RatherBeOnATrain

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked the 10k bonus points rate with a king sized bed; got a room with a king sized bed. (Update: the 10k bonus points posted to my PC account 5 days after checkout.)

How are the rooms?

Clean and quiet.

How is the exec. lounge?

Don't know - I'm not much of a drinker.

What was good and what was bad?

Good: Location was convenient to the show I was attending.

My PC status was acknowledged during check in, when I was given coupons for a free drink and free breakfast. (I didn't use either since I'm dieting.) The room had a Welcome letter and basket, filled with a bottle of water, bag of kettle chips and granola bar in it.

Bad: The wireless internet is spotty; I had trouble connecting to flyertalk and priorityclub.com, but all the other websites and email servers I connected to worked fine.

The hotel's parking lot configuration is somewhat unusual; the front is signed with "Fire Lane/No Parking signs", so I couldn't park there while checking in. I ended up around back in a dead-end lot that is apparently intended for service vehicles. I then drove back around to the front side of the hotel, got to the other side, parked there, then found my way through the hotel to the front desk.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

It was a good value, especially with the extra 10k PC points. (Update: the 10k bonus points posted to my PC account 5 days after checkout.) I hope to return.

Guy Betsy

- What is your Priority Club status?
Gold Ambassador

- Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
From first impressions, no.

- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Superior. None. Reception refused to upgrade me even though I didn't want the Twin bedded room they had given me, stating that the hotel is full and that if I want a King/Queen bedded room, I must pay an extra 20euro for the upgrade.

- How are the rooms?
Superior room. Basic. Desk had no chair so had to pull one of the two chairs by table. Small flat screen tv. Internet/TV/movies package at 15 euros a night available. Internet goes for 9 euros a night otherwise.

- How is the exec. lounge?
Didn't get to use one.

- What was good and what was bad?
Good was the rate. For The Hague, it is now 81 euros a night. I paid 89 euros for the extra 1000 PC points.

Bad was the room. It was absolutely freezing and the heater was not on when I came in. The airconditioner is not used for heating, the reception said. The shower pressure is low, and the tap controlling the shower has a mind of its own. And of course the la-de-dah attitude of the front desk has a lot to be desired.

- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Only for PC point bonuses. Otherwise no. There are better hotels with better rates/value/service than this. The CP is close to the World Forum Convention centre and hence they have no incentive to really improve. In anything.

nicolas75

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked cheapest advance rate with breakfast, and received a King executive room on 7th floor.

How are the rooms?

More a Junior suite that a room (desk area seperated by wall, bedroom, bathroom)
Elegant contemporary design, wood floor
Bathroom with rain shower (no bathtub)
Large terrace
Very quiet (but no view). Not quite sure rooms with a view (over a busy road) are that quiet

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?

Good:
Smiling staff
Brand new hotel with elegant decor
Good restaurant (but quite expensive)
Good breakfast (large selection, good products)

Bad:
Nothing, except no free internet and no wifi in the room (only in the lobby)

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes

echocrest

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum, at the time of the stay

Were you happy with the hotel/stay?

Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a standard room, using priority club points. We got a corner room on a high floor.

How are the rooms?

Clean and quiet.

How is the exec. lounge?

Not applicable. Did not spring for executive level access.

What was good and what was bad?

Good: Hotel is located on Nob Hill, which is a safe part of the city.
Service was great. I was recognized as a platinum member at check in, and treated well.

Bad: The hotel is not as modern as the new IC San Francisco, but I suppose that is the point. The Mark Hopkins has a more old school posh vibe. Personally, I like the newer ICs, but that's just me.

The hotel's location is a double edged sword. Nob Hill is definitely a safer, cleaner part of the city, but its also a steep uphill hike from any direction to get to the hotel. This usually would not be a big deal, but with a pregnant wife in tow, our walks to Union Square were a little nerveracking.

Parking was absurdly expensive (around $50+, if memory serves), but that's par for the course in SF (and most other cities).

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

It was a good hotel, but in the future I would stay at the newer IC SF.

unitedinsg

What is your Priority Club status?

Gold

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked cheapest room, upgraded to a 18th floor executive straits view room. 3 level upgrade with access to the exec lounge

How are the rooms?

New,, Good view. King bed. With tub but no shower

How is the exec. lounge?

On the 3rd floor. very small selection of food during dinner, wines but no beers. Only guava juice, no standard orange / apple juice even during breakfast. Breakfast is a selection of breads, made to order eggs and usual western breakfast items. 2 computers and 1 printer available for usage.

What was good and what was bad?

Good: Nice hotel if you happen to be in Melaka. Good location, nice infinity pool.

Bad: None, I was upgraded to exec room as a gold

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

Yes, definately

nicolas75

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked cheapest advance rate, and received a corner room with balcony on high floor.

How are the rooms?

Not big and a bit dated, but perfectly all right
Bathroom with bathtub
Television with a large selection of French and foreign channels
Small balcony with table and chair
Tiny closet

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?

Good:
Smiling staff
Easy location from Lyon Perrache Central Station (5 minutes taxi ride). The hotel is located just opposite the University (green, quiet and residential area, not strictly central for visiting but direct tramway to city centre)
Good restaurant
Good breakfast (quite large selection, good products)

I liked the smart door which closes the bathroom OR separates the room from the external door.

Bad:
Nothing, except that the king bed (too soft for me) is the addition of two single beds

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes
The hotel is not exactly cheap (EUR 110) and I would not stay at this property for a romantic getaway, but it is perfectly suitable for a short business stay.

bk3day

What is your Priority Club status?

Platinum Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Fair

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked '2 Double Beds' (cheap Entertainment Card rate)' and was upgraded to a King Bed room.

How are the rooms?

Clean but a wee bit dated. Had an old CRT TV and very few (hard to access from the bed) outlets. The plumbing pipes were very noisy in my room and others (could hear the pipe noises through the walls).

How is the exec. lounge?

Filthy, a total and complete disgrace.

Strewn garbage and plastic cups/dishware all over the little kitchenette counter. An old picnic cooler in the middle of the floor.

Oh yeah and a mother(?) and her 2 small children camped out & sleeping on both sofas.

(fwiw, I just walked right in..the door was wide open @9AM)


What was good and what was bad?

Good: Nice location (right off 91 Freeway), Free Parking & Wifi, 20% off coupon for hotel bar/(overpriced) restaurant and acknowledgment of Plat status by late afternoon checkin desk clerk.

Bad: Exec Lounge.
Morning Desk Clerks - Saw they gave free breakfast to Plats- had to dicker w/ 2 desk clerks (maybe one was a manager) to get one.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

Points have yet to post so we'll see how that shakes out.

The Entertainment rate (@$71) was decent but there are several hotels (Holiday Inn, Marriott, etc) in the area that when on sale are about the same or even less. So given that and the filthy lounge and the less than helpful dayshift desk clerks, I'd probably choose another property

MelNorthernLine

What is your Priority Club status?

Gold Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked standard 'Classic Room' using PC points. Received Superior room with outside view

How are the rooms?

Was not a particularly big room however found it more than sufficient for 2 of us. Lovely bathroom which was a very good size and a separate 'walk in wardrobe' area made up for the size of the bedroom. Also had a small balcony however it was awkward to get onto it as the table and chair were right infront of it and not very easy to move due to lack of space (however it was way too cold for us to want to go out onto the balcony anyway!)

How is the exec. lounge?

N/A

What was good and what was bad?

Good: Beautiful and grand hotel. Wonderful lobby and entrance to the hotel & a nice bar/lounge area.

Booked a 2 night stay using my PC points and received all Ambassador benefits (upgrade, champagne and chocolates on arrival, movie deducted from bill and was told to help my self to the bottled water in the mini bar).

Concierge were very helpful - provided me with full info and maps on a hop on hop off bus and the best places to see.

Staff all had a very warm and welcoming attitude.

Bad: Although the staff were all very pleasant the hotel didn't seem very organised. We arrived around 10am and was told we could have a superior room with no view immediately, or could wait an hour to receive a room with an outside view. As we were wanting to head straight out for the day we said we would leave our luggage and wait for the room with a view. The concierge took our luggage and said they would send our luggage up to our room once it was ready. We returned to the hotel around 4pm and our luggage was not in our room. I called down and was told they didnt know why it hadnt been sent up but would have it sent up to us. 30 minutes later.... still no luggage so I called again . Again they apologised and said they would bring it straight up which they did.

They also sent us up a card on EACH night of our stay (one night congratulating us on our anniversary and the second night wishes us an 'enjoyable family party'). We were 2 female friends travelling together (the thought was there its just they obviously had incorrect information from somewhere!)

I had also contacted the hotel in advance to ask about tickets to the Moulin Rouge. I had found an agency that offered 'vip' tickets, so also contacted the Le Grand to ask about purchasing tickets through them. They assured me that they were always assigned tables close to the stage so I booked my tickets through the IC. When we got to the Moulin Rouge we were at the VERY back table right behind a pole!

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

I think the IC Le Grand is extremely good value for money when using PC points. This is normally a pretty expensive hotel and it was nice to see them extend all the Ambasador benefits even on a reward night. I would definately return to this hotel.

CocktailLounge

- What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum (for 7 years)

- Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, a good hotel full of choices for eating, relaxing and socialising

- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a Junior Suite and upgraded to the Presidential Suite - but (as with 90% of my IHG stays) had to request an upgrade rather than being offered one at checkin

- How are the rooms?
Bedroom was a good size, good decoration of browns and reds, work desk, mini bar etc. Bathroom has bath and separate shower cubicle, with a TV built into the wall for those enjoying a bath! Walkin wardrobe off the main entrance door with ironing facilities and safe.

The separate lounge off the bedroom has 2 sofas plus a massage chair (which was fun). It also has a 6ft square screen with TV channels projected on it. DVD player also available. An 8 seater dining table makes dining comfortable, with a large L shaped workdesk and separate toilet completing the room.

- How is the exec. lounge?
Overall Poor - on the plus side it was well laid out with various sofas and chairs. However, evening drinks from 17:30 to 19:30 actaully started at 17:50, however promptly finished at 19:25. Not a huge choice, just soft drinks and a few spirits, a few bowls of crisps and one platter of canapes (which didn't last long!)

- What was good and what was bad?
Overall, the hotel is good and very well decorated. Having stayed before, the standard rooms are good as well as the suites - but the best thing was the room service. Having family join us for the evening, we ate in the room taking advantage of the huge dining table. The food quality was superb and the portion sizes some of the biggest (in terms of room service) I have ever seen!

The bad - having to request an upgrade at reception (why isnt it seemless?), we were missed out on the turndown service, the rooms overnight were a little warm with the inroom temp only going down as far as 19oC, and finally the checkout was less than personal, more functional. I had to ask to see a copy of my bill before paying.

- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Good value for money, considering what we paid for a junior suite (€200) and were upgraded to the top suite. Overall, yes I would return.

nicolas75

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked an executive room on advance rate, and received the same (corner room on 21st floor)
(By the way, the price I have paid was higher than the price offered on Internet the same day).

How are the rooms?
Medium size
Horrible paint/glue smells when entering the room (you cannot open windows at this hotel). I switched on the air conditioning to renew the air
Uninspired design (typical 90s Hyatt/Hilton room design): I would have expected a more innovative (Denmark is one of the most cutting edge design countries) and warm/natural for an eco friendly hotel (wood floor rather than carpet, natural colour leather rather red sofa). I am not a big fan either of the grey colour of the bed and red Alcantara cushions.
Bathroom with bathtub and separate shower
Fancy eco friendly amenities in the bathroom
Large flat TV with massive selection of international channels
Kettle with tea/coffee set
View over …the highway/train
No Ipod/Iphone dock
Free wifi

How is the exec. lounge?
Large
Very nicely decorated (one part with tables and 3 nice Apple computers and one printer, one separated part with elegant leather sofas, drinks, food).
Very good breakfast with good selection of products
Good evening food (one hot meal + canapés)

What was good and what was bad?

Good:
- Very smiling and friendly staff
- Brand new hotel, with elegant/innovative lobby
- Very good club lounge (but not quite sure it is worth the price in comparison with standard rates, especially if you are on your own)
- Free wifi
- Free airport shuttle (five minutes drive)
- Free bicycles

Bad:
- Location: very close to the airport, the CP is more an airport hotel. The hotel is located in a new district (read: in the middle of nowhere). This new district has interesting contemporary buildings, but there is no urban life at all. You have the feeling to be in a wet Dubai more than in a real city. Metro station is 100 metres from the hotel, with fast and easy access to city centre.
- The hotel today heavily lacks atmosphere: mostly empty, it could be a contemporary Shining experience. Fortunately, the friendly staff makes it a bit warmer.
- No upgrade policy, whatever your status or the prices you paid.
- Uninspired rooms.
- Very small fitness centre – No pool
- No ability to have a last tea or check your emails after checking out

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes, for the staff, and if you do not mind staying in a remote location.
The no upgrade policy should put this hotel on my black list.

There is a potential for this property, but some work should be done to make it more living.

The eco friendly concept could be extended, for example by:
- adding some plants in the lobby and in the rooms (nearly not a single one in the whole hotel)
- having a 100% bio menu at restaurant

2muchplastic

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum (was Gold at the time)

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes - two one night stays over 2 consecutive weekends

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked (corporate rate) King Superior, and that's what I got

How are the rooms?

Big, for Shanghai, very well fitted out, quality fixtures, fittings and bedclothes

How is the exec. lounge?

Don't know, no access given

What was good and what was bad?

Good: Food. Room service breakfast was exquisite. Perfectly laid out, still hot, and perfectly cooked. Ranks amongst the best room service meals I've ever had. Breakfast in the restaurant was also superb. HUGE selection.
Location. Pudong is pretty good as a location - it's more modern and open than Puxi. Only a few minute walk from the Metro.

Bad: Location - a new building under construction the other side of the road was being worked on until late.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

Not expensive (at corporate rate) for 5 star in Shanghai. At under AU$200 including brekkie, it was good. And yes, I will return in June.

2muchplastic

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum (was Gold at the time)

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Oooooooooooooohh, yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked (corporate rate) King Deluxe, and that's what I got.

How are the rooms?

Impressive. Modern, beautifully appointed, filled with every toy you could want to while away the hours, from the all singing, all dancing toilet (with the "let's press this button and see what it doesOOOOOOHHHHHHHH, that's nice", game), to the iPod docking surround system and the TV in the bathroom mirror.

How is the exec. lounge?

Don't know, no access given

What was good and what was bad?

Good: Room, hotel facilities. Pool and pool area was very nice.
Location. Only a few minutes walk from the main Shanghai Railway station, and only a few minutes from most of the city centre attractions.
Bad: Location - lots of works going on on the pedestrian bridge linking the 4 sides of the busy crossroads, was going on through the night.
Food (room service meal, and restaurant breakfast) was average at best. Expected a better standard from this level of hotel.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

At corporate rate including brekkie, it was good. VERY good. ^ And yes, I will return in June. (If only they could pinch the chef from the IC Pudong, I would be happy......)

2muchplastic

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum (was Gold at the time)

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Indifferent. Will probably look elsewhere next time

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Queen Superior (GW Wing), received some variety of rabbit hutch with little in the way of natural light, which I think was what was booked. Was given welcome fruit plate and cookies, and recognised as PC member, which of course helped with my issues with the room

How are the rooms?
Well, let's say I now know how a battery hen feels. Small, dark and in need of a little update (that's the room, not me)

How is the exec. lounge?
Don't know, no access given

What was good and what was bad?

Good: Food. Room service meal was good (and cheap!) Breakfast above average. Coffee served at breakfast is of a much better standard than usually available elsewhere in China.
Location - only a couple of minutes walk from the Metro/Railway station
Bad: Location - very noisy. Announcements audible from the station late into the night. A group of American teenagers staying (and their very loud discussions, rushing in and out, slamming doors) didn't help my view.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

Value, yes. Comfortable, no. If there's nowhere else to go in the same price range, then I will return

danielada

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Amb.

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes. And my colleague (no status, a PC-newbie), too.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Both booked King Leisure, received two Superior (biiig rooms with lakeview) and on top: the highest floor and a balcony for me.

How are the rooms?
Well, a bit old-fashioned, hanseatic, Sailor-Style - but big and the bed was veeery comfy - best sleep since weeks (for both).

How is the exec. lounge?
They don't offer one - the receptionist asked me 'what do you mean?'

What was good and what was bad?
Good: The view, the balcony, the complementary upgrade for my colleague.
Bad: The old-fashioned style.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes. This was just planned as the Q1MR, but in the end it was a really nice weekend-trip. If there's nowhere else to go in Hamburg in the same price range, then we will return to Schwerin.

TheBeerHunter

Holiday Inn Express SFO (San Francisco) Airport SOUTH

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
We booked the cheapest prepaid room ($65) and got this ginormous room with too much furniture in it

How are the rooms?
A bit overdone! I think you might be able to consider this a "junior suite on steroids". The room had a set-back area where the king bed is; a large sectional couch, and an arm chair; a huge armoire holding a big TV (CRT), a dining table with 6 chairs, and a desk with chair. Outside the bathroom was an area holding the coffee maker, microwave, and mini fridge. Unfortunately the bathroom was on the small side. There were several fake plants in the room. Plantation shutters were on the windows.

Oh, and there were two terrycloth HIX robes in the closet!

How is the exec. lounge?
they don't have one

What was good and what was bad?
Good:
-Rate was excellent, and although a bit weird the room was better than their average ones
-Location is great for getting to SFO
-Plate with cookies available for the taking at check-in

Bad:
- nothing really. To nit pick, I'm not a fan of fake plants.

Value for $ and/or points? Would you return?
Yes