Feb 22, 2014, 9:16 pm
Last edit by: Ready2Go
This property has once again begun offering double occupancy rooms for standard SPG Points redemption availability.
See Hotels limiting Free Night Awards to single-occupancy rooms only
See Hotels limiting Free Night Awards to single-occupancy rooms only
GONE : Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam, Netherlands, Left SPG 1 Apr 2015 [Master Thread]
Nov 21, 2014, 1:49 am
#736
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Nov 21, 2014, 1:54 am
#737
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I don't get everyone & their "W will be a good replacement for the Pulitzer"
Huh? The W is in no way/shape/size an option for those that once were fans of the Pulitzer.
I don't know if you can image starker opposites than those two hotels.
The ONLY thing they have in common is SPG. So if your only concern is that, yes, the W is a replacement. If you were into the Pulitzer for location, design, feel, charm, history, etc - then no, the W won't come close to replacing this gem (and the Pulitzer is a gem for SPG, no matter how you feel about it).
The pictures of the future W, irregardless of what they pull of inside.....eek. Not exactly that "Amsterdam charm" us long time visitors love so much. Even the Andaz - Hyatt's W counterpart - pulled off one hell of a feat with their Prinsengracht location [and respect for the facade/charm of the area].
Huh? The W is in no way/shape/size an option for those that once were fans of the Pulitzer.
I don't know if you can image starker opposites than those two hotels.
The ONLY thing they have in common is SPG. So if your only concern is that, yes, the W is a replacement. If you were into the Pulitzer for location, design, feel, charm, history, etc - then no, the W won't come close to replacing this gem (and the Pulitzer is a gem for SPG, no matter how you feel about it).
The pictures of the future W, irregardless of what they pull of inside.....eek. Not exactly that "Amsterdam charm" us long time visitors love so much. Even the Andaz - Hyatt's W counterpart - pulled off one hell of a feat with their Prinsengracht location [and respect for the facade/charm of the area].
Nov 21, 2014, 2:25 am
#738
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OnBusiness, SPG Lifetime Plat 100, AmEx Centurion & BAPP, Superking Westin Heavenly Bed :)
Posts: 1,142
Nov 21, 2014, 6:01 am
#739
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
For sure the W style will be almost the complete opposite of the Pulitzer, and you are right that people who like the charm of old Dutch houses will not get that at the W. But on the other hand, the W hotels that have opened on the European continent have proven to be excellent overall hotels. I expect this W to be miles better than the Pulitzer in terms of luxury and comfort. AND in Platinum recognition!
Nov 21, 2014, 7:08 am
#740
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,194
We'll see what happens with the W's plans. Besides, I'm curious as to how Starwood will handle existing award reservations, and I'm certainly in a good position to find out.
Nov 21, 2014, 8:49 am
#741
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
I wouldn't call the Des Indes a substitute, or even close to being an adequate option, for the Pulitzer.
I agree with the logistics stimpy has outlined above. I just don't agree that's a viable option for those coming as tourists.
I agree with the logistics stimpy has outlined above. I just don't agree that's a viable option for those coming as tourists.
Nov 21, 2014, 11:42 am
#742
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 1,782
I totally agree here. The W and Pulitzer are milk and meat. We stayed at the Pulitzer a few winters ago and thought the hotel had lots of charm and the location was great. Didn't care about SPG amenities, besides, I swiped lots of strupwafel to make up for it 
We experienced the W in Bali for brunch and it made me want to vomit. To each their own.
Like I said, milk and meat.
We experienced the W in Bali for brunch and it made me want to vomit. To each their own.
Like I said, milk and meat.
I don't get everyone & their "W will be a good replacement for the Pulitzer"
Huh? The W is in no way/shape/size an option for those that once were fans of the Pulitzer.
I don't know if you can image starker opposites than those two hotels.
The ONLY thing they have in common is SPG. So if your only concern is that, yes, the W is a replacement. If you were into the Pulitzer for location, design, feel, charm, history, etc - then no, the W won't come close to replacing this gem (and the Pulitzer is a gem for SPG, no matter how you feel about it).
The pictures of the future W, irregardless of what they pull of inside.....eek. Not exactly that "Amsterdam charm" us long time visitors love so much. Even the Andaz - Hyatt's W counterpart - pulled off one hell of a feat with their Prinsengracht location [and respect for the facade/charm of the area].
Huh? The W is in no way/shape/size an option for those that once were fans of the Pulitzer.
I don't know if you can image starker opposites than those two hotels.
The ONLY thing they have in common is SPG. So if your only concern is that, yes, the W is a replacement. If you were into the Pulitzer for location, design, feel, charm, history, etc - then no, the W won't come close to replacing this gem (and the Pulitzer is a gem for SPG, no matter how you feel about it).
The pictures of the future W, irregardless of what they pull of inside.....eek. Not exactly that "Amsterdam charm" us long time visitors love so much. Even the Andaz - Hyatt's W counterpart - pulled off one hell of a feat with their Prinsengracht location [and respect for the facade/charm of the area].
Nov 21, 2014, 12:31 pm
#743
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
1. The Hotel Des Indes is a much better hotel than the Pulitzer, so you won't regret it from a hotel standpoint.
2. If your schedule allows it, the transport to and from Amsterdam isn't bad. And the immediate area around the Hotel Des Indes is a museum mecca. To me it's better than Amsterdam for museums, but that is of course subjective. And there's great museums all over Holland!
But as stated I hope and expect the W to be good. The Euro W's in Barcelona, Paris, Istanbul, etc. are really top notch, at least in my Platinum guest experience. There are some iffy W's around the world, but not in Continental Europe. And yes I specified Continental because I'm not a fan of the W in London!
Nov 21, 2014, 12:34 pm
#744
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
To be clear, I meant two things.
1. The Hotel Des Indes is a much better hotel than the Pulitzer, so you won't regret it from a hotel standpoint.
2. If your schedule allows it, the transport to and from Amsterdam isn't bad. And the immediate area around the Hotel Des Indes is a museum mecca. To me it's better than Amsterdam for museums, but that is of course subjective. And there's great museums all over Holland!
1. The Hotel Des Indes is a much better hotel than the Pulitzer, so you won't regret it from a hotel standpoint.
2. If your schedule allows it, the transport to and from Amsterdam isn't bad. And the immediate area around the Hotel Des Indes is a museum mecca. To me it's better than Amsterdam for museums, but that is of course subjective. And there's great museums all over Holland!
FWIW, and sort of in response to farbster, I've never seen a W I've liked (disclosure: I've only been to a handful of domestic properties). It's just not stylistically "for me"... but yes, to each his/her own.
Nov 22, 2014, 1:03 am
#745
Company Representative - Starwood Area Manager the Netherlands
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 43
While I've read the Des Indes is great, I'll be specifically in Amsterdam this trip for a two-night layover to visit exhibits at Amsterdam museums. So the extra hour to/from Amsterdam from The Hague makes the Des Indes a non-starter this time.
We'll see what happens with the W's plans. Besides, I'm curious as to how Starwood will handle existing award reservations, and I'm certainly in a good position to find out.
We'll see what happens with the W's plans. Besides, I'm curious as to how Starwood will handle existing award reservations, and I'm certainly in a good position to find out.
Kurt Renold
Area Manager Benelux Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Nov 22, 2014, 1:42 am
#746
Company Representative - Starwood Area Manager the Netherlands
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 43
Nov 22, 2014, 7:01 am
#747
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Could this be an indication of the way award reservations will be handled in the future for property departures?
Nov 22, 2014, 10:13 am
#748
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
I completely agree. W is a hotel of last resort for me, and we've had excellent experiences at the Pulitzer. And judging by the massive discounting happening at some Ws this fall, I wonder if the brand is in trouble.
Nov 22, 2014, 10:49 am
#749
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
What discounting? I haven't seen any discounting at the Euro W's. Again, in case all the above posts weren't clear, the W's in Europe are not at all like the W's in the US or elsewhere.
Nov 22, 2014, 11:23 am
#750
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
Care to mention which one? I love Ws but hate their rates.