Hard product vs. soft product
Apr 22, 2017, 3:20 am
#31
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Apr 22, 2017, 4:47 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
If you book through Virtuoso, you get an upgrade at Booking which is a rare wonderful thing and likely has limits. I would book a Jr Suite which should get you to at least a Deluxe jr suite and that matters.
You may not be able to upgrade at booking to a basic suite from a Deluxe jr suite but I would try.
The LB website shows a huge difference in jr suites. Maybe keep asking until you get one you like. Next time I book I will go right to Deluxe jr suite. This is one of those hotels that has many different categories.
You may not be able to upgrade at booking to a basic suite from a Deluxe jr suite but I would try.
The LB website shows a huge difference in jr suites. Maybe keep asking until you get one you like. Next time I book I will go right to Deluxe jr suite. This is one of those hotels that has many different categories.
I also tend to book at least a Junior Suite at most hotels, or a large premier room. However, if traveling alone and not spending a lot of time at the hotel, I may opt for a deluxe room or equivalent. I avoid entry level rooms at all hotels unless I know them to be adequately spacious and well appointed.
Apr 22, 2017, 10:28 am
#33
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Here, there … you know how it goes.
Posts: 1,518
Like others, it is a blend ... a multi-variable equation, if you will, where a strong "Hard" may make up for a mediocre "Soft", and vice versa.
Too, as with most things in life, for us it is all about expectations - something this board does help set, for better and for worse.
Clearly I expect much different at a one-night stay at a Hampton Inn in North Dakota than I do at a FS, Aman, etc, both in terms of "Hard" and "Soft".
Ceteris paribus, I might have an ever-so-slight preference for "Hard" over "Soft", but then that's most likely because I am not a particularly "needy" guest (not a bad thing if one is), and am generally comfortable planning all elements of my travel, and directly asking for what I want.
Too, as with most things in life, for us it is all about expectations - something this board does help set, for better and for worse.
Clearly I expect much different at a one-night stay at a Hampton Inn in North Dakota than I do at a FS, Aman, etc, both in terms of "Hard" and "Soft".
Ceteris paribus, I might have an ever-so-slight preference for "Hard" over "Soft", but then that's most likely because I am not a particularly "needy" guest (not a bad thing if one is), and am generally comfortable planning all elements of my travel, and directly asking for what I want.
Apr 22, 2017, 10:40 am
#34
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bristol has great reports of service recovery lately. great posts. re recovery at FS paris, some great reports, some not so great, although some became better without details being shared. (understandably)
virtuoso suggests >
confirmed - jr suite > deluxe jr suite
if available - deluxe jr suite > deluxe suite > saint honore suite
any room # recommendations ?
great hard product doesnt matter when closed for events without notice
soft deficiency if 'cannot' serve things besides what is on menu, kind of odd
that is one reason many here travel to asia (vs 'home')
i did say "like" as in investment including hard product
world could always use more luxury beachfront as well
virtuoso suggests >
confirmed - jr suite > deluxe jr suite
if available - deluxe jr suite > deluxe suite > saint honore suite
any room # recommendations ?
It was in the extraordinary setting of Le Bristol Paris’ Panoramic Suite that Woody Allen chose to shoot scenes for his movie "Midnight in Paris".
soft deficiency if 'cannot' serve things besides what is on menu, kind of odd
i did say "like" as in investment including hard product
world could always use more luxury beachfront as well
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Apr 22, 2017 at 11:40 am
Apr 23, 2017, 1:18 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: BNA
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I care about hard product functionality far more than design. However, soft product comes first for me. I see the existence of well-executed hard product functionality as a result of the care and attention from the soft product. If a hotel has put great thought into designing everything around their guests, then for me they are already a huge step ahead in providing great service and a great experience overall.
I do prefer a hotel whose hard product provides a strong sense of place, but I will gladly forgo that for a functional room at a hotel with excellent service.
I do prefer a hotel whose hard product provides a strong sense of place, but I will gladly forgo that for a functional room at a hotel with excellent service.
Apr 24, 2017, 2:43 am
#37
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Apr 24, 2017, 6:22 am
#38
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Apr 24, 2017, 7:00 am
#39
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: New York, NY USA
Posts: 631
In my opinion, hard product trumps soft in a beach resort. In a big city, soft product trumps hard product.
Examples: In Hawaii, Bora Bora, etc., the service is often sub-par, but that takes second place to a gorgeous ocean view, overwater bungalow with great shower and privacy. In a tropical environment, my focus is on the hard product. I have no expectations of great food and service.Service on a beach is a big plus as is a great beach.
Ritz Paris offered the best service I have ever encountered. So, that is my template for the best hard product and best soft product. Every need was anticipated. i have stayed in (nearly) every great hotel in Paris. The Ritz hard and soft product trumped every other hotel.
The best combination of soft and hard product in a U.S. (mainland )Hotel was the Carlyle in New York
Examples: In Hawaii, Bora Bora, etc., the service is often sub-par, but that takes second place to a gorgeous ocean view, overwater bungalow with great shower and privacy. In a tropical environment, my focus is on the hard product. I have no expectations of great food and service.Service on a beach is a big plus as is a great beach.
Ritz Paris offered the best service I have ever encountered. So, that is my template for the best hard product and best soft product. Every need was anticipated. i have stayed in (nearly) every great hotel in Paris. The Ritz hard and soft product trumped every other hotel.
The best combination of soft and hard product in a U.S. (mainland )Hotel was the Carlyle in New York
Apr 24, 2017, 3:03 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I have to respectfully disagree about The Carlyle. Though on a recent stay we were upgraded to a two bedroom suite I thought the furnishings were reminiscent of a Holiday Inn. I also found the room service pricing offensive since it was way out of line even by NYC standards. If you want an excellent combination for a hard and soft product on the Upper East Side of Manhattan stay at either The Lowell or The Mark
I certainly can't afford it at published rates, but it is an aspirational goal of mine to one day stay in the Empire Suite at this hotel (top suite). It exudes understated luxury, and for me is reminiscent of a bygone era of sophistication in New York.
Apr 24, 2017, 10:11 pm
#41
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Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
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I must have stayed at a different Carlyle in NYC than the one all you fans stayed at. This is the one on the UES with the elevator operators still, right? My suite sucked and the service was mediocre.
Apr 24, 2017, 10:42 pm
#42
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Location: Los Angeles
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Same Carlyle. Different experiences. I do like the elevator operator and the evening papers in the elevators. It is of a different era.
Apr 28, 2017, 12:21 pm
#43
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I'm the outlier here. I loved both the hard and soft product at Amangiri. The soft product isn't as amazing as the truly incredible hard product, but it was pretty darn good. Especially when the utterly remote location is considered.
In my not humble at all opinion, too many people compare the Amangiri soft product to a city Peninsula or even to cheap labor Aman properties in the Third World.
In my not humble at all opinion, too many people compare the Amangiri soft product to a city Peninsula or even to cheap labor Aman properties in the Third World.
Apr 28, 2017, 12:28 pm
#44
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Perfectly stated.
I'll add that even if the hard product looks amazing, if the soft product isn't reviewed favorably by people I trust, I am unlikely to even try. The PH Vienna comes to mind here.
I'd say the Aureum Palace Bagan's Island Villa in Myanmar/Burma comes to mind, as well. A truly amazing villa...with truly sad soft product all-around. We were there in Jan 2015.
Apr 28, 2017, 1:05 pm
#45
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 152
I generally think that the hard product of most Amans (atleast the room) is horrid.
Service is usually awesome, but the rooms really look cheap and not nice.
Yes i know most people love the "timless design". I dont. I prefer a cheval blanc design any day of the week.
The overall grounds and locations are usually amazing though.
Service is usually awesome, but the rooms really look cheap and not nice.
Yes i know most people love the "timless design". I dont. I prefer a cheval blanc design any day of the week.
The overall grounds and locations are usually amazing though.
