HI Hong Kong (HKG) Golden Mile Master Thread
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: A lovely little town filled with cows
Programs: US2, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,284
HI Hong Kong (HKG) Golden Mile Master Thread
I am in the hotel right now, and this is my second stay this week. The first stay I got upgraded to club room (I am Platinum). Internet access was free (normally HKD200.00).
This second stay I haven't got the upgrade, but as a Platinum you get free breakfast now, which I can't remember getting before, and I stay several times a year.
This second stay I haven't got the upgrade, but as a Platinum you get free breakfast now, which I can't remember getting before, and I stay several times a year.
Short summary - overpriced, underwhelming, and very poor check-in experience. Housekeeping staff excellent, breakfast great, location very convenient.
As a Plat, I was not upgraded, despite there being the following room types available before/during/after my booking:
$1400 HKD Double Bed - Economy
$1800 HKD Deluxe Room
$2200 HKD King Bed Executive Club
$3700 HKD King Bed Executive Suite
Additionally, I was told if I wanted breakfast I would have to pay an additional $200 HKD per night. If you can't tell, I'm not at all pleased about the lack of an upgrade and the lack of a free breakfast (or any other Plat bennie if there are any).
So here are some photos - this was the Double Bed - Economy room and cost approx. $211 USD per night with tax and service charge ($1550 HKD) - not a great value IMO, but I'm certainly no expert when it comes to HKG-area hotel room rates.
Hallway in room
Bed
Desk/TV
Desk 2
Bathroom Sinks
Bathroom Tub
View From Window
Food (Some kind of chicken and pork fried rice from the basement restaurant).
The pluses:
Convenient location (M2 exit from TST/TST-East).
Great breakfast spread (if you pay for it or get it comped).
Room looked nice enough.
Free internet (thank you to whomever had an open AP with "linksys" as the name)
Free water.
Restaurant in basement (Yueng Loon I think) quite good, though far more expensive than looking around at street vendor food options.
The minuses:
Inefficient check-in process (took 35 minutes to check-in).
No upgrade of any kind.
No free breakfast.
Door to room didn't automatically close (found out while sitting in my underwear on my laptop and wondering why someone was staring at me from the hallway).
Door to bathroom didn't close/lock.
Wouldn't stay here again unless the room rate was very favorable (e.g. under/around $700 HKD per night) or unless I received some benefit for being a Plat member.
By comparison (not that it's in any way equal), I stayed one night at the Conrad HKG my first night there - they upgraded me to a two room suite with a helluva spread of free chocolate and fruit. Someone came up a few minutes after I settled in with a fresh pot of tea. Bose wave radio next to bed was cool (never used one before and might have to go buy one now). In the morning, free Internet at the lounge, nice breakfast spread (less quantity but greater quality than HI), and of course amazing views from my 59th floor east/south-facing corner suite. ^
Have a blast in HKG - I never thought much about visiting but now that I've been, can't wait to get back. What a cool place!
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: A lovely little town filled with cows
Programs: US2, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,284
HI Hong Kong (HKG) Golden Mile Master Thread
I am in the hotel right now, and this is my second stay this week. The first stay I got upgraded to club room (I am Platinum). Internet access was free (normally HKD200.00).
This second stay I haven't got the upgrade, but as a Platinum you get free breakfast now, which I can't remember getting before, and I stay several times a year.
This second stay I haven't got the upgrade, but as a Platinum you get free breakfast now, which I can't remember getting before, and I stay several times a year.
Short summary - overpriced, underwhelming, and very poor check-in experience. Housekeeping staff excellent, breakfast great, location very convenient.
As a Plat, I was not upgraded, despite there being the following room types available before/during/after my booking:
$1400 HKD Double Bed - Economy
$1800 HKD Deluxe Room
$2200 HKD King Bed Executive Club
$3700 HKD King Bed Executive Suite
Additionally, I was told if I wanted breakfast I would have to pay an additional $200 HKD per night. If you can't tell, I'm not at all pleased about the lack of an upgrade and the lack of a free breakfast (or any other Plat bennie if there are any).
So here are some photos - this was the Double Bed - Economy room and cost approx. $211 USD per night with tax and service charge ($1550 HKD) - not a great value IMO, but I'm certainly no expert when it comes to HKG-area hotel room rates.
Hallway in room
Bed
Desk/TV
Desk 2
Bathroom Sinks
Bathroom Tub
View From Window
Food (Some kind of chicken and pork fried rice from the basement restaurant).
The pluses:
Convenient location (M2 exit from TST/TST-East).
Great breakfast spread (if you pay for it or get it comped).
Room looked nice enough.
Free internet (thank you to whomever had an open AP with "linksys" as the name)
Free water.
Restaurant in basement (Yueng Loon I think) quite good, though far more expensive than looking around at street vendor food options.
The minuses:
Inefficient check-in process (took 35 minutes to check-in).
No upgrade of any kind.
No free breakfast.
Door to room didn't automatically close (found out while sitting in my underwear on my laptop and wondering why someone was staring at me from the hallway).
Door to bathroom didn't close/lock.
Wouldn't stay here again unless the room rate was very favorable (e.g. under/around $700 HKD per night) or unless I received some benefit for being a Plat member.
By comparison (not that it's in any way equal), I stayed one night at the Conrad HKG my first night there - they upgraded me to a two room suite with a helluva spread of free chocolate and fruit. Someone came up a few minutes after I settled in with a fresh pot of tea. Bose wave radio next to bed was cool (never used one before and might have to go buy one now). In the morning, free Internet at the lounge, nice breakfast spread (less quantity but greater quality than HI), and of course amazing views from my 59th floor east/south-facing corner suite. ^
Have a blast in HKG - I never thought much about visiting but now that I've been, can't wait to get back. What a cool place!
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: A lovely little town filled with cows
Programs: US2, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,284
Agreed, but worth it for the free Internet...
FWIW, couldn't get it if I moved by the door to the hallway, so I'm assuming it was a fairly weak signal from the building across the street (e.g. the one pictured from my window). That or my laptop just sucks...
FWIW, couldn't get it if I moved by the door to the hallway, so I'm assuming it was a fairly weak signal from the building across the street (e.g. the one pictured from my window). That or my laptop just sucks...
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Same view as I had...but it is a more realistic view of Hong Kong than the one we normally see. After all, this is where the millions who make this city work have to live!
Can any recent guests tell me if the combs in the bathrooms are a wood finish or the standard white plastic at other properties. I found the comb actually a very good one and should it still be the wood finish, I'd ask a future FT guest to take one (or two) for me and send a PM so I can compensate you. Silly but I've never come across one that was as good...
Can any recent guests tell me if the combs in the bathrooms are a wood finish or the standard white plastic at other properties. I found the comb actually a very good one and should it still be the wood finish, I'd ask a future FT guest to take one (or two) for me and send a PM so I can compensate you. Silly but I've never come across one that was as good...
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Location: West Yorks, UK
Programs: UA Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 361
I just stayed there two nights this past weekend - some photos are below.
Short summary - overpriced, underwhelming, and very poor check-in experience. Housekeeping staff excellent, breakfast great, location very convenient.
As a Plat, I was not upgraded, despite there being the following room types available before/during/after my booking:
$1400 HKD Double Bed - Economy
$1800 HKD Deluxe Room
$2200 HKD King Bed Executive Club
$3700 HKD King Bed Executive Suite
Additionally, I was told if I wanted breakfast I would have to pay an additional $200 HKD per night. If you can't tell, I'm not at all pleased about the lack of an upgrade and the lack of a free breakfast (or any other Plat bennie if there are any).
So here are some photos - this was the Double Bed - Economy room and cost approx. $211 USD per night with tax and service charge ($1550 HKD) - not a great value IMO, but I'm certainly no expert when it comes to HKG-area hotel room rates.
Hallway in room
Bed
Desk/TV
Desk 2
Bathroom Sinks
Bathroom Tub
View From Window
Food (Some kind of chicken and pork fried rice from the basement restaurant).
The pluses:
Convenient location (M2 exit from TST/TST-East).
Great breakfast spread (if you pay for it or get it comped).
Room looked nice enough.
Free internet (thank you to whomever had an open AP with "linksys" as the name)
Free water.
Restaurant in basement (Yueng Loon I think) quite good, though far more expensive than looking around at street vendor food options.
The minuses:
Inefficient check-in process (took 35 minutes to check-in).
No upgrade of any kind.
No free breakfast.
Door to room didn't automatically close (found out while sitting in my underwear on my laptop and wondering why someone was staring at me from the hallway).
Door to bathroom didn't close/lock.
Wouldn't stay here again unless the room rate was very favorable (e.g. under/around $700 HKD per night) or unless I received some benefit for being a Plat member.
By comparison (not that it's in any way equal), I stayed one night at the Conrad HKG my first night there - they upgraded me to a two room suite with a helluva spread of free chocolate and fruit. Someone came up a few minutes after I settled in with a fresh pot of tea. Bose wave radio next to bed was cool (never used one before and might have to go buy one now). In the morning, free Internet at the lounge, nice breakfast spread (less quantity but greater quality than HI), and of course amazing views from my 59th floor east/south-facing corner suite. ^
Have a blast in HKG - I never thought much about visiting but now that I've been, can't wait to get back. What a cool place!
Short summary - overpriced, underwhelming, and very poor check-in experience. Housekeeping staff excellent, breakfast great, location very convenient.
As a Plat, I was not upgraded, despite there being the following room types available before/during/after my booking:
$1400 HKD Double Bed - Economy
$1800 HKD Deluxe Room
$2200 HKD King Bed Executive Club
$3700 HKD King Bed Executive Suite
Additionally, I was told if I wanted breakfast I would have to pay an additional $200 HKD per night. If you can't tell, I'm not at all pleased about the lack of an upgrade and the lack of a free breakfast (or any other Plat bennie if there are any).
So here are some photos - this was the Double Bed - Economy room and cost approx. $211 USD per night with tax and service charge ($1550 HKD) - not a great value IMO, but I'm certainly no expert when it comes to HKG-area hotel room rates.
Hallway in room
Bed
Desk/TV
Desk 2
Bathroom Sinks
Bathroom Tub
View From Window
Food (Some kind of chicken and pork fried rice from the basement restaurant).
The pluses:
Convenient location (M2 exit from TST/TST-East).
Great breakfast spread (if you pay for it or get it comped).
Room looked nice enough.
Free internet (thank you to whomever had an open AP with "linksys" as the name)
Free water.
Restaurant in basement (Yueng Loon I think) quite good, though far more expensive than looking around at street vendor food options.
The minuses:
Inefficient check-in process (took 35 minutes to check-in).
No upgrade of any kind.
No free breakfast.
Door to room didn't automatically close (found out while sitting in my underwear on my laptop and wondering why someone was staring at me from the hallway).
Door to bathroom didn't close/lock.
Wouldn't stay here again unless the room rate was very favorable (e.g. under/around $700 HKD per night) or unless I received some benefit for being a Plat member.
By comparison (not that it's in any way equal), I stayed one night at the Conrad HKG my first night there - they upgraded me to a two room suite with a helluva spread of free chocolate and fruit. Someone came up a few minutes after I settled in with a fresh pot of tea. Bose wave radio next to bed was cool (never used one before and might have to go buy one now). In the morning, free Internet at the lounge, nice breakfast spread (less quantity but greater quality than HI), and of course amazing views from my 59th floor east/south-facing corner suite. ^
Have a blast in HKG - I never thought much about visiting but now that I've been, can't wait to get back. What a cool place!
Regarding check-in you must have been very unlucky. I stay here several times a year and have never experienced any problems at check-in.
For the upgrades and free breakfast, this was no problem. Both were offered as Plat benefits without me asking.
I also agree with the other poster about the view. You get a glimpse of the real Hong Kong from this hotel. If I want an amazing view I get out of the hotel and enjoy it in the open air.
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Location: West Yorks, UK
Programs: UA Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 361
Same view as I had...but it is a more realistic view of Hong Kong than the one we normally see. After all, this is where the millions who make this city work have to live!
Can any recent guests tell me if the combs in the bathrooms are a wood finish or the standard white plastic at other properties. I found the comb actually a very good one and should it still be the wood finish, I'd ask a future FT guest to take one (or two) for me and send a PM so I can compensate you. Silly but I've never come across one that was as good...
Can any recent guests tell me if the combs in the bathrooms are a wood finish or the standard white plastic at other properties. I found the comb actually a very good one and should it still be the wood finish, I'd ask a future FT guest to take one (or two) for me and send a PM so I can compensate you. Silly but I've never come across one that was as good...
#8
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NE England
Programs: BAEC Gold; Priority Club Gold
Posts: 448
My experience with this place is pretty negative too, with the same complaints as vysean. You can do far better in HK for less money. The quality of service, especially at check-in, is inexcusable.
Maybe they will sharpen up when the CP opens?
Maybe they will sharpen up when the CP opens?
#9
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: 7,726
My worst stay ever, although after a big fuss got a room with the view we had booked, no perks or acknowlegment of RA status no upgrade and no longe access, reception ignored us on booking in and left us mid check out to answer phone and deal with others! I will not be going back there
Last edited by demue; Mar 7, 2008 at 6:20 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
I am in the hotel right now, and this is my second stay this week. The first stay I got upgraded to club room (I am Platinum). Internet access was free (normally HKD200.00).
This second stay I haven't got the upgrade, but as a Platinum you get free breakfast now, which I can't remember getting before, and I stay several times a year.
This second stay I haven't got the upgrade, but as a Platinum you get free breakfast now, which I can't remember getting before, and I stay several times a year.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: A lovely little town filled with cows
Programs: US2, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,284
Can anyone confirm the free breakfast for Plats deal? I'm staying here again tonight and wasn't upgraded to the Club level - would like to get something out of my stay since the Internet isn't free from this room...
BTW, rooms XX07, XX09, XX31, and XX33 are the smallest rooms - to be avoided if you have lots of stuff or want to stretch out.
The open "linksys" wireless access point is on the odd-number side of the hotel, and probably on the xx00-xx21 wing as I can't access it from my room tonight...
BTW, rooms XX07, XX09, XX31, and XX33 are the smallest rooms - to be avoided if you have lots of stuff or want to stretch out.
The open "linksys" wireless access point is on the odd-number side of the hotel, and probably on the xx00-xx21 wing as I can't access it from my room tonight...
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: EWR-N.Haledon NJ
Programs: CO Platinum
Posts: 1,134
Taking my wife and 7 yr old daughter to HKG for seven nights in February.
Their first time to Asia (I've done Seoul and Taipei 6-7 times but never HKG).
I'm planning on using points and can get all seven nights free here.
Opinions on staying here as opposed to the IC? At the IC I would be able to get 4 nights free and would need to pay for 3.
I'm sort of leaning towards the IC but the 7 nights free here really needs to be considered.
FWIW I'm Plat only.
Their first time to Asia (I've done Seoul and Taipei 6-7 times but never HKG).
I'm planning on using points and can get all seven nights free here.
Opinions on staying here as opposed to the IC? At the IC I would be able to get 4 nights free and would need to pay for 3.
I'm sort of leaning towards the IC but the 7 nights free here really needs to be considered.
FWIW I'm Plat only.
#13
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: 7,726
Taking my wife and 7 yr old daughter to HKG for seven nights in February.
Their first time to Asia (I've done Seoul and Taipei 6-7 times but never HKG).
I'm planning on using points and can get all seven nights free here.
Opinions on staying here as opposed to the IC? At the IC I would be able to get 4 nights free and would need to pay for 3.
I'm sort of leaning towards the IC but the 7 nights free here really needs to be considered.
FWIW I'm Plat only.
Their first time to Asia (I've done Seoul and Taipei 6-7 times but never HKG).
I'm planning on using points and can get all seven nights free here.
Opinions on staying here as opposed to the IC? At the IC I would be able to get 4 nights free and would need to pay for 3.
I'm sort of leaning towards the IC but the 7 nights free here really needs to be considered.
FWIW I'm Plat only.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 156
Russell745, you could consider joining Ambassador and use the BOGO (if it arrives in time) at one of the ICs. Then you're redeeming points for 6 nights.
I've not stayed at the HI GM before but for 5k points more I would consider IC GS. Had an excellent rewards stay there in Nov. Was upgraded and escorted to my room. IC HKG is nicer and more modern but seems like the staff there are more snobbish and don't really care.
I've not stayed at the HI GM before but for 5k points more I would consider IC GS. Had an excellent rewards stay there in Nov. Was upgraded and escorted to my room. IC HKG is nicer and more modern but seems like the staff there are more snobbish and don't really care.
#15
Join Date: May 2005
Location: West Yorks, UK
Programs: UA Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 361
I stay at the HIGM regularly, but have never stayed at either IC's, so a little difficult to compare. However, I did take my wife and daughter there recently for 5 nights, being 2 rooms on reward points. Both rooms were upgraded (from standard to deluxe) without asking ( I am Plat). Although some roomsdo have less than spectacular views, for us, the rooms were fine as we did not go on holiday to look through a hotel window! The big draw for us at this hotel though is the excellent location for shops, restaurants, MTR, and 5 minutes walk to the waterside. My wife and daughter just loved the hustle and bustle.
Please feel free to PM me if you want to ask more questions.
Please feel free to PM me if you want to ask more questions.