What are your aspirational properties? (merged)
Sep 22, 2014, 6:42 pm
#61
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As others have said, I'd definitely swap the St Regis Rome (a relatively mediocre property) with the St Regis Florence.
I know you're American and so might not be interested in New York, but most people would probably see the St Regis New York as one of the top hotels in the group.
I'd also probably add the W Verbier (maybe not your scene as a W) and the refurbed Prince de Galles in Paris.
Two wild cards for you that aren't that expensive, but still are interesting: the St Regis Mexico and the Convento do Espinheiro,
I know you're American and so might not be interested in New York, but most people would probably see the St Regis New York as one of the top hotels in the group.
I'd also probably add the W Verbier (maybe not your scene as a W) and the refurbed Prince de Galles in Paris.
Two wild cards for you that aren't that expensive, but still are interesting: the St Regis Mexico and the Convento do Espinheiro,
The SR New York might make the list. Until I see the PdG myself next month, I'll withhold judgment; I wouldn't think it would be as aspirational as others on the list partly because most wouldn't even put it as one of the top 10-15 properties in Paris. (But time will tell!)
Sep 22, 2014, 6:45 pm
#62
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Sep 22, 2014, 7:35 pm
#63
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The check-in staff made quite a big deal of the fact that we had the nicest Junior suite in the hotel, but it felt really small and cramped. I'd actually have suggested they ditch the effort at two rooms given the size available. On a second stay I got one of the Bottega Veneta rooms which we actually preferred despite it being one of the lowest two categories (and therefore not eligible for the butler service).
It's been designed to be a grand and expensive hotel, it just lacked charm.
The St Regis Florence on the other hand felt intimate, was beautifully redecorated and had a really switched on staff. It definitely counts as one of the top hotels in the city (I prefer it to the grander Four Seasons, but I suspect most on the Lux forum would disagree).
Sep 22, 2014, 9:05 pm
#64
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Having just spent 5 nights at the St. Regis Princeville, I must repsectfully disagree. I know that many herein on FT aren't partial to this property, but I think it has the most spectacular location and view of any property in the entire state of Hawaii and has service and amenities to match (and I've been to the FS Hualalai, Halekulani, Hana Maui, and Grand Hyatt Kauai on several occasions). Its exterior edifice is t so beautiful, but otherwise I think it merits a place on the list. Certainly, on my list!
Sep 23, 2014, 12:07 am
#65
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We've already decided that we'd stay at the Gritti over the Aman in Venice. For a city, I'm not as open to splurging on Aman since the serenity that I so love for Aman isn't comparable in an urban setting for me (as I experienced at Aman Summer Palace). And there are too many other top options comparable to the Aman in Venice, of which the Gritti is closest for me. The fact that as an SPG Plat 75 I'd likely be well upgraded and earn tons of points on a paid stay or be able to stay for free on an award makes this a no brainer for me. Maybe not the same choice for others, I understand...
Sep 23, 2014, 3:58 am
#66
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Yes, the San Clemente Palace did reopen as a St. Regis this summer...but it didn't get the 25 million euro facelift/refurb yet. That is coming (as per my original posted link that you obviously didn't read):
http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20...egis_Treatment
http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20...egis_Treatment
Do you really think you can do a 25 million € facelift in less than 5 months? In italy? So roundabout 5 million € per month or roundabout 170000 € per day?
Do you really think they opened this hotel as a St. Regis if it does not match the St. Regis level?
Really???
It is a seasonal closure. This year from October 26th until April 2nd next year. May be the reason for the closure is the danger of " Acqua Alta " every year.
Last edited by Forstbetrieb; Sep 23, 2014 at 4:10 am
Sep 23, 2014, 6:27 am
#67
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No one's mentioned Castillo Son Vida? Really?
Sep 23, 2014, 10:07 am
#68
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Tell us about it. I just googled and see it is on Mallorca. What did you like? Is it worth a trip to Mallorca just to stay there? I've never been to Mallorca and know little about the destination and nothing about the hotel.
Sep 23, 2014, 10:17 am
#69
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But seriously, while I do want to again emphasize that we liked the Palacio (including its location) and would have no problem recommending it, its rooms and windows are on the small side and its ground floor is almost cave-like due to the limited light everywhere but the reception and interior courtyard area. Now, much of this is due to the admirably historic nature of the building, dating back centuries. But it just does not measure up to its sister property, Tambo, or to many other great hotels we've stayed at.
Sep 23, 2014, 10:39 am
#70
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I went through every hotel listed and - no surprise - I haven't been to any of them...except....
Okay, I didn't actually go there, other than to walk around. I was staying at the nearby Sheraton, which, aside from being in the same zip code wasn't at all the same.
Okay, I didn't actually go there, other than to walk around. I was staying at the nearby Sheraton, which, aside from being in the same zip code wasn't at all the same.
Sep 23, 2014, 11:32 am
#71
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It's a palacial hotel with pieces of art all around the hotel, not far from Palma (the capital). Its terrace is highly regarded and has the best views. It also caters to golfers.
Sep 23, 2014, 3:10 pm
#72
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If possible, I wish the OP would replace their original post with the new list. The thread doesn't really make sense as currently merged.
Back on topic, the Castillo Hotel Son Vida is a great hotel, but IMO it's more of a top 50-100 SPG property. I paired my stay there with the St. Regis and I thought the St. Regis was much more of an aspirational property (as it should be with rates regular 3 times as much). The location was a little removed from everything and while the golf courses were fine, I didn't think they compared to top golf destinations. With high prices, the location, and just OK golf I wouldn't go there just for this hotel. Paired with a stay on some other part of the island though, I thought it was great.
Back on topic, the Castillo Hotel Son Vida is a great hotel, but IMO it's more of a top 50-100 SPG property. I paired my stay there with the St. Regis and I thought the St. Regis was much more of an aspirational property (as it should be with rates regular 3 times as much). The location was a little removed from everything and while the golf courses were fine, I didn't think they compared to top golf destinations. With high prices, the location, and just OK golf I wouldn't go there just for this hotel. Paired with a stay on some other part of the island though, I thought it was great.
Sep 23, 2014, 3:14 pm
#73
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Someone should start a wiki of top properties worldwide.
Sep 23, 2014, 3:53 pm
#74
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I'm the OP and I agree. Well, at least I agree that my opening post makes no sense in the context that this thread is now focused on. I've maintained a European list for some years. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...roperties.html
Someone should start a wiki of top properties worldwide.
Someone should start a wiki of top properties worldwide.
Sep 23, 2014, 4:34 pm
#75
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I'm the OP and I agree. Well, at least I agree that my opening post makes no sense in the context that this thread is now focused on. I've maintained a European list for some years. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...roperties.html
Someone should start a wiki of top properties worldwide.
Someone should start a wiki of top properties worldwide.
Is there a way to un-merge these? The fact that the titles were similar discounts the fact that the threads were discussing very different things (not to mention that the current thread started in 2010 and the thread I started in 2014 means there are very different properties to consider).