A couple of months ago, we met Mega at the Renaissance Uluwatu. He had been Director of Rooms at the IC Bali until the middle of 2016.

BTW, we also got upgraded to a suite at the Renaissance, but it was a pretty awkward set up.

Sill pontificating but probably going to move my rewards booking from the Indigo to the IC, the row of restaurants look good for dinner. Quick question, is there anywhere to walk for breakfast or should I bite the bullet and pay the fee?

Chocolate Cafe

https://www.facebook.com/chocolatecafejimbarancorner/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...Kuta_Bali.html

Me again with another question, there is a reasonable cash rate for a Jimbaran Deluxe which includes breakfast. What would be my likely upgrade from there as Spire Ambassador.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate the help.

Singaraja / Singaraja Premium would be the upgrade as Jimbaran Deluxe is nothing but a renovated old Classic room.

Bit the bullet and booked a King Club Room for cash, always painful when you have the points, we will see what the upgrade fairy brings.

Expect a Club Duplex and anything beyond is pure luck. Depending on when you plan to stay, e.g. after Nov 2018, the plan is to take many of the Club Specialty Suites (Uluwatu, Bukit) out of inventory due to renovation of 6xxx wing.

Thanks Demue, that's what is showing on the website already. By the time I had accounted for some cash back and the points I will earn and what I expected to pay for club access, paying seemed the better value. I'll report back in mid Nov.

anyone with any recent stories about upgrades with AMB status using points?

On points they go by the book unless they are short of rooms in the booked category. Hence expect the room category you reserved and be happy if any upgrade is given.

Btw, redemptions now should book into Jimbaran Deluxe (renovated) which basically replaces a Classic room (not renovated). Above that will be Singaraja Premium once the 4xxx Wing is completed in Nov 2018 (planned). Not too bad value for points even without upgrade depending on cash rates.

booked points first night + bogo 2nd+3rd night.

was told have to move rooms after 1st night. So, pretty strict on points even with this trick.

If that was from a Classic / Base room to a Club room or a suite then yes they will ask you to move or you agree on paying a supplement fee.

We did have a mixed stay a few months back were 2 nights were paid and 2 nights were on points all in a Classic room (work stay combined with leisure). The paid nights were upgraded to Singaraja as AMB and I just asked to stay in same room for points nights which was granted. Not a huge price difference between these rooms and very limited additional benefits so if they had made a fuss I would have stayed at another place.

FYI:
Refurbishment of wings 4 & 5 is on hold at the moment, there seem to be some issues/disagreements between management and owner. This means work in the club wing will most likely start with a delay (Source: Management team member).

Minor work at the club pool bar is currently carried out, leading to some noise during the day.

Thanks, interesting. 4xxx is almost done so not sure what would be achieved by holding back on it and for changes it would seem very late in the game. 5xxx is not as far along and was planned for early 2019 completion.

Well not surprised overall. Let's hope whatever "challenges" there are can be overcome soon.