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The continuing shuttering of Lounges at UK Crowne Plaza’s frustrates me. Last week I stayed in Marlow, Aberdeen Airport, Sheffield and Gerrard’s Cross. I don’t understand why IHG is letting them close; it may as well reflag them down to Holiday Inn as most of them only really offer a slightly better restaurant now.
Of the 4 stays only Aberdeen had its lounge open. During happy hour you had to request drinks from the bar from a limited selection, as well as some canapes. All day It had, crisps, cookies, a coffee machine and premium soft drinks as well as some nice seats and pods you can work in have a meeting in.
Sheffield, Rob’s favourite CP – didn’t have holes in its curtains, or an open lounge. It did however have a lounge pack that gave you two drinks vouchers, Kit Kats, packs of crisps and some harribo. Gerrard’s Cross had one beer in the fridge and two BA sized soft drinks.
Has anyone complained to IHG about the mess of UK Crowne plazas? The Sheffield solution; or Aberdeen just serving drinks from the bar, feels like a way forward.
Don’t disagree. Currently in the CP T4 lounge – always nice but still limited choices on food and drinks. Same with LGW Crawley. Used to quite like CP Felbridge lounge, but that hotel has randomly left IHG too. Must be the way it’s generally going…..
I’ve got both Intercontinental Willard & Wharf booked – neither has a lounge. Now that is a let down given the price and calibre of hotel. My two favourite lounges in IHG are IC Cancun and IC Boston.
I don’t understand why IHG is letting them close; it may as well reflag them down to Holiday Inn
That’s the problem. Many were reflagged up from Holiday Inn’s to Crowne Plaza’s which downvalued the brand massively.
Also – like CP Docklands, but again no lounge. Don’t think it ever had a lounge though…… On that note, the IC 02 lounge is good too. Forgot that one 🙂
Don’t have a problem with the T4 Lounge and it was built as a CP (with a HIX as the other half of the complex). @Rob has written reviews of both (but now a few years old)
The canapés (2 hot and 2 cold) & drinks (wine/beer) are limited to 2 hours but Michelle keeps everyone topped up to the degree they want to be topped up.
Otherwise it’s hot drinks and soft drinks and snacks.
What’s important to remember is that these lounges aren’t meant to provide an alternative to a full meal.
And not all CPs have them in any case.
I’m not after a meal, outside ritz Carltons not sure I have ever had a meal in a lounges. My tiny room at Gerard’s Cross was half bathroom, didn’t even have a chair to relax in so the lounge would have been a quieter retreat than the bar.
CP T4 is on my no stay list after witnessing the breakfast fruits covered in flies and the post covid collapse in staff number and quality.
Michelle is lovely!! Massive credit to the Arora group 🙂
Never noticed anything like that myself and in the last 2-3 years I’ve been staying there. I’ve not noticed it to be particularly under staffed such as not having long to wait to be served at the bar or for food to arrive after ordering it etc.
Concur. I stayed literally the week it opened after Covid / quarantine hotel and it has come a long way since then. Less staff back then in 2020 but then it was less busy. Stayed most weeks since then and it’s decent. Worth coming back 🙂
They look after their loyal guests / diamond etc.Never noticed anything like that myself and in the last 2-3 years I’ve been staying there. I’ve not noticed it to be particularly under staffed such as not having long to wait to be served at the bar or for food to arrive after ordering it etc.
Also – like CP Docklands, but again no lounge. Don’t think it ever had a lounge though…… On that note, the IC 02 lounge is good too. Forgot that one 🙂
Pretty sure docklands one did have a lounge – but I’m thinking around 2010, mind! It was off the lobby as I recall.
Business Traveller reports that the Best Western at East Midlands Airport is to become a Crowne Plaza. The switch is virtually immediate so clearly no refurbishment seen to be needed!
@Rob It’s not a great hotel and is actually in Kegworth, 3 miles from the airport. The only good thing is that Oakland butchers is nearby which does a great breakfast and some good takeaway lunch options too.
Michelle is lovely!! Massive credit to the Arora group 🙂
I have heard that they are planning to replace Michelle and move her to another area of the hotel. I really hope not as not only is she the CP T4’s greatest asset, no-one else would run that lounge with the diligence, passion and friendliness that she does!!
Will be our first time in the CP T4 lounge later today.
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