Differences between the Starwood brands?
Jul 12, 2016, 10:07 am
#91
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Iowa City, IA
Posts: 337
Since we're bumping old threads I'll take this time to complain about the W Buckhead. Quite frankly what folks seem to miss here is that it isn't brand vs brand necessarily, especially in the W's case it's W (new construction) vs W (rehab) and really with the additional factor of time developed.
If I recall correctly the W Buckhead used to be a Holiday Inn...if I have to say more than that then we'll you clearly haven't stayed there. Ironically, the W midtown is probably the only W (excluding NYC) that is a bigger dump not because the rooms are worse but clearly because it's a HARD party hotel hotel and clearly they didn't budget accordingly for the additional wear and tear. So, new construction great W's? Atlanta Downtown, Austin (probably my fav W), South Beach, W Miami, I haven't stayed there since it was rebranded but the Viceroy was great so it's unlikely they made it worse. Meh, W French quarter (rehab), Seattle this was horrible for finish and staff issues which reminds me I need to post a separate review since the manager was such a dick.
If I recall correctly the W Buckhead used to be a Holiday Inn...if I have to say more than that then we'll you clearly haven't stayed there. Ironically, the W midtown is probably the only W (excluding NYC) that is a bigger dump not because the rooms are worse but clearly because it's a HARD party hotel hotel and clearly they didn't budget accordingly for the additional wear and tear. So, new construction great W's? Atlanta Downtown, Austin (probably my fav W), South Beach, W Miami, I haven't stayed there since it was rebranded but the Viceroy was great so it's unlikely they made it worse. Meh, W French quarter (rehab), Seattle this was horrible for finish and staff issues which reminds me I need to post a separate review since the manager was such a dick.
LOL I have never stayed there but the fact that it used to be a Holiday Inn says it all!
Jul 12, 2016, 10:12 am
#92
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Iowa City, IA
Posts: 337
I don't get all of the hate for the W hotels. You either like that type of vibe or you don't. Really they are a ying to the yang of walking into a St Regis or Luxury Collection hotel and feeling out of place if you aren't wearing minimum business casual. Some people like hanging in hotel dark hotel bars that play elecronic music, and some people like spa treatments and fine dining. Different strokes for different folks.
Jul 14, 2016, 10:40 pm
#93
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,209
In two weeks I'm trying the Four Points Riverside in Singapore which is a new refurb so let's see how good a job they've done. Not expecting a room upgrade (they've got few suites) and there's no lounge so expectations are set.
Jul 6, 2017, 1:46 pm
#94
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
I am a long time Marriott person with over 2700 nights and 9 million points. Given my lifetime Plat status at Marriott, I was given SPG Plat with the merger. I'm trying to figure out what amenities to expect at SPG properties.
For example, unless it is a resort, every Marriott, Renaissance and JW Marriott have a lounge. I expected that at least Sheratons and Westins would offer the same but nope... stayed at a Westin with no lounge. Every Fairfield, Residence Inn and Springhill Suites is going to have a breakfast.
Is there something published or available that tells me concisely what to expect regarding amenities at each SPG brand?
For example, unless it is a resort, every Marriott, Renaissance and JW Marriott have a lounge. I expected that at least Sheratons and Westins would offer the same but nope... stayed at a Westin with no lounge. Every Fairfield, Residence Inn and Springhill Suites is going to have a breakfast.
Is there something published or available that tells me concisely what to expect regarding amenities at each SPG brand?
Last edited by DL-Don; Jul 6, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Jul 6, 2017, 1:55 pm
#95
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, LLC
[email protected]
Jul 6, 2017, 2:06 pm
#96
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
That's all very nice BUT it does not address the brand standards. For example, one of the links includes the text:
Platinum members receive complimentary access to the Sheraton Club® lounges, Westin Executive Club® Lounges and Le Méridien lounges, where available.
OK fine but the "where available" is problematic. Since there doesn't seem to be a brand consistency like Marriott provides, how do I know when looking to make a reservation if that property includes a lounge?
I really just want to know what to expect from a property in the way of amenities not what am I "entitled to" as a Platinum.
Platinum members receive complimentary access to the Sheraton Club® lounges, Westin Executive Club® Lounges and Le Méridien lounges, where available.
OK fine but the "where available" is problematic. Since there doesn't seem to be a brand consistency like Marriott provides, how do I know when looking to make a reservation if that property includes a lounge?
I really just want to know what to expect from a property in the way of amenities not what am I "entitled to" as a Platinum.
Jul 6, 2017, 2:24 pm
#97
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
That's all very nice BUT it does not address the brand standards. For example, one of the links includes the text:
Platinum members receive complimentary access to the Sheraton Club® lounges, Westin Executive Club® Lounges and Le Méridien lounges, where available.
OK fine but the "where available" is problematic. Since there doesn't seem to be a brand consistency like Marriott provides, how do I know when looking to make a reservation if that property includes a lounge?
Platinum members receive complimentary access to the Sheraton Club® lounges, Westin Executive Club® Lounges and Le Méridien lounges, where available.
OK fine but the "where available" is problematic. Since there doesn't seem to be a brand consistency like Marriott provides, how do I know when looking to make a reservation if that property includes a lounge?
As for Sheraton, their hotels with club lounges are listed here.
I really just want to know what to expect from a property in the way of amenities not what am I "entitled to" as a Platinum.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, LLC
[email protected]
Last edited by Starwood Lurker; Jul 6, 2017 at 2:49 pm Reason: add clarity
Jul 7, 2017, 6:33 am
#98
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: MCO
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum / Titanium, AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 959
That's all very nice BUT it does not address the brand standards. For example, one of the links includes the text:
Platinum members receive complimentary access to the Sheraton Club® lounges, Westin Executive Club® Lounges and Le Méridien lounges, where available.
OK fine but the "where available" is problematic. Since there doesn't seem to be a brand consistency like Marriott provides, how do I know when looking to make a reservation if that property includes a lounge?
I really just want to know what to expect from a property in the way of amenities not what am I "entitled to" as a Platinum.
Platinum members receive complimentary access to the Sheraton Club® lounges, Westin Executive Club® Lounges and Le Méridien lounges, where available.
OK fine but the "where available" is problematic. Since there doesn't seem to be a brand consistency like Marriott provides, how do I know when looking to make a reservation if that property includes a lounge?
I really just want to know what to expect from a property in the way of amenities not what am I "entitled to" as a Platinum.
- Full breakfast: at St Regis Bal Harbour and St Regis in PR we received the full breakfast at no charge. This is not published but we received it every time and it was great.
- Continental breakfast, upgrade to full for price difference: this is more common, mostly at Sheraton and Westin. Have seen it at Tribute but rarely W.
- Breakfast credits: when no buffet, you get $x deducted from your bill. Seen at some Westin and W.
- Lounge in lieu of using amenity: you can take the points since you get the lounge, which is hit or miss. Sometimes a nice spread with even hot items, other times it is weak. At some Sheratons.
All in all, I have been very pleased with the results of this benefit - even though it is not the same from one property it is usually good. By comparison I am now trying a Ritz Carlton and I get no breakfast amenity while what is there at Sheraton food at St Regis prices. You also always get SPG points for any food charges to your room no matter the brand, something I don't get at Ritz or all Marriott brands. You may want to call a hotel you are considering to find out how they do it.
For brands that include breakfast already on both the SPG and Marriott side, they are usually not great in my opinion.
Jul 7, 2017, 9:53 am
#99
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
Ritz Carlton's are the ugly outlier of the Marriott brands. No status with Marriott Rewards provides lounge access at RCs. Only Ritz Carlton Rewards elites get it but the footprint is too small and the price is too high for almost anyone to concentrate their stays at RCs enough to gain status.
Jul 7, 2017, 10:03 am
#100
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Ritz Carlton's are the ugly outlier of the Marriott brands. No status with Marriott Rewards provides lounge access at RCs. Only Ritz Carlton Rewards elites get it but the footprint is too small and the price is too high for almost anyone to concentrate their stays at RCs enough to gain status.
I think you are confusing the RC Clubs with the broader (and less extravagant) Marriott family of lounges and their lounge access--which is a MR/RC Platinum benefit. But RC Clubs and Marriott lounges are not the same thing.
Also, MR Platinum is exactly equivalent to RC Platinum. Both are also equivalent to SPG Platinum, since both programs offer easy status matches in all directions.
Last edited by bhrubin; Jul 7, 2017 at 10:39 am
Jul 7, 2017, 1:17 pm
#102
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
Jul 7, 2017, 1:23 pm
#103
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Personally, I'm not a fan of lounges and clubs. If I want to eat, I'd rather eat in a proper restaurant or--better yet in a hotel--have room service! So the benefit of any club or lounge always has been irrelevant to me.
I therefore don't avoid RC. But I don't seek them out usually, either, since there is no value-add for the RC Club for me, and the Club often seems the only enhancing factor for most RC properties.
I therefore don't avoid RC. But I don't seek them out usually, either, since there is no value-add for the RC Club for me, and the Club often seems the only enhancing factor for most RC properties.
Last edited by bhrubin; Jul 7, 2017 at 1:37 pm
Jul 7, 2017, 2:58 pm
#104
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: MCO
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum / Titanium, AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 959
Ritz Carlton's are the ugly outlier of the Marriott brands. No status with Marriott Rewards provides lounge access at RCs. Only Ritz Carlton Rewards elites get it but the footprint is too small and the price is too high for almost anyone to concentrate their stays at RCs enough to gain status.
Jul 7, 2017, 4:46 pm
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
If they are smart, they won't. Can't have that amount of difference between a StR and RC at similar price points.