? I am tempted but wish they somehow made it easier in 2020 with 5 or 7.5k USD
May 16, 2020, 3:04 pm
#1359
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: SQ TPPS (21),QF G, NZ E, IHG D Amb, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, Shangri-La Jade, Accor Plat, Hertz P
Posts: 397
Trying to decide where to stay next week in BKK, I used to stay at SGS but that is closed until July, so my backup options are IC, Athenee and Conrad. Given top status everywhere but IC, I was thinking should I attempt the RA challenge? I am tempted but wish they somehow made it easier in 2020 with 5 or 7.5k USD
May 16, 2020, 11:21 pm
#1360
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,741
If you have top status at Marriott, the Athene is a very good option and IMHO a notch above the Conrad overall. It is also open so that would settle it for me unless pricing is an issue.
May 17, 2020, 12:59 pm
#1361
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Benefits: this is including suite upgrade for elites - Athenee in the past has been very stingy but have had suite upgrades there. But currently with the low occupancy all properties probably willing to nicely treat an elite guest.
Location: the IC has a superior location in the center of Bangkok with escalator to Chitlom BTS right outside its doors. Conrad is further down on Wireless but has a periodic shuttle to Phloen Chit BTS station. Athenee is walking distance to same.
Rooms: this is for the standard room - the IC again with vast and well appointed rooms although a bit dated.
Breakfast: Equally good at all 3 locations.
Happy Hour: the Conrad is solid on this one, but the IC comes a close second.
Additional benefits: Kids and family happy hour at the Balcony lounge which is a great benefit.
Bento Box Executive Breakfast at the IC Club
Sushi Station at IC Club Happy Hour
Steak & Eggs Benedict breakfast at the IC Club
Jun 17, 2020, 6:20 am
#1362
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,843
From my experiance you will need to book a club room to get access to the club Lounge, they might offer executive benefits.
They used to upgrade to club room with benefits if booking 1 cat below but they stopped for the most part with the rule changes a couple of years ago.
They used to upgrade to club room with benefits if booking 1 cat below but they stopped for the most part with the rule changes a couple of years ago.
o AMB only gets lounge if either i)books room including lounge ii)upsells to get lounge , so no Amb booking Corner Suite keeps room, as higher suites are on exclusion list, no upgrade no foc lounge
o Much simpler, better, Amb should simply book a Club Room, then Amb gets +1cat to Corner Suite keeping lounge access ... (Of course IC BKK can simply not upgrade and give Amb a measley 10k points in lieu )
o Much simpler, better, Amb should simply book a Club Room, then Amb gets +1cat to Corner Suite keeping lounge access ... (Of course IC BKK can simply not upgrade and give Amb a measley 10k points in lieu )
Did I get this right?
Jun 17, 2020, 8:09 am
#1363
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,741
Should I conclude that at this property, Amb should not book Exec room because you effectively end up not getting an upgrade because one category above is club, but you would not get club? Additionally, Amb should also not book Corner Suite because one category above is Club Suite, and once again Amb will not get Club access so it's a waste.
Did I get this right?
Did I get this right?
Jun 17, 2020, 4:20 pm
#1364
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Should I conclude that at this property, Amb should not book Exec room because you effectively end up not getting an upgrade because one category above is club, but you would not get club? Additionally, Amb should also not book Corner Suite because one category above is Club Suite, and once again Amb will not get Club access so it's a waste.
Did I get this right?
Did I get this right?
Jun 17, 2020, 5:41 pm
#1365
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,843
The best way to approach this is to have both IHG credit cards (if you are US based) and be an Ambassador ($200 annual fee). Thus, when booking on points in 4-nights blocks, your cost goes down to 24K IHG points per night. Then buy up to a suite which will come with the IC Club access - total cost ~ $220 including the dreaded ++ on the cash portion.