BBxCoreb

I did up a review of this property on my mid 2014 stay. I have post the photos/write up on the stays forum instead of this to avoid spamming the pages. Feel free to read up on the stay @ the Deluxe Corner Suite.

Flyertalk IHG Stays Forum Link
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24379087-post28.html

My Personal Travel Blog Link
http://www.jltravellounge.com/Travel...-Asiana-Saigon

iFlip23

Excellent detailed post, especially with the photos, thanks BBxCoreb^.

I am staying here early April, one night on PB, the other Club room, as part of our honeymoon. What do you reckon the chances are of being upgraded as a Plat AMB on both the PB stay and the Club Room stay.

Worth sending an email?

BBxCoreb

worth sending an email in my opinion. I was previously quoted USD35++ to retain my suite and additional USD35++ for club access for plat amb. Guess its best to write to them stating its your honeymoon and stuff. =)

iFlip23

Will do I think, it can't hurt can it?
If you have been upgraded, when can you expect to see this reflected in your online account?

GloballyServiced

The breakfast at this hotel is phenomenal in my opinion.

friendlyplanet

I am researching a 4 night paid stay in Saigon at the end of March. I've stayed at the Residences before on a point break, but this time was planning on a paid stay with the whole family (two children, 10 and 14). I was surprised to find out when I enquired with reservations that the benefits for an Ambassador at the Residences on a paid stay is nothing. Wouldn't that be a violation of the Ambassador Ts and Cs? Or do they have different rules?

scubaccr

No they can do as residences are long stay accommodation and not classed as hotel rooms.

Even an RA who gets full suite + lounge upgrade on paid hotel stay, or lounge w/o upgrade on award hotel stay gets no lounge etc at IC Saigon if in Residences, to big annoyance of those RAs

I was there on 16/17th Jan and out of personal interest asked the hotel lounge checkin staff if the residences were stil without bennies and was told yes

aulrik

It's been a while, but I have several stays at the Residence as a RA, where I received Club access and they brought up some beverage to the fridge in the kitchen in the apartment, as a compensation for the lack of minibar. At that time I had close to 100 nights/year at ICAS, so that might have played a role though.

saint77

sounds like the IC Festival City in Dubai that has a 2nd residential apartment building (Residences) that is not considered an hotel, so no booze or club either

TravelTheWorld66

Has anyone ever been upgraded to, or inquired about, the Presidential Suite (as an RA)?

aulrik

Yes, several times, but it's been a couple of years ago, and I was a regular guest at the hotel at that time. If you buy the room category bellow the Presidential Suite, you will get upgraded (if the suite is available). I have booked a standard Club room a couple of times, and gotten the Presidential Suite because no other suites were available.

The Presidential Suite is nice, but it's not over the top in any way. The jacuzzi is indeed nice, but except for that I actually prefer the bathroom in the Executive suites.

ChiefNWA

I'll be heading to HCMC in August for 2 nights to do some sightseeing, food tour, etc. I plan on using points to keep my costs at a minimum plus I've heard this property is pretty nice.

Paid stays are $179+tax for the nights I'm looking at. For the 50K points/2nights should I do the residences or standard? I'm traveling solo if that helps.

I'm Plat with IHG, are there any benefits other than the measly 500 bonus points that I can expect at check in? Surprisingly this is my first time staying in an IC.

TravelTheWorld66

First off, I wouldn't expect anything as a Platinum. Especially on a rewards night. I stayed there as an RA on a rewards night and they weren't overly generous. And I hate to break it to you, but you don't get the 500 welcome points at ICs...only at the other brands.

With that in mind, I think you'd be more impressed by the 1-bedroom apartment you'd get at the Residences than the basic king room you'd get at the hotel. The apartments at the residences are really nice and have a full kitchen, living room, bedroom and balcony. I was blown away by the quality. To me it seemed like a multi-million dollar high-rise condo that you'd find in a big city here in the US. It was beautiful. Hardwood floors, granite countertops, etc.

The only benefits of being at the hotel are having easier access to the pool and club lounge. But you could always walk over and use either if you desired...and you don't even have to leave the building. You'd have to pay for club access of course, but it's there if you want it.

I just stayed at both hotels in March and swore that if I ever returned on points I would stay at the Residences. In my opinion it's only worth staying at the hotel if you're on a paid stay and know you'll be upgraded to a suite or given club access.

ChiefNWA

Darn what will I ever do without those 500 points!?

All good points so sounds like I will choose the Residences in this instance. I find it unlikely that I'll use the pool/lounge but it's always possible. My two days there are already fairly full in terms of scheduling.

airmotive

I was just there (hotel, not residence) on Friday for an overnight before catching a flight home (along with several hundred Secret Service!)

It's a decent pool for escape purposes (especially if it's really hot and humid). The club lounge makes for a nice breakfast away from the crowds, and the lounge staff is really good about spending extra time with you to answer any questions you may have about the country and city. That alone made paying for lounge access worth it.