From what I understand club access is not granted at the Inercontinental in Cyprus (Aphrodite hills). I know it's not a published perk...

You do not have to "ask for it", you only have to ask for the informtation. Different from other hotels you do not need special key, you just go up the top floor and enjoy. And seriously: With the exeption of IC Berlin I have rarely seen a place actively promoting this undocumented perk.

IC BUD

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked: Superior Room King Bed River View, advance purchase rate
Received: River View Suite King Bed Club Access. I believe 1 category+Club is the standard upgrade, so the cheapest room will give a river view standard room + Club.

How are the rooms?

Comfortable suite, the size of two standard rooms knocked together, so I'm guessing ~46sqm. Bedroom and bathroom area separated from living area by sliding doors. Living area with wardrobe in a slightly cramped recess and Nespresso machine with incomprehensible instructions. Bathroom with shower over bath and separate shower cubicle, plus 3 lots of all the standard Elemis toiletries.

Lovely view over Castle Hill and the Chain Bridge.

Television had a couple of channels from just about every language you could hope for, but was oddly wedged in to a cabinet that was designed for a CRT, and despite opening to both the bedroom and living room sides, could only be viewed from the bed.

Turndown service was on request only.

How is the exec. lounge?

The Club is on the first floor, and has been recently renovated (I believe it used to be on the top floor). There is a comfortable seating area with big windows looking out onto E�tv�s ter and the Chain Bridge, an area with higher tables (better for eating at), the buffet area with some more couches, and a business area with a couple of computers near the door. Very friendly and helpful staff. If it's not in your rate, then Club access is listed at �65/night.

All day offering was soft drinks (selection of tea, coffee machine, fruit juices) and some small pastries.

Breakfast served 0630 to 1030, with a small selection of cereals, cheese/meats, bread/pastries, and a couple of hot things including eggs (boiled/scrambled). Alternatively, you could use the much larger buffet offering in the restaurant downstairs.

Happy hour, 1800 to 2000 - local beer (Dreher), local sparkling wine (Hungaria - �6.90/bottle at the airport!), local red and white wines. Larger selection of snacks, though quite a lot of it was fairly unidentifiable.

What was good and what was bad?

Good

- Good upgrade without hassle
- Minibar mentioned at check-in up in the Club, and no charges appeared at checkout
- Great location for a tourist
- Shortly after check-in, while we were out, the following was delivered:

• fruit plate (orange, apple and banana, not very exciting)
• small bottles of water
• 500ml bottle of local red wine (the welcome gift)
• Club welcome letter, outlining the available services
• Note welcoming me on my first stay at the hotel, with the business card
  for the Executive Assistant Manager

Bad

- Dynamic Currency Conversion
The hotel charged the advance payment to my card in GBP without my permission, despite quoting in EUR. As I paid using a card with no foreign exchange fees, I'm a bit annoyed, especially since the advance purchase meant they charged me the 3% conversion fee without notice (at least I could have contested it at checkout before payment if I was on a flexible rate)

- Minibar
The minibar looked a little sparse, but on closer examination of the price list it seems this is standard, not a special RA "perk". The price list states that the "hard liquor package" (spirits, mixers and sparkling wine) is available on request, though it appears it would still be free to RAs. Also the wine was pretty rough!

- Prostitutes...
They didn't cause me any bother, but the ladies who appeared near the hotel entrance after dark did look a lot like they were selling their services.


Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

We paid ~�100/night, which seems a pretty good deal to me, though watch the VAT and tourist tax that adds 20% to the headline rate. Would definitely consider returning if I was in BUD again.


I'll post a report with pictures in the Stay forum once I get round to sorting the photos out.

Please make a fuss about this. DCC without your explicit agreement is completely against the merchant agreement with the CC company. It works in the interests of the bank and the hotel, and against those of the card-holder. The potential penalty is exacerbated if you use one of the credit cards that puts no load or fee on European currency conversion.

If you scale up the few percentage points DCC penalty paid by the number of rooms and nights per year, you get a picture how much such a simple little racket is worth.

I will do - possibly to the Executive Assistant Manager who was kind enough to put his card on my welcome note... I had started drafting a complaint but wondered if it was worth it over a relatively small amount. But as you say, scaled up, it certainly adds up.

We have decided to move the discussion of the "new Royal Ambassador Benefit of Ladies Service" to our Lounge Thread. Please continue / read the discussion in the above mentioned thread.

FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum

Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked King Club room at $170 per night, using expiring BOGO for 2nd night. Received Baron's Suite.

How are the rooms?
Typical 1 bedroom suite. Living room with dining table and 3 chair, flatscreen tv, bar area with sink and empty mini refrigerator. 1/2 bath connected to living area. Bedroom has bed, two nightstands, chair with ottoman and chest with flatscreen tv and minibar. Huge walk in closet with dresser. Large bathroom with jetted tub and separate shower. 3 sets of toiletries, replaced daily. Great view over Galleria area from both rooms.

How is the executive lounge?
Didn't make it there for breakfast, but lounge has a good view of downtown Houston. Evening cocktails and canapes had some good selections (beef empanadas, coconut lobster on a stick) and some misses (the pork with mashed plantains). Soft drinks and bagged snacks available throughout the day.

What was good and what was bad?
Good
Excellent upgrade -- was expecting a directors suite, but pleased to receive the Baron's Suite. Front desk has REALLY improved since my last visit.

Bad
Nothing.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Very good. Yes.

Fishing for an RA referral are we?

Or did you just want me to call you so we can discuss our mutual love of Priority Club? BTW, I tried to but I think you left off a digit.

OK, I've led a sheltered life - but what in Heaven's name is coconut lobster on a stick?

I had a lobster sandwich last night, and shrimp balls tonight at the IC BKK club. Who even knew shrimp HAD balls?

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked: Standard room, upgraded to junior suite = the standard RA room upgrade

How are the rooms?

Corner junior suite, full glass to ground windows so lots of light. Very comfortable and still appearing new. Out of the 4 corners of the building, the best one is the one set back from the roads, as traffic noise can be a problem - I got my choice.

Great view of city skyline and the water.

Turndown service is now without chocolate - a cut they made a few months back, which seems cheap.

How is the exec. lounge?

The lounge is great, though beer has been removed the fridge, as too many users reportedly took it away from the lounge, when I asked about this.

All day offering was soft drinks (selection of tea, coffee machine, most carbonated drinks).

Breakfast served to 10.30, scrambled eggs, bacon, cereals, bread, fruit and other continental breakfast range.

Soup from 12.00 to around 2 ish, which is always nice.

What was good and what was bad?

Good

- Basic upgrade - I'd like better upgrades as Platinum RA
- Great location
- Shortly after check-in, while we were out, the following was delivered:
fruit plate (bananas, strawberroes. grapes - nice, the standard is 3 apples at the moment =not very exciting)
small bottle of water per day - size has been reduced over the past year
- Staff service is generally excellent

Bad

- - Minibar charges were made, and refunded, though this adds international conversion and use charges to my bill, which I'm not happy about.
- Minibar
It would be nice if chocolate snacks were included in the daily minibar offer.
- Noise levels - downtown SanFran emergency services sirens are frequently heard through the night.
- Upgrades It would be nice to have better upgrades than to the minimum junior suite more frequently

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Whilst I'd paid more on pre-pay rates than the rate finally dropped, the hotel was still a reasonable deal.
I will return, as many staff know me and treat me well.

darby1970, can you elaborate?

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Yes, very -- outstanding value for the price.


Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked an Executive Suite for ~ $170 prepaid friends & family rate.

Confirmed at booking to Presidential Suite per their standard 2-category upgrade.

Rate was charged to my credit card day of checkin.


How are the rooms?

Actually I saw 2 rooms -- a regular room on the 12th floor when I arrived before noon but the Presidential Suite was not yet ready, I'd say it was fine and perfectly comfortable but rather small.

The Presidential Suite is big, and in many ways quite similar to the Diplomatic Suite at the IC Bangkok.

Big bathroom with soaking tub, two vanities/sinks, an exercise bike, a separate toilet area, steam shower with many shower heads, and a sauna.

The bedroom was large with sitting area and desk area. TV was old, really needs a flat screen. There was a separate dressing/luggage room between the bedroom and bathroom.

There was a living room with baby grand piano. There was a formal dining room with small kitchen (with its own entrance) off to the side.

Entryway was lots of marble and had a guest bath disguised by a panel in the wall.


How is the exec. lounge?

Very friendly staff. Very nice breakfast, probably better selection in the restaurant but very quiet and subdued atmosphere. Evening cocktail time was busy and wasn't all that impressed by the canape selections but the staff couldn't be friendlier.


What was good and what was bad?

Can't complain about the Presidential Suite confirmed at booking for the price point, with club lounge access, and free internet as an RA, and a welcome fruit and wine amenity, and a gift as well.

But the hotel is in need of some renovation, certainly the suite could have used a facelift, replace the carpets, paint the wall by the desk in the bedroom. And the evening snacks could have been upgraded.


Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

Goodness yes, I'd repeat the deal in a heartbeat ! The only sad thing is that it means I won't check out the Peninsula...

Photos and additional detail:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13795740-post16.html

and the hotel was?
Intercontinental Manila