Priority Club Connect : Blog List - All Communities

Meet John Wood from the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford

community@ihg.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:16:37 GMT

During the last 15 years I have mostly been working in Bolivia and currently manage a Darwin Initiative Project funded through the British government looking at conservation priorities in Eastern Bolivia. There are a lot of different native plants in Bolivia, some 15,000 by most counts, that is about ten times as many as in all the British Isles. There are two areas where the plants are particularly numerous, the Andes and the eastern lowland plains next to Brazil. There is such a diversity of plants that both areas are regarded as world hotspots of plant diversity and both, of course, extend into neighbouring countries.

Most people think of central South America as one great plain covered in forest. Yes, it is mostly flat and it does have, or at least had, a lot of forest. However much of it is actually grass-covered plain with scattered bushes and trees, a bit like an African savannah but without the lions. In this region, rains fall for only about four months a year and the area becomes bone dry in the winter season. Fires break out every year and sweep across the plains. It is only after fire and a bit of help from the rain, of course, that you really appreciate how many plants there are, as everything bursts into flower.

And it is only relatively flat. Steep-sided isolated mountains rise out of the plains, like little lost worlds – actually the original “Lost World” of the book and the film was based on one of these mountains in Bolivia. And they are still mostly unexplored and new plants can be found quite easily, and, just as in the fictional “Lost World”, these mountain islands are home to unique plants described by botanists as “endemics”, a term used to describe plants known nowhere else in the world. These mountains are the true hotspots for diversity compared with which the plains and lowland forests are decidedly cool.

In the picture above you can see one of the rock towers you find on the flat tops of these mountains. This particular one is honey-combed with crevices, which is home for some aggressive hornets, whose victim I have been several times. It is also home to half a dozen plants known from nowhere else in the world except for a few similar rocks in the vicinity. This must make this place one of the hottest points of one of the hottest mountains for plant diversity in the eastern lowlands of Bolivia. I have added pictures of one of the new plants we found here. In one you can see how it grows naturally and in the other you can see the details of its flower.

Its scientific name Blepharadon crabrorum, which refers precisely to those hornets that stung my companions when we first found it. These same rocks have at least two more species new to science.

With the help of generous funding from the InterContinental Hotels Group, scientists from the Department of Plant Sciences at Oxford will be able to continue exploring hotspots like these in collaboration with Bolivian colleagues.

The Hotels View and how they upgrade.

community@ihg.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:35:50 GMT

Passing my local Holiday Inn in Swindon UK, one that although I know well I would not have cause to need to stay there as it is quite near home I pulled in.

Firstly I thought it would be interesting to get the hotels view on us guests with status. This Hotel is simple in its room quality (we have discussed this in a thread http://community.priorityclub.com/thread/1593?tstart=0) in that it has only two grades of room, Standard and executive.

The policy for upgrades is from what I understand as follows:-

1) Those who are known to be PC members from their reservation and have indicated a preference are so allocated.

2) Those who have not indicated a preference are upgraded appropriately.

3) Those who turn up with a reservation without indication their PC level and then ask are given the best available but if not an executive room the water robes etc are made available if enough staff are on duty.

4) Ambassadors and Royal ambassadors are noted and receive all platinum benefits.

I took the opportunity to appraise the hotel as although I know it well had not taken note of it as a potential guest. It is set on the Eastern side of town close to both the main Motorway (M4) and the eastern bypass, although far enough away not to be bothered by traffic. It has reasonable grounds for a stroll around if the weather is clement. The town centre is close by both public transport and private car as are the main industrial areas. Although built about 40 years ago the hotel keeps an aura of modernity.

https://secure.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/hotel/swimr?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/pc /1/en/availsearch&ias=y

Swindon is well suited for a touring base for a week end as The Thames valley, Salisbury plain Stonehenge etc are close by as is the large outlet village and adjacent steam museum to keep children happy. The cities of Oxford, Cheltenham, Bath and Bristol are all a shortish drive away although Bath and Bristol are often best using the frequent trains from Swindon.

For those who scrape in on a near empty tank there is a filling station on site and another about 400 yards away.

The so called old town is about two miles away with a good choice of eateries and entertainment.

I would feel comfortable and safe at this Holiday Inn although it does not seem to have been rebranded.

Contessa Vanessa's Not such Royal Heritage.

community@ihg.com — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:19:02 GMT

Although no one has asked, it is time to clue you in of the Contessa's lineage. . .

There is not royal heritage. . She was born in Brooklyn. NY, to an ordinary middle class working family and was named Marlene.

Earlier ,in this communty, she used her true name,-- first, maiden and surname,.

and particpated fully telling much of her life and lifestyle.

Then, paranoia set in. . This is an open forum, and who knows what crazies lurk out there. Marlene had clearly identified who she is, what she does, where she lives. She's even in the phone book. And so it was time to be more anonymous,if not more discreet and find a nom du plume.

A plain Jane kind of name is boring . No, it needed more pzaazz. And so Contessa Vanessa was invented.

She replies to either name.

Respectfully,

Contessa Vanessa aka marlene

Using a Holiday Express for a leisure break.

community@ihg.com — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:45:19 GMT

As I have mentioned before being retired we can take leisure breaks at very short notice. Often in the UK. We do this as the weather forecasts leave a lot to be desired in accuracy, this I have to say is due to our position as the first substantial Land mass to receive the Atlantic weather and not a criticism of the forecaster’s skills. Therefore if the next 24 hours look good we try to take advantage of it and get away.

So I booked two rooms at A HIX in the resort area of Bournemouth as our favourite the Southampton HI did not have our choices of room available. THE HIX rooms were £59 ($100). I, as usual, emailed even at that late hour and by return had confirmation of our requests. Although there were not non-smoking rooms available they said that there would clean up the two rooms that we did book.

Our arrival was quick and efficient; I noticed that at the reception desk there was a large folder giving all the local information. This is an Idea that the higher brands could well follow.

Our rooms which, were unfortunately classified as smoking did not smell at all of smoke and in one the air cleaner was on which had obviously worked well. The rooms were on the highest floor and had a view of sorts so we had been given probably the best available rooms. The power of the pre arrival email!!.

The reception team had all the answers as far as local trips were concerned plus a map which highlighted the points of interest.

The Breakfast was adequate with a bigger than usual HIX selection, and this property is unusual in the UK by offering hot food in the evenings. A number of other eateries are available about 10/15 mins walk away on Poole Quay.

They advised the best sightseeing trip which was a mini cruise around Poole Harbour. This is the second largest natural harbour after Sydney Australia in the world. There are five or six islands in the harbour including Brownsea Island which is the site of the first Boy Scout jamboree and Baden Powel has a lot of connection here. It is a Nation Trust are so free access for members but others need to pay to land. Some of the other Islands in the Harbour are rich in oil and there are wells, nodding donkeys and so on. They pump substantial oil from here as well as new finds yet to be exploited.

As our trip would have taken us past normal check out time we asked and received a late check out. I have to say, that apart from the location this is an excellently run HIX and would for a similar reason stay again. Of course as it is located very close to both some major financial regional office and a big Hospital so they do get a lot of business people staying. It is also very good for “park and go” with the France and Channel Islands ferries port very close by.

Intercontinental - Why Aren't You on the Conde Nast best hotels list

community@ihg.com — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:03:24 GMT

Annually, Conde Nast polls readers, for the best hotel, resorts and airlines in the world. I did a fast look, and found only one (count 'em just one!) , the Intercontinental, in Buckhead (Atlanta) Georgia. Where is the Carleton, in Cannes the Amstel in Amsterdam or the Paris IC? . I would give high marks to these..

Unless, zi need new glasses, , I didn't see any more IC's, than just Buckhead .

Four Seasons were all over the list.

I think in 2008, there were sesveral ICs.

Where did IC go wrong...or did it?

Do you think the list is accurate?

What would I like IHG to do for us?

community@ihg.com — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:55:57 GMT

I believe that we can offer suggestions to IHG as to how we may like to see developments to the way our Hotel group operates and in making suggestions could both improve the reservation procedure, the reception and the stay both more enjoyable, cost effective and hope fully more profitable for us and IHG and its franchisees.

Firstly I will look at the reservation procedure. I believe that it could be easier. I make bookings on other web pages for say flights and make suggestions based on good experiences there. When I look at a leisure break in a hotel and say want to book ten days often I get the message “ NO Availability” There is no indication as to how many or when those days are, it could be that by moving just one day back or foreword there is. Airline web sites often do show when availability is. As A Royal Ambassador I am guaranteed availability bit you need to know which of the ten days to ask for.

Room description still leaves a lot to be desired, posted some time ago the Carlton Cannes list per their brochure; it was difficult to define which the better room is.

The Hotel Photo galleries although they show in most cases a good selection of pictures the way of viewing them is rather cumbersome. When say looking at online house brochures you only need to click the appropriate thumbnail and the enlarged image appears but we need to close then click then enlarge. I believe that this would be a simple and very helpful to change for IHG.

The calendar would be much more user friendly if it offered a drop down box, it can be frustrating having to click month by month for bookings some time in the more distant future.

Pretty well all IC’s give a great and professional welcome. They usually pre authorise your credit card or charge card so all you need to do is confirm your method of payment and sign. Then often a VIP guide to your room.

Although many CP even HI and HIX are doing this it is not consistent. It should be. After all if other businesses are able to be consistent like at least in the UK the supermarkets the Food chains etc are, why not IHG? As PC members we should always benefit from the offer of a staffed PC check in position.

What is offered in the rooms should meet a minimum standard for each brand.

Choice of TV channels should be appropriate for the country in which we are staying. We recently had a far better choice of TV programmes in a HIX than in the London IC. Mind you the London IC did have a top of the range wide screen Television set. It did seem strange though that the most entertaining programme was in Russian, a superb concert.

It would be great if the PC desk or Ambassador desk was more geared up to do check out as although there are many good options for check out like instant check out often you do need to question something.

Quiet closing doors would be a boon for those who like an early night or a lay in as banging, slamming doors are really annoying. Also sound absorbing materials in the corridors so that those who need to converse in loud voices late at night would be less annoying.

I would like this to be taken as constructive and it may be appropriate for a GM to respond.

Favorites: A Big Thanks to Priority Club Connect Members For Your Comments

community@ihg.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:14:29 GMT

Since being asked to join the Priority Club Connect Community, I have met many wonderful people. Since my first post in April, my loyal blog readers and community members have inspired me to keep writing and sharing knowledge within the community. Each day, I enjoy and look forward to communicating with members, and serving as the Priority Club Connect Community Ombudsman. You ALL have been great by sharing comments, experiences, tips and advice as we go about our daily travel lives.

The Priority Club Connect Community has grown to 14,000+ members from all over the world. I want to personally thank everyone of you for all that you do for me, and the other community members. To show thanks, take a look back at my favorite comments, members, and threads in the community.

My Favorite Threads:

Triple Points Promotion: I was happy to share this with the community and my blog readers.

PointBreaks: We love them and sometimes hate them...

Best Chance For An Upgrade: Everyone loves Ronald's famous tip.

Jobs and Careers: Find out what members do/did for a living.

Restaurants: Best Eateries shared by other members. Chicken Coop anyone?

Qualifying Rates: Yep, can be confusing.

Platinum Plus: No such thing as Platinum 'Plus' but Ambassador membership is discussed in detail.

Offered A Room Upgrade? The thread that will NEVER end.

Items Needed: I just can't travel without my.......

Language: UK English vs. US English.

Great Comments & Posts:

Best Travel Tip: MahoneM posted one of the best travel tips around.

He's Done It: fatmanpauluk agrees that: Priority Club should keep up the good work and "Continue into 2010 and beyond."

Laughing Out Loud: stanley(Simon) made me laugh when he shared the 'funny smell' story! According to him, "Even a sniffer dog wouldn't have coped with it.."

An Act Of Kindness: Daniel Kelleher showed great kindness to me in a blog post comment. His encouraging words lifted my spirit.

He's Been Nicknamed: Contessa Vanessa (Marlene) first, then me.

And The Winner Is: Seems like James Strange has spent many nights in a hotel bed!

Empathy: Rick's Family totally gets it. Thank you Hunter, Ronald Chadwick, and Contessa Vanessa (Marlene).

My Barbeque Fans & Foodies: It's not only me who's obsessed.

Member bullet3006 (Wes) and I reminisce about my childhood favorite, Piggie Park BBQ.
cnelson (Craig) says barbeque is not so good up in Maine.
William Thiessen (Bill) suggested a barbeque restaurant in Longview, named Bodacious Barbeque!
techsteven (Steve) says Sticky Fingers is a must.
The community even has a member named BarbequeBear.

Special Thanks To: Mikey, Jenni, Neal, Cassandra, Anil, Angela, Ronald, Marlene, and Daniel for all of your support, ideas, encouragement and kindness. Visit Anil's blog at www.foxnomad.com

A Little About Me

Keep Up The Good Work Everyone! Thanks to All. Keep Traveling. Keep Sharing.....

Top Things to Do in Park City, Utah

community@ihg.com — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:02:10 GMT

Park City, Utah, is a year round destination that is home to the ever popular Sundance Film Festival. This is an upscale community with a rustic feel. It is popular with celebrities, especially during ski season. Here are some top things to do while you’re in Park City.

1. The Sundance Film Festival – Everyone has heard of Sundance and this is the film festival where many independent films get noticed. Robert Redford’s annual event is a favorite of locals and visitors. It is held each year during the second half of January.

2. Hot Air Balloon Ride – This has to be the absolute best way to start a morning. Get a bird’s eye view of Park City while enjoying a continental breakfast and a glass of Champagne. You’ll even get a flight certificate commemorating the event.

3. Bobsledding – If weren’t already familiar with this Olympic Winter Sport, then maybe you’ve seen Disney’s Cool Running, featuring the story of the Jamaican Bobsled Team. Yup. You read that right. Jamaican Bobsled Team. This attraction is open to the public, and yes, I’ve tried it out. It was an exhilarating experience at this site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. The 75-mph ride shouldn’t be missed.

4. Skiing and Snowboarding – Park City is home to three world-class ski resorts: The Canyons Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, and Deer Valley Resort. Deer Valley is for skiers only, but The Canyons and Park City Mountain Resorts welcome skiers and snowboarders. The over 9,000 acres of snow in Park City welcomes beginner and expert runs.

5. Shopping – Park City is full of boutiques and eclectic little shops for when you want to take a break from all the outdoor activities. There are eight shopping districts to choose from for those with varying interests.

6. Dining – There are more than 100 bars and restaurants to choose from, with a variety culinary choices from around the world. I recommend Morning Ray Café for breakfast, lunch at the mid-mountain Red Pine Restaurant in The Canyons Resort, and an upscale dinner at any of Main Street’s award winning establishments.

7. Nightlife – The après ski party scene in Park City is funky and fun. There are wine tastings to be found, dance clubs, and jazz bars. Whatever your poison, it can be found in Park City.

Park City isn’t just a winter destination. The Sundance Film Festival may bring in the celebrities, but the summer months are when families can enjoy hiking and biking and even a few bargains. Don’t forget to use the FREE transit system to get around Park City. Check out the routes and schedules for this biodeisel fueled transportation at Park City’s Official Visitor’s Site. For ski information in Park City and the rest of Utah, visit SkiUtah.com.

Leisure facilities at our Hotels

community@ihg.com — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:58:17 GMT

Even when on a hurried business trip there are times to switch of and relax so it is of interest to see what our Hotels offer.

Basic requirement would be a television in the room, as far as I know all IHG Hotels offer this, but only a few years ago it was an optional extra. Nowadays the Hotels should offer a reasonable selection of programmes in that countries home language. It was interesting in that our most recent stay at a HIX had a better selection of English programmes than the London Intercontinental.

If we regard a restaurant as a leisure facility then I expect it a place to relax in while enjoying the meal not with loud music and a reasonable competent service level.

We will usually expect a bar; a lot of the HI and HIX seem to be setting bars a pub type facilities catering for passing trade by offering big screen televisions offering major sporting events. Some have pool tables. I would like all these bars to have quiet areas so those who would just like to have a coffee and chat can so to do. So in other words a lounge area would be appreciated. The bars should offer snacks and quick lunches for passing business visitors.

Most HI in UK would have a gym and swimming pool while moving to Crown plazas we would expert a little more such as a sauna and steam room. A place to relax is the Jacuzzi. It is most important to have a good leisure club manager who will ensure the highest degree of maintenance as well as regular cleaning of the poolside, changing facilities as well as the reception are. Staff should be as welcoming here as in the Hotel reception.

The higher you go the more you will get. Crowne plazas often have Hairdressers and barbers as well as beauty salons offering a wide range of treatments. After a long journey a back massage can be just the thing.

At the Intercontinentals there is usually a full spa with top rated beauty salons offering top class treatments for a price.

It would be useful if all the IHG hotels gave guests free access to all the spa’s in all the Hotels not making it an extra in some cases. One Crowne plaza we stayed at had an additional charge for the indoor pool and gym. This is a lack of consistency. I am glad to say that as far as I am aware all but one of all the UK IHG hotels give guests complimentary access to the leisure facilities and so they should.

Holiday Inn, not Your_Mother's HI

community@ihg.com — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:47:45 GMT

Holiday Inns, new or refurbished have come a long way since the inconsistent service or comfort. of the past. . And they 've changed more than just their logo.

The bottom line for guests is that Holiday Inns are now really nice places to stay.

The bottom line for franchisees and IGH is the bottom line.

We all win.

I stayed at one of the new ones : Holiday Inn and Suites, Denver Airport. The new logo, brightly lit, with the Green 'H" was inviting as I got off the highway.

Front desk staff were pleasant and helpful. . They noted my Platinum Ambassador status and upgraded me to a suite and offered me a complimentary breakfast voucher. I'm of the credo that, "if you don't ask, , y ou don't get", but these were provided, without me whining for them. . I felt good before I even got to the room

The "suite" is a living room with a wall of kitchen amenities ( fridge, microwave, granite countered sink). sofa bed and flat screen TV. The bedroom had its own Flat screen TV..

Don't compare a suite at the Holiday Inn to one at the Ritz, Rooms are not large, 'though well designed, attractive,and nicely. furnished.

The bed pillows had labels,:soft , medium, hard, with a note that Housekeeping would be pleased to bring more of what was requested. Linens are towels were above average.

The rate was $126. I am registerd for several PC offers and received 16,885 points for this one night stay. I charged my room on the PV Visa card, and will receive additional points for that.

The Hotel manager told me that existing Holiday Inns are being upgraded and if they don't meet the higher standards, they will be dropped from the chain. New HI's are being built and would be similar to the one at Denver, which opend in August. .

If you haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn recently, , I urge you to do so.

If you are not registered for promotions, I urge you to do so. Check the discussions on this site for promotion codes.

If you do not have , a PC Visa card for IHG payment, I urge you to get one. It is generally free for the first year and might comes with enough enrollment bonus points to get. you a free room.

Have you checked into one of the new Holiday Inns?.. Tell all.