Starwood Preferred Guest - I need more magic bullets

Was staying in quite an empty hotel - was told on other day by hotel employees that only 30% of rooms were occupied for last few weeks - and had to fight like tiger for my suite upgrade. Hotel personel was all about "this is subject to availability" and that was in absolutely empty hotel. I was the only one checking in and not single guest was around.

Placed a call to Platinum Line and was told that noone, except frontdesk can comment on what are best rooms availalble. So Lurker's comments were not helpful on this one.

Immidiately went online from my GPRS enabled pocket PC and found 6 standard suites on sale.

Questions:
Why me? What am I doing wrong? What should I need to tell Platinum line to get information on suites availability instead of "ask frontdesk employee".

I finally got my suite after 40 minutes in the lobby, but I was prepared for this and was not in a rush, but experience really suck.

which hotel firstly is this? and for what dates?

Was staying in quite an empty hotel - was told on other day by hotel employees that only 30% of rooms were occupied for last few weeks - and had to fight like tiger for my suite upgrade. Hotel personel was all about "this is subject to availability" and that was in absolutely empty hotel. I was the only one checking in and not single guest was around. I finally got my suite after 40 minutes in the lobby, but I was prepared for this and was not in a rush, but experience really suck.

OK, this is just sad.

Your post reminds me of when I stayed at the 5th Avenue Suites in Portland (a Kimpton hotel), earlier this year.

Upon checking in, I was informed that I'd been upgraded to the JKF suite. A large suite, with sunken jacuzzi tub, living room, plasma tv, and so on. Such a pleasant surprise, and so nice not to have to beg for an upgrade.

Frankly, I stopped asking for upgrades at certain hotel chains, because the answer was always either "no", or the upgrade would be an extra chair in the 4 foot longer room. But every now and then, I will. And it is sooo nice to get one without having to ask..At least it gives you the illusion that the hotel cares about you and your business, and wants you to return.

Guess where I'm staying in Portland when I go out there in a couple of weeks?!

Postscript - Though I've been staying with Marriott primarily for the past 6 months or so, I'm not sure if their upgrade policy is better/worse than Starwood's (as a Starwood Plat), because I've only been Plat with Marriott for a couple of stays, and didn't ask for upgrades during those stays (Usually I only ask if staying longer than a couple of nights).