Starwood Preferred Guest - 1 guest vs. 2 guests

Looking at some Asian properties, the rate varies by > 10% if I indicate 2 guests vs. 1 guests (spg default). The rate I'm looking at doesnt include any breakfast or food and both rates are for the same room (Traditional room, N/S, King bed).

(1) Why should I pay 10% more for a second guest? It's not like there is another meal involved...

(2) Any problems expected if I make the reservation for only 1 guest?

(2) Any problems expected if I make the reservation for only 1 guest?

Aside from the ethical if not possible legal issues?

(2) Any problems expected if I make the reservation for only 1 guest?
Like many other people, whether they admit it or not, I do this... don't worry you won't go to hell for it and the rate police isn't going to come and get you. ;)

Some people on other threads have reported surprising levels of scrutiny regarding the number of guests staying in a room, especially at properties in Japan. (Phone calls to room saying that two people were seen entering, etc.)

Some people on other threads have reported surprising levels of scrutiny regarding the number of guests staying in a room, especially at properties in Japan. (Phone calls to room saying that two people were seen entering, etc.)
What I normally do is just check-in by myself. I leave for a bit then come back, and then my guest comes in too but shortly after me and by themself.
Yep, I admit it. I'm going to hell.

Out of curiosity, if one guest is the standard default then why do they always give me 2 keys? Sometimes even when I ask for one habit takes over and there are two in the little packet.

Out of curiosity, if one guest is the standard default then why do they always give me 2 keys? Sometimes even when I ask for one habit takes over and there are two in the little packet.
Happens to me all the time and I never understand it myself. Even if my reservation explicitly is booked as 1 person, 1 King I still get two keys.

this has been discussed extensively in this forum...perhaps a search might be in order.

some countries offer rates depending on single or double occupancy. you can't fight city hall.

Just because it is common practice in the US for hotels to charge for 2 guests in a room, it does not mean that it is common practice worldwide (won't make any comments here). Most continental european countries exercise the same practice.

Yeah, I'd say Search and find the other threads on this same subject. In a nutshell...it doesn't matter so much (if at all) in the U.S. But in other countries where it's customary to charge different rates based on number of guests in the room...I wouldn't attempt it. Cause the "rate police" will likely nail you. They watch like hawks for this in many countries.

And why not charge differently? Another guest is using more towels, water, etc. And it's often also based on real estate. A single room in Europe and many other parts of the world, can very often be a completely different size room and bed than a room booked for 2, or the standard one-size-fits-all type rooms we're used to here in the U.S.

Go to buy a Polo Shirt here in the U.S. and S, M, L and XL sizes are likely to be all the same price. Do this in many parts of Europe and Small will be cheapest while the others will all have their own sliding upward scaled pricing with XL being much more money than S...as they tend to hone their pricing much more finely than we do here, IMHO and experience.

I was charged additional for a 2 person charge for a recent stay at the W Lakeshore in Chicago. When I first noticed the price difference, I called SPG Reservations... mentioned the hotel and rates. She asked the # of occupants, I asked her if 1 vs 2 would matter... she said no. I then told her "2", and she made a price quote. I then asked her to change it to 1, and she provided a different quote. I had to stop her, and ask her to explain the price difference. She couldn't, and was grabbing from straws... to cover the expense of additional towels? Come on... I only was given 1 or 2 towels per day ANYWAY ... and I had to keep requesting more.

Ridiculous.

Last year I was the ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel Frankurt. When I made the reservation I had totally forgotten about setting the number of guests. At check in, the receptionist said "Oh, you wife will be staying with you, but we have quoted you a single rate, that will be another 30 Euro, but I have upgraded to a nice room"
Well, I got an upgrade alright, no worth the 30 Euro, but that is how it is for hotels outside of US.

Happens to me all the time and I never understand it myself. Even if my reservation explicitly is booked as 1 person, 1 King I still get two keys.


I guess the desk agent sees more potential in us than we do. I may have resigned to spending the night alone, but the agent knows I can do better.

Last year I was the ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel Frankurt. When I made the reservation I had totally forgotten about setting the number of guests. At check in, the receptionist said "Oh, you wife will be staying with you, but we have quoted you a single rate, that will be another 30 Euro, but I have upgraded to a nice room"
Well, I got an upgrade alright, no worth the 30 Euro, but that is how it is for hotels outside of US.

The Westin Michigan Avenue did the same thing to me (over the phone) for $30.