Starwood Preferred Guest - Special rates for special circumstances?

I'm just throwing out an idea, I pretty much think I know the answer, but hear me out.

Recently my hubby and I learned that 6 years after the death of our baby boy and after a 3 year wait to adopt, a birthmother had chosen us and we are going to be parents! The baby is due later this month, in California. If all goes well (say a prayer if you have a spare!) we'll be taking our baby boy from the hospital, not home to the Midwest, but to a hotel in the LA area.

I'm a Plat SPG member, have been for years. But no matter how I try, I can't seem to find a proper hotel room for a reasonable rate, considering the length of time I'll have to stay in CA. Due to legal matters, the stay is anywhere from 1-4 weeks. I've heard that it is normally about 3 weeks, so I'm going with that and hoping for a better outcome.

I'm Hilton Gold, as well as Plat with Starwood, and I wonder if all this travel might help me find a special rate. I know airlines do special rates for deaths in the family or illness, so is it a stretch to wonder if some kindly hotel manager might offer me a deal?

I have a feeling that it will be extremely costly and I'll likely tell myself it'll only be a week so I'll find a Sheraton or Westin and be comfortable for a week, then I'll be out on the street looking for a Super 8! It's not as if we didn't know this would be expensive, but we honestly didn't know about the 1-4 weeks in LA before bringing the baby home. (We didn't expect an out-of-state adoption.)

I just keep thinking, why did Starwood choose THIS year to not give us the Plat "gift" of 50 percent off a stay using points? I know it's a gift, and not to be expected, but that sure would've helped!

Adding to this is that we'd planned a vacation to Ireland from the 7th-17th and we just found out that our travel insurance doesn't cover adoption. Not that we were thinking of that when we bought it- after 3 years of nothing we didn't expect to even get a call, let alone a baby!

So, we just decided that we are taking our Irish vacation, leaving Thursday and staying at the lovely Dublin Westin (which was prepaid) and praying that our birthmother doesn't go into labor while we're gone. (Her due date was the 20th due to the 1st sonogram, and now the 4D sonogram says the 26th, so we're praying he won't be early!)

As a Starwood junkie, does anyone have any advice about adjusting to an extended stay hotel, or maybe know of a great rate at the end of May, early June at an LA area Starwood? Any help is greatly appreciated! :)

I'm just throwing out an idea, I pretty much think I know the answer, but hear me out.

Recently my hubby and I learned that 6 years after the death of our baby boy and after a 3 year wait to adopt, a birthmother had chosen us and we are going to be parents! The baby is due later this month, in California. If all goes well (say a prayer if you have a spare!) we'll be taking our baby boy from the hospital, not home to the Midwest, but to a hotel in the LA area.

I'm a Plat SPG member, have been for years. But no matter how I try, I can't seem to find a proper hotel room for a reasonable rate, considering the length of time I'll have to stay in CA. Due to legal matters, the stay is anywhere from 1-4 weeks. I've heard that it is normally about 3 weeks, so I'm going with that and hoping for a better outcome.

I'm Hilton Gold, as well as Plat with Starwood, and I wonder if all this travel might help me find a special rate. I know airlines do special rates for deaths in the family or illness, so is it a stretch to wonder if some kindly hotel manager might offer me a deal?

I have a feeling that it will be extremely costly and I'll likely tell myself it'll only be a week so I'll find a Sheraton or Westin and be comfortable for a week, then I'll be out on the street looking for a Super 8! It's not as if we didn't know this would be expensive, but we honestly didn't know about the 1-4 weeks in LA before bringing the baby home. (We didn't expect an out-of-state adoption.)

I just keep thinking, why did Starwood choose THIS year to not give us the Plat "gift" of 50 percent off a stay using points? I know it's a gift, and not to be expected, but that sure would've helped!

Adding to this is that we'd planned a vacation to Ireland from the 7th-17th and we just found out that our travel insurance doesn't cover adoption. Not that we were thinking of that when we bought it- after 3 years of nothing we didn't expect to even get a call, let alone a baby!

So, we just decided that we are taking our Irish vacation, leaving Thursday and staying at the lovely Dublin Westin (which was prepaid) and praying that our birthmother doesn't go into labor while we're gone. (Her due date was the 20th due to the 1st sonogram, and now the 4D sonogram says the 26th, so we're praying he won't be early!)

As a Starwood junkie, does anyone have any advice about adjusting to an extended stay hotel, or maybe know of a great rate at the end of May, early June at an LA area Starwood? Any help is greatly appreciated! :)

Ok this one is going to be a hard one to stay on topic; so if I don't I apologize now.. matter of fact let me get out at least one off topic bit first.. 1. I adopted two so I know what the deal is.. 2. congrats.. thats the best news you will EVER hear...

now for the off topic.. research should have told you to plan for a long process before you can take the baby home.. it varies state by state.. but you have had at least three years to research that state (I presume you have an attorney.. who should have known as well)

1st must know question (WHERE IN LA?) that would help

now back on topic

1. You are Hh Gold so I presume you have points.. find a homewood suites and use points for what you can.. thats what I did (I was Hh diamond at the time and it was so worth it) along with Marriott points for a residence inn. when you factor in the food thats included in those places along with the extra room, it makes life quite a bit easier. those places will have cribs as well. those places have fridges for formula and microwaves to heat that formula.

2. you are SPG plat, you must have points there too.. depending on location, there could be a lot of lower cat SPG hotels to choose from. LAX has the Four Points which is reasonably priced points wise and cost wise.

3. Go to Coupon Connection and see if you can trade something of value (travel related of course) for a slew of hotel points. You have to give something to get something so dont be asking for a handout due to your situation.. we may congrat you but are not likely to give handouts or take lowball offers.. however on that note, if you have airline miles, or other travel related items.. someone usually has the hotel points to trade. Don't be limited to where you have status either.. its about getting a good room in a good location and paying as little as possible.. if you think this is about comfort.. guess again.. its an newborn.. they rule how the stay goes

4. might you get a deal from a hotel? sure, but don't count on it. if anything they will give you and extended stay rate based on number of days. if you leave early you may have to pay a fee if you don't stay the required/negotiated number of days. Does the hotel care the reason you have to stay; probably not.

5. vacation > wow, if it were me I wouldn't do it; the cost of cancelling may be less than the cost of leaving early with a premature birth unless you have a ton of FF miles to burn then it may not be a big deal. However if you have those miles.. see response #3 above.. use them to trade for hotel points. I don't blame you for booking the vacation b/c like you said, go figure who knew when the deal was coming. Just curious when did you book vs. when did you find out of your selection?

Good luck

I assume that you have explored cash and points as an option.

Maybe there could be some great deals on time share appartments!

Congratulations!

The best way to get a good rate in this situation is to contact the local management of a few properties. I would call each hotel and ask to speak with the GM (or Director of Sales depending on how large the hotel is) With the compelling story and the promise of an extended stay during this downturn, I am sure you will find someone who would give a decent rate.

Thanks for the suggestions! To answer your questions:

1.We were with a bad agency in MI for 3 years with not one call, and we signed with a CA attorney very recently. We NEVER expected to get matched so soon!
So THAT is why we just recently learned of the CA rules and the inter-state compact, which requires me to stay until the paperwork is done. As to the timing...We booked our Irish vacation in early March, and I met the birthmother on Easter Sunday. It's only been, what, 3 weeks? Something like that.

2. I am Gold with Hilton but it was just a gift from Hilton. I think they were trying to lure me from Starwood, and it had something to do with my long-time Plat status with CO. I have 1 Hilton stay this year, if I am correct, and no points.

3. I will definitely see if I have anything worth trading, but doubt it. I've never heard of the Coupon place but it sounds promising!

4. Regarding Ireland- we already prepaid over $6000. This was going to be the BIG vacation we never had, the dream vacation we talked about when we married 9 years ago, and this is our anniversary trip to boot! (We even sprung for BF seats and we rarely if ever do that! So we've checked the airfare (if she goes into early labor) and it is pretty reasonable. Even our own airline will allow us to cut our trip short for about $650. We're very lucky right now with the cheap airfares from Europe to LA. We feel confident enough to go, after all, we'd be flying from MI anyway if she goes early. She's 19, her 1st baby, and so far, so good. No matter what we're paying for a last-minute airfare, either from home or Dublin. These due dates keep getting later and later. It started with the 15th, then it was the 20th and now the 26th! (And we have the airlines' schedules saved to my hubby's laptop, LOL, as well as those from our hometown.)

5. I think we'll stay near the airport when the baby is born as it is not far from the hospital. So the nice airport rates are appealing. I'm thinking the Westin for those few days, maybe the Sheraton. After, we'll want to be as near to my lawyer in Ventura as possible as I hate driving in big cities. We do have a lot to choose from. I don't know if the Sheraton on Ventura Beach is actually near Ventura, but if so, that is a possibility. I think it will depend on how LONG the stay is.

I really would love a place that could provide a small fridge and microwave. Some hotels will rent them. This came on so fast that I am just looking everywhere. But really, until we know more about when the baby is born, we're stuck with guessing.

What I'm thinking is the Airport Westin or Sheraton for the 2-3 days he's in the hospital, then a move closer to the attorney to a nice place (again, thinking Starwood) for about a week. THEN we'll look at extended stays, or maybe the Homewood suites. I may as well start EARNING the Hilton Gold status! ;)

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going to try to stick to Starwood when possible, I've been treated very well by this chain and I like to be loyal. But if Hilton can offer a better rate and a better type room, I will take advantage, LOL!

Thanks for the suggestions! To answer your questions:

[QUOTE=thaliajen;11686086]1.We were with a bad agency in MI for 3 years with not one call, and we signed with a CA attorney very recently. We NEVER expected to get matched so soon!
So THAT is why we just recently learned of the CA rules and the inter-state compact, which requires me to stay until the paperwork is done. As to the timing...We booked our Irish vacation in early March, and I met the birthmother on Easter Sunday. It's only been, what, 3 weeks? Something like that.

So its a private adoption thru an attorney I presume; again, he/she should have let you know the moment you went through him about the CA process. I prefer the CA process as it can be expensive but once your home, you are home and 99/100 you won't have to worry about ICPC issues like I did with utah

2. I am Gold with Hilton but it was just a gift from Hilton. I think they were trying to lure me from Starwood, and it had something to do with my long-time Plat status with CO. I have 1 Hilton stay this year, if I am correct, and no points.

oh yeah, I forgot that Hh was giving away gold like samples at sams club on a saturday morning.. scratch the hh suggestions at least on your points

3. I will definitely see if I have anything worth trading, but doubt it. I've never heard of the Coupon place but it sounds promising!

Do you have airline miles to trade? upgrades (CR1s, SWU's, VIP's)? i'm guessing not since you bought BF (that is CO right) for your trip.

4. Regarding Ireland- we already prepaid over $6000. This was going to be the BIG vacation we never had, the dream vacation we talked about when we married 9 years ago, and this is our anniversary trip to boot! (We even sprung for BF seats and we rarely if ever do that! So we've checked the airfare (if she goes into early labor) and it is pretty reasonable. Even our own airline will allow us to cut our trip short for about $650. We're very lucky right now with the cheap airfares from Europe to LA. We feel confident enough to go, after all, we'd be flying from MI anyway if she goes early. She's 19, her 1st baby, and so far, so good. No matter what we're paying for a last-minute airfare, either from home or Dublin. These due dates keep getting later and later. It started with the 15th, then it was the 20th and now the 26th! (And we have the airlines' schedules saved to my hubby's laptop, LOL, as well as those from our hometown.)

If you have purchased BF, aren't those changeable or are they discounted BF that are restricted? I don't know much about CO which is who I think you are flying? Or isn't there like a $200-250 change fee which would be cheaper than buying a new ticket. However If I read this right, that will only get you to Michigan right.. you still need to get to LAX.

5. I think we'll stay near the airport when the baby is born as it is not far from the hospital. So the nice airport rates are appealing. I'm thinking the Westin for those few days, maybe the Sheraton. After, we'll want to be as near to my lawyer in Ventura as possible as I hate driving in big cities. We do have a lot to choose from. I don't know if the Sheraton on Ventura Beach is actually near Ventura, but if so, that is a possibility. I think it will depend on how LONG the stay is.

Being from L.A. i can tell you LAX to Ventura is not an easy ride especially daily if that is what you are planning. Its like 70-75 miles but its a tough 75 up the 4-0-frickin-5 thru the pass to the 101 which is a parking lot most of the time. I would not stay at LAX if I had to be in Ventura. when looking for flights to LAX.. don't forget to try SBA which once in a blue moon is cheaper than LAX. Not often, but if the stars are aligned ;)

I really would love a place that could provide a small fridge and microwave. Some hotels will rent them. This came on so fast that I am just looking everywhere. But really, until we know more about when the baby is born, we're stuck with guessing.

Here is where I really suggest (and I can't over emphasize this) a Homewood suites or Residence Inn (or similar).. this will be your best choice hotel wise.. (i don't know squat about Timeshares other than I don't want to buy one ever).. this one is from experience

What I'm thinking is the Airport Westin or Sheraton for the 2-3 days he's in the hospital, then a move closer to the attorney to a nice place (again, thinking Starwood) for about a week. THEN we'll look at extended stays, or maybe the Homewood suites. I may as well start EARNING the Hilton Gold status! ;)

If you are plat, I can't overemphasize the Sheraton Gateway LAX over the Westin for a couple of reasons.. As an SPG plat I am well over 90% at getting the King jr. suite which is a very large room with a King bed, sofa, sitting chairs, desk.. plus very important is the 7 day a week lounge access which can save a fortune for you. the 4 points LAX has similar rooms with free wifi and fridges with microwaves.. no lounge though.. but BK is across the street

Read the Sheraton vs Westin LAX thread for a good read on the Westin; I personally hate it but you can get all points of view on that thread

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going to try to stick to Starwood when possible, I've been treated very well by this chain and I like to be loyal. But if Hilton can offer a better rate and a better type room, I will take advantage, LOL!

this isn't about loyalty, its about the best value for your money on a long term stay like this which is likely to be your happiest moment ever and at the same time most stressful.. a good room that meets your needs are very important here. If you can do it with SPG great but I would never in this situation limit myself to SPG.

good luck

So happy that the responses have been so helpful.Thanks to TrojanHorse and thalijen-for being open and honest.

Thaliajen-hate to send you to the competition,but a homewood suite or Residence inn or such would really suit your needs better.Or an Oakwood residence apartment.
It would be noce to get some points-but really if costs and convenience are factored in starwood has nothing to offer in the area you need to be in-and an apartment home would be cheaper-more liveable.

In all honesty, as other said, just talk to the local management at some places you would like to stay. I highly second the Resience Inn or Homewood Suites type option.

You may also want to consider hotwire/priceline for your stays. It can be pretty easy these days to determine what hotel you would be getting.

I just booked a Hampton Inn Suites for $33 a night.... exactly 1/3 of their $99 rate.... a great deal.

Good luck on your adoption.

the Intercontinental in LA is having a promotion at $119 a night.

for a stay for a month, i would look to rent an apartment. check our craigslist for any sublets. also check out universities in the area. tons of student moving out and many have to break their leases, so would be happy to sublet you for the last month of their lease. next stop would be to check corporate/serviced apartments (oakwood, etc). will probably come out cheaper tha hotel. no points, but better accommodations. last check would be timeshares or vrbo sites and similar. i would just rent an apartment for a month.

wow congrats...
now a 4 week stay at a starwwood property. Hotel Hop and cash in on all the promos if you can. ;)

congrats and good luck.

Thanks everyone for the ideas!

We leave in a few hours for Newark and then Ireland tonight, so hopefully this baby will wait until his due date!

I've been looking into every option, and it looks as if it would make more sense to stay in or near Ventura after the baby is released. (Unless my ongoing nightmare comes true and the mother changes her mine- do all adoptive parents worry about this?)

Anyway, we'll do the airport hotel until he is released from the hospital and then we'll figure out what will work best. I'm hoping that it will not be 3 or 4 weeks but we have to prepare for that. And if I can find a Starwood with good rates and suite UG possibilities, I'll do that just to earn the points. Otherwise, I will try out my new Hilton Gold card. The hotels mentioned sound good to me, so maybe we'll just jump ship for a few weeks. Of course, if it IS 3 weeks, I can always jump back and forth.

My attorney is in Ventura as I mentioned, and there IS a Sheraton that comes up in the search for that city. And many other ideas. I need to be near the attorney's office but not the whole time. I actually thought about driving out of the city and finding better rates. But, until we have the baby in our arms, I will not believe it.

Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate each and every one. I'll be doing research and hopefully will be able to find a Starwood. If not, I'll find something!

Thanks again!!!

Anyway, we'll do the airport hotel until he is released from the hospital and then we'll figure out what will work best. I'm hoping that it will not be 3 or 4 weeks but we have to prepare for that. And if I can find a Starwood with good rates and suite UG possibilities, I'll do that just to earn the points. Otherwise, I will try out my new Hilton Gold card. The hotels mentioned sound good to me, so maybe we'll just jump ship for a few weeks. Of course, if it IS 3 weeks, I can always jump back and forth.

If you are jumping back and forth, maybe you can take advantage of the current promo for a free weekend night after every 2 stays. You could maybe redeem some of those nights while there, or save them for later, if you'd be sure to use them by their deadline.

When checking rates, consider the Z6H promo code for Buy 4 Get 2 Free nights. Example at Ventura Harbor is May 25 - 31 for an average of $97/nt after discount. Keep in mind, of course, that many of these are non-refundable rates. (Z3H and ZBT promo codes also could benefit you.)

For that same hotel, give special consideration to redeeming points on weekend nights when the Cat2 property's award rate is only 3K per night!

If you want to work on the stay credits and can deal with the routine, alternate nights booked on your account with nights booked on your husband's account.

If you need a microwave for a long time and are faced with renting one, consider buying one at a discount store instead.

But IIWY, I'd be looking into an extended stay type of place as others have recommended in order to be able to have a good place for in-room meals, perhaps some extra space, and the opportunity to prepare some meals myself to save on dining expenses. It's definitely worth asking the GM of the hotel for a special rate or special perks such as microwave/refrigerator or free breakfasts.

Congratulations on your news, and good luck!

Ok I'm baffled at the worry about stay credits and the hotel hopping with a new born. I'm as much of a point whore and status pig as the next guy on FT but not with a new born. Enough is going on in an adoption than to worry about where am I staying next, will this place have a crib, does it have a m/v &/or fridge etc. do I have all my infants stuff? where is the attorney's office from here again? all that

Great suggestion by the poster above me; if you do put the point/stay credit thing first over the kid then by all means you can reduce costs with the current promo. I am curious though as to how soon the awards hit your account. I think its in the promo thread but since its not an issue for me I haven't really paid attention.

the weekend thing is a great idea too as the LAX hotels are cheap on weekends using points, I have no idea about the SBA properties.

I love the idea of going to a discount store (try Frye's) for a cheap m/w.

i think we've made our point on the extended stay property so thats beating a dead horse.

Good luck, i'll be interested in seeing how this all pans out

There is no advice that I can give you here.....but had been thinking of you the other day and was wondering about the adoption.....whether it had happened yet......and just wanted to say I am glad you are taking the trip to Ireland. Have a great time, and remember.....it's smoke free!

Enjoy, and good luck for when you get back.

.....or, try to win 1 million starpoints on the aloft competition!

I would also check out craigslist for a 1 month sublet

Your best bet is calling the mngr at a home wood suites ,they might cut you a break. The key is you have to talk to the hotel, not reservations. I have worked out a lot of deals like this with long stays. Mention maybe only maid service twice a week etc.

so did she have the baby early or did you get to enjoy the full length of your holidays?

so did she have the baby early or did you get to enjoy the full length of your holidays?

We're all wondering. Also TH - I agree re: don't worry about the hotel stays when you have a newborn! It's stressful enough taking care of a newborn when you're at home. Find one place and stay put for however long you may have to. Congratulations on your new family member! Do let us know what you decided and how things went.

We're all wondering. Also TH - I agree re: don't worry about the hotel stays when you have a newborn! It's stressful enough taking care of a newborn when you're at home. Find one place and stay put for however long you may have to. Congratulations on your new family member! Do let us know what you decided and how things went.

they got it; check out the travel with children board about flying with an infant (adoption)

looks like she didn't have to stay that long in CA