Is IHG planning to buy Belmond (the old Orient Express Hotels) to add a true luxury brand?

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• Phillip says:

  3 Mar3 March 06:20

  It does sound like a good fit. Das Cataratas Iguassu is one of my all time favourite hotels!

• Andrew S says:

  3 Mar3 March 06:21

  For anyone that has ever stayed at and dined at Le Manoir au Quat Saisons, they will know exactly where I’m coming from here….
  Having stayed at, and dined at Monsieur Blanc’s iconic property a number of times myself, I would personally rank it as one of THE very finest in the world.
  This outstanding property and restaurant leaves any where else I have ever stayed in the world, including Intercontinentals, Conrad’s and Mandarins, standing by a mile.
  For LMAQS to become part of the faceless IHG would surely, long term, be an erosionary disaster of what it stands for.
  The only properties that come close for my money (in the UK), would be The Lanesborough or Claridges in London which, as LMAQS does, exemplify the true meaning of customer & guest service and exquisite Michelin star cuisine.
  Please, NO IHG for LMAQS!!

  • Andrew says:

    3 Mar3 March 08:04

    I wonder how many IHG points would be needed for a trip on the Belmond British Pullman, Royal Scotsman or the Grand Hiberian?

• xmenlongshot says:

  3 Mar3 March 06:28

  Agree with the comment that Le Manoir is ultra lux. Reid’s Palace and Cipriani also some of the best. The others a bit lower down the luxury rankings

• Alex W says:

  3 Mar3 March 07:13

  Exciting, there are some great destinations on there!.

• Roger says:

  3 Mar3 March 07:21

  OT

  Has anyone experienced IHG app running in background and draining phone battery.

  I had to uninstall IHG on my android due to this reason several times in last 2 weeks

  • John says:

    3 Mar3 March 07:40

    Get an app that shuts down background apps

• Wally1976 says:

  3 Mar3 March 07:44

  Iguacu falls is probably my favourite place in the world – and I’ve travelled a fair bit – although I stayed in a £2.50 a night hostel (including breakfast!). A bit OT, sorry.

  • Sussex bantam says:

    3 Mar3 March 08:15

    Definitely agree – I loved Iguassu. Couldn’t afford a luxury hotel at the time though !

• MR WILLIAM GOODACRE says:

  3 Mar3 March 08:02

  Dear Rob,

  Most Belmond properties are extremely impressive.

  They own and run their properties – many of which are iconic and historic – and have deservedly built a reputation for extraordinary staff and service in the hotels is exceptional. Each hotel is run with respect to its unique cultural style and identity. Many of their properties are destination – attractions in their own right.

  Personally I would trade a stay in a suite at the Four Seasons Denver for any entry level room at the Splendido in Portofino.

  They are definitely not a joke.

  • Rob says:

    3 Mar3 March 10:02

    They really aren’t (in my view). Take a look at, say, Gallivanters Guide or the Flyertalk luxury hotels forum where discussion on Belmond is nil.

    The Chelsea hotel is next to my kids school and is unlikely to be anything special given the size.

    • Nigel says:

      4 Mar4 March 09:35

      Yes, “your industry” isn’t really luxury travel is it? The absence of chatter on Belmond on the points circuit is possibly due to the fact they don’t participate in points schemes.

      In terms of providing luxury accommodation, they are very much not a joke, and as others have noted, the equal of Four Seasons and Madarin.

      • Rob says:

        4 Mar4 March 11:24

        Neither the luxury hotels bit of Flyertalk or Gallivanters Guide have anything to do with points and both treat Belmond as second tier, as I do.

        In 15 years of reading Gallivanters Guide I cannot think of a single annual award they won, which would be nil out of about 200 over that period.

• Wivus says:

  3 Mar3 March 09:08

  Bit bloody late. Going to Cape Town next week and, as I need a few last IHG points, have booked into the completely average Holiday Inn. They have nothing better within 200 miles. Believe me, I’ve checked.
  Can they do this tomorrow?

  • Gavin says:

    3 Mar3 March 10:10

    I’ve got fairly simple tastes for food, but had a brilliant time at Galbi on long street for korean BBQ style eating with kudu, zebra, ostrich etc. Washed down with Soju of course

  • Matt says:

    3 Mar3 March 13:06

    Good number of Marriotts though since they bought Protea. Bag your IHG points (maybe add a bonus package?) then jump ship?
    Marriott is running a 2-3k promo per stay, but the best is that all CPT Marriotts seem to be Cat1-5 so those free night vouchers would work on them, it’s hard to find a useful UK Marriott that isn’t above Cat5.

  • Simon Blackburn says:

    3 Mar3 March 14:56

    And afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson is a treat – not massively luxurious but all-you-can-eat and not at all stuffy. (Though my view may be influenced by the fact that when I went there was a big wedding on at the hotel and everyone just seemed to be in a really happy mood.)

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