what's so great about starwood? is it really better than the other guys? can anyone tell me what makes the difference?

Lots of folks voted for them and also scored them very highly - a bit more highly than everyone else! It's that simple!

And yes, IMHO, they are quite good and truly do make an effort to listen to and also to respond to their customers!

And for that matter, the No Blackout Date policy didn't hurt either!

Djlawman

And for some of us - No Capacity Controls are far more useful than No Blackout dates (Starwood has both). And Starwood also allows last minute bookings with all the flexibility and no fees.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 04-30-2001).]

I think the Starwood representatives present at the Freddies were having more fun, then the few FTers, that kept their reservations. Starwood reps LQQKed committed to their program unlike other companies, that were NOT present! It was nice to see the excitement generated from their work for the Starwood guests.

I have not started to use Sheratons, but it might be time to switch.

Have a look at the Starwood forum. Which other hotel has a representative from their corporate staff review AND comment of concerns that have been posted?

That speaks for itself.

Hyatt also responds on the Hyatt Board from time to time.

The question should be, why did the win anything for their web site?

As a Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond & Starwood Platinum I have good reasons to explain why Starwood won the Freddies. From time to time we all have had problems with some properties. Sometimes we get a resolution, sometimes not, but I've found Starwood to be consistant in responding to those problems either directly to me via e mail or on the FT web site. They really seem to care about their image and the quality of service they provide. I have not had this experience with any other program. I recently had a minor complaint regarding a reservation, I was contacted by a number of SPG staff members and had it rectified immediately. For this type of service I will continue to vote SPG as the BEST

I am both SPG Platinum and Hyatt Diamond. As my travel patterns have changed, I will not re-qualify for both, and in order to requalify for one, I will have to concentrate almost all my stays there. Please realize that I consider Hyatt and Starwood to be the two best frequent traveller programs - far, far above the other hotel groups.

I have chosen Starwood for the following reasons.

1) Wide array and number of properties in all sorts of locations. From Four Points to St. Regis, and everywhere in between.

2) Suite upgrades. Nothing like it at some places. Starwood tends to be great about it. While Hyatt provides far superior amenities, I never got suites the quality or consitency as I have at Starwood properties. For example, on a recent free stay at the St. Regis, LA, I got a huge suite (1500 feet, maybe). This is one of many phenomenal suites I have gotten for free or bargain rates.

3) Service. As exemplified by William (and formerly Jae) on the Starwood board, SPG sets the bar. Too many examples to list.

4) No blackouts.

5) Free Weekends promotion. Best in the biz.


I'm a very happy Starwood customer. See?
Their website is lousy, though.

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Have a look at the Starwood forum. Which other
hotel has a representative from their corporate
staff review AND comment of concerns that have been posted?
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The answer is: Radisson (Karen)

I've been a Sheraton Gold and then Starwood Gold for about 20 years continuously. The annual benefits USED to be superb, but Starwood chipped away at most of them over time and they are gone. There is ONE enormous benefit not mentioned above.

GUARANTEED 4pm check out. The number of times I've had late evening flights, that allows a shower and freshen up after a day working or touring is worth a LOT to me. "4pm" pretty readily becomes 5pm or 6pm if needs be, at most properties, so even for a 10pm flight you are fine, without getting slugged the usual $100 "day use only" type fees common most everywhere else.
And the Starwood points program is like a "bank" to me.

I have a few 100,000 points in there that never expire. If I need 5,000 to top up an airline account it is great. even to redeem a flight on an iarline I have never flown I can move the Starwood points right across, and BINGO, I am set for a free ticket or upgrade. No other hotel plan is nearly as useful in that respect.

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~ Glen ~

Starwood free weekends is really what does it for me. Just because I stay there on business I can fly off anywhere for the weekend. Also, the free Friday promotion is great for us (particularly if you have unwanted house guests). We amassed many free Fridays and can use them for those "friends" who are "just passing through." It's also excellent on a trip. We decided we wanted to stay in a city on which we were just day tripping and used a Free Friday to not only stay, but with our platinum status got upgraded to a fabulous suite. Overall, excellent service and staff that cares. I'm with them all the way.

The big advantage of Starwood over other hotel programs is the ability to book a room that day with points. This has been extremely valuable to me when I have been stranded due to a missed airline connection while traveling.

I keep enough points in my Starwood account to cover these unexpected room emergencies.

Starwood won the Freddies because hands down they are the best out there. There customer services is exceptional. They always listen whenever I have a comment whether positive or negative and when there is a complaint they have always worked towards resolving it.

As a Platinum, I have been treated very well with upgrades, amenity gifts all over the world. Many of their properties are excellent and some are landmark hotels. Redemption of points is easy and the promotions keep getting better such as the 2 Weekends Worldwide. Keep at it, Starwood!!!