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Been out the loop for a while with reward stays.
Do Intercontinental Hotels recognise IHG status? I’m booking IC Park Lane later this morning with points – can I expect a decent upgrade and breakfast etc as a Diamond Elite member if I’m not paying cash rate?
I’ve recently become an Diamond-Ambassador at IHG, although my main chain is Marriott, where I have lifetime Titanium status. I shall be at IC Park Lane this weekend on a cash booking using my Ambassador certificate (first room cash; second room at no additional charge). I’ll report back
IHG have confirmed free breakfast, although its not quite clear how extensive it is. I have been upgraded to a room one level higher than what I booked – no chance of a suite
I asked about access to the Lounge (which I gather is rather nice) but they wanted £150/night, which is much more than its worth to me. It looks as though some European IC’s have lounges much more reasonably priced.
Of course, at Marriott I get lounge access for free so this will reduce what might have been further stays at IC/IHG. They have been clever in their Milestone rewards (lounge access at 40 nights IIRC) but I’ll never get there so won’t bother trying.
The IC Park Lane breakfast buffet is very good. Plentiful pastries and breads, cold cuts, a hot food station with an egg chef. Although the scrambled egg was very more-ish. You can expect a one category upgrade as an Ambassador. I got a park view room upgrade on the day before the Queen’s funeral when the hotel was packed with dignitaries and my floor was housing presidents etc. I thought they’d be well within their rights to keep the plebs to separate floors but no; so security men and military attachés aplenty standing guard in the corridors. I really liked the hotel and used my F&B credit in the lobby lounge before checking out at 16.00
Been out the loop for a while with reward stays.
Do Intercontinental Hotels recognise IHG status? I’m booking IC Park Lane later this morning with points – can I expect a decent upgrade and breakfast etc as a Diamond Elite member if I’m not paying cash rate?
As a Diamond but not an Ambassador you will get breakfast and you will probably get some sort of upgrade but maybe just to a slightly bigger room.
Although a friend of a friend once claimed that when he was IHG silver he was upgraded to a suite at an Australian IC, and the rate he paid wasn’t particularly high nor was there any service recovery issue that might have led to the upgrade.
When staying at Doha IC on cheap points rate for 2 nights (prob 5 years ago), wife and I got upgraded to their largest “Royal Suite” even though I was only Gold at time.
There was a local Moto GP race and hotel was full with race teams. Wife and I got there very early (maybe 8am). Receptionist obviously said room wasn’t ready but we asked if could leave bags behind reception and stay by pool for the morning. A hour later, receptionist comes to find us and says ‘we do actually have a room you could use straight away. Bags have already been taken up’
From memory, 220sm. Even had its’ own sauna in one of the 3 bathrooms.
Everything is luck of the drawer with upgrades but smiles can often be a good start 🙂
(Having since found out IHG pay the hotel full room rate if hotel is 95% full, I have wondered if hotel was playing a bigger game by giving away their biggest room to first eligible person, but who cares when you’re the beneficiary and sitting in the lounge eating free breakfast and food all day. They even comp’ed all our food)
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