demue

Okay, as several folks asked me I'm sharing what I was officially quoted. Please keep in mind that this is for a one night upgrade from a Superior Room in Blueport Wing (reward night) in conjunction with a preceding 2 night AMB weekend cert stay booked for a Club Hua Hin suite.

1) THB 5k + 17.x% tax and service to Club Hua Hin Suite
2) THB 7k + 17.x% tax and service to Club Premier Suite

Option 1) assumes forgoing the Club Premier Suite upgrade for nights 1&2. That worked for us as we prefer the Hua Hin suite with the Jacuzzi on the balcony over the larger Premier Suite.

One point to note, there seem to be different upsell rates for people trying to upgrade a point booking vs. a paid booking. I didn't see the rates, but based in the conversation that was the impression I got. YMMV.

Ohh, it also appears that even a points booking gets upgraded to Classic Room in Beach Wing for AMB which the hotel is not required to do.

nrgetik

Some years ago the upsell rate for just club access was 2500++.

About the upgrade on reward nights. The have to do that now. Amb terms and conditions changed.

They confirmed this to me in person.

I never use points there. As RA it is best to book superior suite to get the club suite.

As amb I would recommend to book the club room if you want the hua hin suite including club access. The best flex difference between premier room and club room is still 2800++. So this is what they should charge for club access only.

By the way. In November they told me about their renovation plans. New flooring and some more things.

demue

I'm using points for one night as the rate for a Superior room that day is 8k++ THB, the Club Hua Hin Suite is 13.5k++ THB that night, no thanks. Pretty decent value for 35k points in my book and I'll get 3.5k points back too as AMB due to 10% redemption rebate.

I hear you on the Club Upsell, reminds me of IC Bali where it went from 60USD as long time guest to 80, 120, 150 and now they just quote the difference between Best Flex for the different room types and don't care if you had 100+ nights there over the years. YMMV.

For what it's worth, I negotiated a better upsell rate, but agreed to keep that confidential.

strickers

Much appreciated, I'm probably planning around 8-10 nights with the majority paid or Amb Cert. This gives me a nice data point for the last 2/3 nights which will be on points.

shoven

I think for the most part it is better to pay rather than use points as generally the rates are pretty low there, apart from the weekend which can be high due to the demand from bangkok.

demue

Agreed, I have my own valuation target for points and in this case I can safely say it is decent value in my book at ~1 US cent per point depending on what the FX rate will be in the end. It is a stay around an extended weekend incl. public holiday, hence the higher rates.

With rates starting in the 4-5k THB range I wouldn't bother with points either. YMMV.

demue

Thanks, I guess I need to reread the T&Cs as that one slipped past me. Would be a welcome change for otherwise still scarce benefits on reward stays.

strickers

Agreed, but when you are points rich and know they will be devalued at some point again?

nufnuf77

Any update on pricing of upgrades from base room redemptions?

demue

Just cancelled our stay over Easter. Had an agreement for 3.7k THB from points room (1 night) following an AMB FWNC.

With Thailand requiring a 72hrs old COVID-19 certificate / negative test it is as good as an entry restriction. Try to get that as a healthy person over people who need tests more urgently, no thanks. I wish the Thai Authorities were more clear on their plans as this doesn't help with flight cancellations and such. Well it's Thailand so why am I surprised.

So unless your trip is far in the future you better check what hotel services are still operating. YMMV.

skywalkerLAX

One night at this property currently prices at 26,250 Points for a standard room which is pretty good. Upgrade to Club/Club Suite would be 5k++ I take it based on the posts above.

On the other hand I could get the Hyatt for ~ 5k THB all in including a generous resort credit, suite and club.

Tough choice.

filelover

Any recent stays? What is the situation with the hotel? Planning on a stay over Christmas break and was surprised to see no activity on this for over a year.

Fims

I drove past it a few times earlier this year, but did not stay. They have been selling quite actively packages for domestic Thai tourists. I saw some of their sales team members at the sales events in Bangkok malls, but the deals they were selling were inferior to those of Marriott or Hilton and on the top of that, they said that no Ambassador benefits offered (or point earnings) with local sales. I see that you are also having Hilton and Marriott statuses - you can also consider those. Marriott has better breakfast than Hilton, especially on Sundays. I would say that rooms at Marriott are better than Hilton as well, but Hilton has better balconies. As Hilton Diamond I also got very modest upgrade to Executive room, even when suites were available. After some negotiations got at least that Executive room on the nicer side of view (Southern/Centara view). But personally, I would actually recommend Hyatt Regency. The property is spacious, nice garden feeling, good F&B, widest beachfront of all hotels in Hua Hin.

rbAA

Hyatt has a beach now???? Last time we were there, stayed at the IC, there was no beach that far south, as the water came right up to the "seawall." It really doesn't matter, as the water is filthy, murky and often full of jellyfish. The pools are nice at the Hyatt, as well as the IC. We prefer the Rayong area, as the beaches are beautiful, and the water is clean, especially at the Marriott Resort property, which also has a spectacular pool-actually more like pools.

I see that the IC is trying to price their rooms later this year at about THB 5400++ per night, which is terrible, especially if they put you in the new building across the street by the mall. Should come way down as the Big Boss just said today we're in for another 2 months of lockdown. We'll see.

Fims

Maybe you were there at very high tide. Hyatt has the seawall, but all hotels have that. I would say that usually the water from Hyatt is as far as from IC and you can have a nice long walk from one to another if you wish, by the beach.

I like Marriott Rayong as well, extra bonus as they are also having free SUP rentals. But for walking along the beach, the sand at Hua Hin is better. For being inside the water, indeed, Rayong is a bit more clean.

I think with all hotels in Thailand these days - no need to book long in advance as those long out rates are inflated with a hope of "surge" coming in. Which seems quite unlikely to happen this year, unless they open up the country without numerous tests for vaccinated travellers. I currently feel that most Sandboxers in Phuket are likely returning expats who prefer having access to fresh air during the 2 week relaxed quarantine.