I am planning to stay at least two months (possibly up to 4) in a resort town of Europe during low season. Currently there are two starwood properties and will inquire with the respective hotel GM for a rate for my period. Has anybody done this and how much off the regular rates should one be looking at?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psyflyer
I am planning to stay at least two months (possibly up to 4) in a resort town of Europe during low season. Currently there are two starwood properties and will inquire with the respective hotel GM for a rate for my period. Has anybody done this and how much off the regular rates should one be looking at?
I did it in the US years back at the then Sheraton Sunnyvale...asked for and got $10 off the lowest weekend rate for all nights..think it was $89/all night versus $99 weekends and $159-$199 weekdays.
If you can throw in any pre planned meal spend in hotel during the negotiations it can help..I verbally agreed to dinners 2-3 times a week and any other company personel needing rooms would book into the same hotel at reg corp rates during my stay.
Was win win for all I believe!
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Start by checking that the hotels you're considering stay open year round. In southern European resort towns, you would be surprised at how many large and upscale properties close for the season. (Does the hotel have central heat?) Then check the off season rates (some areas do high, shoulder, and low season) and make sure that you are evaluating any discounts from that number.
Check whether the rates you are seeing normally include breakfast as well as whether the property imposes a resort fee. Taxes (VAT/TVA especially) are normally included in prices in Western Europe, but the resort community might impose an additional per person/per room per day fee. Service is normally included in hotel rates, although not at extremely upscale properties, where it will be 10-15% of your total room and miscellaneous bill, but probably included in restaurant prices.
Some places might prefer to give housekeeping service only every several days, while others will want to come into the room and do something every day, although they might specifiy fresh sheets and towels only every several days. Ideally this should be specified in the contract.
Start by checking that the hotels you're considering stay open year round. In southern European resort towns, you would be surprised at how many large and upscale properties close for the season. (Does the hotel have central heat?) Then check the off season rates (some areas do high, shoulder, and low season) and make sure that you are evaluating any discounts from that number.
Check whether the rates you are seeing normally include breakfast as well as whether the property imposes a resort fee. Taxes (VAT/TVA especially) are normally included in prices in Western Europe, but the resort community might impose an additional per person/per room per day fee. Service is normally included in hotel rates, although not at extremely upscale properties, where it will be 10-15% of your total room and miscellaneous bill, but probably included in restaurant prices.
Some places might prefer to give housekeeping service only every several days, while others will want to come into the room and do something every day, although they might specifiy fresh sheets and towels only every several days. Ideally this should be specified in the contract.
All good points, thanks. I did check, infact I could book either of the two properties for the entire stay and get a pretty reasonable rate. Although a starting point, I wold like to get it down cheaper and have emailed the GMs of the respective properties. No answer so far, so maybe they are not interested. It's a new thing for me so figured to ask the board as surely folks have done this in the past. A friend of mine literally lives in a hotel so I know it is possible to negotiate longer term stay rates.
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Another negotiating point is form of payment. A lot of small businesses in Europe function on direct bank transfers between accounts while others prefer guaranteed checks on a local (of that country) bank in local currency. You're unlikely to run into this at Starwood, but many family owned and operated hotels want cash, presumably so that they can avoid paying some taxes. Be sure that you can get a receipt sufficient for your reimbursement or tax deduction purposes. Finally, they might strongly prefer Visa over AmEx, for instance, but be careful if your Visa card doesn't have the chip and pin technology.
ADDED. Remember that by booking directly with the hotel, they are saving travel agent commissions and/or Starwood reservation fees.
Thank you Sir, appreciate you chiming in. Yes one of the properties came back with a very interesting offer. They pointed out that all my platinum benefits would be honored and will ask them to define them once we get closer to figuring out an actual done deal. There are more than one properties in this location and both seem eager to compete. I am impressed by their willingness to deal with me (win my business), and giving this some serious thought. I suspect that my request, not being during their high season is something that appeals to them.
