Lewis42

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

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Used points and upgraded to Oval suite, possibly the JFK suite, I can't remember exactly the name.

How are the rooms?
Dated, but huge and quite grand. Separate living room, dining room, two bathrooms, small kitchen...it's massive.

How is the exec. lounge?
Sadly, non-existant and didn't give any other benefits such as free breakfast

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Wine...but they forgot and had to request

How was the minibar?
Good, some reasonable sized bottles of grey goose and well stocked.

What was good and what was bad?

Good
- upgrade
- location
- room size
- service - the checkin guy remembered me from my stay 9 months before. Not sure if it's good or bad

Bad
- No lounge or anything to make up for it

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
- I used points but the night I stayed was $700 / night....so the 60k points was great value.

Would you return?
Most definitely

Note: Stay happened in April 2017

Chinatrvl

IC Shanghai Puxi

What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Spire Royal Ambassador

Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked cheapest, got club room.

How are the rooms?
Largish rooms in seperate club tower
Large bathroom, tub with a view (of the building next door)
Decent minibar

How is the exec. lounge?
Very nice setting
Inexperienced, but very friendly staff
Huge selection food for happy hour, but very average selection of wine and spirits
I think the hotel could make more out of this unique hotel setup

What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Location (especially since travelling to/from Shanghai station this case)
- Front desk staff
- Outdoor bar/pavillion - nice setting, good band

Bad
Nothing

Value for Rewards Club Points? Would you return?
Sure

Chinatrvl

IC Shanghai Expo

What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Spire Royal Ambassador

Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a suite, got diplomatic suite

How are the rooms?
Very large room with dining area, living room area, small kitchen
Large bathroom (without daylight - I prefer the superior suites for this)

How is the exec. lounge?
Good as always: Nice selection for breakfast and happy hour, including decent wines and spirits
Very friendly service
Excellent view

What was good and what was bad?
Good
- Upgrade
- Staff
- Hotel facilities

Bad
Nothing

Value for Rewards Club Points? Would you return?
Sure

scubaccr

IC Pattaya

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay? Yes, delighted once again
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
o Booked = Classic Garden (Paid)
o Early Mod = Club Tropical Pavillion
o Day before = Pav 8 Rm533 (my usual room) = Club Ocean View Terrace Suite


How are the rooms?
o 540 Refurbished July2016
o Light colour sceme, lots of lighting, reading lights, power points, flatscreen TV, minibar unit, caffetiere coffee
o Deep sofa and rectangular table
o covered outside hexagonal terrace with chaiselong, ocean view over the villa
o Bathroom refurbed, really big Tub, his n hers sinks, walkin shower, nice HANN toiletries. Bathrom area is divided from bedroom half by a heavy curtain

How is the exec. lounge?
o Mid floor of infiniti building (stairs or lift) 1-level below infiniti, 1-level above beach
o Nice and large, plenty of chairs, tables, open windows, 2x PC's
o Breakfast until 11am, afternoon tea, evening canapes+drinks (including cocktails)

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Always the same, padded neck support (can buy a Big-C for 100thb )

How was the minibar?
o 6x 20cl bottles Henesy/Jim Beam/Black-Label/Gin/Smirnoff/Bacardi
o Small number of sodas/waters/beers, 375cl White wine, red wine

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
o Everything
RA benies without prompting
o instead of lesser temporary room, swapped from intended Pav8 Rm533 to Pav10 Rm540 at 10am

-Bad
Nothing (though July is now rainy season, 18th was a very wet day+night)

-Neutral
o First hotel shuttle to Pattaya Center not until 12noon. Could do with earlier shuttle service
o Multiple Conferences each day (ie both checkin + departure), taking over both infiniti bar and beach level

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Mostly I get rooms less than 7000++thb (35k points = usd245) so always paid nights to date.
(Probably averaged my 20nights at 6000++ = 7000thb = $210 )

Would you return?[/QUOTE]
Yes this was 5th or 6th stay for 22 or so nights since Apr2016 - Feb2017
(all as Paid nights, all as RA, all previously in Pav8 Rm533, but without a club-lounge open until this night )

scubaccr

IC Pattaya

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay? Yes, delighted once again
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
o Booked = 1night Classic Garden (Paid), 2nights awards Classic Garden
o Early Mod = Tropical Pavillion, then Club Tropical Pavilion
o 3Days before = Pav 8 Rm533 (my usual room) = Club Ocean View Terrace Suite showing


How are the rooms?
o 533 Refurbished July2016 (same as 540 I had previous visit)
o Light colour sceme, lots of lighting, reading lights, power points, flatscreen TV, minibar unit, caffetiere coffee
o Deep sofa and rectangular table
o covered outside hexagonal terrace with chaiselong, ocean view over trees, overlooks pool too (no noise penetration from pool area users)
o Bathroom refurbed, really big Tub, his n hers sinks, walkin shower, nice HANN toiletries. Bathrom area is divided from bedroom half by a heavy curtain

How is the exec. lounge?
o Mid floor of infiniti building (stairs or lift) 1-level below infiniti, 1-level above beach
o Nice and large, plenty of chairs, tables, open windows, 2x PC's
o Breakfast until 11am, afternoon tea, evening canapes+drinks (including cocktails)

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Always the same, padded neck support (can buy a Big-C for 100thb )

How was the minibar?
o 6x 20cl bottles Henesy/Jim Beam/Black-Label/Gin/Smirnoff/Bacardi
o Small number of sodas/waters/beers, 375cl White wine, red wine
o as returning regular, hotel gave me extra tin cans ( coke-lights + heinekens)

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
o Everything as usual
o Award nights treated same as paid nights
o RA benies without prompting, managers kept room free night before for my early checkin !

-Bad
Nothing

-Neutral
o First hotel shuttle to Pattaya Center not until 12noon. Could do with earlier shuttle service
o Saturday was rather busy, 100 guests checked in, so Sunday breakfast was rammed !
o Conferences each day, taking over both infiniti bar and beach level (pools stayed relatively unused though)

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
WOW.. 2nights on 35k points.. A first here
a)Sat night was 8500++ (10000thb = $300) Classic room so points was good value
b)Fri night was sold out, kept checking and came up as choice of Classic Garden on award (no paid rate given) or Villa at 50000++thb so no brainer to take Classic on award
c)Thurs night a reasonable 5600++ (6600thb / us$200) so used paid rate better value v 35k points. I only booked once Friday opened up


Would you return?[/QUOTE]
Yes this was 7th stay for 26 or so nights since Apr2016

IAN-UK

How far is it to the songthaew route ?

scubaccr

IC Amstel, Amsterdam

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay? Mostly, but impacted by noise during both checkin day and 8am next morning

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
o Booked Exec City View (award 50k) 3-4weeks out
o Modded next day to Exec River View
o Modded day before arrival RV Exec Suite

How are the rooms?
New room RV Suite Room for me (402)..usually I get 202 or 422 if RV Suite
o 402 Slightly smaller than 422, and obviously other end of hoel
o same furnishings other than no chair+footstool in bedroom part, plus TV unit up on dividing wall to room 401 rather than by windows.
o Minibar in cabinet in bedroom as against living room (402 v 422)

How is the exec. lounge?
NA (But Amstel provides Club Experience for now)
o As award night had to pay 76euro to receive Club here this visit (my first award in 2years or so after 8or more paid nights in a row here)
o Club Experience in it's second iteration (modified) benefits letter in July versus April
1. Line offering coffee/tea/sodas in tearoom removed
2. Line allowing mininbar non-alcoholic drinks (ie water+sodas) is added
3. 2x Rates for Club epoerience i)midweek Mon-Thu 76 (Amb + RA) 105 others
4. W/End Club rate is I think 150Euro
(annoying as RA is same rate as Ambassadors, am used to small discount sometimes eg IC Berlin)
5. A-Bar has 3x pre-printed 6-8pm canape lists rotated daily
(6-8pm, Drinks = Wine, Moet, Beers but have to pay for any cocktails)


Did you receive a welcome gift?
o Luggage tag, Metal plate with metal cord (similar to Cathay Pacific offering of a few years ago)
o Fruit Selection (Apple, Banana, orange, pear, grapes)


How was the minibar?
o Same as always, BUT IC Amstel is switching sodas from bottles to Cans
o When asked was told it was for Environmental reasons
(I guess cans crush+recycle easier compared to PET bottles)

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
o Upgrade + minibar RA benefit on award stay
(in effect no change since IC Amstel sold, but was my first award night here since the sale, though multiple paid nights)

-Bad
o Checkin letter said no hotwater 01:00 - 05:00 ... Terrible as started returning from night out in Amsterdam 00:30 (as usual)
o Letter incorrect, not no hot water BUT no water at all, no flushing toilets, no washing hands
o Renovations.. spotted scaffolding+dust-sheets over front of building l/h/s upto middle (was not aware scaffolding w/o sheets still around in front of x02 Suites).
o Had banging throughout checkin day. Thought was from front cityview side of building and as in corner room 402 thought all rooms same. I should have asked for move to 422 !
o Banging again 8am next morning FAR TOO EARLY ! ! (Really Annoyed)
(mentioned on checkout, initially told would knock of breakfast cost, until i said breakfast part of Club experience 76euro upsell, and nothing offered)

-Neutral
o Amstel did not mention Club Experience (or lack) at checkin or try to upsell. I eventually asked in my room and manager could not even tell me the upsell $$$ fee
o 1 litre evian bottle provided as taps off 0100-0500 (along side usual 0.5ltr bottle).... I used evian to wash before bed !

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
o 50k not as good as old 40k, but room as lateish booking was 480++ (versus 400++ I usually get) and released/returned award 50k night made sense
o 76Euro Club-Experience... (good for 2ppn) on solo stay is marginal as I give afternoon tea a miss, so 3-4 glasses Moet plus breakfast (and I am simple and happy as coffee+toast person). Decided to skip upsell for solo award night stays here


Would you return?[/QUOTE]
With ongoing building work, and impact of noise this visit, a resounding no return vote for rest of the 12month restoration project

scubaccr

IC Bangkok

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 = Grande Delux (Paid)
Modded/Received = Club (modded day after booking room, 4weeks out)

How are the rooms?
o Non suite rooms Grand Deluxe / Grand Exec / Club-Room are same sized 44m or so rooms. Differential is the benefit associated with ones room
o Comfy room, well thought out, plenty of multi-country power points, lots of lighting, sofa, table, bathroom with bath+shower-cubicle, usual agrria toiletries
o Large flatscreen TV with very good channel selection


How is the exec. lounge?
o top 37th floor with open plan and some nice views across skyline
o great staff throughout
o good breakfast offering, but no longer hotfood buffet offering since 24months. Have to order from a menu and wait
o nice afternoon tea offering
o evening drinks+canapes has quite limited hot offering, 3-4 smal bits on a plate from lounge kitchen, but fair cold selection. Beers, Wines, Cocktails all available foc

Did you receive a welcome gift?
o pot-pouri/scented elephant (or wooden minature tul-tuk) , no teddybear possible (I asked)
o Screw top 750cl bottle of Australian red wine

How was the minibar?
o 5-6 sodas + water + beer
o red+white 375cl wine
o 20cl spirits (Gin, Absolute Vodka, Chivas Regal, Sam Song Thai Rum, and 2 more)

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
o as usual no quibbles regards RA bennies, early checkin 10am in my case
o upgrade mod instant, within 24hrs, ie the day after booking

-Bad
o Corp rate Grande Deluxe has jumped appreciably for 2017 compared to 2012-2016 rates, only stayed for AMEA 40k 3-stay promo (3rd stay), else would have booked Conrad at 75% the IC rate.
o Corp rate for Grande Exec jumped 1200++ in 2017 so no longer can justify using to get Corner Suite as my +2cat RA upgrade.

-Neutral
o Lounge not as good as 2years ago when hot foods buffett style at breakfast and evening. I find I prefer the Conrad for all three eats now

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
o Paid rates better than 35k points needed for award
o Poor value compared to Conrad since new corp rates all jumped post 31st Dec 2016.
o Now a case of whether foc RA minibar benefit is worth 1000thb extra over Conrad, plus Conrad give suite upgrades from entry level room to regulars 50% of the time.

Would you return?[/QUOTE]
o IC BKK is no longer the very firm number #1 BKK hotel for me, and now a close number #2 behind Conrad at #1 and JW Marriott at #3 .
o IC versus Conrad stays will depend if I need IC BKK for IHG Promo or EQPs to requal as RA due to much higher corporate rate of IC BKK in 2017
o Corp rates also added as new option for 2017 at Hilton/DT Sukhumvit hotels (whch I avoid), as previously only Conrad had corp rate under HH flag

Lewis42

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Eh, not really. I had high expectations.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
2 nights stay, first night cash and second nights on points. Booked the cheapest room and received Executive suite (only because my Junior suite wasn't ready)

How are the rooms?
Seriously lacking natural light in the rooms, in the bedroom part of the suite there are no windows!

They need a refurbish and really don't feel that special.

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Fruit and nuts but no gift. I even complained on checkout and was told I'd get 2500 but yet to receive after 7 days.

How was the minibar?
No wine! but some spirits and beers. The food is included in the RA ambassador benefit which is good.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
- Good upgrade
- Negotiated free breakfast due to lack of other RA benefits

-Bad
- public transport to the centre isn't so great
- rooms showing some age
- rooms need a refurbish
- expensive for what you get

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
- No, often best part of 300 Euro's or 50k points. Definitely not worth this.

Would you return?
Probably not, would use an Airbnb next time I'd return to Dublin.

Land-of-Miles

I thought refurb would be done by now, they started refurbing rooms a couple of years ago.

Lewis42

Maybe it is... just poorly done?

Unterwegs

IC Bangkok

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Mostly. (Two different stays within one week)

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked cheapest on corp rate, received Club room on high floor (same on both)

How are the rooms?
Relatively spacious for a regular room, bathroom with separate shower/tub

How is the exec. lounge?
The lounge itself is nice, but the food offerings have been reduced even more (did not think it would be possible). At happy hour one day no hot food at all, cold snacks very underwhelming. Breakfast has no more ham or cold cuts, very limited fruits. In general pretty disappointing.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Tea filled small elephant, bottle of red, small fruit basked (refilled at turn down)

How was the minibar?
Still some of the bigger bottles, but otherwise further reduced (no diet drinks etc). Fridge looked empty.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
- The new shopping mall Central Embassy (turn left at the street, pass the Central Department Store, its the building with the silver roof) has lots of restaurants on the nigher floor (including a Somboon on the 5th floor - my favoured and a very nice food court in the basement)

-Bad
- They wanted to park me somewhere first when showing up at 10:30 because they had no rooms available. Had to remind them of the rules.
- Offerings in the club lounge. Almost not worth going there for happy hour (unless you want to get drunk)
- No suite upgrade from regular room. Need to book something significantly more expensive to end up in a corner suite (which is not really worth it)

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Rate was relatively reasonable for Bangkok (sometimes the hotel has insanely high rates), but without RA status you can do much better elsewhere

Would you return?[/QUOTE]
Only if the rate is reasonable and I still have RA status possibly yes.

Unterwegs

IC Asiana Saigon

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes. I was fairly critical earlier this year about this place after new management changed a lot but it seems they are almost back to where they were before

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Superior Deluxe (two categories up from cheapest, costs around 20 % more to receive a Suite (the standard upgrade from cheapest now is club room which is the basically the same room).

How are the rooms?
Got Deluxe Suite. Nice and spacious. They have two type of suites: The corner suite has a smaller living room, the work desk is in the bedroom and the bathroom is spacious. The Deluxe Suite has the work desk in the living room and a second toilet - better if you want to use the living room for small meetings.

How is the exec. lounge?
After deterioration in service and offerings earlier this year they are back.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
The usual lacquer plate. Bottle of red, nuts in the evening, 6 macaroons, one bigger and one small fruit basket

How was the minibar?
Only one can of diet coke, but 1/2 bottle of Bollinger (tastes better than Diet Coke anyhow). Otherwise not impressive.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
- one of the better lounges with good offerings and very friendly service, but occasionally awkward. First person when you enter greets you by name, second person standing next to it asks for room number - go figure....

-Bad
- no more free laundry, only 2 pieces of pressing now
- need to book higher category to get a suite

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
- hotel is a bit on the expensive side for Saigon, some hotels with better ratings are significantly lower.

Would you return?[/QUOTE]
If they don't fall back to where they habe been earlier this year: yes

Unterwegs

IC Pattaya

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

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked cheapest, got Room 533 (same as scubaccr - see his review a few posts above mine)

How are the rooms?
Nicely decorated, relatively big, curtain between bedroom and bathroom.
Big nice tub, separate shower, two sinks in the middle of the room. Unfortunately no work desk, not enough power outlets (some of them work only when the light is on)

How is the exec. lounge?
Nice floor in separate building close to room. Good offerings for breakfast, high tea and happy hour.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Padded neck support, small fruit basket

How was the minibar?
The usual bigger bottles of spirits, otherwise minimal (only one diet drink)

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
- No Agraria - Harnn instead (wish all hotels would get rid of the Agri amenities
- Very nice and personal service
- Only 2 hours by car from BKK, 2.5 from the IC Bangkok (hotel cars are expensive, just book one of the services online)

-Bad
- Pattaya, wish the hotel would be in a nicer city without the overprices taxis
- Thied to book the shuttle bus, but it was booked out twice. They need a bigger bus

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Paid rate is very reasonable for what you get

Would you return?
Yes.

Which one, Pattaya or Hua Hin?
- Both places are fairly easy to reach from Bangkok, Pattaya is 1-1.5 hours closer
- Hua Hin is by far a nicer city with good restaurants, walking areas and a in general pleasant atmosphere, Pattaya is mostly a dump (my personal opinion)
- The pool in Pattaya is nicer, but poolbeds are too dense
- The beach in Hua Hin is much nicer and inviting
- Cannot compare club lounges since I have not been back in Hua Hin after they opened the new lounge
- There are restaurants and shops in walking distance in Hua Hin, Pattaya requires taxi or shuttle bus every time
Overall: For 2 or 3 days max staying in the Hotel I would go back to Pattaya. For a longer stay I would select Hua Hin

turner32

Is the 533 room category the standard RA upgrade from base room? Staying over Christmas and don't want to book higher than I need to.