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Our first stop on arrival in OZ a couple of weeks ago in the middle of the night was Melbourne Intercontinental. We had emailed twice (no response to the first email) to say we’d be arriving around 1.30 – 2.00am, which we did & found the doors locked & nothing prominently displayed to tell 2 bleary eyed travellers how to get in, & when they had responded to our second email we weren’t warned the doors are locked late evening. Luckily another guest outside having a smoke used his card to let us in. As Ambassadors we were told we had been upgraded to a Junior Suite & informed were also very lucky to have been given lounge access (untrue because the original booked room had lounge access anyway). We checked in & proceeded to our room which was large, dated & pretty uninspiring &, as we found next morning, like most rooms had no view to speak of & was pretty dark & dingy. The air con also rattled overnight but to give them their due it was fixed the next day when we reported it.
There was also no Ambassador welcome note/gift. In the event we decided to keep that room as we thought any other wouldn’t really be much of an improvement given how the building, the old wool salesyard, was configured & most of the day we would be out. Staff were sparse, the lounge was ok for breakfast & afternoon tea was passable, evening canapés were very samey & rather boring. At checkout we were told the amount to be billed, which was room rate only as we’d not charged anything to the room & a copy of the invoice would be forwarded on. All well & good, except the invoice didn’t arrive & when I checked my card I found they had charged the bill plus the 400 dollars they pre-authorised to the card for any extra’s. Neither had they added the welcome bonus points to the account & the stay had changed to, incorrectly, a non qualifying stay! So began over a week of emails between myself & the hotel, including the manager, to firstly get the bill copy, the points added & the correct charge. The 400 dollars was reversed pretty quickly but, apart from regularly offering their sincere apologies nothing else changed & no one person seemed to take responsibility until IHG via chat got involved & eventually it has been corrected & the correct points plus a further 10,000 for the inconvenience added.
Contrast Sydney, we could see in advance they had upgraded us to an opera house view room and they also emailed a welcome letter asking what time we would arrive & would we need a late checkout. Check in was efficiently done by a nice Irish girl who also double checked about the late checkout on departure day as we had said it wasn’t needed (we were moving on after breakfast), there was a prominently displayed sign by the main entrance to say doors were locked late evening but swipe your key card on the pad by the door to access.
By the time we had got up to our light, spacious room with a lovely view of Circle Quay, the bridge & Opera house the welcome bonus points were in the account & 2 days after leaving the stay points credited. There was also a handwritten welcome letter on the table with a bar of luxury chocolate. There were ample, helpful staff & the lounge was excellent as was the view from the roof bar above where breakfast was served. We will return if we’re ever in Sydney again. As for Melbourne, I think the Hyatt would be our choice the next time, it certainly won’t be the Intercon!
I can’t compare the two, but we stayed in the IC Sydney twice in Jan and Feb (beginning and end of the trip), and i agree it’s a very well run hotel. We hsve no status and arrived early at 8am, we were given access to the lounge to shower and change. Our Harbour Bridge room was available by 10.30am. Perfect location 2 minutes walk from Circular Quay. Good buffet breakfast.
Apologies for being wise after the event……
For me, the best hotel in Melbourne is the Park Hyatt. It doesn’t much more than the Intercon, but it’s in a different league (and we had no problems checking in at 1.00am). Some don’t like the location (10 minutes walk from the centre, or a free tram ride) – but the hotel is lovely and quiet.
Emyr got me an excellent deal there.
– In Sydney, I’m happy at either Intercon (but don’t like the Park Hyatt).Apologies for being wise after the event……
For me, the best hotel in Melbourne is the Park Hyatt. It doesn’t much more than the Intercon, but it’s in a different league (and we had no problems checking in at 1.00am). Some don’t like the location (10 minutes walk from the centre, or a free tram ride) – but the hotel is lovely and quiet.
Emyr got me an excellent deal there.
– In Sydney, I’m happy at either Intercon (but don’t like the Park Hyatt).Yes, the PH in Melbourne is good (and often cheaper than the main Hyatt) although it is a little brown and a little dated. As for the difference between the two ICs that’s totally normal across the whole IC portfolio that ranges from 3* to 5* in terms of accommodation, public areas and service.
I agree with the comments about both ICs. Mel can still be worth it if cheap on points.
Good to hear, I’ve got 4 nights at the IC Sydney in October.
I can’t compare the two, but we stayed in the IC Sydney twice in Jan and Feb (beginning and end of the trip), and i agree it’s a very well run hotel. We hsve no status and arrived early at 8am, we were given access to the lounge to shower and change. Our Harbour Bridge room was available by 10.30am. Perfect location 2 minutes walk from Circular Quay. Good buffet breakfast.
Yes they use the top floor Aster room for lounge breakfast & until 1300 & the Club lounge as an early arrival lounge. We arrived early and our room was ready at 1230, even though we’d originally specified 1400 – 1500 arrival.
We did IC Melbourne a couple of years ago for two stays.
It was excellent for us, upgraded to large corner rooms outward facing.
No complaints, redemption prices were very competitive too.
Glad to hear of your good experience at the IC Circular Quay @ruralite – we’re staying there for 4 nights next month – it has always been one of our favourite ICs together with Paris Le Grand and HK (sadly no more as it’s a Regent again) but we haven’t stayed since the refurbished. Can I ask what room you originally booked and what your IHG status is. We are lowly Platinum Ambassadors now.
I am sad though that the Club Lounge is no longer on the top floor – it was so lovely to sit out on the balcony having drinks in the evening but at least it’s good to have break up there.We do have a tentative booking at the Melbourne and have stayed once before – I remember the odd configuration of the two buildings but are very likely to be cancelling and stay in my sisters flat in St Kilda if it’s free when we’re there.
@qc Are we chasing each other around the world again? I did reply to your email the other day.
I was quite happy with IC Melbourne in 2023, and have booked again for this December. Sounds like the OP had a tough time of things, but that shouldn’t be representative of the entire property. I’ve also looked at Park Hyatt and it’s just not competitive price wise for a family of four.
Glad to hear of your good experience at the IC Circular Quay @ruralite – we’re staying there for 4 nights next month – it has always been one of our favourite ICs together with Paris Le Grand and HK (sadly no more as it’s a Regent again) but we haven’t stayed since the refurbished. Can I ask what room you originally booked and what your IHG status is. We are lowly Platinum Ambassadors now.
I am sad though that the Club Lounge is no longer on the top floor – it was so lovely to sit out onthe balcony having drinks in the evening but at least it’s good to have break up there.
We do have a tentative booking at the Melbourne and have stayed once before – I remember the odd configuration of the two buildings but are very likely to be cancelling and stay in my sisters flat in St Kilda if it’s free when we’re there.
We’re Platinum Ambassador & booked a bridge view room with lounge access, so the next level up under the Ambassador one level upgrade is opera house view. You can go up in the evening to 32 as long as there is no private function but there is a 40 dollar minimum spend which isn’t much but we didn’t bother.
Just leaving the Holiday Inn Express in Newcastle to move on to Uluru for a couple of days (my nephew is in Newcastle working) which, for what it is, has been fine for 3 nights & 250m from the station which was handy.Can only echo the positive comments re the Ic in Sydney. We stayed last year after the flight from the Uk. We didn’t think too much to breakfast (there are plenty of options nearby) but we definitely thought it was a well run hotel, and would not hesitate to stop again.
Timely thread as I’m currently sitting in the IC SYD (new) lounge, upper level – the steps down to the lower level complicate things for me: there are still good uninterrupted views from this lounge to the Opera House and Botanical Gardens. I’ve been a regular visitor over the last two years and it’s great to see the lounge team has hardly changed in that time.
Despite my regular stays and being a Royal Amb. upgrades beyond one or two levels are scarce. If I book a Classic room, I get a Harbour Bridge view; picking E Harbour nets an Opera View room which is usually the same room but high enough for a clear view so, say, floor 26 and higher as against 13-16 or thereabouts. My one attempt at using a suite upgrade failed despite seeing inventory.
This trip, I did stay at the PH SYD too for a few days on points + cash – service there really is first class but those cruise ships do tower over everything: not sure I can justify the cost when for half the price I can stay at the IC or Sofitel Darling Harbour which has a spectacular lounge on floor 35.
Timely thread as I’m currently sitting in the IC SYD (new) lounge, upper level – the steps down to the lower level complicate things for me: there are still good uninterrupted views from this lounge to the Opera House and Botanical Gardens. I’ve been a regular visitor over the last two years and it’s great to see the lounge team has hardly changed in that time.
Despite my regular stays and being a Royal Amb. upgrades beyond one or two levels are scarce. If I book a Classic room, I get a Harbour Bridge view; picking E Harbour nets an Opera View room which is usually the same room but high enough for a clear
view so, say, floor 26 and higher as against 13-16 or thereabouts. My one attempt at using a suite upgrade failed despite seeing inventory.This trip, I did stay at the PH SYD too for a few days on points + cash – service there really is first class but those cruise ships do tower over everything: not sure I can justify the cost when for half the price I can stay at the IC or Sofitel Darling Harbour which has a spectacular lounge on floor 35.
Timely thread as I’m currently sitting in the IC SYD (new) lounge, upper level – the steps down to the lower level complicate things for me: there are still good uninterrupted views from this lounge to the Opera House and Botanical Gardens. I’ve been a regular visitor over the last two years and it’s great to see the lounge team has hardly changed in that time.
Despite my regular stays and being a Royal Amb. upgrades beyond one or two levels are scarce. If I book a Classic room, I get a Harbour Bridge view; picking E Harbour nets an Opera View room which is usually the same room but high enough for a clear view so, say, floor 26 and higher as against 13-16 or thereabouts. My one attempt at using a suite upgrade failed despite seeing inventory.
This trip, I did stay at the PH SYD too for a few days on points + cash – service there really is first class but those cruise ships do tower over everything: not sure I can justify the cost when for half the price I can stay at the IC or Sofitel Darling Harbour which has a spectacular lounge on floor 35.
Yes you’re correct now I think about it, it’s actually a East Harbour room we’d booked that got us the Opera view room on floor 26 with a clear view of the bridge to the left, opera house centre & botanical gardens to the RH side. Yes, I agree the two tier club lounge with the fairly steep steps is not ideal for anyone with mobility issues. At least to 32 there is the option of a lift and then it is all on one level.
The huge cruise ships that seem to arrive and depart on a daily basis do tower over everything on Circle Quay!@qc Are we chasing each other around the world again? I did reply to your email the other day.
Oops – sorry! I sometimes forget to reply!
You’re following me this time😉
Timely thread as I’m currently sitting in the IC SYD (new) lounge, upper level – the steps down to the lower level complicate things for me: there are still good uninterrupted views from this lounge to the Opera House and Botanical Gardens. I’ve been a regular visitor over the last two years and it’s great to see the lounge team has hardly changed in that time.
Despite my regular stays and being a Royal Amb. upgrades beyond one or two levels are scarce. If I book a Classic room, I get a Harbour Bridge view; picking E Harbour nets an Opera View room which is usually the same room but high enough for a clear view so, say, floor 26 and higher as against 13-16 or thereabouts. My one attempt at using a suite upgrade failed despite seeing inventory.
This trip, I did stay at the PH SYD too for a few days on points + cash – service there really is first class but those cruise ships do tower over everything: not sure I can justify the cost when for half the price I can stay at the IC or Sofitel Darling Harbour which has a spectacular lounge on floor 35.
Yes you’re correct now I think about it, it’s actually a East Harbour room we’d booked that got us the Opera view room on floor 26 with a clear view of the bridge to the left, opera house centre & botanical gardens to the RH side. Yes, I agree the two tier club lounge with the fairly steep steps is not ideal for anyone with mobility issues. At least to 32 there is the option of a lift and then it is all on one level.
The huge cruise ships that seem to arrive and depart on a daily basis do tower over everything on Circle Quay!Thank you both – I have booked an E Harbour view room so fingers crossed. I was hoping to use a suite upgrade so it’s annoying if they don’t give them despite there being inventory.
So where exactly are these steep stairs – is it possible to get to the different levels by using the lifts. I have a dodgy hip at the moment.
Hi qc – it’s more a change in floor levels – just looked in now after breakfast in the Aster bar and counted 6 steps down. I’ve seen some folks tackle them that I would judge as less mobile than myself. I found a photo online which shows the different heights – their instagram page Intercontinental Sydney 20 Dec 22.
I often have lunch there, ordering from In Room dining and the team are happy to bring up whatever I need and I do venture down occasionally. Sadly, like so many Lounges, the evening spread has been cut back from what you would remember.
On inventory, I know from FT that this hotel always had a poor reputation for upgrades pre reno though no Suite upgrade awards in those days. And they do classify suites according to view so maybe City View is the best you would get.
Stayed at IC Sydney in February. Particularly enjoyed the evening drinks and canapés. Could do with one of their Spicy Pineapple Margaritas right now.
Interesting discussion, thanks for sharing.
I must say that I had an excellent stay at the IC Rialto Melbourne in January using well priced reward nights (way cheaper any UK IC redemptions) and this was my second stay there. I really like the building too although views from it are not so good. I got the expected Ambassador benefits without any trouble.
I haven’t stayed at the Sydney IC but I think the building (from the outside) is far from beautiful, although I am sure the view out from some its rooms is splendid. The cash & redemption prices for Sydney IC were too much for me, although this was during the Australia Day holiday. However I did stay at the Kimpton and also at the Sydney Indigo – both of which were really nice in my opinion.
At the Kimpton I took the welcome amenity of a drink+snack. In the UK you are lucky to get a packet of crisps but in Sydney I was given a plate of chef-cooked hot snacks.
We stayed at the IC Sydney, views are great, spotlessly clean and good F&B, though the downstairs bar was diabolical – orders wrong then not corrected properly, no obvious management – it’s a real stain on the rest of the hotel. Overall far better than the Shangri-La but not as good as the Four Seasons (probably among the cheapest FS in the world?).
We stayed at the IC Sydney, views are great, spotlessly clean and good F&B, though the downstairs bar was diabolical – orders wrong then not corrected properly, no obvious management – it’s a real stain on the rest of the hotel. Overall far better than the Shangri-La but not as good as the Four Seasons (probably among the cheapest FS in the world?).
The Four Seasons in Sydney probably is one of the cheapest in the declining chain, but for good reason as it’s very poor and in dire need of updating. The Shangri-La in Sydney is also a poor example of what’s generally a rather good chain. The Sydney market doesn’t seem to be attracting a lot of hotel investment.
I had a good chat to the GM, they considered a lot of ideas, one being residential, which I could see working really well if done properly. While the pool and spa left a lot to be desired – the rooms had been refurbished, the breakfast and service were both as excellent as you’d expect, so we were very happy.
My only experience of the Shangri-La has been miserable outside of the Shard – F&B, service and properties outside of the more recent developments seem to have been totally devoid of investment but still seem to attract a crowd because of the name.
@executiveclubber – it’s interesting, but not entirely surprising, that they can’t make the hotel work as is. Such ‘refurbishment’ as has been done of the rooms is purely cosmetic and the lobby area remains in the dark ages.
Re “the breakfast and service were both as excellent as you’d expect” that is no longer applicable to the FSHR chain! Service standards have really declined, getting rid of their car fleets, not accompanying guests to their rooms, not bypassing reception queues, selling events in public areas to outside guests, delaying refurbishment, charging for so many things that were formerly included and should still be included. The pressure on GMs to cut cost is intense and it really shows. FS was good but now other luxury only groups have pulled way ahead. The turnover of hotels leaving is very telling.
As for FS breakfasts, we have experienced a terrible and an abominable. I haven’t had breakfast at the FS Sydney, but have walked past breakfasting guests (it’s a useful cut through for non guests) and the area where it is served and what one can observe of the food looks pretty poor and quite depressing. La Renaissance round the corner will give you a far better breakfast in nicer surroundings at a fraction of the price.
We have really only experienced Shangri-La in China (outside Beijing and Shanghai) and found it excellent in terms of accommodation, service, value and overall generous hospitality – actually better than Four Seasons today.
As Shang Ri La have been mentioned above I thought I’d add.
We are in the Shang Ri La in Cairns now. Apart from Oman (years ago & it was excellent) we’ve not stayed in one. We booked last minute due to a change of plans – torrential rain – and paid approx. £150 for a deluxe king per night. At check in we decided to pay for a lounge upgrade, approx. £40/night, which then also gave us a top floor suite. A huge bedroom with folding doors to the decent sized lounge with sofa, armchair etc & a balcony looking directly over the marina. Bathroom is a bit tired (mainly the bath with shower over it) but is well equipped with towels, toiletries etc. & everything is spotlessly clean. The lounge access gets breakfast, evening canapés & drinks 5 – 7, soft drinks & tea/coffee the rest of the day. Tonight’s canapé & cold meat/cheese selection was excellent.
When we arrived back late this afternoon a welcome message had been placed in our room with a box of 4 macarons & a full size bottle of decent sparkling wine which was left chilling in the fridge for us. The staff I have to say are all efficient, eager to help & constantly smiling. Shame they can’t make the weather smile on us!
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