Another helpful vlog Phil. I like Radisson group. If you stay 3 times you get access to the discount booster plus special member and app.only rares. Worth a look if Radisson cover the areas on the world you like travelling to...
Once I have found a hotel , I check the prices booking directly with the hotel , some maybe cheaper or offer free extras ( I've had a day pass for transport / free airport drop off )
Thank you for your comment, that is an excellent point I should have made in the video. I stay with IHG quite a lot (as I am in the video) and I always book direct to get the points and perks and it is usually the same or cheaper. I didn't point it out in the video, but the Holiday In Express on Hong Kong Island was £129 on the IHG website and £138 on the hotel booking engines.
I'm a big fan of Motel One. Prices can generally be found in major European and UK cities for 79GBP / 99 EUR. In the past, when my plans changed, I cancelled on the day of check in (up to 6pm), with no hassle. Edinburgh has 2, for example, in great locations.
Thanks for the tip, I haven't tried Motel One before but I'm always in the Market for affordable hotels, especially in high cost cities like Edinburgh and London.
Judging by the purple headboard I thought you were in a overseas premier😉 I recently booked a Premier at LHR and 2 night stay at a hotel in Berlin booked both on free cancellation about 3 months ago, checked both web sites again recently and pay now prices had been reduced and were cheaper than the previous free cancellation prices, so cancelled both, rebooked straight away and saved £90....
That's what I like about you Phil you actually take the time to send a individual response to a post rather than just reply with a heart even if the post isn't particularly favourable.
Thanks for your warm welcome. Hong Kong is amazing, the food is superb. Michelin starred Goose at Kams. Michelin recommended dumplings two minuted walk from the hotel. The Star Ferry, the views of the Harbour, the Peak... Yeah, I loved it.
Great video…. Combining with Trip Advisor hadn’t thought of. My one tip is combining value with transport convenience. Eg Premier Inn Harrow and Wembley Park are both very convenient for tube/train direct to central London but can be substantially cheaper than central London hotels. Literally, tomorrow have only just booked yesterday Premier Inn for £46 (+ £5 parking) for tomorrow in London. Yes it’s out South Mimms but a 12 min drive to Cockfosters for convenient, cheap, step free access to Piccadilly line …. And to purchase 48hrs in advance (when Central London is 2-3+ times price is bonkers)…..oh and yea Tripadvisor score is 4.0 !
That is an excellent tip, I've stayed at the Purple Palace by Hanger Lane station a few times. I think the Elizabeth line opens up some new options too, there's a Premier Inn not far from Hayes and Harlington station.
Oh I normally just wing it and it's got me some nice places and rooms without a view, but if you're asleep, who needs to look out of a window. I'd rock into a hotel and ask for a room without a view even a cleaners/janitors room with a blow up bed. It gets the staff laughing and yes I'd get something on the 5th or 6th floor with a view of a brick wall and with a $50-$70 dollar discount. Keep the staff laughing, be pleasant and well mannered and it'd get you a great distance.
I think we're of the same mind, a view can be nice, but price over view is my priority. If I went back to Hong Kong I might be tempted to try to find a hotel with a view of Victoria Harbour though... Just maybe.
Interesting process which I will give a try, thank you. History and experience often beats reviews though, let's talk Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon.The best deal there is the Shangri-La, bar none. Bottom dollar? No. But incredible value for the price. I prefer it to the S-L on the Island which is much more expensive. IHG? The deal in Kowloon is the Intercontinental Grand Sanford just down the street from the S-L. Less deals but a bit cheaper and solid. What used to be the "other" Intercontinental is now the Regent and hugely overpriced IMO.
Thanks for you tips and your support, it's much appreciated. I was thinking InterContinental if I go again and book a harbour view room, but I might go for it and try the Shangri-La based on your recommendation, Thanks Phil
@@mygreygapyear You are welcome. If you do stay at the S-L TST and the budget supports it, I suggest an Horizon Club room. One of the best hotel clubs I have ever been to. The S-L club is on the top floor- great harbour view. At the Int GS the club is on a lower floor without much of a view, frankly, even the the club itself is good. BTW, congratulations on your DT placement. That will help the view count :-) !
Hi Phil, with IHG I can get really good deals at some hotels by using points that I buy at £40/10,000 points. I've just stayed at 3 hotels where the cost was up to a quarter of the cash cost by using points.
Where are you getting IHG points at such a cheap price please? Even with their current get 80% extra bonus points for free promotion, 10,800 points (6,000 points plus 4,800 free) is $81. Where can I buy 10,000 IHG points for £40?
@@js6120 Ah right I get it. Buy the max and its cheaper per point. If you are confident you'll use them then I can see how you can get hotels at less than the cash price this way. I'll be looking out for that 100% bonus sale.
@js6120 and @DebyColes. I've bought IHG points in the past and you really need to make sure you have the best cost break, which used to be about 100,000 points but I've looked today and the cost per point is the same from 26,000 points upwards. @js6120, you're right in saying that you need to wait for the 100% bonus, the current 80% bonus give your points at about £43.00 per 10,000. I used to stay between 5 and 10 days per month for work in IHG hotels and I had the (now discontinued) IHG credit card which earned points and gave me a free night per year in any hotel (massive perk). IHG has moved away from banded rewards nights where a Holiday Inn Express is 25,000 points per night, a Crowne Plaza or Indigo is 60,000 points, etc and they've moved to a revenue model, so in theory you should pay the points that the room costs in cash and I am seeing less "bargains" now that is in place, but I do still find the odd bonus, the hotel in the video was under £100 in points (based on our £40 per 10,000 or 25,000 points being worth £100) and the cash rate was about £120 odd. I haven't managed to get a huge discount, like 75% off or anything since the redemption model changed. Thanks Phil
I know, that is the most ridiculous feature I've ever seen in a hotel. A window into the shower and toilet from the bedroom. There is a blind that comes down but still...
@@mygreygapyear I experienced same thing in Malaysia and Singapore and just could not fathom the thinking of it! As I stayed in places like Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Mallaca, I had to proactively request rooms that weren't like this but the best they could do was have rooms with heavy curtains in between room and bathroom.
Thanks for your comment, when I was "upgraded" to the 17th floor (one off the top) with my status I thought I might get a view, but alas... You're right of course, a room with a view is nice but not why we travel.
Another helpful vlog Phil.
I like Radisson group. If you stay 3 times you get access to the discount booster plus special member and app.only rares. Worth a look if Radisson cover the areas on the world you like travelling to...
Thanks for the tip, I'll have to look into the Radisson hotel loyalty scheme.
Once I have found a hotel , I check the prices booking directly with the hotel , some maybe cheaper or offer free extras ( I've had a day pass for transport / free airport drop off )
Thank you for your comment, that is an excellent point I should have made in the video. I stay with IHG quite a lot (as I am in the video) and I always book direct to get the points and perks and it is usually the same or cheaper. I didn't point it out in the video, but the Holiday In Express on Hong Kong Island was £129 on the IHG website and £138 on the hotel booking engines.
@@mygreygapyear do you also use cashback site / credit card to get more points or cashback?
Hi Phil, I saw you at the Peak! Didn’t realise it was you until afterwards. Was using my first companion voucher, cheers for the tips!
Oh wow that would have been amazing. Well done on getting reward availability, hope you had a great trip,
Thanks for your support,
Phil
Great tips! Thanks for the info + video!
Thanks you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Yet another amazing video, thank you so much.
You're very welcome
I'm a big fan of Motel One. Prices can generally be found in major European and UK cities for 79GBP / 99 EUR. In the past, when my plans changed, I cancelled on the day of check in (up to 6pm), with no hassle. Edinburgh has 2, for example, in great locations.
Thanks for the tip, I haven't tried Motel One before but I'm always in the Market for affordable hotels, especially in high cost cities like Edinburgh and London.
I like your channel very much. Thanks for sharing your good advice.
Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate it
Priceline has always given us excellent rates for very good hotels.
I'll have to check that out, thank you for the tip.
Very informative thank you.
Your very welcome, glad it was helpful
Judging by the purple headboard I thought you were in a overseas premier😉
I recently booked a Premier at LHR and 2 night stay at a hotel in Berlin booked both on free cancellation about 3 months ago, checked both web sites again recently and pay now prices had been reduced and were cheaper than the previous free cancellation prices, so cancelled both, rebooked straight away and saved £90....
Ah the beauty of a purple palace, well done on getting the flexible price and spotting the price reduction 👍
That's what I like about you Phil you actually take the time to send a individual response to a post rather than just reply with a heart even if the post isn't particularly favourable.
Thanks 😀
Excellent as always. Thank you
Thank you, that's very kind of you.
Hey welcome to HK! I’m loving the view. We’re used to it 😂
Thanks for your warm welcome. Hong Kong is amazing, the food is superb. Michelin starred Goose at Kams. Michelin recommended dumplings two minuted walk from the hotel. The Star Ferry, the views of the Harbour, the Peak... Yeah, I loved it.
Great video…. Combining with Trip Advisor hadn’t thought of. My one tip is combining value with transport convenience. Eg Premier Inn Harrow and Wembley Park are both very convenient for tube/train direct to central London but can be substantially cheaper than central London hotels. Literally, tomorrow have only just booked yesterday Premier Inn for £46 (+ £5 parking) for tomorrow in London. Yes it’s out South Mimms but a 12 min drive to Cockfosters for convenient, cheap, step free access to Piccadilly line …. And to purchase 48hrs in advance (when Central London is 2-3+ times price is bonkers)…..oh and yea Tripadvisor score is 4.0 !
That is an excellent tip, I've stayed at the Purple Palace by Hanger Lane station a few times. I think the Elizabeth line opens up some new options too, there's a Premier Inn not far from Hayes and Harlington station.
Oh I normally just wing it and it's got me some nice places and rooms without a view, but if you're asleep, who needs to look out of a window.
I'd rock into a hotel and ask for a room without a view even a cleaners/janitors room with a blow up bed. It gets the staff laughing and yes I'd get something on the 5th or 6th floor with a view of a brick wall and with a $50-$70 dollar discount.
Keep the staff laughing, be pleasant and well mannered and it'd get you a great distance.
I think we're of the same mind, a view can be nice, but price over view is my priority. If I went back to Hong Kong I might be tempted to try to find a hotel with a view of Victoria Harbour though... Just maybe.
I use Google Maps, then the hotel search feature, then the booking links. Like you, location comes first for me. Pooooke!!!
Thanks Red, that's another great idea. I guess you have the Google review score to guide you too.
Interesting process which I will give a try, thank you. History and experience often beats reviews though, let's talk Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon.The best deal there is the Shangri-La, bar none. Bottom dollar? No. But incredible value for the price. I prefer it to the S-L on the Island which is much more expensive. IHG? The deal in Kowloon is the Intercontinental Grand Sanford just down the street from the S-L. Less deals but a bit cheaper and solid. What used to be the "other" Intercontinental is now the Regent and hugely overpriced IMO.
Thanks for you tips and your support, it's much appreciated. I was thinking InterContinental if I go again and book a harbour view room, but I might go for it and try the Shangri-La based on your recommendation,
Thanks
Phil
@@mygreygapyear You are welcome. If you do stay at the S-L TST and the budget supports it, I suggest an Horizon Club room. One of the best hotel clubs I have ever been to. The S-L club is on the top floor- great harbour view. At the Int GS the club is on a lower floor without much of a view, frankly, even the the club itself is good. BTW, congratulations on your DT placement. That will help the view count :-) !
@@ahumpage Thank you, it was a surprise to have Peiter email me out of the blue, and he's done a superb job on the article.
Hi Phil, with IHG I can get really good deals at some hotels by using points that I buy at £40/10,000 points.
I've just stayed at 3 hotels where the cost was up to a quarter of the cash cost by using points.
Where are you getting IHG points at such a cheap price please? Even with their current get 80% extra bonus points for free promotion, 10,800 points (6,000 points plus 4,800 free) is $81. Where can I buy 10,000 IHG points for £40?
@@DebyColes I bought when it was a 100% bonus, twice. 500,000 points and then 300,000 points
@@DebyColes 300,000 points cost me £1,219.87, so £40.66 per 10,000 points
@@js6120 Ah right I get it. Buy the max and its cheaper per point. If you are confident you'll use them then I can see how you can get hotels at less than the cash price this way. I'll be looking out for that 100% bonus sale.
@js6120 and @DebyColes. I've bought IHG points in the past and you really need to make sure you have the best cost break, which used to be about 100,000 points but I've looked today and the cost per point is the same from 26,000 points upwards. @js6120, you're right in saying that you need to wait for the 100% bonus, the current 80% bonus give your points at about £43.00 per 10,000.
I used to stay between 5 and 10 days per month for work in IHG hotels and I had the (now discontinued) IHG credit card which earned points and gave me a free night per year in any hotel (massive perk).
IHG has moved away from banded rewards nights where a Holiday Inn Express is 25,000 points per night, a Crowne Plaza or Indigo is 60,000 points, etc and they've moved to a revenue model, so in theory you should pay the points that the room costs in cash and I am seeing less "bargains" now that is in place, but I do still find the odd bonus, the hotel in the video was under £100 in points (based on our £40 per 10,000 or 25,000 points being worth £100) and the cash rate was about £120 odd.
I haven't managed to get a huge discount, like 75% off or anything since the redemption model changed.
Thanks
Phil
How’d you get to HK, is there a trip report imminent?
I used my Barclaycard voucher and flew in BA business and yes, there will be trip reports 😀
Thanks very useful
You're welcome, glad you found it helpful.
Thank You ✈️
You're very welcome
You didn’t mention BA holidays 😂
Thanks for your comment, I'll say it twice in the next video 😂
I thought you were going to say: The most coveted views in Hong Kong are ones that show your toilet!" 😀
I know, that is the most ridiculous feature I've ever seen in a hotel. A window into the shower and toilet from the bedroom. There is a blind that comes down but still...
@@mygreygapyear I experienced same thing in Malaysia and Singapore and just could not fathom the thinking of it! As I stayed in places like Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Mallaca, I had to proactively request rooms that weren't like this but the best they could do was have rooms with heavy curtains in between room and bathroom.
Oh dear, that is one of the most depressing hotel views ever. Never mind, we don't travel to look out of the hotel window.
Thanks for your comment, when I was "upgraded" to the 17th floor (one off the top) with my status I thought I might get a view, but alas... You're right of course, a room with a view is nice but not why we travel.