Voco brand discussion (Gold Coast, Dubai, Cardiff, etc)
Nov 28, 2018, 8:34 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Accor, Hyatt, (Former IHG Ambassador)
Posts: 1,382
When a hotel loyalty program goes beyond 8 to 10 different brands, it just gets ridiculous, confusing and mostly useless.
Flyertalk members live, breathe and eat hotels 365 days a year, and even we have trouble untangling this endless multi brand mess. Try explaining to your mother or grandmother all the differences between a Principal, Voco, Hualuxe, Regent, Indigo, Staybridge, Candlewood, EVEN or whatever the hell name they come up with next.
They can barely even fit all the brand logos on the bottom of IHG advertising posters, or on the back of the plastic IHG member cards.
..
Flyertalk members live, breathe and eat hotels 365 days a year, and even we have trouble untangling this endless multi brand mess. Try explaining to your mother or grandmother all the differences between a Principal, Voco, Hualuxe, Regent, Indigo, Staybridge, Candlewood, EVEN or whatever the hell name they come up with next.
They can barely even fit all the brand logos on the bottom of IHG advertising posters, or on the back of the plastic IHG member cards.
..
Last edited by est-gratuite; Nov 28, 2018 at 8:45 pm
Nov 28, 2018, 8:50 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,260
At least it's not as much of a mess of brands as Marwood is these days.
I think the big players are intentionally muddying the waters to capture both the people who like the chain hotel experience and the people who consider themselves to be a bit snobby about wanting a more indie or small property group hotel experience. Hence every big player trying to hit roughly a 42 brand portfolio goal by 2025.
I think the big players are intentionally muddying the waters to capture both the people who like the chain hotel experience and the people who consider themselves to be a bit snobby about wanting a more indie or small property group hotel experience. Hence every big player trying to hit roughly a 42 brand portfolio goal by 2025.
Nov 28, 2018, 9:52 pm
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: M&S, Radisson
Posts: 758
*In decreasing order of revenue, the five largest would be: Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, Accor, and IHG. If I count correctly, IHG has 15 brands, the other four have 20+ brands each.
May 9, 2019, 4:02 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,609
I am going to try the voco St. John in Solihull by Birmingham in June. They have some pretty amazing points rates that are worthy of a Pointbreak, 12,500 points of a night as I remember or 7,500 points plus GBP30. Only thing is, nobody picks up the phone at this hotel and the email is dead. Doesn't bode well.
May 10, 2019, 12:39 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IHG Diamond Amb, Bonvoy Plat (+LTP), VS Silver
Posts: 1,392
I am going to try the voco St. John in Solihull by Birmingham in June. They have some pretty amazing points rates that are worthy of a Pointbreak, 12,500 points of a night as I remember or 7,500 points plus GBP30. Only thing is, nobody picks up the phone at this hotel and the email is dead. Doesn't bode well.
May 12, 2019, 8:19 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,041
I am going to try the voco St. John in Solihull by Birmingham in June. They have some pretty amazing points rates that are worthy of a Pointbreak, 12,500 points of a night as I remember or 7,500 points plus GBP30. Only thing is, nobody picks up the phone at this hotel and the email is dead. Doesn't bode well.
I noticed that too, Solihull isn't the centre of the universe but if Voco really is a luxury brand (is it?) it's strange that it only cost 12,500 points
May 12, 2019, 4:13 pm
#22
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Maybe it is an opening offer. I thought the same and that is the only plausible answer I could come up with, somehow promoting brand awareness and the presence of this hotel. I think.
May 18, 2019, 6:14 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, IHG Spire, AMEX Plat
Posts: 595
I am going to try the voco St. John in Solihull by Birmingham in June. They have some pretty amazing points rates that are worthy of a Pointbreak, 12,500 points of a night as I remember or 7,500 points plus GBP30. Only thing is, nobody picks up the phone at this hotel and the email is dead. Doesn't bode well.
May 18, 2019, 11:55 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
Also, keep in mind that hotel companies use ridiculous descriptions for their brand positionings. "Upscale" is a step below the Marriotts, Hiltons and Hyatts of the world. Kimpton is supposed to be (according to this terminology) "upper upscale" and IHG has started saying they want to move it slightly higher.
I think the big players are intentionally muddying the waters to capture both the people who like the chain hotel experience and the people who consider themselves to be a bit snobby about wanting a more indie or small property group hotel experience. Hence every big player trying to hit roughly a 42 brand portfolio goal by 2025.
May 19, 2019, 3:21 am
#26
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So the voco Solihull is being refurbished, that would explain the low points rates . I'll give it a try and see how it goes
Is it possible to find on street parking there, without having to use the hotel's paid parking? I've got a fairly early flight (rental car return) so I might be able to beat any parking restrictions
Is it possible to find on street parking there, without having to use the hotel's paid parking? I've got a fairly early flight (rental car return) so I might be able to beat any parking restrictions
May 19, 2019, 6:35 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, IHG Spire, AMEX Plat
Posts: 595
Was free to park the last time I used it, the website said there was a charge, but I don’t think there would be much free parking around as it’s pretty close to the centre.
May 19, 2019, 1:44 pm
#28
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Looks like there is a GBP10 charge to park overnight. I'll just suck it up and pay for it, especially if I arrive latish. If it looks like there is easy onstreet parking, I will go for that. Don't know what the UK is like for that, haven't driven a lot there for years. But in the US I can usually get lucky with onstreet overnight parking (unless it's Brooklyn at 11pm on a Sunday night!).
May 21, 2019, 11:11 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,343
Parking is free on Manor Road from 7pm to 8.30am (starts earlier further from the hotel).
I don't know how much you can trust IHG website reviews but they are surprisingly negative for this hotel (though there aren't that many in total), even some of the nearby HIXs do better.
Oddly it redeems at 12500 points rather than the usual more rounded numbers... though if I really wanted to save points I'd rather stay at HIX Castle Bromwich
I don't know how much you can trust IHG website reviews but they are surprisingly negative for this hotel (though there aren't that many in total), even some of the nearby HIXs do better.
Oddly it redeems at 12500 points rather than the usual more rounded numbers... though if I really wanted to save points I'd rather stay at HIX Castle Bromwich