No more executive lounge in Holiday Inns Greater China
Apr 22, 2018, 12:35 pm
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
No more executive lounge in Holiday Inns Greater China
As people frequently travel to greater China and Asia may know that executive lounge is a must in Holiday Inns. Or was a standard set up.
But since 2 years ago there were rumours that newly built Holiday Inns would forego executive lounge in the region. The reason behind it is that IHG wants Holiday Inn brand standard to be universal. And there is no reason to have executive lounges in Holiday Inn as most likely there will be a Crowne Plaza in the same city, which is better suited to offer a lounge.
However, the reality is that some of the newly built Holiday Inns continue to offer lounges, either by design or market force. While there are plenty are built without a lounge.
But, the trend recently showing in many Holiday Inns in this region is that majority are changing by getting away with a dedicated Executive lounge.
What is common or will become a common practise is to offering Executive guests a set menu in the lobby bar as snacks and few drinks, for those hotels used to offer a lounge and continued to sell executive rooms.. However, this practise will slowly be phased out once majority of the Holiday Inns in the region had made the transition.
Although I can not tell what will exactly happen and when, but one thing is for sure: Executive lounge will slowly become a rare sight in Holiday Inns in the Asia and Southeast Asia region.
But since 2 years ago there were rumours that newly built Holiday Inns would forego executive lounge in the region. The reason behind it is that IHG wants Holiday Inn brand standard to be universal. And there is no reason to have executive lounges in Holiday Inn as most likely there will be a Crowne Plaza in the same city, which is better suited to offer a lounge.
However, the reality is that some of the newly built Holiday Inns continue to offer lounges, either by design or market force. While there are plenty are built without a lounge.
But, the trend recently showing in many Holiday Inns in this region is that majority are changing by getting away with a dedicated Executive lounge.
What is common or will become a common practise is to offering Executive guests a set menu in the lobby bar as snacks and few drinks, for those hotels used to offer a lounge and continued to sell executive rooms.. However, this practise will slowly be phased out once majority of the Holiday Inns in the region had made the transition.
Although I can not tell what will exactly happen and when, but one thing is for sure: Executive lounge will slowly become a rare sight in Holiday Inns in the Asia and Southeast Asia region.
Apr 23, 2018, 1:13 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,047
Perhaps China...
But in the rest of Asia (or the world) I've never come across a Holiday Inn with an executive lounge and would never expect one. Which isn't to say there aren't a handful of examples, but there is no reason for a thread warning of their disappearance.
But in the rest of Asia (or the world) I've never come across a Holiday Inn with an executive lounge and would never expect one. Which isn't to say there aren't a handful of examples, but there is no reason for a thread warning of their disappearance.
Apr 23, 2018, 2:00 am
#3
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
Perhaps China...
But in the rest of Asia (or the world) I've never come across a Holiday Inn with an executive lounge and would never expect one. Which isn't to say there aren't a handful of examples, but there is no reason for a thread warning of their disappearance.
But in the rest of Asia (or the world) I've never come across a Holiday Inn with an executive lounge and would never expect one. Which isn't to say there aren't a handful of examples, but there is no reason for a thread warning of their disappearance.
Holiday Inn Silom Bangkok
Holiday Inn Bangkok
Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit
Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre
Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium
Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie
Holiday Inn Melaka
In fact the only Holiday Inn in Southeast Asia that does not have Executive Club lounges are Holiday Inn Resorts locations.
Of course there is the need to warn fellow FTers. China is the second biggest market for IHG after the USA. Please do not let your own circumstances limit other people's scope.
Apr 23, 2018, 2:57 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,047
And China isn't the second biggest market for English speakers who participate on Flyertalk.
You made the point yourself. People expect lounges at CPs and they don't at HIs.
Apr 23, 2018, 2:58 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BNE
Programs: QF Gold, VA Gold, IHG Spire, Accor Plat, Marriot Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,281
Add Dubai to the list:
https://www.hialbarshadubai.com/dini...ub-lounge.html
Shame they are not growing, Macau now is void of one. And it’s interesting to compare chains when you are bed hopping, such as Sheraton vs IHG at Sands Cotai, chalk and cheese when it comes elite treatment despite paying same rate at both brands, one gets you a suite and club access as well as dining discounts, other one gets you a smaller normal room and two welcome drinks.....
https://www.hialbarshadubai.com/dini...ub-lounge.html
Shame they are not growing, Macau now is void of one. And it’s interesting to compare chains when you are bed hopping, such as Sheraton vs IHG at Sands Cotai, chalk and cheese when it comes elite treatment despite paying same rate at both brands, one gets you a suite and club access as well as dining discounts, other one gets you a smaller normal room and two welcome drinks.....
Apr 23, 2018, 3:11 am
#6
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
Yes, if you care to list all the Holiday Inns in Asia without executive lounges you are welcome. Please emit any Holiday Inn Resorts locations as they are not designed to have a lounge from the beginning.
Apr 23, 2018, 4:29 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BNE
Programs: QF Gold, VA Gold, IHG Spire, Accor Plat, Marriot Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,281
@markis10The old Holiday Inn in Macau still have Executive Club lounge. The new 'resort' Holiday Inn near the Sands unfortunately does not have one.
Apr 23, 2018, 6:38 am
#9
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
@markis10That is sad. I have not been back for few years! The hotel is still advertising Executive Club room with lounge in its rate description however:
Did they offer a set menu in lobby bar instead for evening drinks and snacks? It seems that is the current offering in several Holiday Inns recently I have been that is getting rid of the Club Lounges.
Originally Posted by Holiday Inn Macau
UPGRADE TO A CLUB RM AND ENJOY THE CLUB BENEFITS. INDULGE IN AN INCL BFAST AND EVENING COCKTAIL AT THE CLUB LOUNGE. OUR CLUB RM OFFER A FRESH UNCLUTTERED AND RE:AXING SPACE...
Apr 23, 2018, 8:33 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,487
As a US-based traveler, I was under the impression that most China and Southeast Asia non-resort HIs DID have executive lounges, as brand standards are different in that part of the world (even Courtyards, which are select service in the US and Europe, often have lounges in Asia), so this new development is news to me.
