stimpy

I don't quite agree with this. The space is actually larger than before and they had hot dinners in the old club. They have the full spread for breakfast so they can do the same for dinner. And I expect they will eventually if it hasn't come back already since the March 14th legal relaxation of COVID regs.

msmith11235

Amazing thanks, even if it’s just free flow champagne and some canapés before dinner that sounds good to me!

stimpy

The Champagne was free flowing all day on my last visit. And as it has been for the most part of the last 20 years.

VaBeachGirl

I was there mid January and was very happy with the evening selections! After having a late lunch every day, the lounge food was just enough in the evening. Plus the champagne all day...

HadesNL

Thanks for the headsup!
I will be sure to post a review of it.

TheWiseOne

Have they introduced new room categories? Previously I thought a Club Room upgrade would get you a Junior Suite with Opera, but now they have two smaller courtyard Junior Suites showing in-between?

Edit; just noticed there are also new club room offerings.

TheWiseOne

Has anyone had experience of staying at this hotel as a AMS Spire and booking a club room?

I ask as I was under the impression that a Club Room booking as a AMS Spire would give you a great chance of a Junior Suite Opera view as that was the next category before this week.

However, with all the changes that took place on Monday, I am being told that my booking under the old system only meant that I was booked into a Standard Classic Room with Club Lounge, therefore any upgrade will just be to the old executive (now Premium Room) and if I want an upgrade to a Junior Suite it will be €270 a night.

Could someone clarify if Club Rooms booked prior to the category change always meant just a basic Classic room and that an upgrade would just be to a Executive room?

336

As per the letter the hotel indeed sees club as basic room + club benefits.
De facto they always give you at least on of the nicest "premium" rooms (just below junior suite), or you can get lucky and receive anything above.
So here you don't really know what AMB brings you precisely as an upgrade.

TheWiseOne

Has that always been the case prior to this week? I am pretty sure I read somewhere that this hotel was one of the best places to use Ambassador status as you would most likely go Club Room>Junior with Opera View.

I understand they implemented new categories/changes this week but I feel being told the Old Club rate was a basic room so I am only entitled to a Classic with Balcony isn't really an upgrade or what was being implemented when I booked.

Maybe I am wrong..

Love2travel73

We will see you then. Me and my husband will also be there in a club room during easter

stimpy

This old hotel has such a variety of room types that you can find some Exec rooms that are more desirable than certain junior suites.

As for upgrades, if you booked a classic then paid on the spot for Club access, you would not normally receive any special upgrade beyond what your status would give you. That's how it works at most hotels. But this hotel has often been quite generous to Club guests. Especially when you are sitting in the club, across the desk from the club manager.

Love2travel73

We have booked a club-room for 3 people as our son originally planned to join us. (Which would be a superior room with club access)
with the new room categories it will be difficult to decipher if we will receive the upgrade we are entitled to, or they will use the fact that only two people shows up to avoid an real upgrade.

Last month we were at Intercontinental Marseille, and actually got a significant downgrade. Damn I got mad. They actually tried to tell me that their 5 star hotel rooms did not include any chairs or coffetables and that their own pictures were misleading. They found a solution, but could not give us the excecutive room we had booked originally as that would have made their lies very obvious. Imagine being told you get an upgrade and then clearly receiving the sucker-room, that looked and was equipped as a 2 star room.

as Easter is just as busy as Valentine, I believe upgrades will be difficult to obtain, but we will see.

TheWiseOne

I'll let you know how I get along. However, I am not holding my breath.

stimpy

I probably posted this fact 5+ years ago, so it should be repeated now. If you have booked Club, do NOT check in at the front desk. Go up to the 1st floor and check in at the club. You will have a much better chance of an upgrade if you check in at the club.

Love2travel73

great advise, we will do that.

How difficult is it to find your way up from the reception to the club,? I understand it is a huge hotel