Starwood Preferred Guest - too sleazy? award room followed by paid stay; St Regis Bali

All - St Regis Bali SPG50 rate for 2 bedroom Lagoon Villa $1,000/night in August, including breakfast and transfers. Problem is, won't arrive at property until midnight. So, considering booking basic double room for either 33,000 or $370 + tax (SPG50) for first night, then next day move into paid stay in the 2 bedroom. Too sleazy? Seems like a waste to shell out $1,000 for a one-night stay if I'm not arriving until midnight.

By all means...Do it! The hotel will probably give you the 2 bedroom villa for the first night too. But YMMV.

Is there any mileage in ringing the hotel and asking fi you can have a really early check-in?:p

Early arrival at midnight? I'm not sure what time I'd consider asking for early arrival, but midnight is a few hours too early for sure.

I think the OPs strategy is excellent - book the cheapest room you can find for that first night. I'm sure that even if that is where the hotel puts you, they will move you as early as possible into the villa you already have booked.

Nothing sleazy at all. You're getting what you paid for on both nights. Who can fault you that?

I'd do it...it only makes sense.

Although you will forgo the excellent transfer service and Bali VIP arrival... Why not stay the first night at the Westin or somewhere for a hundred bucks, instead of burning the points, unless you have the points to burn...

Although you will forgo the excellent transfer service and Bali VIP arrival... Why not stay the first night at the Westin or somewhere for a hundred bucks, instead of burning the points, unless you have the points to burn...

Yeah, actually thought of that. If just wife & self would probably pursue, but given 6 and 9 year olds along, airport VIP service and avoiding a schlep the next day were high value. Westin and Laguna Nusa Dua also priced at $200+, so when one considers stand-alone charge for aiport handling ($35/pp), economics just weren't worth it.

Thanks all for input, definitely going to pursue "sleazy" plan. Can't wait!