browserden

When staying on points at CP City can we upgrade to lounge access? If so how much will they charge and is it worth it?

I know they don't generally upgrade plats to lounge access as I stayed there recently, but I arrived very late that day (snow delays) and had to leave early so there was no point taking the lounge that time.

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Older post prior to this post could be found in the archive thread of this property:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...l#post28177819

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FLYGVA
Moderator IHG Forum

nicolas75

I get club access when staying at this hotel (but never stayed on points at this property)
The club lounge is not big, but elegantly decorated ( as the whole hotel)
Drinks and canapés in the evening
Free internet
Closed for breakfast during week-ends (coupon offered for - excellent - breakfast at restaurant)

redbus

I stay there a lot - about once a week, and I'm a RA.

I usually get club lounge FOC, but it can be hit and miss, and seems as though it depends who checks you in - and indeed whether you're on a paid stay or points. I would say that paid stays, always booking the cheapest room gives me club lounge 90% of the time, whereas reward nights will be more like 60%.

The usual excuse is that "we are busy so can't let you have it this time" - but it's worth challenging on a paid stay. But on a reward night, it will depend on your overall status, or perhaps in this case, the lack of regularity at the hotel. FWIW you should get free internet (and movies), and an upgrade, but don't "expect" more as you will be disappointed.

Free booze and canapes are worth having in the lounge, as is the free complimentary breakfast in the club lounge (continental). I have (although rarely) been offered to get access (when it has been denied) for around £30 plus vat. Not bad value if you really do use it (ie drink !).


Hope that helps

RB

browserden

If £30 is the going rate I'm more than happy to pay that. When you consider I spent the same amount if points as I'd pay in a London HIX then £30 seems a bargain. But as I'm trying to not spend a lot I won't be paying much more than 30

redbus

What's your priority club/ambassador status?

RB

browserden

Platinum

price123

When phoning in advance of a stay I was told (as ra) that would have to pay £80+vat for club access. Seemed wrong as more than difference between normal and club room but that's what I was told even when I queried it.

aris123

in my experience you normally have to pay
and remember some time u/e to exec floors does not give access which is really very odd as other chains if platinum you get it for free

redbus

Well - we all know that prices can vary on this, even at the same property. This has been discussed at length elsewhere re Intercontinental Hotels club lounge prices charged.

Suffice to say I was offered for about £30 plus vat - more than once, but clearly the price can vary - and, don't forget, I'm a regular so they might have been giving me access for a "regulars" price.


My sense here is that you're unlikely to get Club Lounge automatically, unfortunately. But as suggested elsewhere in this thread, it might be worth contacting the staff (who are excellent) in advance of your stay to find out the score.


Again, it has been noted on other threads, that Plat-Ambs, and RAs seem to get better treatment at some CPs than Platinum members.

RB

greg999

I emailed the hotel about an upcoming reward stay in May as a platinum member. I originally got an email that said "In regards of the Executive Lounge access, as per our terms and conditions, is always subject to availability but as you are platinum member we will do our best to give you a complimentary room upgrade subject to availability" This was sent by someone with the title of reception supervisor.

However, the following day I got another email that said "If you wish to have access to our Executive Lounge that comes with a separate supplement of £60 per room per night which entitles you with complimentary breakfast in the morning, soft drinks during the day and alcoholic drinks and canapés in the evening" This email was sent by someone with the title of front desk manager.

It seems that there is an inconsistent policy regarding lounge access. I'm adding two days paid stay at the end of my reward stay and using the 2 for 1 lounge access is 22 pounds more a night so I'll probably pay the extra for the two pay nights at the end and see if I have any luck getting upgraded for the reward part of the stay (the first 4 days). I'm going to pass on the 60 pounds per night supplement. Anyone have any luck getting access for the entire stay when combining pay and reward rooms?

Goonerfish

I know this has already been mentioned in many threads in the past but I firmly believe if one is upgraded to a Club Room then they should have Club Lounge Access. Not giving it IMO is completely against the spirit of the program. After all if you book a Club room...you get lounge access! Therefore being upgraded to said room should also include any benefits associated with that room.

I also checked with this hotel during the £20.12 day and was too quoted £60 for lounge access. Personally I wouldn't pay £60 for their club lounge. Its the same price as the IC London charge for RAs for access to their lounge which is miles better than that of the CP City. So for me, £60 for their lounge is not a very attractive deal.

browserden

After all the replies here I decided to phone the hotel and ask. I was told they would upgrade me to club if possible but they'd not include lounge access.

I asked about if I could get it with a supplement and was quoted £80! I thought price123 had made a typo when they said that price as others were quoting £60 or less but I've been told the same.

How can this be? It's way too much for a CP. I've never even been charged as much in an IC.

Shall I cancel and try my luck with Shoreditch? I know there a club room is a club room but they don't have as many club rooms and are likely to prioritise paying plats for upgrades.

britbronco22

I don't really think the lounge is a big deal unless you are staying with a few people and plan to exploit the free booze.

browserden

If I have work to do on my laptop it makes a nice change in surroundings from working in the room. I'd be happier being told (KLM style) "That is not possible" rather than being offered it at a sky high fee (when £60 appears to be the average for this hotel).

layz

2009 at the CP Kensington they charged GBP50 per room for a club upgrade. I thought this was worth the money as long as you planned to take advantage of their evening drinks and canapes as well as breakfast.

At Christmas 2010 the upgrade was seventy something pounds (70 or 75, can't remember exactly). I thought this was pushing it a bit for value.

It looks like the CP The City is doing the same and increasing their prices. Are they getting greedy or were the lounges getting overcrowded at the old rates?

At the IC Wien (Vienna) recently, they charged 70 euros a night lounge access - but you got a lot more than a CP typically provides. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner provided, beer and soft drinks always available with an increased alcohol selection in the evening. Free WiFi or internet enabled computers available and you can also book the meeting room there when available.

The number of hotels that offer lounge access complimentary to elites seems to be getting smaller. I think it's because it's way too easy to become platinum. The cost of providing food and drinks in the lounge may outweigh the income they make from you particularly if you pay with points or a promotional rate like 20.12.

They really need a Royal Ambassador like tier for all IHG brands and then offer us some decent benefits in all chains. I've never seen a Crowne Plaza suite before, but I see them all the time in ICs