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So, apart from throwing swanky parties with a butler handing out hazelnut sweets, any suggestions on what a new, London based, Ambassador should do? I’m now itching to book up my “free” night in Europe, and enjoy an upgrade
Considerations:
– I’m booked to Estoril already, on points, Spring 2023
– been to Marseille — absolutely wonderful, but don’t need to go back
– done too much Edinburgh lately, and seen enough of Vienna, Paris and Amsterdam in recent years
– I’m likely to be in a city for the food / sights / nightlife, not the hotel itself
– I’ve done a couple of Kimpton’s and been impressed
– looking for one or two places for a short/weekend break, for cash, probably not a proper holidayShortlist thus far:
– Bordeaux looks decent
– Lyon is the sister of Marseille, can’t be bad
– Never been to Berlin — and there’s a Regent — as a city I think this trumps most other places to visit
– New opening in Bucharest early 2023
– Istanbul remains on my bucket listTIA
You can only use the free night at Regent & Kimpton till the end of this year. There is an IC in Berlin but it looks a bit underwhelming compared to the likes of Marseilles and Lyon!
You can only use the free night at Regent & Kimpton till the end of this year. There is an IC in Berlin but it looks a bit underwhelming compared to the likes of Marseilles and Lyon!
It’s not impossible I’ll be going to Berlin before the end of the year. And you are right, the voucher isn’t working for a random date next year for The Regent. What a shame. Might be the thing I need to get my skates on to get to Berlin sooner, I’ve been meaning to go since the wall came down!
(and my expectations are set — I’ve been to a few ICs and everything is a little underwhelming compared to Marseilles)
The IC in Bordeaux is excellent. When we visited they gave us a brilliant upgrade – way more than one category! Bordeaux is a great city to visit but get there soon (or wait ’til the spring). The IC has a rooftop bar which closes for winter plus the public water feature near the river is shut down in the colder months.
The IC in Bordeaux is excellent. When we visited they gave us a brilliant upgrade – way more than one category! Bordeaux is a great city to visit but get there soon (or wait ’til the spring). The IC has a rooftop bar which closes for winter plus the public water feature near the river is shut down in the colder months.
I’ve been to nearby Cap Ferret and the oysters were sensational. Might be worth it just for that! Unfortunately my pencilled-in date for there was 13 Nov, as the amazing Placebo are playing a gig in town, so probably too cold.
Not to forget IC Porto. If you can combine it with your already planned trip to Portugal.
IC Sofia is also nice. There is also a new IC in Barcelona.
I would honestly avoid the IC Porto until they’ve finished the new metro station, unless you’re not bothered about stepping out of the door onto a building site!
Hi Northern Lass, thanks for the advice on IC Porto, I had been considering it for an upcoming trip at the end of the month. I am Hilton Diamond and IHG Ambassador, but not necessarily limiting my choices. Do you have any recommendations for a 3 night stay? Im currently holding a 3 night points booking at Sa Catedral Porto, Tapestry Collection by Hilton on the basis of the Tripadvisor reviews and being a Hilton to gain double nights on my account.
Any advice on Porto much appreciated. Of course I can read travel blogs etc, but nothing beats the personal experience and advice.
I’ve also already done the IC Porto, mid building work. Still worth it, IMHO. Great hotel, and also being gradually refurbed I think. But unlike some other obviously old hotels, it doesn’t seem “tired”, if you know what I mean. That Tapestry looks like it might be better, incidentally, looked in on the way past, as did The Yeatman (other side of the river), but not seen the inside of a room in either.
@damboy5, I got a few tips from contributors, here’s mine to you:– two nights may not be enough
– Matosinhos is a great evening detour for food — the food in Porto is superb, but somehow it’s even better there
– Castels (I may have the spelling wrong) for amazing Pastel de NataAny advice on Porto much appreciated. Of course I can read travel blogs etc, but nothing beats the personal experience and advice.
There’s a thread here with some porto suggestions.
https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/booking-direct-with-cp-porto/
Thanks for the advice Memesweeper and Tom1. Much appreciated.
Memesweeper, I have a whole week in and out of Porto, and will be planning the week out shortly. Will take your advice and add another day, making 3 full days. Tom1, that thread is very helpful.I was at IC Porto last month – the building work doesn’t happen on a weekend so if you are there Saturday/Sunday then it is not a factor in terms of noise – it just means that the square in front of the hotel is not as picturesque as usual and that you have to take a diversion to get to the hotel entrance from some directions. I echo @memesweeper’s comments about the hotel – it really is an excellent IC. Even if you are there in the week I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend if you are either (1) an early riser / not one to stay in your room much or (2) you get a room overlooking the internal square rather than at the front, as either way any noise from the building at the front won’t really be an issue to you. Status recognition was good, the breakfast fantastic (including free our champagne) and in a room that is at the back of the hotel so no building noise issue either. The location is fab and the staff very good. Enjoy Porto – it really is a wonderful place!
Hi Northern Lass, thanks for the advice on IC Porto, I had been considering it for an upcoming trip at the end of the month. I am Hilton Diamond and IHG Ambassador, but not necessarily limiting my choices. Do you have any recommendations for a 3 night stay? Im currently holding a 3 night points booking at Sa Catedral Porto, Tapestry Collection by Hilton on the basis of the Tripadvisor reviews and being a Hilton to gain double nights on my account.
Any advice on Porto much appreciated. Of course I can read travel blogs etc, but nothing beats the personal experience and advice.
I did a mini trip report on here about the Hilton Sa Catedral and Porto in general in August – it’ll be in “Destinations”.
I’m definitely planning to stay at the IC some time but for the price I don’t want the building site on the doorstep, lol.so, gently steering this back on topic, excluding Edinburgh, Paris and Amsterdam, the collective wisdom is that the stand outs for the free weekend night are:
– Regent Berlin
– IC Porto
– IC Marseille, and maybe Lyon
– IC Bordeaux, during the nicer half of the year… nothing further south/east?
@meta mentioned the IC Sofia as well. Recent comments about Sofia have been interesting to read.
@meta mentioned the IC Sofia as well. Recent comments about Sofia have been interesting to read.
That could be interesting. Looks like a good spot — thanks!
We had an excellent weekend at the IC Sofia. The Club lounge is a highlight.
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