The HfP chat thread – Thursday 27th May

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• George K says:

  27 May27 May 09:19

  Marriott 500/1500 offer question: Would a £1500 spend max it out in one go, or would it just trigger the first batch of 500 points?

  • TGLoyalty says:

    27 May27 May 12:58

    would max it out according to the T&C

    • George K says:

      27 May27 May 14:55

      Thank you!

• Lou says:

  27 May27 May 09:25

  Hi all, just had breakfast at the Hampton By Hilton in Torquay, so can now give my thoughts.

  Staff – super friendly bunch

  Room – very nice all round, big, comfortable bed, huge TV, decent bathroom, very similar to what you’d expect with a Premier Inn but better colour scheme.

  Venue – bright and cheery, a very nice space. Gym is a bit under-equipped, but that’s the norm with hotel gyms

  Breakfast – this is the big let down. Cheap ingredients, long-life pastries, limited choice. I always use the range of a Premier Inn breakfast as the ‘good’ indicator, and a (Scandinavian) Clarion breakfast as a ‘great’ indicator. Breakfast fell well below the ‘good’ indicator. Breakfast is our make or break when on holiday.

  I’m rather disappointed really, I have a bunch of Hampton stays booked later this year, and based on the this and the previous one, will be looking to rebook to other hotels.

  • Harry T says:

    27 May27 May 09:31

    I recently spent a lot of nights at a Hampton up North. The breakfast was fine – cooked buffet was served to you and there were a lot of cold items you could choose from for yourself. It wasn’t exquisite but it was functional – I personally wouldn’t expect more from a Hampton. I would, however, caution expecting the same breakfast experience across a brand, especially during covid. Each hotel will handle things differently in normal times as well. There’s not as much consistency across a brand as you would expect.

    • Russ says:

      27 May27 May 10:08

      Surely the point of branding is that customers can expect the same experience at each of the brand’s hotels Covid or not. Holiday INN Express have always managed it from my experience.

      • John says:

        27 May27 May 10:23

        HIEx Sydney Macquarie Park had a breakfast that rivals some 4-star hotels. They also for some reason wouldn’t let me sit down until I gave them my room number, even though they saw me emerge from the lift at 6am, and everyone gets breakfast anyway.

        HIEx Heathrow T5 (in Slough) was the first time I actually found nothing edible, and I’m not that fussy. The bread was stale, and as soon as I cut into a sausage I decided to walk out. I grabbed a glass and dispensed some juice on the way out but it smelled off, so I left that too.

        Some HIExs use real eggs and some use powdered eggs. In mainland Europe particularly in Germany many HIExes have no hot items.

        • Super Secret Stuff says:

          27 May27 May 11:11

          It really annoys me when a HIEx uses powdered eggs, also have stayed in a HIEx where they didn’t have any sausages or hash browns! Fuming

          However, another HIEx I have stayed in had a breakfast that was fully on par with a premier inn, maybe even better

  • John says:

    27 May27 May 10:25

    Have you stayed in any UK Hamptons before? Sounds like the normal Hampton breakfast (non-covid). The hash browns and sausages are usually good, I avoid the eggs. Pastries and fruits vary depending on the local supplier.

    Did they have a waffle maker?

    • Secret Squirrel says:

      27 May27 May 10:31

      Agree, Hampton at Gatwick offered wide choice of hot & cold but products ok at best.

    • Lou says:

      27 May27 May 12:53

      Nope, Sunday was the first time I’ve stayed in a HH, which was in Bournemouth. This is the 2nd one. Breakfast in the Bournemouth one at least had fresh pastries, an assortment of prepared fruit, boiled eggs and tomatoes. No waffle maker in either, but at this point adding a waffle maker isn’t going to change the story.

      • Lou says:

        27 May27 May 12:55

        I forgot to add… Powdered milk… In the coffee machine… In 2021… Yuck!

  • Gavin says:

    27 May27 May 11:00

    That mirrors my experience of the Hampton by Exeter airport in March.

    I was in hotels for a few weeks before I found a place to rent, after one night I switched to a HIX, as they had bacon / sausage baps.

    I only went back to the Hampton for one night when I fancied a bath as some of their rooms had one.

  • Yorkieflyer says:

    27 May27 May 12:35

    The view? Was it of Torquay? 😊

    • isolde says:

      27 May27 May 13:08

      As you give the opportunity 🙂

      “Well may I ask what you expected to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically…”

      • AJA says:

        27 May27 May 18:36

        🙂

• ankomonkey says:

  27 May27 May 09:56

  Pre-travel/Fit2Fly testing – Eurofins tests never arrived. Used Express Test at BHX and found them well organised, efficient and friendly. Results back in less than 24 hours. Obviously, they charge more than the postal test companies, but far more reliable and I felt confident in their service and result turnaround claim.

  • The Lord says:

    27 May27 May 10:47

    Good to hear, giving them a go on Wednesday at Brent Cross. All appears to be a well oiled machine, hope it is and I’m not sweating waiting on the negative result

  • Simon says:

    27 May27 May 10:52

    Thanks for this. Brent Cross does seem the convenient / safe choice. Wonder where their lab is. Or if they just bin the tests and send out negative tests to everyone…..

    • ankomonkey says:

      27 May27 May 13:50

      My certificate lists an address in Farnborough.

  • Princess says:

    27 May27 May 19:45

    Mine arrived today, I need to take it on Saturday morning but I’ve just discovered that you can post it back Saturday or Sunday, so if I want the result in time I need to bring it to a drop box.
    Of course the fact that at the week end your only option is the drop box is not stated anywhere. Really annoying

• Harry T says:

  27 May27 May 10:12

  I’ve got to stay a night in Leeds in early June for an exam. Can anyone recommend a quiet, central, well air conditioned hotel?

  • James says:

    27 May27 May 10:23

    Hilton Double Tree with room overlooking the canal, not station side.

    • John says:

      27 May27 May 10:28

      Well it depends on the occupancy, but the DT may be very noisy from guests, not just from people outside. Breakfast poor though even before covid, not sure whether they have resumed a more normal fare?

      The Hilton is fine and I doubt it will be hot in early June

      • James says:

        27 May27 May 10:36

        Hilton is noisy and dated imo. Sighted on main road into Leeds as well as also being by the railway tracks.
        Breakfast at DT is poor? I’ve vstayed regularly since it was a city inn and would say the exact opposite. Not stayed in covid times though.
        As long as you’re not staying a Friday or Saturday night DT likely to be quiet (sky lounge bar a popular destination for locals as well as hotel guests), and even then would suspect Covid restrictions have tempered that somewhat.

        • SteveJ says:

          27 May27 May 11:37

          Is this the free breakfast for gold members? If so do you know if DT stick to “continental breakfast” as guaranteed or allow a hot breakfast for gold?

        • Lord Doncaster says:

          27 May27 May 11:41

          Hilton isn’t noisy. Been there many times and had no problem with noise. It is dated but staff are fantastic. Quite a good breakfast spread too pre-COVID. No idea what it’s like now

        • James says:

          27 May27 May 13:21

          Have always had full breakfast free, when staying as both Gold and Diamond.

    • mvcvz says:

      27 May27 May 11:05

      Yes, the Double Tree is fine. I stay either there or the Crowne Plaza for work frequently. Both have good breakfast buffets, although parking can be challenging at the Double Tree if you check in after about 1700.

  • Lord Doncaster says:

    27 May27 May 11:43

    Hilton breakfast is better than Doubletree. DoubleTree has a full buffet but it isn’t as extensive as the Hilton and at Doubletree I found breakfast staff were too attentive (trying to take plates away from your table every 5 mins…)

  • Harry T says:

    27 May27 May 11:48

    Thanks, everyone. I’m staying on a Tuesday night so fingers crossed it won’t be noisy anyway. I like good air con because I always get hot at night, regardless of the season.

    I should say that a good desk and chair would also be useful for studying. Has anyone stayed at the Marriott?

    • DarrenS says:

      27 May27 May 12:29

      I have not stayed at the Marriot, but all my US colleagues do when they are over. Bang in the middle of town, so could be noisy. One of the few, if not the only, Leeds hotel with an Exec Lounge, but not sure if it is open.

      • Harry T says:

        27 May27 May 12:45

        Thanks, Darren!

      • Clive says:

        27 May27 May 18:09

        I have stayed at the Marriott and Hilton and would put the Marriott on top depending on the price. Hilton is not noisy and is fine for a night. If their car park is full they use an overflow just over the road.

    • Chris says:

      27 May27 May 13:30

      I’ve stayed in the Marriott and had no complaints about noise as It’s set back from the main road in the little courtyard

      it was pretty dated though

    • Tariq says:

      27 May27 May 18:24

      I’ve got a reservation at the Leeds Marriott for tomorrow night.

      Stayed in the CP Leeds before, was fine.

      • Harry T says:

        27 May27 May 18:37

        @Tariq please let me know how your stays goes, in the comments. I hope it’s a good one!

  • David says:

    27 May27 May 12:25

    Dakota if you want the best failing that the Marriott ( no healthcare worker discount tho ! ) if you need it to be Bonvoy. The DT is in no mans land.

    • Harry T says:

      27 May27 May 12:44

      @David they do seem to have the HJH rate at the Marriott. Thanks, will look at Dakota.

  • mutley says:

    27 May27 May 13:10

    Radisson on the Headrow

  • The Savage Squirrel says:

    27 May27 May 13:12

    Harry T. Central Leeds? University? Outskirts?

    • Harry T says:

      27 May27 May 15:26

      @SS
      I am sitting at exam at the horizon centre. I don’t know Leeds well but want to be close to the exam centre.

      • The Savage Squirrel says:

        27 May27 May 19:00

        Well the Jury’s Inn is right next to it and will do the job – won’t be too noisy in that location as it’s the other side of the river from the real city centre.
        The Marriott Leeds is not far and was pretty good but my last experience was a few years ago. Steakhouse not bad at all – but not heard of a refurb since. It is set back away from the street so no issues with noise despite excellent location.
        The Hilton is dated, and so ugly it hurts unless you like the 70s multistorey carpark look. A hotel has to be pretty ugly to put you off (you’re on the inside looking out after all) but it manages.
        For IHG … The Met is a shithole.

        • Crafty says:

          28 May28 May 09:10

          Leeds is not great for mid-tier hotels – there are plenty of them, but none are great. I would agree with the consensus that the DT or the Marriott is most likely to meet your needs, the Hilton I would not trust the air con which you said is important to you.

• Bobri says:

  27 May27 May 10:54

  How quickly the Avois hit your BAEC account if you transfer from (1) Natwest MyRewards and (2) Voldy?

• Amo says:

  27 May27 May 10:57

  BA seem to be very email happy. 4 promo emails within 24 hours. All seem like good offers if a little disjointed in any terms of marketing / comms strategy. The latest is the First wing available to anyone spending over £2.5k on a club world holiday.

  • Andrew says:

    27 May27 May 10:59

    Or with £1500 spend, access to Club lounge and regular fast track

    • The Lord says:

      27 May27 May 11:43

      Is Fast Track open now?

      • Tim says:

        27 May27 May 12:08

        Fast track being F Wing? F Wing has been open for as long as lounges have legally been allowed to be open (a long time).

        • The Lord says:

          27 May27 May 12:23

          Fast Track Security I meant

  • Richie says:

    27 May27 May 11:01

    Seem BA want to generate cashflow with these offers.

• Olivia says:

  27 May27 May 10:59

  BA email:
  If you spend £1,500 per person or more, you’ll be eligible to receive Fast Track security and an invitation to our Club lounge, which offers complimentary refreshments and a relaxing start to your holiday. Additionally, if you book Club Europe or Club World flights and spend £2,500 per person or more, you’ll receive an invitation to use The First Wing with access to the exclusive Galleries First Lounge. 

  Will this overflow lounge access of reward flight travellers and silver BA flyers? I appreciate Covid has rapidly reduced lounge numbers however now the travel business is opening up, are people starting to see the LHR lounges filling up? Especially with social distancing limits?

• JDB says:

  27 May27 May 11:08

  Does anyone know, and where is it stated, whether the 48hrs covid test entry requirement for Italy literally means 48hrs or does it means in the two days prior to travel (like the UK government’s 72hrs/3 days). Our local test places only do tests up to midday and I would prefer not to leave to leave it to the last day before travel, but our flight is in the afternoon.

  • Soo says:

    27 May27 May 12:01

    Italy accepts lateral flow tests so it can be done within a day. I’d stick to the 48 hours, depends very much on who you get at the passport check on arrival. We used Qured at home recently.
    There’s a new online arrival form, check:
    https://infocovid.viaggiaresicuri.it/index_en.html

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