IC Sydney Master Thread [merged] - after January 2011
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,107
IC Sydney Master Thread [merged] - after January 2011
Frequent guests seem to have so many hassles with this hotel. I had considered staying here on my next Sydney trip in May (using a "current BOGO) but after reading about all of the problems that seem to pop up I'm hesitant. I read that I can't use BOGO for club level here. Is that correct? However, I rely heavily on hotel executive clubs for just about everything--wifi, food & drinks--so how does the club stack up against other hotel clubs in the city? Is it worth forgoing BOGO?
Note from Modeator:
Older post prior to this post could be found in the archive thread of this property:
IC Sydney Archive Thread
Thank you
FLYGVA
Note from Modeator:
Older post prior to this post could be found in the archive thread of this property:
IC Sydney Archive Thread
Thank you
FLYGVA
Last edited by FLYGVA; Apr 4, 17 at 8:03 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
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Posts: 8,681
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 29,121
Frequent guests seem to have so many hassles with this hotel. I had considered staying here on my next Sydney trip in May (using a "current BOGO) but after reading about all of the problems that seem to pop up I'm hesitant. I read that I can't use BOGO for club level here. Is that correct? However, I rely heavily on hotel executive clubs for just about everything--wifi, food & drinks--so how does the club stack up against other hotel clubs in the city? Is it worth forgoing BOGO?
I used an old style bogo in August, on a club room, and had no problems. I'd say that you should check the link to book using the new certs and see if a club level room is listed. If so, then I can see no problems with booking it.
While there was a slight hassle checking in with the old style bogo, overall I was extremely happy with the hotel, and the club is gorgeous. The views are some of the best, if not the best of any hotel I've been to.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA-Plat, AA-Plat, PC-Plat Amb, tons of others...
Posts: 114
Is the club level worth purchasing the upgrade from a points stay?
RA staying later this month with a combination of points and BOGO. The BOGO reservation got upgraded to Club, the points stay didn't. When I (nicely) inquired on the possibility of getting the points stay upgraded, they quite nicely said they couldn't. But that I could pay a $150/night upgrade to club for the points stay.
For those that have stayed here before, is that worth it? Especially when I already have RA minibar benefits? Seems kind of steep to me.
RA staying later this month with a combination of points and BOGO. The BOGO reservation got upgraded to Club, the points stay didn't. When I (nicely) inquired on the possibility of getting the points stay upgraded, they quite nicely said they couldn't. But that I could pay a $150/night upgrade to club for the points stay.
For those that have stayed here before, is that worth it? Especially when I already have RA minibar benefits? Seems kind of steep to me.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
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I wouldn't pay over $100, unless you had 4 people in the room. Personally, I'd value the club at $30-$40 per person, per day, if you're going to eat the breakfast and happyhour stuff. If you're going to be out and about most of the time, I wouldn't stress about it at all, and just forget paying anything extra.
#7
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: OOL
Programs: QF WP - LTG, VA Plat, HH D, IHG Spire Amb, Rydges Black, GHA Black
Posts: 440
I have tried to use my BOGO for a club room later this year but am only able to choose a variety of rooms without club access. 
Will have to use it elsewhere as I would not stay at this hotel without the club.
Last time I asked, the charge for bringing an extra guest into the lounge was $35 for breakfast and $45 for evening drinks and I cannot remember what afternoon tea was! So I suppose $150 for two is ok!!!

Will have to use it elsewhere as I would not stay at this hotel without the club.
Last time I asked, the charge for bringing an extra guest into the lounge was $35 for breakfast and $45 for evening drinks and I cannot remember what afternoon tea was! So I suppose $150 for two is ok!!!
#8
I have tried to use my BOGO for a club room later this year but am only able to choose a variety of rooms without club access. 
Will have to use it elsewhere as I would not stay at this hotel without the club.
Last time I asked, the charge for bringing an extra guest into the lounge was $35 for breakfast and $45 for evening drinks and I cannot remember what afternoon tea was! So I suppose $150 for two is ok!!!

Will have to use it elsewhere as I would not stay at this hotel without the club.
Last time I asked, the charge for bringing an extra guest into the lounge was $35 for breakfast and $45 for evening drinks and I cannot remember what afternoon tea was! So I suppose $150 for two is ok!!!
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 41,486
Not if it is anything like Melbourne. As an Ambassador, an upgrade from a non club room is to a better room but still without club access. Club access only offered if club has been paid for
#10

Last edited by markis10; Feb 6, 11 at 7:45 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 41,486
Sydney is not like Melbourne in many ways
. If you already booked the best non club room what can they do, although I note the range of rooms on offer with the AMB cert does not reflect the full non club rooms which is a bit rough, especially when you compare whats on offer at fully flex for the same dates, seems to be cutting off some of the benefits!

#12
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA-Plat, AA-Plat, PC-Plat Amb, tons of others...
Posts: 114
I have tried to use my BOGO for a club room later this year but am only able to choose a variety of rooms without club access. 
Will have to use it elsewhere as I would not stay at this hotel without the club.
Last time I asked, the charge for bringing an extra guest into the lounge was $35 for breakfast and $45 for evening drinks and I cannot remember what afternoon tea was! So I suppose $150 for two is ok!!!

Will have to use it elsewhere as I would not stay at this hotel without the club.
Last time I asked, the charge for bringing an extra guest into the lounge was $35 for breakfast and $45 for evening drinks and I cannot remember what afternoon tea was! So I suppose $150 for two is ok!!!
#13
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Programs: VA Gold, IML Gold (*G), Accor Gold
Posts: 112
I can understand why they would do this as I presume they don't make as much money from a BOGO stay as two paid nights. But other hotels in large cities make several room types available, for example Hong Kong and Singapore. And some of those room rates are much higher than in Sydney. Admittedly, Sydney has very few suites, relative to the number of rooms, so it is hard to offer substantial upgrades. If I stayed there and couldn't get an upgrade I would accept compensation of a reduced room rate but others may take a different view. Of course if an upgrade was particularly important to me I would email in advance and ensure that it was arranged.
But is hard to see that limiting the room types is done for any other reason than reducing the value of the BOGO, and therefore reducing redemption rates at Sydney. It may well be that they have enough business already and don't need ambassadors there using BOGOs.
I like the Sydney IC but the only thing it really has going for it is the club lounge. This is the stand out feature of this hotel and I would not stay at Sydney IC without club. The rooms are fine but they are probably due for a renovation soon. Having to pay a club supplement of $150/night on a BOGO stay isn't very attractive. This kind of change makes me less likely to stay at Sydney IC.