BIL_Flyer

Willaim:

Could you add some perspective on this? Admittedly I do not have the facts, but it appears from these posts that this hotel is refusing best available room upgrades or standard suite upgrades to a couple of Platinum Members when the rooms and standard suites are available at check in. Can a hotel deny an upgrade to the best available room or standard suite on check-in based on Platinum status, but offer them for additional points?

[This message has been edited by BIL_Flyer (edited 06-16-2002).]

ehe123

In contrast to those who failed to receive an upgrade at the Kamp, I just had one of the most incredible upgrades that I have ever received. I stayed in Helsinki on the night of the 12th. When I checked in, I made my usual query, "Are upgrades available?" The clerk said, "Actually, sir, you have been upgraded to the Kamp Suite, which is the nicest suite in the hotel." I can believe that he was not exaggerating. There was a large foyer (with guest bathroom), a huge living room, a large bedroom, and a very large bathroom. The furnishings were very impressive, with silk drapes, chandeliers, antique furniture, and marble and hardwoods in abundance. There was a Bang and Olufsen stereo system with two sets of tower electrostatic speakers (I am a stereo buf, so I appreciate this). In addition to the personal note welcoming me as a Platinum member, there was a half bottle of wine, sparkling water, Belgian chocolates, and a large fruit platter with fresh strawberries dusted in powdered sugar, kiwis, oranges, apples, etc. A bouquet of fresh roses had been placed in the room. There was a crowd that evening waiting outside of the hotel to see Shakira, the Colombian singer who was staying there. Apparently (to the annoyance of the hotel staff) Sony Music had announced in the local papers that she was staying at the hotel, and the time that she would leave to go to her concert! I had some satisfaction thinking that I probably had a nicer suite than she did (because she does not have Platinum SPG status). For those interested in toiletries, it was Molton Brown in the large bottles (in contrast to the smaller bottles available in select rooms at select locations). I noticed that the carts had some other brand, so these must be just for the suites. In summary, an upgrade like this might be worth a full year of Platinum membership benefits. Since I regularly receive upgrades (albeit not as impressive) on almost every stay, I remain a loyal SPG member. I also explain to my neighbor (who has Hilton Diamond status) what he is missing...

venk

ehe123, what rate were you paying for a weekday stay?

It might depend on that as well. I was on a 140 Euro rate for the weekend that didn't include breakfast. This rate is cheap for that hotel. I was told at check-in that it was an excellent rate and that I was getting a very nice room (duh!)

I am more upset with presentation of a sheet asking for points for an upgrade than not getting an upgrade especially with a printout of the number of points I have in my account on that sheet. To me this feels cheap.

And as far as the comment on the Hilton is concerned, I have mentioned elsewhere that I always get an upgrade in Hiltons to the best executive/club room (not a suite) even as a HH Gold. HH Gold is much better than SPG Gold as far as upgrades are concerned.

I am typing this from the Hilton in Prague where for a 100 Euro/day rate and as a HH Gold, I have been given an executive floor room with one of the best views of the city possible from this hotel with everything taken care of at the executive lounge and reception. Similar treatments at the Hlltons in Budapest and London.

Note that getting an upgrade is also a published benefit of SPG Gold based on availability not just Platinum. But unlike HH Gold, it is not as common to get one.

I am not deserting SPG because of this but it is good to know the facts. If you are able to get to the platinum levels than SPG is recommended. But if you can manage only gold, HH is recommended. Of course, getting both are ideal!

I choose SPG when I have to stay on business on weekdays when all I need is a bed. When I have to stay over for pleasure, I just move to the nearest Hilton when available. In Europe, Hiltons also often have lower phone charges for dialups than comparable SPG properties (although still expensive). SPG properties overcharge so much for phone usage, it is a disgrace. Too bad Sheraton management does not provide some guidelines for charging for phones like Hilton does.

Yes, European properties are so different from US properties.

ehe123

I was using a "Best Available Rate" of 245 Euros. Obviously, value for money was quite high! As for the Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel, I should also point out that I had two very positive experiences there this past week. I called from the U.S. and asked about the possibility of having a room available at 7:30 am the following day (on my reservation for the following night). I was told that they were 80% full, but they would block the room for me. Upon arrival, I avoided the lines at the front desk and checked in with the concierge on the Executive Floor. She said that it is rather early, but would I like some Champagne? I then went to my room where there was a full bottle of wine, the syrup wafers, and fruit plate waiting for me. I was given a Smart Room. Several days later I returned to the hotel and had a 3-room suite. There appears to have been some mixup, as there were now two full bottles of wine and two fruit plates waiting for me, as well as the syrup waffles.

venk

Perhaps Hotel Kamp doesn't upgrade cheap rates. I don't remember seeing anywhere in the Member Benefit rules that the benefits depended on the rate paid.

The point is also that you have to be SPG Platinum to get the same level of service and upgrades (except for suites) you got at AMS. When I was at Sheraton AMS as SPG Gold, I got nothing, zip, nada. I might as well have been a non member.

Walked over to the Hilton AMS next door after one night of exhorbitant phone charges at the Sheraton and with HH Gold guess what...

I don't see any reason to take SPG Gold over HH Gold if you can only do Gold and need to pick between the two.

Markie

I too didn't get a suite on the EUR245 rate. I'm back this weekend (Sat Eve) on a cheap weekend rate and will post when I know what is happening.

Starwood Lurker

The card you are given at check-in is to advise you of the possibilities for using Starpoints for Instant Hotel Awards, among which is the potential to upgrade to a suite. It doesn't necessarily mean that a suite is available at the time you check in.

This hotel is historically one of the very best when it comes to Platinum recognition. Search any other thread and you will see that this is true.

As for what happened to venk this time around, I have no idea. If venk would like for me to check, he/she can send me the details of the stay, including whatever may have been said to him at check-in that may have lead to his/her assumption that the hotel is playing the rate card when it considers room/suite upgrades.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Markie

Well I'm now in the SAS lounge at HEL and can tell you that the Kamp was everything that everyone else says it is this time.

* Upgraded to a one room suite - big room, nice park views etc
* Provided Kettle etc so that I could make Tea/Coffee this am (source of a complaint last time)

So, yes, the hotel does upgrade Plats to suites.

DJC

Hello,

I'm due to spend three nights at this hotel in a couple of weeks and was wondering what people's impressions were? I'm SPG Gold - can I expect an upgrade and, if so, is there anything in particular I should ask for?

Thanks in advance,

David

venk

Hotel Kamp does not provide upgrades for a Gold as a rule. You may get lucky, just don't count on it.

Life_Platinum

My wife and I are considering booking at the Luxury Collection's Hotel Kamp in Helsinki. It has been at least 2 years since there were any posts about this hotel. Do any of you have a recent experience at this hotel that might help us?

A number of posters during 2001 and 2002 reported that this hotel was reluctant to upgrade guests, in spite of Starwood policy. Is this still happening?

JOUY31

It has also been a while since I stayed at the Kamp, but I was upgraded for my September 2003 stay without a problem.

Raffles

I wasn't upgraded (as Gold) when I was there in 2002. But don't worry about that! This is a fine, fine hotel - a very loving conversion of an old building into a truly lovely hotel, in the best traditions of English country house style. Helsinki is also a great place to be in Summer, as everyone lets there hair down for the few weeks of sunshine.

If you want to hear some good live rock music, I recommend Molly Malone's Irish Bar, about 4-5 minutes walk away!

See tripadvisor.com for other (generally glowing) reviews (mine is the one dated August 2002).

mauld

I was there last year over Good Friday, and the hotel (as well as the rest of Helsinki) was empty. As a Platinum, I was 'upgraded??' to a nice room (not suite) overlooking the main entrance/shopping arcade. The main door is not on the big central street but off on the arcade. This caused a bit of confusion to me, as there is a sign on the door but no reception area when you enter. I did not receive any amenity, but then again I believe LC are exempt from that perk. All in all, if I'm back in Helsinki I'd stay there again, but only because it is the only Starwood property.

DJC

Mine was one of the reviews from 2002 that you probably read (I complained about the speed of service in the, otherwise very enjoyable, CK's Brasserie). This is a really lovely hotel and I would recommend it for its location and decor. I did not get any sort of upgrade as a gold but got a very reasonable rate so couldn't complain really. I've been recommending the place ever since then and no one has queried my judgment.