IC Sydney

[eric2011]

Just noticed on my booking for this week that my room has been upgraded to a Club room. As we all know this is virtually unheard of for IC Syd. I wonder if this is one of the new perks of the new loyalty level ( I am Spire Ambassador ) Heres hoping it continues. Any other Spire member noticed any other "enhancements"

 

[Rigs]

Just noticed on my booking for this week that my room has been upgraded to a Club room. As we all know this is virtually unheard of for IC Syd. I wonder if this is one of the new perks of the new loyalty level ( I am Spire Ambassador ) Heres hoping it continues. Any other Spire member noticed any other "enhancements"

Good work. I have managed the same but I called the hotel and asked about their categories first, just to ensure I triggered the right upgrade when I booked.

 

[jackthomas]

I've been considering signing up for Ambassador to use IC as a backup for Hilton SYD when its very expensive ( happens often) so this is certainly promising news.
Wonder if it would have the same result for a Gold Ambassador as I definitely wouldnt get the stays required for Platinum at IHG.

 

[Rigs]

I've been considering signing up for Ambassador to use IC as a backup for Hilton SYD when its very expensive ( happens often) so this is certainly promising news.
Wonder if it would have the same result for a Gold Ambassador as I definitely wouldnt get the stays required for Platinum at IHG.

I have had Gold Amb for the last year and it has worked out very well. That being said, I can get an access to the Club at the IC Sydney through Virtuoso (when booking an Eastern Harbour View Room), or a number of other properties in the city. Certainly less than the cost of the Ambassador position. If you aren't looking to stay at IC properties a lot you might get better value out of this method instead.

 

[jackthomas]

I have had Gold Amb for the last year and it has worked out very well. That being said, I can get an access to the Club at the IC Sydney through Virtuoso (when booking an Eastern Harbour View Room), or a number of other properties in the city. Certainly less than the cost of the Ambassador position. If you aren't looking to stay at IC properties a lot you might get better value out of this method instead.

Eastern Harbour View you say? I can see a few standard room types above this so thats interesting and promising. I've never used Virtuoso, honestly the need to go through a travel agent has turned me off but looks like I should give it a go... How do the rates compare to booking direct? Still earn points or no? Assuming not since its a third party.

 

[Rigs]

Eastern Harbour View you say? I can see a few standard room types above this so thats interesting and promising. I've never used Virtuoso, honestly the need to go through a travel agent has turned me off but looks like I should give it a go... How do the rates compare to booking direct? Still earn points or no? Assuming not since its a third party.

It all depends on your Virtuoso Agent. Some will charge you too much but you can essentially use any of them. Not hard to get one who won't charge much for a hotel booking (they generally really get you with airfares and tours). When I have done it I generally paid $5-$30 more per night through the agent but if I don't have an IC in the city I want to stay in it works out well in the upgrade/club access or hot breakfast I collect from the booking.

And yes, you collect IHG points on the booking but you need to make sure the booking is made with your number.

The good thing about Sydney is that Virtuoso has more than one property available so it pays to ask the agent to find you the best deal they can.

 

[love_the_life]

In September last year we stayed at IC Sydney on the free weekend night deal. My Ambassador membership ended in October and perhaps they were trying to sweeten me up as we had a double double upgrade to Club.
Stayed there again on Tuesday on a reward booking, an upgrade to harbour view room this time.

There were a few things that started to annoy me a bit about the hotel this time. The bathrooms do need renovating and something done about water pressure, staff seemed to be vacuuming at all hours in the corridor, the lack of a decent entry if not arriving by car, the lifts are being refurbished but that is a slow process, the prices in the bar are certainly on the dear side ($25 for a coughtail makes having a couple an expensive pastime) and the coffee at $7 is decidedly ordinary.
Anyway, with Ambassador sort of locked into IC hotels and these are petty annoyances.

 

[eric2011]

There were a few things that started to annoy me a bit about the hotel this time. The bathrooms do need renovating and something done about water pressure, staff seemed to be vacuuming at all hours in the corridor, the lack of a decent entry if not arriving by car, the lifts are being refurbished but that is a slow process, the prices in the bar are certainly on the dear side ($25 for a coughtail makes having a couple an expensive pastime) and the coffee at $7 is decidedly ordinary.
Anyway, with Ambassador sort of locked into IC hotels and these are petty annoyances.

Completely know where you are coming from, agree with what you say. I have been staying here for the past 5 years and can't recall too much maintenance

 

[jackthomas]

I sent an email to IC Sydney asking what room must be booked to get club access for an Ambassador, with the reply being that a Deluxe harbour Suite must be booked.... Not sure how that works since there are club rooms below that.. Looks like Virtuoso is definitely the go.

 

[Rigs]

I sent an email to IC Sydney asking what room must be booked to get club access for an Ambassador, with the reply being that a Deluxe harbour Suite must be booked.... Not sure how that works since there are club rooms below that.. Looks like Virtuoso is definitely the go.

Not all suites get club access in IC hotels, its a bit silly.

The advice you have been given is not always accurate. Some rooms can cause an upgrade to a suite without club access or club access. IC Sydney will sometimes let you choose on arrival. However, you are correct that Virtuoso is the better way to guarantee access at a lower rate.

 

[Rick93]

I think your request may have been mis-understood by the staff ...

For quite some time, the position of the Sydney IC has been:

If you want CLUB ...
You BOOK Club !!

Any upgrades will be allotted thereafter ...

My next stay is on ANZAC Day.

Booked basic Club City View ... upgraded to Club Eastern Harbour View ( Plat. AMB )

That's the minimum. You can't book anything BELOW Club, and expect to get CLUB as an upgrade. ( this has been well-explored over a number of threads in the past ).