DudeE

I had a reasonably good stay here last year. Agree that your best bet is to just use the access driveway just past the hotel to use the parking lot in the rear of the hotel without waiting on a valet.

Agree the check-in is awkward since the reception area and front desk are tiny. They might reconsider and set up several desks to accommodate check-in as I've seen at other boutique properties without a large lobby.

I stayed as Platinum and submitted SNA but was denied. The regular room was fine, although it had a view of the parking lot.

A minor complaint on the dining service. I was asked one morning to present my Platinum member card to verify I was entitled to the complimentary breakfast. I'm hoping this was a new employee rather than an actual policy. Either give me a coupon at check-in, or handle this within your billing system. I have enough plastic to carry without worrying about my *wood member card.

Songer5

A challenge is that there aren't better options in the area. Supply and demand.

Condition One

As others have stated, this is an excellent hotel. It’s also a screaming deal using points, especially during the summer. I checked in for a weekend, where the rates were pushing $700/night…or 12K points. Using points, I had the choice of a room in the main building or the Orvis building. I chose the latter, and successfully used SNAs to get upgraded to a Deluxe Suite.

The Orvis Inn is to the side of the main building, and is kind of away from it all. But it’s also a minute walk to the main building. There is dedicated parking next to the building for Orvis guests, so don’t bother with valet. My deluxe suite was on the first floor, facing the entrance road to the parking lot. You can hear cars going past you, but it quiets down at night. And since all the windows face outwards, other people can look inside your room unless you close the blinds. Privacy issues aside, the Deluxe Suite is spacious, well-lit, and clean. Water here is soft, and it's almost impossible to wash off your soap in the shower. My suite had another door with a small deck outside with chairs. Stairs led directly to the parking lot, which was nice.

As a Platinum amenity, you can opt for the Continental Breakfast. It’s a hefty offering, and if you’d like, you can upgrade to a full hot buffet for $5.50 more (including tax and tip). The gym is open 24/7 via keycard, but the pool and spa don’t open until 6am. WiFi speeds vary at times, and was slow more often than not. All the staff were extremely friendly, and genuine. You can’t request a late checkout until the actual day of departure, and as always, it depends on occupancy.

Already looking forward to my next stay!

Songer5

Just tried to apply my SNA's for a future stay online, but it didn't work. Then I called the SPG Plat phone line and they also told me that SNA's cannot be applied because this property does not comply. Is that correct, Lurkers?

Starwood Lurker IV

Hi Songer5,

This hotel is participating in SNA program. Can you please send us a PM with your reservation details and SPG membership number so that we are able to do a check for you?

Chua Chie Ling | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
[email protected]

codesinvan

Just got back from a weekend stay at this property. We used two Cat1-5 free certs for our stay.

It was great. As a Gold, I did not get an upgrade - but was given a room at the back of the hotel looking onto the mountain. So, we were happy. Service was excellent all around. We skipped the Valet parking and just parked in the back (so avoided those issues).

The breakfast buffet is excellent and has lots of options, a selection of Vermont cheeses, and of course the cider donuts. Well worth the ~$23 we spent for it.

We had such a great time - we are already talking about when we are going to book our next trip back there. We will probably go in the Spring once fishing season has opened.

Quick note though: End of October is low-season and we found out that there was a Groupon special for the Equinox the weekend we were there (for those interested - it still might be available - check for it the price was really good).

epicurus

We are going there for a one week ski trip. Booked a suite w point. When the SPG reservation agent heard we got three kids, she recommend main building as the suites are supposed to be bigger. Website provides a wide range (600-900 sft) for main building suites, the size is 580-680 in orvis inn.

Is there a big contrast in the furniture and amenity of suites? Shall I opt for orvis and call to request a bigger suite? Also, my reservation says bi-level suite, does it mean stairway and duplex?

epicurus

Thanks for the thorough review. So you get paid 24k/night for the suite and 12k/n for a room to make a two BR suite? Or two separate suites/units?

tvervenne

The suites in the main building is 1 big room with 1 bed and 2 small chairs. You have windows on three sides and plenty of space to put extra beds.
The "bi-level" is a stair to the tower room which 360degree view and 1 sofa and 1 tv. You can see the "tower" from the road, 1 on each side of the building (only 2 suites on front side - 1 in back)
24000 points a night is a lot for that room. I would not do it.
The orvis in suites is in my opinion much more family friendlier and ask to remove the table to put the extra beds.
We are going to the area in coming weeks but we are staying at the new Kimpton hotel which next to the equinox.
Thanks to that hotel, average weekend rates dropped significantly at equinox. This year average 250$ a night, last 3 years was 350-400$.

epicurus

Thanks very much.

Does the orvis inn suite have sofabed plus the space for a roller bed?

tvervenne

fyi, the photos of both the main hotel suite and bi-level area are on the website. Same for the Orvis inn suite/bedroom/living area
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury...language=en_US

In reality, the suite in the main building does not look as nice as in the photo.

I would assume there is a sofa bed, but best thing to confirm with concierge. Dont have kids myself.

MilesTalk

Any Platinum experiences here in the last 2 years?

Ksw299

We stayed here last year in Aug mid week for 2 nights to celebrate my wife's birthday. I had booked a room in the Orvis inn but they gave me a room in the main building as the only available room in the Inn was tiny compared to the one they gave me in the main building.

The view was of the front street but the room was spacious - I think it was a deluxe room. Chose BF as an amenity and upgraded to the full buffet on both days by paying $6 per day. As others have suggested park in the back and dont bother with the valet. They did do everything I had asked for - delivering a cake at midnight, drawing a bubble bath for my wife. Dont expect much in terms of upgrades but service is nice.

NoVA guy

Hi,
I really could use some validation on whether recent guests at the Equinox hotel in Manchester, VA have been told and were treated like a Ritz Carlton property would, meaning no status recognition, no upgrades, no acceptance of SNAs and etc. There is nothing on the site which states this "we do not honor any Bonvoy benefits"-type thing.

Has anyone been told and/or experienced this non recognition from this property? My Ambassador has not been very helpful since I was assigned to this new one back in January. I have had more success calling properties myself and receiving better treatment because of my status. In this case, I believe the property has flat out lied to her. There is no mention of this no Bonvoy benefits extended on their website. Really appreciate any insight you can share with me. Thank you.

UA-NYC

It's great that Marriott has such a powerful control over its properties maintaining compliance with Bonvoy benefits...