Starwood Preferred Guest - When a Starwood Hotel Does Not Work for a Trip what is Your Back-Up Hotel (and Progra

On occasion a Starwood property is just not conveniently located or does not exist (in secondary cities and rural areas), sold out or simply not priced competitively. When this happens, what is your back-up choice of chain and hotel program?

My choice is Wyndham and Loews in big cities. Both have a good recognition (amenities and upgrades) programs (Wyndham By Request is really very good and improving) and also provide airlines miles (though neither has a traditional points based loyalty program). Beyond that I mostly look at Marriot Courtyard, Hilton’s Hampton Inns or La Quinta as they are all pretty well represented in secondary markets and rural areas.

Generally, if I cannot stay in a Starwood, I would pick a Hilton, a Hyatt, a Marriott or a Radisson. Generally, in that order.

This is a general rule of thumb though, and I generally look for the hotel I think I will enjoy the most within my budget. For different cities, this means different things. The biggest example to jump in my head is the Radisson in LaCrosse, WI. The next time I stay in LaCrosse, the Radisson is the hotel I will choose to stay in due to exemplary past service. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

My 2nd chain is H Honors where I also reached the top teer Diamond. I enjoy the club lounges, breakfasts, etc...but have only gotten a suite a few times, though not sure if that will change as a diamond. I have never tried to use points, and have read mixed results. Also am disappointed that apparently you cannot use points to stay at the Waldorf Towers which is a part of the Waldorf Astoria......one of those "hotels with in a hotel," (who invented that anyway?). I actually most often stay at one or two particular Hiltons where I have logged nearly all my stays and I know most staff, and am treated very well. For example, I just had a friend stay at the hotel, and I got the executive concierge to upgrade them, no status, to the executive floor for a future stay.....no questions asked guy glad to do it with no hesititation whatsoever.

Other than that I like to stay at premium hotels such as Ritz, something like XV Beacon in BOS, etc...when I can.

Thirdly just random...say if I am at a conference I will often stay at the conference hotel.

Starwood (Plat, Marriott (Plat), Hyatt (Diamond)

My second choice are HHonors properties. Now that they give full point earning on most rates, its a respectable second, and fairly well represented. The other backup is Holiday Inn/Crowne Plaza mostly used for Europe, because the SW selecion is lacking in some places or just outrageously expensive. And after several years, I almost have enough points for 1 night at a fancy HI!.

1. Starwood, Platinum
2. HHonors, Gold
3. Marriott, Silver
4. Hyatt, take the 500 AA miles
5. Radisson, take the 500 AA miles

Sometimes I have to do Hyatt even if there is a Starwood if I'm traveling with my boss.
Oh well.

Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt

If there isn't a Starwood, I just don't go!

I was thinking about this in the Four Points hotel elevator ... While I switched to Starwood this year and will make Platinum, I will also keep staying with Marriott. Why? Marriott's property list and consistency is unmatched. If I can't find a Marriott (anything in the whole chain) I must really be at the end of the earth.

I have to work a lot harder normally to find Starwood hotels in my budget range and in the location I want to go to. While that's ok, sometimes it's nice to just be able to relax at one of the billion Marriott, Courtyard or Fairfield Inn's http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

So it's Starwood, Marriott and Hilton as a fail-safe for me.

I choose Hyatt. I faxed them a copy of my plat card and travel history and they gave me a diamond card. Not nearly as good as Starwood but they do want your business.

If it's non-vacation (OK, all my trips are vacation, but if it's in just a ho-hum place), I'll select Hilton.

If it's vacation and I want a special experience, I'll often stay at a non-chain, boutique hotel. I probably only spend 50 percent of my travel nights at hotels that allow me to earn points.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by letiole:
I probably only spend 50 percent of my travel nights at hotels that allow me to earn points. </font>

Blasphemy... ;=)

My first choice is Marriott, Starwood or Steigenberger (choice depends from place, price, promo and mood). Second choice goes to Accor or Radisson and then to the remaining hotels/chains.

It depends...

If there is a price-competitive Ritz Carlton who has treated me well in the past (where I might as well be an elite member) I will stay there.

If there is a nice price-competitive Hyatt, I will stay there.

If none of those, I will stay at a Doubletree/Hilton, etc.

In Chicago, I won't stay at the Grand Hyatt, but if none of the Starwood's are price competitive, I will stay at the Omni on North Michigan, which is very nice. A few stays there, and you are a member of the "select guest" program which is not bad.

I've heard good things about the Wyndham program and their hotels. Seeing as how they are giving away a free round of golf for their on-line booking bonus, I'll try that soon.

In Nashville, I stay at the Loews Vanderbilt (spent our wedding night there).

1. Starwood
2. Embassy Suites
3. Marriott
4. Hilton
5. Hyatt
6. Hampton
7. Homewood/Doubletree
8. Holiday Inn

2. Hilton Brands
3. Believe it or not - Holiday Inn Express (great value for a clean dig.)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BIL_Flyer:
On occasion a Starwood property is just not conveniently located or does not exist (in secondary cities and rural areas), sold out or simply not priced competitively. When this happens, what is your back-up choice of chain and hotel program?

My choice is Wyndham and Loews in big cities. Both have a good recognition (amenities and upgrades) programs (Wyndham By Request is really very good and improving) and also provide airlines miles (though neither has a traditional points based loyalty program). Beyond that I mostly look at Marriot Courtyard, Hilton’s Hampton Inns or La Quinta as they are all pretty well represented in secondary markets and rural areas. </font>

Always a Marriott.

Starwood a definite first. If not possible, then generally a Hilton, Marriott or Hyatt in no particular order. (Sure wish that Starwood could get something in STF (Santa Fe, NM), MRY (Monterey, CA) or the cental SF Valley, whether or not it secedes from La-la land.)

I will generally go with one of the HHonors properties. The Hiltons are pretty reliable and I've had good luck with Doubletrees, mostly in finding reasonable rates. I also like the Wyndham; their beds seem very comfortable. A Courtyard Marriott is sometimes also a good choice, though I don't care much for their food service(I'm a room service junkie).

Great thread! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

SPG &gt; GP &gt; MR &gt; HH

Yet matters obviously may change, as they have before, and individual properties prevail depending upon specific location, service and price - and if they have my favorite perk - the Executive/ Concierge/Regency Club Lounge! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif