Intercontinental Estoril Master Thread
#46
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Central Scotland
Programs: Oneworld, Avios and IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 574
Finally I was able to stat at the Estoril about 2 weeks ago (early March). My concern was the train tracks: you don't hear them, actually not see them. no worries.
The hotel is small... just 59 rooms. only 2 suites. I was with my wife and kids. we booked 2 rooms. Got the club (club is a small room but nice especially quiet balcony). Connecting rooms was nice too. The rooms are huge for just a room. Balcony also large. Minibar is 1x free.. i'm a RA but actually didn't need to refill. Their restaurant was just "official" opening in the weekend i stayed. One night i went, their dishes are really good and it was affordable. Cheaper as the food for dinner at the lobby restaurant.
It was to cold for outside pool. inside was small but relaxing with sauna. Loved it. It's a kind of style of this hotel what i like. I will go again if i have to stay in the area. Still have to go to Sintra.....
see some photos of the hotel in my short report here
The hotel is small... just 59 rooms. only 2 suites. I was with my wife and kids. we booked 2 rooms. Got the club (club is a small room but nice especially quiet balcony). Connecting rooms was nice too. The rooms are huge for just a room. Balcony also large. Minibar is 1x free.. i'm a RA but actually didn't need to refill. Their restaurant was just "official" opening in the weekend i stayed. One night i went, their dishes are really good and it was affordable. Cheaper as the food for dinner at the lobby restaurant.
It was to cold for outside pool. inside was small but relaxing with sauna. Loved it. It's a kind of style of this hotel what i like. I will go again if i have to stay in the area. Still have to go to Sintra.....
see some photos of the hotel in my short report here
#47
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: WORLD
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Flying Blue (KLM) Platinum, Oneworld (BA) Sapphire, *A (Aegean) Gold, IHG Spire RA,
Posts: 555
Do you mean 1x refill per night/day booked, or 1x filled for whole stay.
For RAs minibar should be restocked daily, hotel don't have to re-refill 2x per day although I have never been refused requests for some extra water/sodas/beers on the odd occasion I asked if fridge had extra space.
For RAs minibar should be restocked daily, hotel don't have to re-refill 2x per day although I have never been refused requests for some extra water/sodas/beers on the odd occasion I asked if fridge had extra space.
they wont re-stock themselves. but if you ask, they will charge what you consume more.
Royal Ambassadors must ask for refill daily / maybe they do it automatic? actually i didnt ask.
but what i understood / as is on the price list, it's free for everyone once time.
#49
Join Date: May 2002
Location: AUS/SFO
Posts: 472
view from pool includes railroad electric lines??
Great video, but does it look like the ocean view from the outside pool is obstructed by the ugly electric lines for the railroad? If I'm to sit there doing nothing staring at the ocean, I don't want to look at that!
Anyone want to comment on the view from the pool? Someone said you can't see the railroad from the rooms so I suppose that's a consolation.
Anyone want to comment on the view from the pool? Someone said you can't see the railroad from the rooms so I suppose that's a consolation.
#50
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: 10,942
Great video, but does it look like the ocean view from the outside pool is obstructed by the ugly electric lines for the railroad? If I'm to sit there doing nothing staring at the ocean, I don't want to look at that!
Anyone want to comment on the view from the pool? Someone said you can't see the railroad from the rooms so I suppose that's a consolation.
Anyone want to comment on the view from the pool? Someone said you can't see the railroad from the rooms so I suppose that's a consolation.
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,870
I have a long review of this hotel up today:
http://www.headforpoints.com/2016/06...rtugal-part-1/
And
http://www.headforpoints.com/2016/06...-hotel-review/
Note that IHG comped us the room but we paid all our other costs.
The woman who wrote it for me was genuinely very positive about the whole place (except for the instant coffee .... don't give a German instant coffee ....!).
Not sure if it will ever make much money at just 59 rooms and with a seasonal clientele but it looks like a quality option in a part of the world where the majority of rooms are bargain basement. Even the Ritz-Carlton a couple of miles away was a bit of a state when we went 5 years ago.
http://www.headforpoints.com/2016/06...rtugal-part-1/
And
http://www.headforpoints.com/2016/06...-hotel-review/
Note that IHG comped us the room but we paid all our other costs.
The woman who wrote it for me was genuinely very positive about the whole place (except for the instant coffee .... don't give a German instant coffee ....!).
Not sure if it will ever make much money at just 59 rooms and with a seasonal clientele but it looks like a quality option in a part of the world where the majority of rooms are bargain basement. Even the Ritz-Carlton a couple of miles away was a bit of a state when we went 5 years ago.
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,316
I have a long review of this hotel up today:
http://www.headforpoints.com/2016/06...rtugal-part-1/
And
http://www.headforpoints.com/2016/06...-hotel-review/
Note that IHG comped us the room but we paid all our other costs.
The woman who wrote it for me was genuinely very positive about the whole place (except for the instant coffee .... don't give a German instant coffee ....!).
Not sure if it will ever make much money at just 59 rooms and with a seasonal clientele but it looks like a quality option in a part of the world where the majority of rooms are bargain basement. Even the Ritz-Carlton a couple of miles away was a bit of a state when we went 5 years ago.
http://www.headforpoints.com/2016/06...rtugal-part-1/
And
http://www.headforpoints.com/2016/06...-hotel-review/
Note that IHG comped us the room but we paid all our other costs.
The woman who wrote it for me was genuinely very positive about the whole place (except for the instant coffee .... don't give a German instant coffee ....!).
Not sure if it will ever make much money at just 59 rooms and with a seasonal clientele but it looks like a quality option in a part of the world where the majority of rooms are bargain basement. Even the Ritz-Carlton a couple of miles away was a bit of a state when we went 5 years ago.
We're not blessed with beach/pool hotels in Europe, but this one is the best. I just hope they've improved their understanding of RA treatment.
#53
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: 10,942
How can it be better than suite upgrade and club access??
#55
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NUE
Programs: Skywards Gold, IC Ambassador, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 495
Currently staying here this weekend.
Booked Suite and received a very nice and large and modern Suite with great ocean view - no upgrade as this is the highest category.
Really impressed with the hotel, room and great, extremely helpful and friendly staff. And the weather is great!
But one thing really lets this whole experience down - the Club Lounge!
Visited in the afternoon after I arrived. On offer were soft drinks, orange juice and fruit - nothing else. No cakes, no snacks no nothing. They have no real coffee machine but only a Nespresso one - and all the capsules are decaf ��
Nearly all tables had the leftovers of other guests and have not been cleared for hours.
Evening selection is a real joke too. They have a Portuguese sparkling wine, rosé, white and red wine and a few low range spirits.
Thought that someone told me they had real Champagne but they must have changed it.
The culinary experience consists of two tiny tiny offerings of canapes (one like a small fishball on a spoon and the other one is a small dry piece of bread with something undefinable on it) with five peaces each - not replenished for the last 30 minutes.
Definately the worst Club experience ever and definitely not worth paying for
Update: went to the front desk and asked if they could sent someone to replenish the snacks. They were apologetic and sent someone which only took two minutes. But until I realized they had brought in new snacks (same amount) the other five guests had already eaten them... Hungry and sad traveller - at least the Portuguese wines are quite okay to get drunk
Booked Suite and received a very nice and large and modern Suite with great ocean view - no upgrade as this is the highest category.
Really impressed with the hotel, room and great, extremely helpful and friendly staff. And the weather is great!
But one thing really lets this whole experience down - the Club Lounge!
Visited in the afternoon after I arrived. On offer were soft drinks, orange juice and fruit - nothing else. No cakes, no snacks no nothing. They have no real coffee machine but only a Nespresso one - and all the capsules are decaf ��
Nearly all tables had the leftovers of other guests and have not been cleared for hours.
Evening selection is a real joke too. They have a Portuguese sparkling wine, rosé, white and red wine and a few low range spirits.
Thought that someone told me they had real Champagne but they must have changed it.
The culinary experience consists of two tiny tiny offerings of canapes (one like a small fishball on a spoon and the other one is a small dry piece of bread with something undefinable on it) with five peaces each - not replenished for the last 30 minutes.
Definately the worst Club experience ever and definitely not worth paying for
Update: went to the front desk and asked if they could sent someone to replenish the snacks. They were apologetic and sent someone which only took two minutes. But until I realized they had brought in new snacks (same amount) the other five guests had already eaten them... Hungry and sad traveller - at least the Portuguese wines are quite okay to get drunk
Last edited by Mr. LAU; Oct 1, 2016 at 11:17 am
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,316
Currently staying here this weekend.
Booked Suite and received a very nice and large and modern Suite with great ocean view - no upgrade as this is the highest category.
Really impressed with the hotel, room and great, extremely helpful and friendly staff. And the weather is great!
But one thing really lets this whole experience down - the Club Lounge!
Visited in the afternoon after I arrived. On offer were soft drinks, orange juice and fruit - nothing else. No cakes, no snacks no nothing. They have no real coffee machine but only a Nespresso one - and all the capsules are decaf ��
Nearly all tables had the leftovers of other guests and have not been cleared for hours.
Evening selection is a real joke too. They have a Portuguese sparkling wine, rosé, white and red wine and a few low range spirits.
Thought that someone told me they had real Champagne but they must have changed it.
The culinary experience consists of two tiny tiny offerings of canapes (one like a small fishball on a spoon and the other one is a small dry piece of bread with something undefinable on it) with five peaces each - not replenished for the last 30 minutes.
Definately the worst Club experience ever and definitely not worth paying for
Update: went to the front desk and asked if they could sent someone to replenish the snacks. They were apologetic and sent someone which only took two minutes. But until I realized they had brought in new snacks (same amount) the other five guests had already eaten them... Hungry and sad traveller - at least the Portuguese wines are quite okay to get drunk
Booked Suite and received a very nice and large and modern Suite with great ocean view - no upgrade as this is the highest category.
Really impressed with the hotel, room and great, extremely helpful and friendly staff. And the weather is great!
But one thing really lets this whole experience down - the Club Lounge!
Visited in the afternoon after I arrived. On offer were soft drinks, orange juice and fruit - nothing else. No cakes, no snacks no nothing. They have no real coffee machine but only a Nespresso one - and all the capsules are decaf ��
Nearly all tables had the leftovers of other guests and have not been cleared for hours.
Evening selection is a real joke too. They have a Portuguese sparkling wine, rosé, white and red wine and a few low range spirits.
Thought that someone told me they had real Champagne but they must have changed it.
The culinary experience consists of two tiny tiny offerings of canapes (one like a small fishball on a spoon and the other one is a small dry piece of bread with something undefinable on it) with five peaces each - not replenished for the last 30 minutes.
Definately the worst Club experience ever and definitely not worth paying for
Update: went to the front desk and asked if they could sent someone to replenish the snacks. They were apologetic and sent someone which only took two minutes. But until I realized they had brought in new snacks (same amount) the other five guests had already eaten them... Hungry and sad traveller - at least the Portuguese wines are quite okay to get drunk
I mentioned on my last stay in July that 5-7pm is too early to have Club hours. Many people are still by the pool (in summer months) and perhaps still preparing for dinner. 6-8PM would make much more sense.
At first, this lounge had Taittinger champagne, but as you say, it's now a sparkling wine.
Admittedly, I received lounge access for free, but it would be disappointing if you had to pay for it.
Breakfast is decent, but the rest of the day is a big disappointment..
#57
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NUE
Programs: Skywards Gold, IC Ambassador, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 495
Mr Lau, you are correct. This hotel gets everything right apart from the Club Lounge.
I mentioned on my last stay in July that 5-7pm is too early to have Club hours. Many people are still by the pool (in summer months) and perhaps still preparing for dinner. 6-8PM would make much more sense.
At first, this lounge had Taittinger champagne, but as you say, it's now a sparkling wine.
Admittedly, I received lounge access for free, but it would be disappointing if you had to pay for it.
Breakfast is decent, but the rest of the day is a big disappointment..
I mentioned on my last stay in July that 5-7pm is too early to have Club hours. Many people are still by the pool (in summer months) and perhaps still preparing for dinner. 6-8PM would make much more sense.
At first, this lounge had Taittinger champagne, but as you say, it's now a sparkling wine.
Admittedly, I received lounge access for free, but it would be disappointing if you had to pay for it.
Breakfast is decent, but the rest of the day is a big disappointment..
#58
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NUE
Programs: Skywards Gold, IC Ambassador, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 495
Just a short update on my stay and the Lounge problems:
Talked with XXX, one of the assistant managers, about the lounge the next day.
She promised that this will not happen again and they will have the staff look more frequently for the Club Lounge.
Did not work in the afternoon - once again nothing to eat (even the fruit were missing), no glasses, no coffee capsules for the Nespresso machine (only decaf) and no milk for the coffee...
But it significantly changed in the evening: Better variety and quality of the canapés, regularly replaced and the staff came around regularly to check on the offerings and asking the guests if they needed something ^ They even did not take the alcohol and snacks away at exactly 7 pm but left them out until 7.30 pm.
Maybe this was only because they had lots of leftovers from there large brunch / afternoon buffet but I could not complain. Left the next day so do not know how the offerings were form then on...
Also had a chat with YYY, the hotel manager, on the morning I left. He is aware of the problems with the lounge and that they are not providing value for the money paid but he said they are working on it and it will change to the better in the near future...
Talked with XXX, one of the assistant managers, about the lounge the next day.
She promised that this will not happen again and they will have the staff look more frequently for the Club Lounge.
Did not work in the afternoon - once again nothing to eat (even the fruit were missing), no glasses, no coffee capsules for the Nespresso machine (only decaf) and no milk for the coffee...
But it significantly changed in the evening: Better variety and quality of the canapés, regularly replaced and the staff came around regularly to check on the offerings and asking the guests if they needed something ^ They even did not take the alcohol and snacks away at exactly 7 pm but left them out until 7.30 pm.
Maybe this was only because they had lots of leftovers from there large brunch / afternoon buffet but I could not complain. Left the next day so do not know how the offerings were form then on...
Also had a chat with YYY, the hotel manager, on the morning I left. He is aware of the problems with the lounge and that they are not providing value for the money paid but he said they are working on it and it will change to the better in the near future...
Last edited by FLYGVA; Oct 9, 2016 at 2:09 am Reason: removed names of hotel staff
#59
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
Just finished a two night stay there. As an RA got upgrade from cheapest to Club room on 3rd floor (highest hotel floor, same as lobby, higher floors are apartments). I just wrote a post in the RA thread.
Overall extremely good stay (even without a suite upgrade). Great personal service, modern big rooms, great bathroom, great view.
You hear the train (every 12 min during the day in each direction) when the window is open, but you don't notice it when the window is closed.
Minibar is free for everybody, but only one per stay. Refills are charged. As RA you can order refills, they also bring little bottles of alcohol.
Club lounge was disappointing as said above. Not worth the money. Breakfast buffet is in the lobby restaurant just in front of the door to the lounge. I believe they charge 22 EUR for breakfast. No high tea, happy hour has not much food, and as said before they are constantly running out of food, forks, plates, napkins...
Overall extremely good stay (even without a suite upgrade). Great personal service, modern big rooms, great bathroom, great view.
You hear the train (every 12 min during the day in each direction) when the window is open, but you don't notice it when the window is closed.
Minibar is free for everybody, but only one per stay. Refills are charged. As RA you can order refills, they also bring little bottles of alcohol.
Club lounge was disappointing as said above. Not worth the money. Breakfast buffet is in the lobby restaurant just in front of the door to the lounge. I believe they charge 22 EUR for breakfast. No high tea, happy hour has not much food, and as said before they are constantly running out of food, forks, plates, napkins...
#60
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Programs: BA GGL, NH SFC, IHG Diamond, Radisson VIP, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 835
I have not yet been to this hotel but will stay for two nights in November.
My booking was not modified in my account though most of the prepaid IC bookings are normally modified within a week or so (even though no change is made, the booking shows "modified" in the account). I therefore emailed the hotel to ask if they are aware of my RA status. I am speechless...
"you´re entitle to have 01 single upgrade to one of our Superior Rooms available depending on our availability at the check-in."
I think I should not have booked this hotel... I wonder if people here really had good stays...
My booking was not modified in my account though most of the prepaid IC bookings are normally modified within a week or so (even though no change is made, the booking shows "modified" in the account). I therefore emailed the hotel to ask if they are aware of my RA status. I am speechless...
"you´re entitle to have 01 single upgrade to one of our Superior Rooms available depending on our availability at the check-in."
I think I should not have booked this hotel... I wonder if people here really had good stays...