IC Asiana Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City Master Thread
Apr 29, 2023, 12:58 pm
#271
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN**, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 669
Upgrades for plat status members, if any, never include lounge access, unless you pay for lounge access.
Apr 29, 2023, 1:11 pm
#272
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
The second part of the question is if I book through the IHG program for travel agents. Is it the same if you use that for booking? And by pay for lounge access do you mean pay for a club room (like $64 more a night so I can't see a lounge being worth that) or will they offer lounge access at a discounted cost?
Last edited by Red259; Apr 29, 2023 at 1:16 pm
Apr 30, 2023, 8:16 am
#273
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
The second part of the question is if I book through the IHG program for travel agents. Is it the same if you use that for booking? And by pay for lounge access do you mean pay for a club room (like $64 more a night so I can't see a lounge being worth that) or will they offer lounge access at a discounted cost?
Considering that the club is very nice, offers you breakfast downstairs or in the lounge, afternoon tea, evening coctails, conference rooms etc it is a very good deal if you plan to spend significant time in the hotel. If you just use it for breakfast likely not worth the money.
Last edited by Unterwegs; Jul 2, 2023 at 5:23 pm
Jul 2, 2023, 7:38 am
#274
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 715
Can anyone share if the "Cathedral View" is worth the extra $20 per night?
Then to go to a club access room is an additional $44 per night?
As a Diamond Ambassador, I think if I got the King Classic Club Access, the upgrade would be to the same room, just in the corner?
For an extra $8 per night, I could book the corner room, and presumably be upgraded to a Jr Suite?
So many levels here.
Then to go to a club access room is an additional $44 per night?
As a Diamond Ambassador, I think if I got the King Classic Club Access, the upgrade would be to the same room, just in the corner?
For an extra $8 per night, I could book the corner room, and presumably be upgraded to a Jr Suite?
So many levels here.
Jul 2, 2023, 4:24 pm
#275
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 446
- It's on the west side, and summer in Sai Gon is no joke. Granted it's raining in the late afternoon and evening these days, but at noon and just after noon, it's extremely hot.
- The cathedral is still under renovation/restoration and the 2 bell towers have scaffoldings all around.
- Even before you can see the scaffoldings, you're in direct view of the signal tower of the post office.
Jul 4, 2023, 2:10 pm
#276
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 715
I wouldn't, for a couple of reasons:
- It's on the west side, and summer in Sai Gon is no joke. Granted it's raining in the late afternoon and evening these days, but at noon and just after noon, it's extremely hot.
- The cathedral is still under renovation/restoration and the 2 bell towers have scaffoldings all around.
- Even before you can see the scaffoldings, you're in direct view of the signal tower of the post office.
Thanks for the feedback... super helpful.
Jul 4, 2023, 5:48 pm
#277
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 158
have stayed here recently.
Diamond ambassador upgrade was just a 'higher level' room.
Even though the app mentions its a corner room, the room given wasnt what was reflected.
Furnishings are a little dated.
Bath tub was leaking badly after bath. Controls for the shower and bath were hard to use (two different knob for cold and hot)
No welcome fruit plate like other ICs
No explanation of elite and ambassador benefits at check in (i had to ask them)
Def not worth the high cash rate. You can get a better hotel at a lower rate in saigon.
ICs in hanoi fare much better
Diamond ambassador upgrade was just a 'higher level' room.
Even though the app mentions its a corner room, the room given wasnt what was reflected.
Furnishings are a little dated.
Bath tub was leaking badly after bath. Controls for the shower and bath were hard to use (two different knob for cold and hot)
No welcome fruit plate like other ICs
No explanation of elite and ambassador benefits at check in (i had to ask them)
Def not worth the high cash rate. You can get a better hotel at a lower rate in saigon.
ICs in hanoi fare much better
Jul 4, 2023, 6:12 pm
#278
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 715
have stayed here recently.
Diamond ambassador upgrade was just a 'higher level' room.
Even though the app mentions its a corner room, the room given wasnt what was reflected.
Furnishings are a little dated.
Bath tub was leaking badly after bath. Controls for the shower and bath were hard to use (two different knob for cold and hot)
No welcome fruit plate like other ICs
No explanation of elite and ambassador benefits at check in (i had to ask them)
Def not worth the high cash rate. You can get a better hotel at a lower rate in saigon.
ICs in hanoi fare much better
Diamond ambassador upgrade was just a 'higher level' room.
Even though the app mentions its a corner room, the room given wasnt what was reflected.
Furnishings are a little dated.
Bath tub was leaking badly after bath. Controls for the shower and bath were hard to use (two different knob for cold and hot)
No welcome fruit plate like other ICs
No explanation of elite and ambassador benefits at check in (i had to ask them)
Def not worth the high cash rate. You can get a better hotel at a lower rate in saigon.
ICs in hanoi fare much better
Jul 5, 2023, 11:07 pm
#279
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
have stayed here recently.
Diamond ambassador upgrade was just a 'higher level' room.
Even though the app mentions its a corner room, the room given wasnt what was reflected.
Furnishings are a little dated.
Bath tub was leaking badly after bath. Controls for the shower and bath were hard to use (two different knob for cold and hot)
No welcome fruit plate like other ICs
No explanation of elite and ambassador benefits at check in (i had to ask them)
Def not worth the high cash rate. You can get a better hotel at a lower rate in saigon.
ICs in hanoi fare much better
Diamond ambassador upgrade was just a 'higher level' room.
Even though the app mentions its a corner room, the room given wasnt what was reflected.
Furnishings are a little dated.
Bath tub was leaking badly after bath. Controls for the shower and bath were hard to use (two different knob for cold and hot)
No welcome fruit plate like other ICs
No explanation of elite and ambassador benefits at check in (i had to ask them)
Def not worth the high cash rate. You can get a better hotel at a lower rate in saigon.
ICs in hanoi fare much better
At heckin i was escorted to the slub, check in there, welcome drink, letter with benefits, benefits also explaint. Raffel for price (seems some points).
Upgrade to a real 2 room suite as expected.
Fruit plate, but no more chocolates and nuts (as before covid).
Room was very well kept, no issues at all. I don't find the decor trumpish, but then I never stayed in his properties to be an expert.
club lounge is great, food selection and quality good, service perfect.
Jul 5, 2023, 11:10 pm
#280
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 158
I was there about 10 days ago. I emailed before what (also as Diamond Ambassador) had to book to end up with one of their smaller suites.
At heckin i was escorted to the slub, check in there, welcome drink, letter with benefits, benefits also explaint. Raffel for price (seems some points).
Upgrade to a real 2 room suite as expected.
Fruit plate, but no more chocolates and nuts (as before covid).
Room was very well kept, no issues at all. I don't find the decor trumpish, but then I never stayed in his properties to be an expert.
club lounge is great, food selection and quality good, service perfect.
At heckin i was escorted to the slub, check in there, welcome drink, letter with benefits, benefits also explaint. Raffel for price (seems some points).
Upgrade to a real 2 room suite as expected.
Fruit plate, but no more chocolates and nuts (as before covid).
Room was very well kept, no issues at all. I don't find the decor trumpish, but then I never stayed in his properties to be an expert.
club lounge is great, food selection and quality good, service perfect.
it will probably be my first and last stay with them :P
Jul 5, 2023, 11:37 pm
#281
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,964
Jul 6, 2023, 8:49 pm
#282
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 715
Sep 3, 2023, 9:02 pm
#283
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
Programs: UA 1K M, AA 2 MM PREM, AVIS First, HYATT Explorist, Marriott Lifetime Platinum., Hilton Gold.
Posts: 657
Thinking of staying here in two weeks, would you happen to know if Platinum Elite gets free access to the Club lounge?
Thanks
Thanks
Sep 3, 2023, 9:17 pm
#284
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
Just have a look at the IHG Rewards Tier Benefits (an easy Google search away) https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/cu...er-tc/2nd-page and you will come to realize that being Platinum doesn't get you a whole lot of really tangible things (most upon availability only) and Club access certainly is not one of them.
I have stayed at this property several times and only got Club room or suite upgrades as Royal Ambassador (when I still held the status). Even as Ambassador member (can be purchased from IHG, comes with IHG Rewards Platinum status thrown in for free), I had to book the Club room or pay a supplementary club access fee. Of course, if you have a 40/70 nights selection Lounge Access pass you should also get club access, but if you had that pass then I would reckon your IHG Rewards tier would already be Diamond and not Platinum.
So long story short, if you want Club access here best to book it outright. You may get lucky and get upgraded to a Club room, but even if that happens, the hotel usually excludes the club lounge benefits from this upgrade and you only get the (allegedly) better room.
I have stayed at this property several times and only got Club room or suite upgrades as Royal Ambassador (when I still held the status). Even as Ambassador member (can be purchased from IHG, comes with IHG Rewards Platinum status thrown in for free), I had to book the Club room or pay a supplementary club access fee. Of course, if you have a 40/70 nights selection Lounge Access pass you should also get club access, but if you had that pass then I would reckon your IHG Rewards tier would already be Diamond and not Platinum.
So long story short, if you want Club access here best to book it outright. You may get lucky and get upgraded to a Club room, but even if that happens, the hotel usually excludes the club lounge benefits from this upgrade and you only get the (allegedly) better room.