Please post your Royal Ambassador experiences (Archive Thread 2015)

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Nov 29, 2004 | 8:23 am

TimWong

Original Poster

Join Date: Mar 2003

Posts: 193

Please post your Royal Ambassador experiences (Archive Thread 2015)

I thought I start a thread to post Royal Ambassador experiences:

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
- Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
- How are the rooms?
- How is the exec. lounge?
- What was good and what was bad?
- Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?

Detailed information about how to post: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19964648-post9.html

List of Hotels with Experiences Reports of Royal Ambassadors from 2014 on:

Hotels in
Africa
The Americas (North, Middle and South America)
Asia
Europe (incl. Russia and Turkey)
Middle East
Oceania

Each link opens a new window or tab (depending on your browers settings) with the selected region

Moderators Notice:

The post for 2016 could be found here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...es-2016-a.html

Older Posts for the years
November 2004 - December 2006 could be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...04-2006-a.html

January 2007 - December 2007 could be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-2007-a.html

January 2008 - December 2008 could be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-2008-a.html

January 2009 - December 2009 could be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-2009-a.html

January 2010 - December 2010 could be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-2010-a.html

January 2011 - December 2011 could be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-2011-a.html

January 2012 - December 2012 could be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-2012-a.html

January 2013 - December 2013 could be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-2013-a.html

January 2014 - December 2014 could be found in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-2014-a.html

Information about events and moving by us moderators are marked in post #11 of this thread.

FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 1, 2016 at 9:24 am

Apr 27, 2008 | 7:01 am

FLYGVA

Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany

Join Date: Oct 2002

Posts: 6,701

How to post (provieded by UK1 and see also the summarized informatio in the first post)

1. Put the name of the hotel in the title of the post

2. Use the following format by extracting it, ie by using "reply quoting", copying the content into memory, then backing out of "reply quoting" and then pasting the copied content into a new post. I've formatted each line so that you can paste in between them having deleted these opening comments:

----

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

How are the rooms?

How is the exec. lounge?

Did you receive a welcome gift?

How was the minibar?

What was good and what was bad?

-Good

-Bad

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?

Would you return?

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 3, 2015 at 5:58 am Reason: back to 2151

Apr 27, 2008 | 7:01 am

FLYGVA

Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany

Join Date: Oct 2002

Posts: 6,701

Asia

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 3, 2016 at 6:10 am

Apr 27, 2008 | 7:01 am

FLYGVA

Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany

Join Date: Oct 2002

Posts: 6,701

Europe

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 1, 2016 at 9:36 am

Apr 27, 2008 | 7:01 am

FLYGVA

Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany

Join Date: Oct 2002

Posts: 6,701

Middle East

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 1, 2016 at 9:37 am

Apr 27, 2008 | 7:01 am

FLYGVA

Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany

Join Date: Oct 2002

Posts: 6,701

Africa

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 1, 2016 at 9:37 am

Apr 27, 2008 | 7:01 am

FLYGVA

Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany

Join Date: Oct 2002

Posts: 6,701

The Americas

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 1, 2016 at 9:38 am

Apr 27, 2008 | 7:01 am

FLYGVA

Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany

Join Date: Oct 2002

Posts: 6,701

Oceania

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 1, 2016 at 9:38 am

Dec 31, 2014 | 8:00 pm

rbAA

Join Date: May 2003

Location: 1 hour from Khao Yai, Thailand. No longer Bangkok, China, Taiwan , Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.

Programs: Only the good ones

Posts: 5,232

IC SF

IC San Francisco

What is your IHG Rewards Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Extremely, especially since it was my first stay there, plus getting a little spoiled by the great IC's in Asia, so it compared well.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive:
An Into the Nights free night, upgraded to junior suite-4 level UPG according to the great check in agent.

How are the rooms?
Corner large double bed room with an excellent view and great open feeling. Great lighting as well. No separate shower though in the bathroom, so using a tub with curtain was the only negative.

How is the exec. lounge?
Also fantastic with an outside smoking area. Great food, though I didn't do the evening food except for the late dessert serving, which they ran out of leaving only cookies and drinks. Breakfast is not elaborate and no egg station for freshly made items, but plenty of meats, bread items and pastries, as well as fruit and cereals.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
No, but it wasn't my birthday. Actually, a bowl of fruit, dried fruits, nuts, and chocolates.

How was the minibar?
The best stocked of any IC I've ever stayed at. Too bad it was Dec 30 and didn't have a pre-NYE party planned. JW Black, Ketel One and plenty of them and others. No empty spaces and the front desk staff said to help yourself to anything, so no negative attitude shown. Of course, I only drink in moderation and don't pack the rest of them in the luggage.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
Location, very close to transportation, shopping, cultural activities.
Posh, tasteful hotel, I like it much better than the GH where I used to stay.

-Bad
No separate shower stall and the Club breakfast lacked the egg station. Minor things really

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Excellent use of the free, free night, as the rack was $359.

Would you return?
Definitely.

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 20, 2015 at 11:01 am Reason: added name of property to post instead of title only

Dec 31, 2014 | 8:21 pm

#10

Pseudo Nim

Join Date: Jan 2006

Location: In the air

Programs: Occasional RTW club

Posts: 6,937

InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort (Koh Samui, Thailand)

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

I was absolutely and completely floored. "Yes" does not adequately answer.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked the Presidential Villa during the points fiasco, downgraded to 2-bedroom villa after extensive discussions with hotel (amicable resolution). Also had a regular Ocean View room.

How are the rooms?
The rooms are very nice. The 2-bedroom villa is obviously outstanding: the size is amazing, and the views from most rooms of the resort are spectacular.

How is the exec. lounge?
The Club Lounge is outstanding. I can't compliment it enough. Morning selection is great, afternoon tea is quite good (and varies daily if you get a bad selection of snacks) and evening cocktails are very good, too.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Yes: sarong, some locally created artisan pouch thing, and cosmetics.

How was the minibar?
Very good. Most impressive was that they made it complimentary for a points stay. Amusingly, though, the Ocean View room gets a half-bottle of red and white, and the 2-bedroom villa does not - it gets a full wine cellar that is unfortunately not complimentary. Also has 200mL gin/cognac/whiskey/vodka bottles that you can use once per stay. Snacks *are* included in the RA benefits (once per serving).

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
The treatment we received was exemplary. The fact that they honoured RA benefits on points (including Club access, both directions airport transfer, etc) is a strong bonus. We were even able to order food to our rooms, as that was apparenly one of the club benefits - in-restaurant or in-room dining.

-Bad
Absolutely nothing. Since I'm an RA, I stay in quite a few hotels, and this was undoubtedly one of the best stays I've ever had in an InterContinental property.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Very good value, as are many hotels in Thailand. Leaving aside my points booking, even if we booked this with money, this would have been great value.

Would you return?
Without a doubt.

Jan 2, 2015 | 3:45 pm

#11

youhavebeenupgraded

Join Date: Jan 2011

Posts: 444

Intercontinental Budapest

InterContinental Budapest

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked room with points&cash for new years eve, received Executive Suite with free minibar.

How are the rooms?
Suite has the same windows like presidential suite. Some pictures:
http://youhavebeenupgraded.boardinga...ntal-budapest/

How is the exec. lounge?
No access, upsell is 70 Euro per room, no IC RA discount :/

What was your welcome gift?
Red wine

Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes

What was good and what was bad?
Good

Upgrade
Free minibar (points night)
View
Location
Hardware (pool, car park, fitness center)

Bad

Uprades are sometimes a little bit inconsistent

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Price for a room on new years eve was quite high, otherwise this hotel is a bargain.

Would you return?
Yes

Jan 3, 2015 | 2:54 am

#12

youhavebeenupgraded

Join Date: Jan 2011

Posts: 444

Intercontinental Prague

InterContinental Prague

What is your Priority Club status?
Platinum Royal Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked standard room, received Executive Suite with club access.

How are the rooms?

Here some pictures:
http://youhavebeenupgraded.boardinga...nental-prag-2/

How is the exec. lounge?
Small, quiet, restaurant breakfast also included in club access

What was your welcome gift?
Bottle wine

Did you receive fruit in the room?
Yes, once

What was good and what was bad?
Good

Upgrade
Location
Hardware (pool, large fitnesscenter, garage)
Club
Design

Bad

Check-in (rude, unpolite)

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
Yes

Would you return?
Yes

Jan 3, 2015 | 1:43 pm

#13

vsevolod4

Join Date: Sep 2006

Location: Princeton, NJ; Lviv Ukraine

Programs: UA 3.6MM, AF/KL Lifetime Plat, BA Gold, AA 1MM, IC Spire RA, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, et alia

Posts: 2,733

IC Prague Praha

IC Prague

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?

Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked standard, upgraded to suite (preupgraded to junior suite) and Club access. Club access appears to be a regular RA benefit.

How are the rooms?

2 rooms, 6 person conference table, couch, chair, etc. in living room, with own bathroom. King bed and bath with Jacuzzi.

How is the exec. lounge?

Not huge but very nicely appointed. Evening food the first night (New Years Day) was spectacular, with giant prawns, braised short rib, sea bass, etc. Second night downgraded to frank and beans type stuff. Not sure if it was a case of catering for New Years and which night is the outlier. Small bar. They have Becherovka of course.
Breakfast is nice but you can also use the downstairs restaurant buffet which is more expansive (omelette station, even some sushi-...?) but you have to put up with the rifraff.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Yes, a bottle of Czech wine.

How was the minibar?
Average. Becherovka and of course Budvar. Piper Heidseick.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
everything. multi time stayer so perhaps extra treatment
Oh and New Years Day fireworks right in front of the hotel, a bonus.

-Bad
in a city with thousands of beautiful buildings, this is a Soviet era modernish semi monstrosity. So I guess you can call it architecturallz distinctive.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points?
It was New Years Day and last minute reservation thanks to a cancelled fright on EasyJet to KRK thanks to the fg$%&/(ing French strike, so PRG was a last minute decision. So would normally have been cheaper.

Would you return?
Fer sure.

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 20, 2015 at 11:00 am Reason: added name of property to post instead of title only

Jan 3, 2015 | 8:49 pm

#14

stimpy

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 1999

Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques

Posts: 34,337

Los Angeles

IC los Angeles

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Superior given King Premier Suite

How are the rooms?
My suite was newly renovated. They are still renovating the rooms at 3 floor at a time. I think I must have been the first to stay in this room because it was missing some curtains. One at the door that leads out to the large terrace, and another to cover the huge picture glass window between the bedroom and living room. The new heating and air controls are much better than before. There are also two other smaller balconies in this suite to go with the terrace. When all the doors are open there is a lovely breeze that runs through the suite. There's a nice new L shaped sofa which can open up to a large extra bed.

How is the exec. lounge?
None, but there is a new VIP check in room. It was nice to check in there, however it was closed when I checked out.

Did you receive a welcome gift?
Some fruit and a couple bottles of Voss.

How was the minibar?
Same as before. Good selection including sparkling wine.

What was good and what was bad?

-Good
The spa is still excellent with a nice hot steam room and sauna. The renovated rooms are done up pretty nicely.

-Bad
Just the missing curtains.

Value for $'s?
For an RA yes. But it's a pricey hotel.

Would you return?
Yes.

Last edited by FLYGVA; Jan 20, 2015 at 11:00 am Reason: added name of property to post instead of title only

Jan 4, 2015 | 11:34 am

#15

FLYGVA

Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany

Join Date: Oct 2002

Posts: 6,701

Please follow the discussion about the renvotaion (especially of suites) at the IC Los Angeles in the master thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-merged.html

Thank you

FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum

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