Cool upgrades first because I’m sure that’s what readers want to see, then the business end where I list hotel brands part of Accor and link to membership details. The information is based on our experience as Accor Plus members for nearly two years, it’s not written in association with the hotel chain.

Cool upgrade Number 1* – Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa
We booked a superior room for two nights at Sofitel Queenstown but were upgraded to a luxury room. The upgrade included complimentary evening drinks and tapas from 5pm-7pm in the Executive Lounge, and complimentary buffet breakfast. Sofitel Queenstown is a beautiful hotel, I especially like the Left Bank Cafe where breakfast is served.

We didn’t have a room with a lake view, but when there’s a possum fur rug draped over a chair you know you’re staying somewhere special. A Nespresso machine is another room feature, as well as a television above the spa bath in the bathroom.

Sofitel is on Duke Street so if you fly into town and don’t have a vehicle it’s only a short walk to the lake front. Add to that the exceptional service we always experience at Sofitel hotels and it’s easy to agree that ‘Life is Magnifique’ (especially if you get an upgrade).

Cool upgrade Number 2* – Sofitel Macau (Macau is across the water from Hong Kong)
We booked a superior room at Sofitel Macau but were upgraded to a junior suite. Some of the standout features of the suite were – big windows with a view down the river to China; lots of space, and a smart lounge room; and a fruit and truffle welcome tray. The suite also had two bathrooms, I assumed it meant a bathroom each (obvious suite newbie), but it’s a bathroom for you and one for visitors. In any case, we were thinking of housekeeping so we only used one bathroom.

We also had entry to Club Sofitel on the 17th floor which included afternoon tea, evening cocktails, and buffet breakfast (chocolate fountain alert). The words ‘afternoon tea’ alone were music to my ears, it was a fabulous upgrade and made for an extra memorable stay. Thanks Sofitel Macau for giving us a taste of the high life.

*Note on our cool upgrades
We’ve never asked for an upgrade but it’s always a nice surprise to get one. When we checked in to Sofitel Macau we were at Gold level membership so we weren’t eligible for entry to Club Sofitel, or necessarily a junior suite, it was just good luck.

We were at Platinum level by the time we stayed at Sofitel Queenstown. Upgrades are more likely at Gold and Platinum levels, although they are still subject to availability on arrival (see below).

Our other room upgrades
When you reach Gold (stay from 30 nights or earn 10,000 points) or Platinum level membership (stay from 60 nights or earn 25,000 points) upgrades may be possible on arrival if rooms are available.

Our Platinum membership has led to a few other upgrades – at Pullman Hotel in Auckland we were upgraded from a tower room to a superior residence. Platinum membership also gives you access to Pullman’s Executive Lounge for evening drinks and canapes, and a light breakfast.

At Grand Mercure Hotel in Auckland we’ve been upgraded three times from a standard room to a junior suite. The upgrades have provided more space and facilities, so while they don’t necessarily make the cool category they have still been much appreciated. Grand Mercure (formerly Mercure) has undergone a refurbishment since writing this post …..

At ibis Styles in Invercargill we were upgraded from a standard room to a one bedroom apartment. The apartment has a small outdoor courtyard, a good sized lounge / dining area and a well equipped kitchen. We stayed three nights so the extra space and kitchen were an excellent bonus.

The business end
Accor hotel brands part of Le Club Accor Hotels programme are Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, ibis, ibis Styles, Grand Mercure, M Gallery, Pullman, The Sebel, Suite Novotel, adagio, adagio access and Thalassa Sea Spa, more hotels and chains are added often. (These hotels don’t participate in the programme).

There are at least 2700 Accor hotels around the world in more than 90 countries.

Join Le Club Accor Hotels 
Since writing this post the Accor Plus programme has changed, see New Zealand specific benefits and new membership types here.

Points may be calculated differently now given the changes, however the information below gives an idea of how we have accumulated and used points in the past:

Points – this is one loyalty programme worth its weight in gold**
Points have proved valuable to us both in moving from Silver to Platinum membership (helping with upgrades), and heavily discounted stays. We don’t know the formula used to calculate points but when they accumulate we appreciate being able to credit them towards the cost of a hotel stay.

As an example of points earned – our biggest points earner was 5 nights at Novotel in Hong Kong – 3586 points. Each 2000 points is equivalent to approximately $60, so that’s around $90 worth of value to us. Our biggest points earner in New Zealand was 3 nights at Sofitel Auckland – 2914 points.

Our lowest points earned – 366 for 3 nights at ibis Styles Invercargill, and 476 for 3 nights at ibis Christchurch.

With Accor Plus you earn points for accommodation as well as onsite dining, but only when you’re staying inhouse. It’s also worth noting that Accor run points promotions and we have stayed a few times when double points were offered.

Discounted stays
As an indication of how you can use the points, a one night stay at ibis Wellington used 2000 points plus cost $34. Three nights at Novotel Queenstown used a whopping 16000 points plus cost around $100. Four nights at Grand Mercure Nelson used 10000 points plus cost $62 (blog post about Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco). (Depending on the time of year and room demand, more or less points could apply).

**Loyalty programme worth its weight in gold BUT
As you’ve probably gathered you need to spend a fair amount of gold coins to rack up points so you need to stay in hotels frequently, if you’re lucky enough to travel when there is a points promotion all the better. If you’re self employed and/or travel a lot on business the bonus can be that you build up points while travelling for work and then redeem them for personal travel (that’s what we do).

Possible negatives of Le Accor ClubHotels/Accor Plus membership
Our, or at least Mike’s only negative experience with membership is the customer service staff, he gets annoyed by the hard sell tactics they use by phone to try and get him to sign up other members.

Something else to consider, although it’s not really a negative – the discounts offered (eg. on meals) might mean you’re tempted to dine inhouse rather than go out and experience new restaurants. On the upside though, when the weather’s lousy or you’re tired, it’s convenient to take the lift to the restaurant floor, you may also be left with more money in your pocket for lunch the next day.