Starwood Preferred Guest - Enter to win One Million Starpoints with Aloft Hotels!

Hey folks, I just wanted to give you a heads up on some Aloft marketing efforts that will be coming your way soon.

The Aloft brand will soon be launching a pretty cool new interactive part to their web site that will allow you to experience the hotels and brand. You will be able to both explore what an Aloft hotel is like and play some fun mini games along the way.
And to celebrate this launch, you can register and enter for some nice prizes on a daily basis, including a chance to win one million Starpoints. The good news is that while you can only click to win once per day, you can return the next day and click again and every day until the promotion is over; and, the more times you do so, the better your chances are to win the one million Starpoints!

I will be posting more about this opportunity in the week to come, but this is all being done to highlight the fact that there are now 24 Aloft hotels currently open with more than 40 expected to be open by the end of the year, so I hope you will come and check out what Aloft has to offer and why Aloft is considered to be jet-setting style at a steal.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

/mod

Direct contest link: http://aloft.promo.eprize.com/go/

Starpoints here I come :D

i'll take the points, as long as I don't have to stay at another Aloft

I was just at the Aloft in Plano, TX two weekends ago.

Although I couldn't help but think the place was trying a little too hard to be South Beach in the middle of a sprawling Texas suburb :p, I thought it was a solid value at around $90/nt. on a weekend. (Like most suburban locations, I'm guessing their weekday rates are higher.)

Believe it or not, we actually ended up having an impromptu after-after-party for a wedding reception in the hotel's lobby. The bartender was great and capable of pouring a variety of mixed drinks as well as the usual beer and wine. Find that at your typical suburban Courtyard or HGI...

Anyway, I dig the concept overall, but the thumping electronica in the lobby at check-in is overdoing it just a tad. :)


ALSO: By comparison, another buddy Pricelined the nearby Courtyard in Plano for $50. It was a decent CY with the fresh new lobby - exactly as you see it in the TV spots - but the halls and rooms still had that dark, dated Courtyard feel. It's nice to see that perhaps Aloft is (in some limited cases) forcing Marriott to at least try to reinvigorate its CY product. There is a lot of mediocrity in the suburban midscale category, so I'm quite happy that Starwood is bringing out something completely unstale.

William please drop the Aloha part

I thought ALoft was being announced for Hawaii, especially by the Airport/s which would have been great when you have say a 6-7 hr layover or an early flight out the next morn

Will finally do my first aLoft stay at IAD in July. Looking forward to checking it out.

William please drop the Aloha part

I thought ALoft was being announced for Hawaii, especially by the Airport/s which would have been great when you have say a 6-7 hr layover or an early flight out the next morn

Yep, thought the same thing and that was the only reason I read the thread. Unfortunately no Aloft in Hawaii near the airports yet..

I haven't stayed at an Aloft yet, but I've read a number of negative reactions here on FT, so when I read the thread title, I thought the "aloha" meant "goodbye," as in, "We're throwing in the towel on the Aloft experiment."

I did stay at an Element recently, though, and liked it quite a bit.

I have enjoyed the aloft experience.

And I've definitely enjoyed the point bonuses!

Hopefully this contest won't be open to residents of the US only, or I'll have to move to my brother's house in TX again! :rolleyes: I hate playing these games, but be warned, I will do it! :D (Can anyone say Hilton Advance Your World Challenge?)

I have stayed at the Aloft Philadelphia(several times including last night!) and Chicago. I enjoy the hotel. The people at Philadelphia are absolutely the best, they go out of their way and are so nice. They always remember me which is nice and are so friendly and professional, Aloft has become my hotel of choice in Philadelphia!

The aLoft in Lexington, MA has a wonderful staff. The hotel is great. I have stayed there quite a bit.

The aLoft in Lexington, MA has a wonderful staff. The hotel is great. I have stayed there quite a bit.

+1. It is a great deal and, IMHO, far better than anything else in the same price range.

William please drop the Aloha part

I thought ALoft was being announced for Hawaii, especially by the Airport/s which would have been great when you have say a 6-7 hr layover or an early flight out the next morn

+1

Thanks William, look forward to more info, better yet, the million points ^

William please drop the Aloha part

I thought ALoft was being announced for Hawaii, especially by the Airport/s which would have been great when you have say a 6-7 hr layover or an early flight out the next morn
+3. I never understood the "Aloha" marketing attached with aloft. Makes no sense at all.

That said, having airport hotels at Hawaii airports would be nice.

+3. I never understood the "Aloha" marketing attached with aloft. Makes no sense at all.

That said, having airport hotels at Hawaii airports would be nice.+4.

Great news though. Thanks for sharing lurker. Now the question is: "WHERE MY MILLION POINTS AT?"

+5.

It got me to open the thread though.........................:)

Perhaps Mr. Hand will be the official spokesperson for Aloft? :D

(Would be a neat trick, especially since Ray Walston is no longer with us. :( )

"There will be no eating in the lobby. E-A-T-I-N-G"

"You want an upgrade? What are you, on dope?"

The aLoft in Lexington, MA has a wonderful staff. The hotel is great. I have stayed there quite a bit.

I absolutely agree, as well. I've stayed at 5 Aloft properties now, and Lexington is far above the others when it comes to service and value. It's also is in a great location to explore the Minuteman Trail using their complimentary bikes - another thing I love about this property.

-FlyerBeek

Starpoints here I come :D
+1!

I will be staying at the ALoft at National Harbor, MD at the beginning of June, as I am attending a conference in the area. I was interested in trying out the new ALoft as I could bring my dog with me!

I haven't stayed at an Aloft yet, but I've read a number of negative reactions here on FT, so when I read the thread title, I thought the "aloha" meant "goodbye," as in, "We're throwing in the towel on the Aloft experiment."

I did stay at an Element recently, though, and liked it quite a bit.
I interpreted the "aloha!" to mean 'welcome' -- not 'goodbye' -- it's like 'ciao' -- depending on the context!

+4


I just birdied this thread to help us out...

Perhaps Mr. Hand will be the official spokesperson for Aloft? :D

(Would be a neat trick, especially since Ray Walston is no longer with us. :( )

"There will be no eating in the lobby. E-A-T-I-N-G"

"You want an upgrade? What are you, on dope?"

It's strange how the PHL aloft associates being put on the 5th (top) floor as an "upgrade" or a special room. Like I told a friend, I must be special to have to wait longer for the elevator (which is slow to begin with).

While I thought I really dug the concept, I have to admit that when I moved from the aloft to the Sheraton Suites at PHL I was a lot more comfortable to be in a "normal" hotel again. Maybe I'm just not the target market anymore (I used to think I was hip, but probably am not anymore -- or never was).

+3. I never understood the "Aloha" marketing attached with aloft. Makes no sense at all.

Copywriters LOVE alliteration, and both start with "alo."

Copywriters LOVE alliteration, and both start with "alo."
You got it...!! Clearly, the concept is drawing attention -- whether positively or 'negatively'!

i'll take the points, as long as I don't have to stay at another Aloft

Ditto. Sorry.

BTW, my best friend's mother's girlfriend's ex-husband's daughter's cousin (second removed) works at Starwood, and gave me some details on the contest. They've picked six premium Aloft cities and set up online races. You ride a broom around Broomfield, CO, a horse around Lexington, MA (The Lexington race takes place only at night and obstacles are set up in the form of British soldiers.), a snowmobile around Minneapolis (Watch out for those drivers who go 20 MPH in the left lane, not to mention the cloverleaf designs of the highway!), a SEPTA train in Philadelphia (This race is the hardest, since the trains simply don't go anywhere, for no apparent reason), a cowboy in Frisco and a large piece of cheese with wheels in Green Bay. You can play as often as you like and your best six scores will be totaled.

If there are any problems with the contest, Starwood will end it without notice and assign the points any way it damn well pleases.

Mike

I was just at the Aloft in Plano, TX two weekends ago.

Although I couldn't help but think the place was trying a little too hard to be South Beach in the middle of a sprawling Texas suburb :p, I thought it was a solid value at around $90/nt. on a weekend. (Like most suburban locations, I'm guessing their weekday rates are higher.)

Believe it or not, we actually ended up having an impromptu after-after-party for a wedding reception in the hotel's lobby. The bartender was great and capable of pouring a variety of mixed drinks as well as the usual beer and wine. Find that at your typical suburban Courtyard or HGI...

Anyway, I dig the concept overall, but the thumping electronica in the lobby at check-in is overdoing it just a tad. :)


ALSO: By comparison, another buddy Pricelined the nearby Courtyard in Plano for $50. It was a decent CY with the fresh new lobby - exactly as you see it in the TV spots - but the halls and rooms still had that dark, dated Courtyard feel. It's nice to see that perhaps Aloft is (in some limited cases) forcing Marriott to at least try to reinvigorate its CY product. There is a lot of mediocrity in the suburban midscale category, so I'm quite happy that Starwood is bringing out something completely unstale.

I have never stayed at an Aloft but from the description, it sounds like a less expensive, more intense version of W. Is that correct?

I just had a walk through tour of the Frisco Aloft (just a few miles from the Plano Aloft). I am coordinating the hotels for a conference coming up later this summer.

The hotel looks very modern and the general use area in the lobby looks like a nice area to congregate if you have a group together. They had a number of games (card games, board games, etc) that anyone could use. Yes, the rooms seem to be a bit on the small size, but everything was new. The only real concern I had was the tubes of soap/shampoo on the walls. I'm just not sure how everyone from my group will like the idea of "sharing" their tolletry items with everyone else who has stayed there.

I have to admit that the service I have been receiving there has been great. Within a few days of signing a group contract, they sent me the webpage link to sign up and have been very good at making updates as requested. Compare that to the Frisco Sheraton, where I also signed a group contract the same day, but am still waiting for my website link (almost 2 weeks later.)

So in terms of responsiveness, I have to say I'm impressed with the Frisco Aloft at least. (And once the event occurs, I'll try to remember to post a stay report.)

+7. No more Aloha please, unless you are doing a Hawaiian property. There is nothing island themed about the Alofts. They are, in fact, urban-themed if anything.

I have never stayed at an Aloft but from the description, it sounds like a less expensive, more intense version of W. Is that correct?

I don't know about "more" intense. Definitely yes though - they are taking that urban vibe of W to a suburban brand. Since to date this entire category of hotels has been incredibly bland, your first Aloft experience may feel more intense.

(I have this image of the sign they post near roller coasters. "This is an intense ride experience. Not recommended for expectant mothers, etc...")

Buster and everyone else here is correct: it is not Hawaiian themed at all, although the Plano one had leis and boat drinks flowing this particular day because there was a Buffett concert a few miles away and the hotel was full of Parrotheads.

No one has mentioned the rooms yet. My only complaint was that there was nowhere to sit other than on the bed or at a tiny little work desk. That's the one area that all of these suburban chains did right: larger rooms, with a couch and coffee table in addition to the work desk. Aloft has smallish rooms...at least this one did. The floorplan is a bit more open that most people are used to....the "loft" concept, sort of. The room felt like it had more cubic feet, but fewer square feet of usable floor space, if that makes any sense at all. (Other than that, the room was clean and bright with large windows, a good bed, and a big flatscreen TV easily viewable throughout the room.)

I have never stayed at an Aloft but from the description, it sounds like a less expensive, more intense version of W. Is that correct?

I just stayed in the Aloft Montreal Airport and this is a reasonable description of the concept--it definitely shares the W's propensity for flourishes that are vaguely "cool" but also kind of annoying--like replacing 2 of the 4 pillows on the bed with long, cylindrical, multi-colored pillows that were generally pretty much useless for sleeping on.

I guess my main complaint is that, by focusing on bringing design-forward elements to a function-forward category of hotel, they end up highlighting the ways that such hotels cut corners. For example, I thought the furnishings in the room all looked quite nice; if the wall finishings and desk and such were cheap and from Ikea, they didn't look it--but in contrast, the ceiling was a mess and didn't even look finished. It brought to mind the kind of shoddy construction one often sees in third-world countries, and looked especially bad compared to the hotel's better-designed and built features.

To the hotel's credit, the public spaces were quite nice. There is a great indoor pool and very good (for this category and size of hotel) fitness center, and the mingling spaces of the lobby were very comfortable. The bar was perhaps too big and too invasive upon the rest of the lobby.

I'm not entirely sure if this concept works, or is needed, in an airport hotel, given the heavily functionality-oriented nature of such properties, but it would make for a decent budget option in a better location.

No one has mentioned the rooms yet. My only complaint was that there was nowhere to sit other than on the bed or at a tiny little work desk. That's the one area that all of these suburban chains did right: larger rooms, with a couch and coffee table in addition to the work desk. Aloft has smallish rooms...at least this one did. The floorplan is a bit more open that most people are used to....the "loft" concept, sort of. The room felt like it had more cubic feet, but fewer square feet of usable floor space, if that makes any sense at all. (Other than that, the room was clean and bright with large windows, a good bed, and a big flatscreen TV easily viewable throughout the room.)For better or worse, the marketers seem to have decided that the 20- and 30-somethings in their target market don't spend much time in their rooms other than to sleep and get ready to leave. I think the assumption is that they hang out at the bar downstairs or go party until 2 AM, then are up at 7 AM for that all-day meeting.

I think Hyatt Place does a better job of allowing "cocooning" in the room with their humongous sofa sectional.

Ditto. Sorry.

BTW, my best friend's mother's girlfriend's ex-husband's daughter's cousin (second removed) works at Starwood, and gave me some details on the contest. They've picked six premium Aloft cities and set up online races. You ride a broom around Broomfield, CO, a horse around Lexington, MA (The Lexington race takes place only at night and obstacles are set up in the form of British soldiers.), a snowmobile around Minneapolis (Watch out for those drivers who go 20 MPH in the left lane, not to mention the cloverleaf designs of the highway!), a SEPTA train in Philadelphia (This race is the hardest, since the trains simply don't go anywhere, for no apparent reason), a cowboy in Frisco and a large piece of cheese with wheels in Green Bay. You can play as often as you like and your best six scores will be totaled.

If there are any problems with the contest, Starwood will end it without notice and assign the points any way it damn well pleases.

Mike
Thanks for the heads up! Guess we'll all be busy -- competing agst each other for those points!

I think Hyatt Place does a better job of allowing "cocooning" in the room with their humongous sofa sectional.

Maybe blend the Hyatt Place rooms with the Aloft lobbies and turn down the music just a tad. That'd be my perfect suburban business hotel. ^

I believe that's *wood's marketing team at work. The front desk is called the Aloha station - hello and goodbye. Quite clever I thought.

But yes, like others, I thought they are opening up an Hawaiian property.

Well I have to add that Aloft is just the type of hotel for me, which is a surprise for some big guy like me to prefer a "smallish" room.

I have been to Aloft Beijing and I love the small windows, giving me a sense of home where there is a lot of private space for my thoughts and emotions.

I love the colors too as they aren't too dull and not too loud either.

Just my personal comments.

Well I have to add that Aloft is just the type of hotel for me, which is a surprise for some big guy like me to prefer a "smallish" room.

I have been to Aloft Beijing and I love the small windows, giving me a sense of home where there is a lot of private space for my thoughts and emotions.

I love the colors too as they aren't too dull and not too loud either.

Just my personal comments.

That's good. ^

It would be pretty bad if one of the official Starwood Lurkers came out saying "Y'know, we all thought this Aloft thing was a bad idea all around, but we have a couple real hardheads on the Board who were dying for it... Hey, check out those new Courtyard lobbies!" :p

The new interactive part to Aloft’s web site is now live! So visit today to start exploring and register to win some cool daily prizes, including a chance to win one million Starpoints. If you’re not a winner today, try again tomorrow. You can only click to win once per day but you can return the next day and click to win again, every day until the promotion ends.

www.alofthotels.com/explore

With 24 hotels now open and more than 40 arriving by the end of the year, don’t wait to discover an Aloft hotel near you and experience jet-setting style at a steal.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Didn't win. :( :mad:

Thanks, William! Just entered for the first time (but, alas, not a winner)!

Thanks, William! Just entered for the first time (but, alas, not a winner)!

+3 (myself, fiancee, and dad):(

No dice here either. :(

No dice here either. :(
Same here. Hopefully someone here on FT gets some love from the "tiki" Gods...

no love for me from aloha :( tomorrow might be good.

I think Hyatt Place does a better job of allowing "cocooning" in the room with their humongous sofa sectional.

+ 1

and it amazes me that aLoft has this high-tech box with hdmi HDTV hook-up, yet no dock for an iPod. :rolleyes:

no win 4 me. . .anyone???

Every time I click on the link for the promotion,it loads to 96% and then it stops. does anyone know where to register and participate? Thanks

It looks like the new day for this promo begins at midnight US EDT.

I just stayed in the Aloft Montreal Airport and this is a reasonable description of the concept

The bar was perhaps too big and too invasive upon the rest of the lobby.

I'm not entirely sure if this concept works, or is needed, in an airport hotel, given the heavily functionality-oriented nature of such properties, but it would make for a decent budget option in a better location.

I stayed at this hotel last Wednesday night, and there were between 30 and 35 people playing pool, at the bar, sitting in the lobby and the outdoor patio at 11:30 at night.

They ranged in age from their early 20's to mid 60's. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and interacting with each other. much different from the 2 people at the link stations at the Sheraton in Ottawa on Friday, and the 6 people in the lounge, all keeping to themselves.

Love it or Hate it, I think Starwood got Aloft right (except for the communal toiletries)

d.

Every time I click on the link for the promotion,it loads to 96% and then it stops. does anyone know where to register and participate? Thanks

same here :confused:

same here :confused:

Dearest Forstbetrieb,

Works fine for me, I cannot replicate any error regarding the site.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

Dearest Forstbetrieb,

Works fine for me, I cannot replicate any error regarding the site.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

I'm happy that Forstbetrieb is having the same exact problem as me. Fyi,I have restarted my computer 6 times already, yet when the music plays and it starts loading it slows down at 95% and comes to a complete stop at 96% and I cant get in:td::td::(

I'm happy that Forstbetrieb is having the same exact problem as me. Fyi,I have restarted my computer 6 times already, yet when the music plays and it starts loading it slows down at 95% and comes to a complete stop at 96% and I cant get in:td::td::(

Dearest moefl,

Are you able to see a "Skip Intro" on the bottom right corner of the page? Try clicking on that.

If not, try visiting this page (http://aloft.promo.eprize.com/go/) directly.

I won't be able to explain why you are not able to see the flash display on the website.

Let me know if it still doesn't work.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

Dearest Forstbetrieb,

Works fine for me, I cannot replicate any error regarding the site.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

I don't not why it doesn't works fine to me. May be because I am mobile in internet through UMTS ( HSDPA / HSUPA ) or because I am in europe now. Only the music comes. Even if I go to the page a-go-go blog I can click, but this opens only the same picture again a little bit bigger and then I cannot click it.

But it is not me, it's a sony :D:D:D

Dearest moefl,

Are you able to see a "Skip Intro" on the bottom right corner of the page? Try clicking on that.

If not, try visiting this page (http://aloft.promo.eprize.com/go/) directly.

I won't be able to explain why you are not able to see the flash display on the website.

Let me know if it still doesn't work.

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Thank you so much!!^

The skip intro of course didn't work,but the new page you posted worked. thanks

DIDN'T WIN:td:

With opera and safari it doesn't work to me. Tried it with firefox now, and it works, but I cannot win:

Reason for:

Aloft Explore, Amuse + Win (the "Promotion") is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including District of Columbia) and Canada who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry.

Reason for:

Aloft Explore, Amuse + Win (the "Promotion") is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including District of Columbia) and Canada who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry.

Oops. I hope it is due to the age limit. :D

apguest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

I don't mind Aloft, only stayed at one prop though. My only complaint is the alarm clocks in the DIA property...I have to cover them up with a pillow because they are so bright!

The promotion only seems to be available to North American and Canadian residents :td:

Come on Starwood, treat all your members equally.

Come on Starwood, treat all your members equally.I suspect there may be country by country legal issues that make this very hard and impractical.

Well, never having stayed at an Aloft,....

1. No prob for me with the "communal" soap and shampoo attached to the wall. It's the same at AA Admirals Club showers, and I bet lots of others, too.

2. I can't wait (but I'll have to, and until 2010, too!!!) for a lower priced SPG alternative in BKK. And it's perfectly located on an "in" street. Don't get me wrong, SGS is a lovely property, with impeccable service and facilities, all three times I've stayed there. But IMO it's overpriced for its location. And, with, I believe, five floors and the main Thai restaurant currently closed as a result of the tourism slowdown, I'm surprised that it won't reduce prices. OTOH, it appears to be for sale, so who knows....

I suspect there may be country by country legal issues that make this very hard and impractical.

This is very true - I've managed the development of lots of online promotions in the past.

A truly global competition can be done, but for most organizations it's a big-budget (multi-millions) affair that you'd do with a ton of surrounding media. For example, a worked on one leading up to the FIFA World Cup a few years back that was open to legal residents of 32 countries. The legal prep for that was many months in the making and it was for a major product launch. Developing the entry forms to meet all legal requirements took many months as well (some countries require intricate proof-of-identity processes). Meeting auditing/verification in each market required use of many local vendors and lawyers.

For a U.S./Canada only comp, there are lots of vendors out there that pretty much run the whole thing as a turnkey solution. You build the marketing campaign and microsite, they do the rest: help you develop airtight rules, secure the data, handle the legal, audit the random drawing, record the winners, fulfill the prizes, and report to the IRS. So if you choose, you can run these kinds of things in single markets pretty smoothly - and probably even launch a few self-contained versions with similar vendors in other countries as well - but one massive worldwide competition is pretty difficult to do. (For what it's worth, New York and Florida have the most thorough state-level sweepstakes rules of the U.S. states. Usually if you run a competition here, the first thing you do is register your intent to hold the comp with those two states. In some cases, you have to be bonded as well.) Starwood may be big enough to run some of this in-house, but if not...you can pick a single vendor to help you run a U.S. contest.

The other thing every one of these lawyers I've spoken with has said: make absolutely sure your game is truly pure chance. We had a concept on the table a few years back for one where people would click on puzzles and solve answers to win prizes. The challenge there is that your liability to ensure that the game is "cheat proof" goes way up, and as anyone who's ever played any online game knows - that's almost impossible. See the recent Hilton fiasco...they had a neat concept but had to kill the whole thing and revert to random draw because people were cheating.

...will try again tomorrow.

The promotion only seems to be available to North American and Canadian residents :td:

Come on Starwood, treat all your members equally.

too bad its not just for members. . .this is already all over the sweepstakes board for any "Open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including District of Columbia) and Canada who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry".

Might of had a chance if you had to log in to starwood account first or something.

No win for me, but spouse won a $15 iTunes gift card!

Well, something to kill 10 seconds every day for a while now.

Didn't win. Neither did my wife or mother-in-law.

I stayed at the PHL airport Aloft back in March (had a pre-6 am flight), which I think was QUITE new at the time, and liked it! I thought the color scheme was quite pretty, the service was just fine (especially given the odd hours), the bed was comfy, and...overall nothing to complain about. While it's nice to hoard hotel toiletries, I can also appreciate how much more efficient/environmentally friendly the "communal" setup is.

The lobby/bar/lounge area looked fun and there was a small crowd of people enjoying it, though I didn't have the time to do so. Overall, I enjoyed it (then again, I like W's, so this was not a surprise).

I lost, but it's a good microsite. I like it... :)

I just won a 2 Nights Stay at any Aloft Hotel!

I just won a 2 Nights Stay at any Aloft Hotel!

Congrats! A very nice prize.

Congrats! A very nice prize.
+1 -- great to hear that someone is winning something!!

Is this worth "moving" to the USA for the duration of the promo or are the prizes something you have to be physically present in the USA to win? A USA address is not a problem for me to obtain and I am a dual citizen so I have a So-Sec. I am also pretty fed up with the USA only promos, it's bad enough we can't get the same credit cards they can get so it is so much harder for us to get enough points to redeem something.

not available for Quebec?

not available for Quebec?

Very few contests are valid in Quebec, there's some sort of provincial restriction on games of chance.

.......:td::td::td:

I totally forgot about this promo, but didnt win today. will try again.

not available for Quebec?


Maybe I'll keep this one to my self. EDITED.

Very few contests are valid in Quebec, there's some sort of provincial restriction on games of chance.

Speaking with someone recently who looked into holding a contest across Canada including Quebec, they had to provide a cash collateral of $100,000 when their prize was valued at $2500.

I can understand the government looking out for the rights of it's citizens, but you think there would be enough backing by the public to change these requirements and get them some contest love!

Speaking with someone recently who looked into holding a contest across Canada including Quebec, they had to provide a cash collateral of $100,000 when their prize was valued at $2500.

I can understand the government looking out for the rights of it's citizens, but you think there would be enough backing by the public to change these requirements and get them some contest love!

We've done 'em in Quebec. The main legal requirement there is that the entire contest must be available in both French and English, including all of the legal rules and other fine print.

Our top prizes were usually $500 or less, so large bonding requirements weren't a problem that I can recall. But coding and testing a Flash microsite in two languages is a bit of a pain.

Lesson #1 from Captain Obvious: find Canadian French Flash developers to do it. Don't try to wing it with American developers and That Guy Down The Hall Who Took Three Years of High School French. :o :D

No dice for us today.

The aLoft in Lexington, MA has a wonderful staff. The hotel is great. I have stayed there quite a bit.
I would definitely agree with this! ^

no love here this thursday :(

Congratulations! You have scored big with an a-list prize from Aloft Hotels.

You have been selected as the winner of a 2 Nights Stay at Aloft Plano and a $25 Food & Beverage Credit! Please see the Official Rules for further prize details and eligibility requirements. Your win has been recorded and is subject to verification. Once we have verified your eligibility, you will receive your prize 8-10 weeks after promotion conclusion. It will be sent to the address you provided. The promotion ends on July 08, 2009.

No further action is required on your part. Should we need additional information from you, we will contact you at this email address.

For a complete set of Rules for this promotion, please click here.

Please refer to them for any questions you may have. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Prize Fulfillment Services by replying to this email. Please be sure to keep the original subject line.

The adventure continues every day at Aloft Hotels. With hotels all around the globe, get jet setting style at a steal now.

Prize Fulfillment Services
fulfillment@eprizefulfillment.com

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Microsite Flash frozen at "Loading at 95%"
anyone else having this problem?

You have been selected as the winner of a 2 Nights Stay at Aloft Plano and a $25 Food & Beverage Credit!

Congrats! It is always exciting when one of our own wins a prize.

...Although I couldn't help but think the place was trying a little too hard to be South Beach in the middle of a sprawling Texas suburb...

Hoo boy does this make me excited to stay at aLoft Green Bay this fall!

...for HomerJ:td:

Congratulations! You have scored big with an a-list prize from Aloft Hotels.

You have been selected as the winner of a 2 Nights Stay at Aloft Plano and a $25 Food & Beverage Credit!

Congrats! I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but it's interesting that they're property specific with your prize. Not sure if you have plans to visit Plano already, but I would think this prize would go unused by many people. I didn't read the contest rules, but I guess I was expecting free nights to be at the Aloft of your choice. Regardless, congratulations. It's good to see FTers winning and I'm having fun playing.

I will be posting more about this opportunity in the week to come, but this is all being done to highlight the fact that there are now 24 Aloft hotels currently open with more than 40 expected to be open by the end of the year, so I hope you will come and check out what Aloft has to offer and why Aloft is considered to be jet-setting style at a steal.
]

Please open an Aloft in Manila :D

So it looks like we have two winners so far.... anyone else?? What did you win? :)

No Joy here :(
maybe tomorrow:)
or the next day :p
or the next day :rolleyes:
or the next day ;)

Congrats! I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but it's interesting that they're property specific with your prize. Not sure if you have plans to visit Plano already, but I would think this prize would go unused by many people. I didn't read the contest rules, but I guess I was expecting free nights to be at the Aloft of your choice. Regardless, congratulations. It's good to see FTers winning and I'm having fun playing.
I would have thought the same thing. A property specific prize that you have no control over the choice of?!?!? Yikes!!! I'll actually be in Plano next week so I could actually surprisingly use it, but if I won this the week after that I'd be a little steamed that I could never take advantage of it. Maybe the choice of 2 nights in Plano or 2k SPG pts would be a better prize, that way at least the "winner" gets something. ^

I noticed that too - the property-specific prizes. That does seem odd and a bit unfair to the winners.

Can the prize at least be transferred? I mean, if I won the Plano prize I suppose I'd go because (a) I did like the hotel and (b) I do have some friends in Dallas who'd love to meet up for a ballgame or something, but I can see where someone in Seattle with no reason whatsoever to visit Dallas might be thinking "Gee, great...can I at least give this thing away or swap it with someone who won a prize at a different Aloft?"

(Even if Starwood can't "officially" acknowledge Coupon Connection here, can a winner give his/her prize away?)

Shouldn't it have read... "We're sorry. You're the winner of a 2 night stay at the aloft in Plano..."? ;)

Phew. I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking that. I usually cringe when people start complaining about free stuff, but this just seemed pretty specific. If I won a free stay in a higher end property in a major US city, I'd likely plan a trip to use my prize, but a suburban aloft 1,800 miles away probably wouldn't have the same effect. Ok, I'll quit my griping. Free is free. I'm holding out for the Starpoints...;)

...(Even if Starwood can't "officially" acknowledge Coupon Connection here, can a winner give his/her prize away?)

These aren't transferrable. Whoever wins must be the guest of record.

Regarding the stay prizes, however, not all are to specific properties. Some are also generic, so there is a mix of possibilities, but like all things given over to chance, sometimes you get want you want, sometimes you don't. ;)

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

1. No prob for me with the "communal" soap and shampoo attached to the wall. It's the same at AA Admirals Club showers, and I bet lots of others, too.

+1 ^

One of the things I like about Aloft is the soap dispensers. I hate wasting all those bars of soap (and packaging) after just one use. I consider this a win/win idea as far as short stay business hotels.

I decided to sign up just now thanks to this thread and amazingly won an IPOD Nano... :D

Things just keep getting better since I statused matched from Marriott Platinum and have been trying out the Starwood experience:

Free platinum gift of free weekend night stay + customized card
20K points from the night after night promo
March Madness tickets (didn't take advantage but still a cool offer)
3 boxes of premium M&Ms at the ALoft Philadelphia airport
Free weekend night stays which I will use when I'm in Kauai this summer (too bad the St. Regis won't be open)
First suite upgrade ever at the Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown Hotel
Mouthwash and body gel stocked in the bathrooms

My Marriott experience so far has consisted of 40K bonus points and devaluation of my points :confused:

Now an IPOD nano! I am definitely sold on Starwood ^

The new interactive part to Aloft’s web site is now live! So visit today to start exploring and register to win some cool daily prizes, including a chance to win one million Starpoints. If you’re not a winner today, try again tomorrow. You can only click to win once per day but you can return the next day and click to win again, every day until the promotion ends.

www.alofthotels.com/explore

With 24 hotels now open and more than 40 arriving by the end of the year, don’t wait to discover an Aloft hotel near you and experience jet-setting style at a steal.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com
bumping to refresh the link...wish it could be added to the first post in this thread!
sign in to contest HERE/ (http://aloft.promo.eprize.com/go/)

bumping to refresh the link...wish it could be added to the first post in this thread!
sign in to contest HERE/ (http://aloft.promo.eprize.com/go/)
Don't bump it too often bcs every bump reduces my chances to win (if more ppl play). Oh no... Now I bumped it as well.

Now I'm never going to win an aLoft stay in Plano, or some other faraway place I'm never going to visit. :D

...HomerJ gets no love even on mothers day.

...not much luck for HomerJ on this contest.

I'm 0-for-5 so far.


At this rate, I could probably bat third for the Royals. :mad:

darn no dice... tried in europe, canada and now in the US, no love.. .will try in asia later in the week to see if that makes any difference :D

I'm 0-for-5 so far.


At this rate, I could probably bat third for the Royals. :mad:

+1 x 3 (myself, fiancee, and dad)

It's not available for quebec residents...

Starpoints here I come :D :rolleyes: at Bliss. You have so many points already .... you stay in suites, you fly F all over the world, you do not need the points.

I do! :D But if I win, I'll give you enough points to for a weekend night at a Cat 1 property anywhere in the world you want!

1) Sheetz - 2 Nights at any Aloft property
2) Yub (spouse) - $15 iTunes Gift card
3) WScottsdaleInsider - 2 nights at Aloft Plano
4) AICML - iPod Nano


Any other winners out there? :D

It's not available for quebec residents...

I'm with you...it's the Regie des Alcools, des courses et des Jeux that creates the problem, not SPG. However, it sure shocks..if you get my drift!! ;)

No luck here....

i got nada:(

........:mad::mad::mad::mad:

Signed up today... go nothing. :(

........:mad::mad::mad::mad:Um, I believe a key aspect of these kinds of contests is that most people don't win.

Including me.

And, rather than winning my loyalty and appreciation, it's beginning to piss me off!

Then again, I feel the same way about the lottery!

And, rather than winning my loyalty and appreciation, it's beginning to piss me off!

In all fairness to starwood, its not like they had to offer a contest, so its not like anyone not winning makes them materially worse off. And since we've had a few winners on this thread, it demonstrates that they are in fact giving out a reasonable number of prizes. Plus, 1 million starpoints is actually a really amazing prize, and they have to give it to someone...

Michael

I think it's just annoying that you have to go in and check each day if you've won. Seems kinda like they are trying to train us like monkeys or something. :( I gave up wasting my time on this dumb promo after the first try on the first day. I'll stick to the easy promo of earning my free night after every 2 stays. ;) ^

I think it's just annoying that you have to go in and check each day if you've won. Seems kinda like they are trying to train us like monkeys or something. :( I gave up wasting my time on this dumb promo after the first try on the first day. I'll stick to the easy promo of earning my free night after every 2 stays. ;) ^

you do realize this is a daily instant win Sweepstakes right? Completely different then free night promos.

Basically there are instant win prizes an then each day you try and play you get another entry to the grand prize.

I won a Big screen TV and $1K check from Arbys on a similar sweep. . .grand prize was a new truck but the TV package they had 5 First place drawing wins. I played the instant win part every couple days with no win but received an affidavit for the First prize win. I've also won a trip to Maui in 2006 from a different online game. . .these ARE possible to win.

However I'm not sure if it's luck or persistence. .i'm VERY persistent when it comes to sweepstakes.

Official rules (http://aloft.promo.eprize.com/go/display_page?page=rules)

Sweepstakes: Administrator will randomly select the potential Sweepstakes winner, from all eligible entries on or around July 9, 2009.

Instant Win Game: There will be one hundred twenty (120) total random, computer-generated winning times, generated during the Promotion Period. Ninety-one (91) computer-generated winning times will be randomly generated throughout the entire Promotion Period. The remaining twenty-nine (29) computer-generated winning times will be randomly generated during the applicable Week of the Promotion, as set forth in the chart below:

and really, 120 prizes is VERY little. . .i play sweeps that have anywhere from 1 to 100+ per DAY to be given away.

I know it's completely different. I ALMOST decided to try again after a couple posters here posted with their wins, but since then the well has run dry it seems. Too much work for nothing in return IMHO, or at least a very small chance of nothing in return.

LOL . .Well i wouldn't even be a starwood member/owner if it wasn't for a sweepstakes. .not to mentioned married.

I won a Grandprize trip to Maui (Sheraton was a sponsor of the contest) so we got 5 nights at the Sheraton Maui, plus air & car. I had met my b/f a month before the trip so had already planned on taking my mom. We had a great time and I completely fell in love with Maui.

Upon our return my b/f and I got closer and he had received a small inheritance and said we should take a trip. . I said I REALLY wanted to go back to Maui (since first time was with mom and not exactly the romantic trip).

We still didn't want to spend much so I took a owner's referral (Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas) for the 5 night package. . .well, we ended up loving it and got suckered into buying a Starwood timeshare. (but thats a good thing now).

With our starpoints we received for the purchase we took a trip with our kids to Disneyland for my 30th bday (the points covered airfare and rooms). On my bday my b/f purposed. Last Feb we returned to Maui to use our Villa and got married on the island.

So when someone tries to tell me "No one wins" those silly sweepstakes I just chuckle inside because my "nearly impossible to win" win is when my life really started and lead me to the greatest prize in the world. . my family!!!

Oh and have to add, we received the prize notification on the TV package THE DAY my husband and I returned from Maui the first time!

OK, you win.................maybe sometimes people do actually win at these things. :) :D ^^^^^ Congrats on ALL your luck with these sweepstakes, no wonder you keep playing them. What are you already looking for a second husband by entering this one???? :D

definitely not but 1 million starpoints would get the family to many more places :)

And my reply was totally tongue-in-cheek. Thought you guys knew my by now! ;)

no love in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Time to head to Africa to try my luck, may be I'll visit TX first :D come on now Aloft, I'll wear a lei for winning the million points :P

...another goose egg :td::td::mad::mad:

Yeah, I'm kind of hoping that I at least win a pat on the back by the time this whole thing is over. Every day, no dice.

another disappointment this early in the morning :( so the winners, what sort of browser(s) did u all use? I have had no luck w/ firefox and I refuse to use IE (unless I can get the million starpoints :D) please feel free to share the details of winning(s).

thanks anyways, aloft.

I have been trying religiously everyday at 12:01am, and no luck. o, well... congrats to those who have won something!

don't forget there is only 120 winning times to be generated in a two month period. . so basically only two a day and this contest is listed to everyone and most likely on every sweepstakes/contest board online.

Basically your daily play is getting you an additional entry to the Milliion starpoints. . the odds of an instant win prize is pretty much just as tough as he grand prize with thousands of people playing. but you can't win if you don't play, just don't "expect" to win.

Hvanv0405 do you use firefox or IE for the sweepstakes? I am trying to help improve the chances for FTers to win more prizes :D

Hvanv0405 do you use firefox or IE for the sweepstakes? I am trying to help improve the chances for FTers to win more prizes :D

I don't think browsers really matter, its all logging in at the random generated time. I use Firefox though. However, "eprize" is hosting this game and they are sticklers for abiding to the rules so they may void entries if they find more then one entry is being made by the same person or household (depending on what the rules allow).

thanks! lets see how I can get at least one prize out of this million starpoints sweepstakes :)

please be aware that the website does track your usage of the competition webpages which may affect the fairness and your chance to win.

My household uses 2 computers. we are all spg members. Despite us logging in on different occasions and clearing browser caches, when we enter the "win daily prizes + 1 million starpoints" link, it shows user=.... and this user=... never changes so its obvious the webpage is tracking by ip address.

we have reasonable suspicion that the way the competition is run and how the webpages runs may affect several individuals as to their chances of a prize.

Its not a fair competition.

please be aware that the website does track your usage of the competition webpages which may affect the fairness and your chance to win.

My household uses 2 computers. we are all spg members. Despite us logging in on different occasions and clearing browser caches, when we enter the "win daily prizes + 1 million starpoints" link, it shows user=.... and this user=... never changes so its obvious the webpage is tracking by ip address.

we have reasonable suspicion that the way the competition is run and how the webpages runs may affect several individuals as to their chances of a prize.

Its not a fair competition.

nothing by eprize usually is. . .they are VERY strict but for good reason. .there are those that know how to write scripts and us gmail accounts for hundreds of entries so in all fairness they have to put SOME restrictions in place, sadly those restrictions do effect the legit people trying to play as well sometimes.

...when ya dont win anything :mad:

...when ya dont win anything :mad: tell me about it HomerJ I keep trying, may be a Double Stay promo will come up as a compensation to this contest :D

please be aware that the website does track your usage of the competition webpages which may affect the fairness and your chance to win.

My household uses 2 computers. we are all spg members. Despite us logging in on different occasions and clearing browser caches, when we enter the "win daily prizes + 1 million starpoints" link, it shows user=.... and this user=... never changes so its obvious the webpage is tracking by ip address.

we have reasonable suspicion that the way the competition is run and how the webpages runs may affect several individuals as to their chances of a prize.

Its not a fair competition.

Just as an FYI, the only item that is being sent with the ‘user=’ is your username (provided any user has created one for the leaderboard and recording of any casul game scores). This has no relation to sweeps odds or chances to win. The use of the variable in the URL is just an added element to offer some convenience so users do not have to re-type their username when going back and forth between the explore site and the sweeps pages.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

...I actually went to the T&C's today to see how much longer this contest went on for...both me and the missus play almost every day and NO JOY!

We had 3 or 4 winners early on. Someone won 2 nights at the Plano Aloft.

I, too, check almost daily. When does the competition end?

We had 3 or 4 winners early on. Someone won 2 nights at the Plano Aloft.

I, too, check almost daily. When does the competition end?

Last day of the sweepstakes is July 8. So there are 3 weeks remaining.

Official Rules
(http://aloft.promo.eprize.com/go/display_page?page=rules)

...I actually went to the T&C's today to see how much longer this contest went on for...both me and the missus play almost every day and NO JOY!

I, too, check almost daily. When does the competition end?

Last day of the sweepstakes is July 8. So there are 3 weeks remaining.

Man, 3 weeks left? You all have a lot more clicking to do in order to very likely win nothing. :D I'm glad I opted not to try my luck again after my very first attempt. I can spend those extra cumulative 10-20 minutes on Flyertalk now instead. ^

...that tune plus my non winning ways is getting to me.

...that tune plus my non winning ways is getting to me. tell me about it HomerJ I've tried Europe, Asia, N. America, Africa and no love from Aloft. May be I need to spend a night or two at Aloft before it pays me the million starpoints.

...doesn't seem to make much of a difference...o well I will still play daily thus proving PAVLOV's theory again.

...since day 1 the only thing any FT'er has won is a 2 day stay in Plano and an IPOD? The odds on this contest must be in the POWERBALL category.

...since day 1 the only thing any FT'er has won is a 2 day stay in Plano and an IPOD? The odds on this contest must be in the POWERBALL category. I agree w/ you HomerJ. The good thing about this one is, we don't have to pay for the entries :p I know I know... spg can do better, at least they're allowing us to get some hot concert tickets for points :) hopefully the fourth will bring us some luck tomorrow! ^

Just received my IPOD Nano :D ... which was surprising because the e-mail I received said prizes weren't awarded until 8-10 weeks after the promotion ended.

I had been out of the country for the past 10 days & did not have fast internet access, but when I played today -- I won! Couldn't believe it, as I had been playing nearly every day since the beginning of this promotion! I guess I was lucky enough to log-in at just the right moment, according to the rules.

Congrats, mnmag! Then, again - Rancho Cucamonga??

Congrats, mnmag! Then, again - Rancho Cucamonga??
Thanks! When I looked at the T&C -- each week features different locations - so it's not like there's any choice. Actually this location will work for me as I have relatives to visit out there! ^

I'm happy w/winning something - in any case!:D I do believe that it's purely random -- it's just that there aren't that many prizes being given away. I had stayed at an Aloft last month, but don't think it's based on stays.

congrats mnmag! lets hope us FT'ers get more love from spg on this Aloft promo. ^

Ohhh no... :D Congratulations to all the great winners!!!

oops! aloft explore, amuse + win is over
We hope you had the chance to play. If not, remember there's always an Aloft adventure coming your way.

:( I haven't won any of the small prizes... lets hope the million starpoint thing choses me :D or one of my fellow FTers!

I wonder what the tax burden would be if you won the million points.. any thoughts?

I was wondering the same thing. From the T&C's: Approximate Retail Value ("ARV"): $35,000 USD.

...so here's hopin' its me :D