IC Budapest (Master Thread)
Jul 20, 2018, 10:35 am
#151
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
The last few times we have requested the club lounge surcharge the price was 70Euro per day. I normally receive a quick response when I email to add the surcharge to our room at: [email protected]
In fact with view and lounge size/staff etc, i'd take b/f in lounge over restaurant. more peaceful, great view although i believe lounge access allows restaurant b/f here still (please check during checkin though)
Jul 20, 2018, 11:50 am
#152
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,939
Breakfast here is good but not amazing. For 70 Euro per day you could have a much better experience in Budapest, such as a great meal or a side-trip. It’s not a lounge worth staying in for imho. (The Marriott lounge next door is far better, for instance). 🤷.♂️
Jul 21, 2018, 12:11 pm
#156
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 181
Saw that in the Ambassador experiences thread about a week before going. Definitely made me nervous, but I was upgraded before arrival on my weekend cert.
Jul 21, 2018, 1:09 pm
#157
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London. Edinburgh, Cornwall
Programs: BA GGL, British Midland Lifetime* Loser
Posts: 7,939
The majority of rooms in the hotel are river view so you’d be exceptionally unlucky not to get one even with the ambassador ‘upgrade’
Jul 21, 2018, 2:05 pm
#158
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,647
Jul 22, 2018, 2:53 am
#159
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
Remember this hotel is not playing fair, anymore no upgrades beyond Junior Suoite as of Sept2016 (even if book J/suite). Though they have plenty of Exec Siuites, propper 2room suites on ends of each floor.
Guessing added to prevent RAs getting 2cat upgrade to Exec Suite, I now onlt book base room here as RA
Guessing added to prevent RAs getting 2cat upgrade to Exec Suite, I now onlt book base room here as RA
Jul 25, 2018, 8:13 am
#160
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,647
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Classic, superior river vew
How are the rooms?
The bathroom is comically small. No power ports at either bed side. No alarm clock. No hair dryer. No dental kit. The clock on the television is so bright, bring your eyeshades. You can seriously do shadow puppets on the walls behind you at night
How is the exec. lounge?
did not purchase access, not offered upsell
What was good and what was bad?
- early spire ambassador check in
- location and view, easy walk to Vaci Street, Central Market, Parliament, St. Paul's
- Ambassador gift was fruit (app request for savory ignored) and luggage tag I get every year anyway, drink coupon (beer, house wine, prosecco)
- had to repeatedly request water re-fresh
- Phone kept ringing in the room. I'd pick up someone would say hello or no one would be there. I finally told them to put a DND on the phone.
- I had consecutive, joined reservations which is a common practice. Well, the overnight manager checks you out and back in. This TURNS ON THE TV at 3 am and again at 5 am!
- Front desk staff very nice. Concierge, servers, bar staff cold and impersonal.
- There was a situation I won't get in to but the duty manager offered breakfast for my remaining days as an apology. I said nothing was needed and I don't eat breakfast. He insisted again. I said, fine, how about a drink coupon for the bar like I got at check in. He said "I really do want you to have the breakfast." Why do you keep offering me something I told you I don't want? So the next morning I went to the cafe and had breakfast. Guess what? Charged ion checkout. Didn't even want to deal with it anymore so I paid for it.
When I checked out, the manager said something about giving me some points for my trouble, I think 1,000 (nothing's hit yet) which is embarrassing. I'll wait for that like my comped breakfast.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
No. Even with a BOGO and paying 200 euro for 2 nights I would not. There's a Four Seasons, Sofitel and Ritz Carlton right there. Even at a higher price point I would stay elsewhere over the IC.
score: 6/10
Classic, superior river vew
How are the rooms?
The bathroom is comically small. No power ports at either bed side. No alarm clock. No hair dryer. No dental kit. The clock on the television is so bright, bring your eyeshades. You can seriously do shadow puppets on the walls behind you at night
How is the exec. lounge?
did not purchase access, not offered upsell
What was good and what was bad?
- early spire ambassador check in
- location and view, easy walk to Vaci Street, Central Market, Parliament, St. Paul's
- Ambassador gift was fruit (app request for savory ignored) and luggage tag I get every year anyway, drink coupon (beer, house wine, prosecco)
- had to repeatedly request water re-fresh
- Phone kept ringing in the room. I'd pick up someone would say hello or no one would be there. I finally told them to put a DND on the phone.
- I had consecutive, joined reservations which is a common practice. Well, the overnight manager checks you out and back in. This TURNS ON THE TV at 3 am and again at 5 am!
- Front desk staff very nice. Concierge, servers, bar staff cold and impersonal.
- There was a situation I won't get in to but the duty manager offered breakfast for my remaining days as an apology. I said nothing was needed and I don't eat breakfast. He insisted again. I said, fine, how about a drink coupon for the bar like I got at check in. He said "I really do want you to have the breakfast." Why do you keep offering me something I told you I don't want? So the next morning I went to the cafe and had breakfast. Guess what? Charged ion checkout. Didn't even want to deal with it anymore so I paid for it.
When I checked out, the manager said something about giving me some points for my trouble, I think 1,000 (nothing's hit yet) which is embarrassing. I'll wait for that like my comped breakfast.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
No. Even with a BOGO and paying 200 euro for 2 nights I would not. There's a Four Seasons, Sofitel and Ritz Carlton right there. Even at a higher price point I would stay elsewhere over the IC.
score: 6/10
Last edited by saaveraward; Jul 26, 2018 at 12:26 am
Jul 25, 2018, 8:29 am
#161
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Classic, superior river vew
How are the rooms?
The bathroom is comically small. No power ports at either bed side. No alarm clock. The clock on the television is so bright, bring your eyeshades. You can seriously do shadow puppets on the walls behind you at night
How is the exec. lounge?
did not purchase access, not offered upsell
What was good and what was bad?
- early spire ambassador check in
- location and view, easy walk to Vaci Street, Central Market, Parliament, St. Paul's
- Ambassador gift was fruit (app request for savory ignored) and luggage tag I get every year anyway, drink coupon (beer, house wine, prosecco)
- had to repeatedly request water re-fresh
- Phone kept ringing in the room. I'd pick up someone would say hello or no one would be there. I finally told them to put a DND on the phone.
- I had consecutive, joined reservations which is a common practice. Well, the overnight manager checks you out and back in. This TURNS ON THE TV at 3 am and again at 5 am!
- Front desk staff very nice. Concierge, servers, bar staff cold and impersonal.
- There was a situation I won't get in to but the duty manager offered breakfast for my remaining days as an apology. I said nothing was needed and I don't eat breakfast. He insisted again. I said, fine, how about a drink coupon for the bar like I got at check in. He said "I really do want you to have the breakfast." Why do you keep offering me something I told you I don't want? So the next morning I went to the cafe and had breakfast. Guess what? Charged ion checkout. Didn't even want to deal with it anymore so I paid for it.
When I checked out, the manager said something about giving me some points for my trouble, I think 1,000 (nothing's hit yet) which is embarrassing. I'll wait for that like my comped breakfast.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
No. Even with a BOGO and paying 200 euro for 2 nights I would not. There's a Four Seasons, Sofitel and Ritz Carlton right there. Even at a higher price point I would stay elsewhere over the IC.
score: 6/10
Classic, superior river vew
How are the rooms?
The bathroom is comically small. No power ports at either bed side. No alarm clock. The clock on the television is so bright, bring your eyeshades. You can seriously do shadow puppets on the walls behind you at night
How is the exec. lounge?
did not purchase access, not offered upsell
What was good and what was bad?
- early spire ambassador check in
- location and view, easy walk to Vaci Street, Central Market, Parliament, St. Paul's
- Ambassador gift was fruit (app request for savory ignored) and luggage tag I get every year anyway, drink coupon (beer, house wine, prosecco)
- had to repeatedly request water re-fresh
- Phone kept ringing in the room. I'd pick up someone would say hello or no one would be there. I finally told them to put a DND on the phone.
- I had consecutive, joined reservations which is a common practice. Well, the overnight manager checks you out and back in. This TURNS ON THE TV at 3 am and again at 5 am!
- Front desk staff very nice. Concierge, servers, bar staff cold and impersonal.
- There was a situation I won't get in to but the duty manager offered breakfast for my remaining days as an apology. I said nothing was needed and I don't eat breakfast. He insisted again. I said, fine, how about a drink coupon for the bar like I got at check in. He said "I really do want you to have the breakfast." Why do you keep offering me something I told you I don't want? So the next morning I went to the cafe and had breakfast. Guess what? Charged ion checkout. Didn't even want to deal with it anymore so I paid for it.
When I checked out, the manager said something about giving me some points for my trouble, I think 1,000 (nothing's hit yet) which is embarrassing. I'll wait for that like my comped breakfast.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
No. Even with a BOGO and paying 200 euro for 2 nights I would not. There's a Four Seasons, Sofitel and Ritz Carlton right there. Even at a higher price point I would stay elsewhere over the IC.
score: 6/10
I hope you posted on TA as well as here (IC BUD or anyone else couldn't care less what is written on FT, but a good TA rant should at least get their attention).
Jul 25, 2018, 9:03 am
#163
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,647
Wow, what a stinker! I think your score is quite generous all things considered (the niceness of the FD staff must have gone a long way).
I hope you posted on TA as well as here (IC BUD or anyone else couldn't care less what is written on FT, but a good TA rant should at least get their attention).
I hope you posted on TA as well as here (IC BUD or anyone else couldn't care less what is written on FT, but a good TA rant should at least get their attention).
Jul 25, 2018, 9:05 am
#164
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,647
Jul 25, 2018, 3:05 pm
#165
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,647
Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Classic, superior river vew
How are the rooms?
The bathroom is comically small. No power ports at either bed side. No alarm clock. The clock on the television is so bright, bring your eyeshades. You can seriously do shadow puppets on the walls behind you at night
How is the exec. lounge?
did not purchase access, not offered upsell
What was good and what was bad?
- early spire ambassador check in
- location and view, easy walk to Vaci Street, Central Market, Parliament, St. Paul's
- Ambassador gift was fruit (app request for savory ignored) and luggage tag I get every year anyway, drink coupon (beer, house wine, prosecco)
- had to repeatedly request water re-fresh
- Phone kept ringing in the room. I'd pick up someone would say hello or no one would be there. I finally told them to put a DND on the phone.
- I had consecutive, joined reservations which is a common practice. Well, the overnight manager checks you out and back in. This TURNS ON THE TV at 3 am and again at 5 am!
- Front desk staff very nice. Concierge, servers, bar staff cold and impersonal.
- There was a situation I won't get in to but the duty manager offered breakfast for my remaining days as an apology. I said nothing was needed and I don't eat breakfast. He insisted again. I said, fine, how about a drink coupon for the bar like I got at check in. He said "I really do want you to have the breakfast." Why do you keep offering me something I told you I don't want? So the next morning I went to the cafe and had breakfast. Guess what? Charged ion checkout. Didn't even want to deal with it anymore so I paid for it.
When I checked out, the manager said something about giving me some points for my trouble, I think 1,000 (nothing's hit yet) which is embarrassing. I'll wait for that like my comped breakfast.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
No. Even with a BOGO and paying 200 euro for 2 nights I would not. There's a Four Seasons, Sofitel and Ritz Carlton right there. Even at a higher price point I would stay elsewhere over the IC.
score: 6/10
Classic, superior river vew
How are the rooms?
The bathroom is comically small. No power ports at either bed side. No alarm clock. The clock on the television is so bright, bring your eyeshades. You can seriously do shadow puppets on the walls behind you at night
How is the exec. lounge?
did not purchase access, not offered upsell
What was good and what was bad?
- early spire ambassador check in
- location and view, easy walk to Vaci Street, Central Market, Parliament, St. Paul's
- Ambassador gift was fruit (app request for savory ignored) and luggage tag I get every year anyway, drink coupon (beer, house wine, prosecco)
- had to repeatedly request water re-fresh
- Phone kept ringing in the room. I'd pick up someone would say hello or no one would be there. I finally told them to put a DND on the phone.
- I had consecutive, joined reservations which is a common practice. Well, the overnight manager checks you out and back in. This TURNS ON THE TV at 3 am and again at 5 am!
- Front desk staff very nice. Concierge, servers, bar staff cold and impersonal.
- There was a situation I won't get in to but the duty manager offered breakfast for my remaining days as an apology. I said nothing was needed and I don't eat breakfast. He insisted again. I said, fine, how about a drink coupon for the bar like I got at check in. He said "I really do want you to have the breakfast." Why do you keep offering me something I told you I don't want? So the next morning I went to the cafe and had breakfast. Guess what? Charged ion checkout. Didn't even want to deal with it anymore so I paid for it.
When I checked out, the manager said something about giving me some points for my trouble, I think 1,000 (nothing's hit yet) which is embarrassing. I'll wait for that like my comped breakfast.
Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
No. Even with a BOGO and paying 200 euro for 2 nights I would not. There's a Four Seasons, Sofitel and Ritz Carlton right there. Even at a higher price point I would stay elsewhere over the IC.
score: 6/10
I'm done paying IHG for ambassador. Going back to hilton diamond. Hotels are average or below, no lounge access and upgrades and minimal at best.
Last edited by saaveraward; Jul 25, 2018 at 3:11 pm
