Lewis42

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yeah, sadly only 1 night.

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

How are the rooms?
Nicely furnished with a modern touch. Reasonable size but nothing special. I liked the room.

How is the exec. lounge?
I only tried it at breakfast and it was good. An outdoor seating area if required. Good buffet spread and cooked to order items. The service was also good.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
A jar of IC branded Singapore Jam stuff.

How was the minibar?
Very good actually! lots of liquids / syrups to make your own cocktails. Although the quality of the bottles weren't ultra high I really liked what they tried to do here.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
Service
Room
Minibar
Lounge Breakfast

-Bad
It was raining heavily outside and the rain hitting the windows / surfaces was pretty loud! But eh, not alot that can be done about that.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Yeah (I paid in $)

Would you return?
Yes

Lewis42

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 a basic room and received a Junior Suite (I think)

How are the rooms?
Good, seperate wardrobe and bathroom. A large square bath tub with seperate shower. The bedroom area itself was fine. Nothing amazing but was all good.

How is the exec. lounge?
I only tried breakfast but it was good. A fair different cooked to order products and a fair sized buffet. The service was good but ugh, crap coffee.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
A few things actually but most notably was a fridge magnet...of a random Spanish city?!?!?!?!... it did make me laugh.

How was the minibar?
Average but no wine!

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
Location relative to my work...
I feel I wasn't there long enough to say anything was special.

-Bad
My colleague who is only an Ambassador received a better room upgrade than me...?

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Yes

Would you return?
Yes

Cielito_

Were you generally happy with the hotel?
Yes!

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Club Room ---> Imperial Suite

How was the room?
ca. 240 sqm, 19th floor, 2 bedrooms, 3 balconies, kitchenette, 2 mini-bars, 1 fridge, 2 bathrooms, 1 WC, Steinway-piano, jacuzzi, sauna. Bed was super comfortable.

How is the exec. lounge?
Breakfast: 6.30-11am. Choice between restaurant & club. I prefer club.
Tea time: 2-5pm. Offering was decent, little pastries and sandwiches.
Happy hour with light dinner from 5pm to 8pm. You may replace a meal easily. Fries, beef tenderloin, pork, chicken, fish ...

Did you receive a welcome gift?
I got a handmade plate.

How was the mini-bar?
Decent. 4x hard liqueur, red + white wine, chocolates, nuts, and soft drinks.

What was good?
-upgrade
-snacks were complimentary
- RA treatment
- late check out at 6pm
- 2 big bottles of red wine (2x0,7l)
​​
Value for $/points?
Paid about 125EUR/night with IHG meeting credits prepaid card. They sell room 1901 for ca. 1300EUR/night. So it might be good value.

Would you return?
Yes!

Tim O'Brien

InterContinental Boston

Were you generally happy with the hotel?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Superior suite, and deluxe standard room, stayed in the Penthouse South (1201), and a double bed deluxe nxt door (1210).

How was the room?
King bedroom, and lot of floor to ceiling glass overlooking balcony, and Boston waterfront/river, nice kitchenette, and 8 seat dining table, 3.1K sqft, and the double deluxe adjoining was quite spacious.

How is the exec. lounge?
Very good, quality, and variety for both food, and beverage. Service was also good, in relaxed environment. we had breakfast on the first morning, of our four night stay. they cooked to order omelettes, and bacon and eggs. the next morning was very busy so they accommodated us in the restaurant, and we ate our breakfasts there for the remainder of the stay.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Wine, Sancerre, of my choosing, with assorted nuts, chocolates, truffles, and chocolate coated raisins, fruit, and bottles of mineral water
with a printed welcome letter from the GM, and a more personalized hand written welcome note from the Duty Manager.

How was the mini-bar?
Good, champagne, large vodka, variety of spirits, juices, soft drinks, and snacks. All charges were taken off without question, there was one Pringles, and two cashews charged for, we hadn't eaten the cashews, and they took those, and the Pringles off, their policy is beverages only.

What was good?
RA treatment, upgrade was two tier, into their second best suite, no complaints, point of contact, front desk manager made everything happen smoothly, she did a really good job.
​​
Value for $/points?
yes, reasonable value.

Would you return?
Yes!

Unterwegs

IC "Stephen F. Austin" Austin

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
The hotel was relatively ok, but in many areas felt more like a Crowne Plaza than a 5 star.
The club lounge was the worst in years. Not happy.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
After checking with the hotel about their upgrade policy I booked a 'King Deluxe' (around 15 % more than cheapest) and got a Suite (size of two regular rooms)

How are the rooms?
Showing age, but reasonably well kept. Bedroom with king size bed, living room with table, sofa. Work desk unfortunately in the bedroom. Extra toilet.
Bathroom is huge, but complete waste of space. Small bathtub/shower combination in one corner (the type which is too low to take a bath), huge empty area.

How is the exec. lounge?
The worst lounge at any IC in the last few years.
Arrived in the afternoon. They are advertising 'Afternoon Refresh - The, Champagne and light snacks'. What they actually have is: an otherwise empty buffet with a plate with two cookies, some nuts. The Champagne is actually a cheap Cava. No server. No coffee. No soft drinks.
In the evening the had a few food items (very limited and low quality) and the same Cava again.
In the mornings they use the club lounge as regular breakfast venue. They have s small buffet (free for club guest) and a menu with made to order items (they charge for club guest - that is a first for me). Even with no extra charges you had to sign the check (do they expect tips?).

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Really generous: one apple (already rotten inside), one small bag of popcorn. Also two wineglasses and a bottle opener on the table, but no wine. Only one bottle of water (never replenished).

How was the minibar?
Average, but had 1/2 bottle of low end champage.
Not refilled automatically. Had to call every day.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
- Location just in the middle of downtown
- Most of the staff was helpful and friendly

- Very Bad
- Club lounge in every aspect (food, service, location)
- Welcome gift

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Not good. The hotel is overpriced for what they offer.

Would you return?
No.

Raynyan

shoven

IC Resort Hua Hin

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, 3rd stay this year keeps getting better.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Resort Premier Room on a BOGO + 1 paid night and 11 award nights received our usual Resort Classic Suite room 2305

How are the rooms?
Large open plan room with very comfortable bed and furniture, large bathroom with his and hers sink huge deep soaking tub and a separate rain shower also very spacious. There is also a good size closet just to the left of the entrance to store your luggage and hang your clothes ideal for a long stay, the view is directly down the middle of the resort looking over the gardens then pool and finally the sea. We have stayed in a couple of room types at the resort but this is by far our favourite.

How is the exec. lounge
Excellent, the staff there are fantastic really makes it stand out for us a real pleasure for any time of the day, Breakfast has a small buffet of cold items plus ala carte menu which does not have a huge amount of choices eggs and a couple of Asian dishes but they were very accommodating with of menu items if the normal egg dishes are not your thing my partner had something different most days although she speaks thai which would have helped. Afternoon tea has 3 different sets to choose from all very good quality and they are happy to serve you extra of anything you like from any set the sausages with the Asian set are very tasty.
Evening drinks had a nice relaxed feel with no rush on last orders as in some lounges some evenings went well beyond the stated finish time which was nice and very fitting for a beach resort no need for the business like cut off at some other lounges around the world.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Thai sweets, some samples from the spa and best of all after the 3 hour ride from Bangkok an Ice bucket full of Singha Beer waiting for us which for me shows real thought from the club team as to what we like from our previous stays.

How was the minibar?
Mini bar is average with only 2 beers and a few soft drinks they also place all the spirits in the fridge which are supposedly free only once there is also red and white wine and a half bottle of Prosecco which is not bad.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
Club lounge team and everything offered
New menu at Azure restaurant and overall food quality was excellent
Full RA benefits and more
Cleanliness of the whole resort
room upgrade

-Bad
Nothing

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Excellent value with full RA benefits on a mostly award stay

Would you return?
Yes without question 3 stays this year hopefully the same next year....

Raynyan

Potay

InterContinental Frankfurt

What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Spire Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yea, consistent treatment & upgrades. Have been staying for a few days every week for a few months now.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Received two-category upgrade consistently, always with Club access.
(Standard -> Superior)
(1 Bed 1st Fl -> Jr Suite)
(Deluxe -> Suite)


How are the rooms?
Adequately furnished rooms, traditional style. Rooms are comfortable and spacious.

How is the exec. lounge?
Breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres are good. Decent buffet spread and eggs-cooked-to-order items. The service was really good..

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Varies: shoe horn with polish, bag hanging hook, full-sized bottle of wine

How was the minibar?
Not bad, lacks bubbly, but includes Apfelwein.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
Service (Guest Relations staff is great)
Room size
Lounge (food and drink spread is decent, staff is also great)

-Bad
Older interior showing it's age.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Yeah (I paid in $)

Would you return?
Yes

Cielito_

Were you generally happy with the hotel?
Yes. 8/10

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Executive River View ---> Duplex Suite

How was the room?
ca. 60 sqm, 18th floor, 1small bedroom, 1 living room with 1 sofa, desk, TV & WC, no table for dinner. Nice modern design, recently renovated.

How is the exec. lounge?
Breakfast: 6.30-11am.
Tea time: 2-5pm. Offering was decent, little pastries and sandwiches.
Happy hour with light dinner from 5 to 7pm. Mostly miniature canapés.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
2 tea bags from the lounge .....

How was the mini-bar?
Very nice. See pictures below.
My grandma will miss the 50€ rosé champagne if mini-bar cap 50USD/night comes

What was good?
- Entire Mini-bar was complimentary.
- Room, lobby & lounge recently renovated.
- lounge offerings.

What was bad?
- Highest category, that is not excluded from upgrades, without a bathtub. I definitely did no expect that.
- No SPA.
- Mini-bar in living room level 0, bed room level 1. So had to climb stairs, up & down, every time I or my grandma wanted sth.
- Got a courtesy call prior arrival informing me, I was upgraded to Presidential Suite. I double checked this on the app. With joy I invited my aunt and cousin to accompany me to enjoy the extra space.
Fortunately, both had no time. A few hours before arrival the app showed me Duplex Suite.
- No breakfast in restaurant.

Value for €?
Paid about 170EUR/night with IHG meeting credits prepaid card. With lounge & mini-bar, it was good value.

Would you return?
Yes. But will definitely not book higher category than standard room.

Unterwegs

IC Shenzhen China

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

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked a regular suite with their 2 day min suite special. Had to change to one night later. They kept the room type and price intact. Received a Chinese themed suite next to the club lounge on the 7th floor.

How are the rooms?
Nice, big, likely almost 100 sqm. Big living room, bathroom (huge tub and separate shower) similar to the regular suites, bit bedroom, separate toilet next to living room

How is the exec. lounge?
Selection is pretty good in the evening and for breakfast (improved compared to before). Service can be a bit hit an miss but generally ok.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Fruits, cookies, 2 truffles, water (same as on previous visits)

How was the minibar?
Minimalistic. No more bubbly. Looked almost sanitized - strange for one of their bigger suites

What was good and what was bad?
- Check in very unprofessional (took forever, did not know the time for happy hour at clublounge, she called and then told it is from 2:30 to 4:30 pm....)
+ Nice big suite
+ Big bathtub
+ Fast internet, US sites are not blocked
- Minibar
- Agraria amenities
+- Some very nice and helpful employees, but also some untrained and completely lost ones.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Price is reasonsble

Would you return?
Yes

scubaccr

IC Bangkok

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

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked = Grand Deluxe
Given = Club Room

How are the rooms?
Well furnished, nice decor, good condition, loads of storage space, very decent size.
Bathroom has both bath and separate shower cubicle , alas Agraria toiletries
Club rooms (and above) now all have a nespresso type coffee machine

How is the exec. lounge?
No recent changes. Top floor, very large, well furnished, attentive staff
Good self serve cold b/f choices, plus to order hot items menu from lounge kitchen chef
Plenty of cold items evening, but warm is plate of 4x mini canape offerings
Good alcohol, cocktails, sparkling wines, beers and spirits
occasionally chef station in lounge making something, my visit one of my nights (Wednesday) a thai mango salad

Did you receive a welcome gift?
750cl Red aussie wine (screw cap)
The usual tea-scented elephant (note still have a teddy but is 1/3rd the old teddy versions size)
Fruit plate, 5 Apples, 6 mini-bananas, 3 mandarins

How was the minibar?
As before = 6x 20cl spirits , 1x each soda type, 2x thai beer, 2x uk beer, 2x japan beer, 1 Evian, 1 Perrier
Changed = By order with charge, 375cl champagne AND the missing 375cl Penfolds Red + White wines

What was good and what was bad?
-Good
Minibar
Early checkin (9.30am on my arrival, but seemingly ready much earlier as gift/fruit/card etc already in my room)
Lounge Access allows restaurant breakfast (though my room rate includes anyway)
upgraded online within 48hours after booking, 1month ahead (as always)
great lounge staff here (both desk staff and lounge staff)
offered 4pm checkout during checkin (not needed this visit)

-Bad
(nothing)

- Neutral
2cat RA + Lounge upgrade is really only 2cat upgrade on base rooms as rooms are all identical size, Deluxe/Exec/Club (and identical in size and layout)

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
On corp rate yes.
Especially good value if RA books Exec Room, as then 2cat upgrade is to 2room Corner Suite
Bangkok Marriott-Chain/Conrad also the same pricepoint, and have good lounges, BUT usually give me a suite from base room, unlike the IC who will not give a suite on base room

Would you return?
Yes, i have and will again whilst/if still RA
Though I also really like the Conrad (and prefer Conrad for Suites and nowadays prefer Conrad lounge offering since IC changes 3years ago)

IAN-UK

Sorry - does this mean you were charged mini-bar price for half-bottles of champagne and Aussie wines ?

Raynyan

scubaccr

Ans:- No Champagne in my minibar, it is on chargeable on request minibar addition ref minibar price menu

ANS:- Neither of 2x 375cl Penfols or the375cl Champagne in minibar on arrival

o The minibar written menu was confusing. (sorry in hindsight i should have took a pic to post)
o Has both contents and pay-2-order-on-demand sections, On Demand at Extra Cost included Penfols wines, Champagne, Some extra/Different Nibbles/Chocs to those already in mnibar
i)under contents listed, this still includes the 375cl Penfold wines (w + r)
ii)also had new (to me) section, chargable on demand order, confusing part included said Penfolds, ie of White, Red Penfolds + Champagne
iii)My minibar had neither Penfolds or Champagne wines inside on checkin, everything else listed was there.

o I spoke with Amb checkin desk ground floor reception on way out the hotel my first afternoon, mentioned minibar unexpectedly missing penfols wines I usually drink. On return the 2x 375cl Penfold r+w now added to minibar
o I drank the 375cl Penfols white with soda (spritzer) as usual.
o Checked out in lounge as usual, as well known to staff here, am never asked about my minibar, staff just closed my stay off with zero extra charges
o I was not auto-charged to room for 'possibly optional/chargeable' penfols being requested to be added to my minibar by frontdesk as only roomrate / f+b on my receipt. As such not expecting charge for my 375cl penfols consumption