IC Club Life Experience
Mar 28, 2017, 2:02 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Currently at the Amstel.Upgraded from an entry city view room to a river view suite.The Amstel lounge and A bar both closed for a private function.Afternoon tea served by the river at the brasserie.A lovely sunny day and a great spread.Aperitifs in the bar at the brasserie.No question of any limits on consumption.
Offered a Bacardi + coke and a G+T for Mrs rapidex during check in.Service its usual polished self.
Offered a Bacardi + coke and a G+T for Mrs rapidex during check in.Service its usual polished self.
Aug 19, 2017, 10:49 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,771
At the Amstel tonight told it was a 2 drink limit for free drinks despite this limit not applying last night. Nothing winds me up more than properties and staff making things up as they go along.
Aug 19, 2017, 10:55 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,316
This is what happened to me in March. First night, no problem. The following night myself and my wife did as the first night, but had perhaps only 7 drinks between us.
As we were leaving we were handed a bill for 120 Euros by the slim shaven headed/bald barman.
He too mentioned this 2 drink limit which I disputed, and it was subsequently removed from the bill.
When I spoke to the Duty Manager, it was all a big mistake, apparently, - but something was definitely amiss.
As we were leaving we were handed a bill for 120 Euros by the slim shaven headed/bald barman.
He too mentioned this 2 drink limit which I disputed, and it was subsequently removed from the bill.
When I spoke to the Duty Manager, it was all a big mistake, apparently, - but something was definitely amiss.
Aug 19, 2017, 11:09 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,771
This is what happened to me in March. First night, no problem. The following night myself and my wife did as the first night, but had perhaps only 7 drinks between us.
As we were leaving we were handed a bill for 120 Euros by the slim shaven headed/bald barman.
He too mentioned this 2 drink limit which I disputed, and it was subsequently removed from the bill.
When I spoke to the Duty Manager, it was all a big mistake, apparently, - but something was definitely amiss.
As we were leaving we were handed a bill for 120 Euros by the slim shaven headed/bald barman.
He too mentioned this 2 drink limit which I disputed, and it was subsequently removed from the bill.
When I spoke to the Duty Manager, it was all a big mistake, apparently, - but something was definitely amiss.
Aug 19, 2017, 9:22 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cologne
Programs: FB Plat, IHG RA Spire, TK Elite+, HH Diamond, LH SEN, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 972
I can say that at the IC Porto club life experience there is seemingly no limit and if you ask politely they'll serve drinks that are not on the list. The staff gave us a port tasting session of maaany different types.
On more than one occasion Miss lewis42 and I consumed probably 6-10 drinks between us.
On more than one occasion Miss lewis42 and I consumed probably 6-10 drinks between us.
Aug 20, 2017, 1:42 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I don't think it's IHG's intention to create discomfort, stress and conflict for any guests, but particularly for RAs. It might be an idea to draw this interesting interpretation of hospitality to the attention of the customer service team.
Aug 20, 2017, 1:48 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,316
Be interesting to see if they try to claim it was a "mistake" again.
The thing is, if they want to offer this "Club Experience" then they need to do it properly, or don't do it at all.
i'm guessing they'll opt out, whenever this "trial" ends.
The thing is, if they want to offer this "Club Experience" then they need to do it properly, or don't do it at all.
i'm guessing they'll opt out, whenever this "trial" ends.
Aug 20, 2017, 4:20 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,439
We were at the Amstel a few weeks ago and the 2 drink limit was raised on our 2nd night although we were served more than that. We queried it saying we'd had no problem the previous night and that they should clarify it with Customer relations. We also raised it and there is no such limit - it apparently comes from the fact that if you order evening cocktails as room service they send 2 drinks per person. No problem the next 2 evenings and nothing on the bill at check out.
The Club Life Experience is great there as it is at Porto and Marseille - I actually prefer it in some ways to a Club Lounge but if course it wouldn't work in the bigger ICs.
The Club Life Experience is great there as it is at Porto and Marseille - I actually prefer it in some ways to a Club Lounge but if course it wouldn't work in the bigger ICs.
Aug 26, 2017, 5:35 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I've had a bunch of stays at Marseille this year and some nights they get it right and some nights they don't. I learned to not stress about it because even if I'm charged for extra drinks they will remove the charge later on. The GM admits that it's not running smoothly because they have a lot of special events there. A couple of nights we happened upon a celebrity affair, but we were well taken care of. It's inevitably confusing to try to replicate a club environment in a very active bar area.
Aug 27, 2017, 4:31 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,771
I've had a bunch of stays at Marseille this year and some nights they get it right and some nights they don't. I learned to not stress about it because even if I'm charged for extra drinks they will remove the charge later on. The GM admits that it's not running smoothly because they have a lot of special events there. A couple of nights we happened upon a celebrity affair, but we were well taken care of. It's inevitably confusing to try to replicate a club environment in a very active bar area.
Oct 25, 2017, 9:25 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Milan
Programs: QR Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 420
I believe IC - Chicago was testing something similar earlier this year
RAs got breakfast + Happy Hour (HH) at the Wine Bar / Tapas place where you got wine and a set dinner which was fairly good
On a recent visit, they stopped the HH but you still got breakfast and it seems you always get Starbuck's and Michael Jordan's drink coupons
The new updated suites are large and well-designed too
RAs got breakfast + Happy Hour (HH) at the Wine Bar / Tapas place where you got wine and a set dinner which was fairly good
On a recent visit, they stopped the HH but you still got breakfast and it seems you always get Starbuck's and Michael Jordan's drink coupons
The new updated suites are large and well-designed too
Oct 26, 2017, 5:22 am
#28
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: BAEC - Gold, IHG - Spire Ambassador
Posts: 576
Following feedback upthread, when I handed in our Club Life survey, I asked how long it would take for the 2000 points to be added. I was handed 2x1000 points vouchers to add myself.
Oct 27, 2017, 2:27 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Norway, Maine
Programs: United Silver and HH Diamond
Posts: 1,474
Any new reports from the Amstel? I am thinking of staying there in June but I am also considering the Le Grand in Paris. Club Life experience could make all of the difference.
Oct 28, 2017, 3:22 am
#30
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cologne
Programs: FB Plat, IHG RA Spire, TK Elite+, HH Diamond, LH SEN, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 972