Just saw this tweet and it seems like great news. Any confirmation from the Lurkers?
@SPGInsider! All Sheraton clubs MUST operate 7 days eff. January 1, 2011. #SMD2010
I'm sure this will be mixed news, because the free restaurant breakfast coupons (when you can get them) are nicer than lounge breakfast. Thoughts?
I see this as a mixed bag... lounge access at all times is nice, but I often prefer getting the breakfast coupons.
There should be a standard policy that if the hotel has a lounge, and when it is closed, Plats should be provided breakfast coupons, as some hotels provide them, others do not.
I'm also concerned that a staffed lounge may increase weekend operating costs; perhaps the lounges could be unstaffed in those markets that don't justify weekend staffing.
This is great news. The breakfast coupons were hit or miss depending on the property so this way breakfast might not be as good, but at least you know what to expect. I would much rather know that the club will be open rather than haggle with the front desk for a breakfast coupon if the lounge won't be open on a Saturday.
Agree with above...Sheraton Copley (Boston) has a lounge. On weekends, it is closed and Platinums are told to "hit the bricks" regarding breakfast. They used to offer bfast coupons but stopped about a year ago.
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Very Good News...
I like the idea. No more guessing, open or not (sure majority are closed)... and I like OPEN a lot more than closed. BTW, I've never once received a breakfast coupon.
Perhaps this is the beginning of a trend... a return to servicing the customer.
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Agreed that this is welcome news. I think of cases like the Sheraton NY and the Sheraton BOS where the lounges are closed on weekends, but the midweek lounge offerings are nice. This is really good news and I'm appreciative of the change.
It could be good for those properties that don't supply breakfast when the lounge is closed (which is the majority in my experience).
Aren't all properties supposed to offer PLT breakfast coupons in lieu of lounge access when the lounge is closed?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peatisback
I wonder if the quality of what is offered will go down... though for the most part there isn't that much room to go before the bottom.
I think it has already gone downhill IMHO. A year ago, the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers had an awesome lounge w/ various drinks and snacks. Today, it is water and a couple of digusting fried options. Yuck! Some properties have been consistent in their offerings like the Sheraton Downtown LA (continental breakfast) and Le Westin Montréal (buffet breakfast). This is fine. Others, such as the Westin Grand Arabella Quay Cape Town have gone above and beyond what is expected from them by offering a full (non-buffet) breakfast. I think there is a lot to be said for the lack of uniformity.
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To me this is a big "Huh?" Didn't they always used to be 7 days a week before 9/11? And aren't most all other brands lounges open 7 days a week? And isn't it pretty much only in the US that Sheratons dropped to 5 days a week after 9/11? And don't most of the Sheraton lounges in the US suck anyways?
