Why join the Intercontinental Ambassador Program?

The Intercontinental Ambassador program requires members to renew payment on their membership every year. Is the program worth the price ($200 to join, $150 to renew)? Yes, absolutely.

The cost of membership is returned upon the first or second stay at any Intercontinental hotel or IHG property (including Kimpton hotels, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, and more). Plus, you receive a complimentary weekend night certificate each year.

There are numerous advantages to the Intercontinental Ambassador program. Listed below are 3 of the top benefits experienced during my most recent stay at the Intercontinental Osaka (read my previous entry about the hotel here).

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Welcome to the Intercontinental Osaka. The lobby located on the 20th floor impressively greets guests with its spaciousness and modern fixtures. Intercontinental Ambassador members have a dedicated counter for check-in and check-out
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The Lobby Lounge. Enjoy a drink, afternoon tea, a meal, or snack. The lobby lounge is also a perfect venue for a quiet break or to host a meeting, as the limited seats add to the quiet privacy for such a setting
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Views from the lobby. The 20th-floor location allows guests to admire Osaka’s skyline from above. While many of the buildings are traditional and low, there are a number of standout buildings with impressive architectural designs
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View of Grand Front Osaka and Osaka Station. On the other side of the hotel, guests can see even more of the city skyline, including its neighboring Grand Front Osaka building which houses corporate offices and a shopping mall in the lower floors

 

Benefit #1: Guaranteed Room Upgrade

The number one benefit in the Intercontinental Ambassador program is the guaranteed room upgrade upon check-in. The upgrade is dependent on the availability of rooms or suites at the time of your check-in.

Upgrade to the Deluxe Room

To the very least, you will get a room upgrade from the Superior Room (the base room of the hotel) to the Deluxe Room which provides you with an even larger room to enjoy the luxury of spaciousness

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Desk and sitting areas. The wide spaciousness of the room allows the Deluxe Room layout to include a sitting area in front of the television and a desk area complete with a side table for a tea setting. Next to the desk is the mini-bar and coffee amenities
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The mini bar and coffee station. Every room has complimentary mineral water, a Nespresso machine, and fully-stocked mini bar. The water and Nespresso pods are generously replenished twice a day, during morning cleaning and evening turn-down service
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The Deluxe Rooms comes with a king-sized bed or 2 twin beds. The room’s width comfortably fits the two twin beds with space on the sides for each guest not to feel cramped in the room. Every room comes with a standard morning cleaning and an evening turn-down service

 

Upgrade to the Premium Suite

Depending on the availability, you may even receive an upgrade to a suite. The suite’s floor plan has 10 square meters more space than the rooms, inclusive of a full living room and a separate bedroom area.

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Welcome to your Premium Suite. The suite has a full living room with a comfortable L-sofa and coffee table. The tea station, desk area, and minibar area from the rooms are also included in the suite’s living room
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The separate bedroom with a king-sized bed. The bedroom after turn-down service. Every room is provided with bathrobes and yukatas, which are casual kimonos for men and women typically made of cotton
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Suite bathroom. The suite’s bathroom includes a separate shower and bathtub, sink area, vanity station, and separate toilet for added privacy. Amenities are replenished twice a day during morning cleaning and evening turn-down service
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The shower and bathtub. The bathtub is luxury large to relax in with the provided bath salts. Japanese design and touches of the granite and wood provide a calming environment as though the spa brought straight into your bathroom

 

Benefit #2: Complimentary Treats

Another benefit of the Intercontinental Ambassador program is the complimentary treats and gifts.

Upon your arrival, you will be greeted with the gifts already in your room along with a fresh fruit plate. On top of the welcome treats, members also receive a free pay-TV movie per stay and daily newspaper delivered to your door every morning.

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Welcome letter and welcome treats. Upon checking into your room, you are greeted with a welcome letter which reminds you of your benefits as well as a welcome treat according to the hotel. In this case, it is chocolates and rice crackers as a welcome to the Intercontinental Osaka

 

Benefit #3: Late Checkout at 4PM

A third benefit of the Intercontinental Ambassador program is the extended checkout as late as 4pm.

The late checkout allows you a more leisurely morning and afternoon before packing up your things. Additionally, you can plan for a later flight out instead of an early morning flight. That added offer of time on your last day truly benefits members with a more relaxing stay.

 

Click here for TripAdvisor reviews and to book your stay at the Intercontinental Hotel Osaka
Click here to book your stay via Agoda at the Intercontinental Hotel Osaka
IHG members can book directly with the Intercontinental Osaka

Intercontinental Osaka
3-60 Ofuka-cho
Kita-ku, Osaka
+81-6-6374-5700
 
 
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Disclaimer: This stay was graciously hosted by the Intercontinental Osaka. All opinions, as always, are my own. This article contains affiliate links to hotel booking sites. With no additional cost to you, your bookings earn me a commission if you click on the links via my website – Thank you!


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