It seems everyone here is as torn as I am on this situation. I could not find anything in the rules that would match this situation exactly- as always when I run into "trouble" with my hotel-stays: The last time I was walked by a hotel the ultimate reservation guarantee did not apply also since the hotel was not yet officially open. Yet I feel it's just not right to confirm a higher room type and then at check-in present the guest with a "tough luck" position, not even making up in any way for the inconvenience since I had a purpose to reserve this specific room type.

That said even claiming a rate-discount would not be obvious: There certainly is a price-difference between the two room-types, yet since I successfully claimed the LNF-guarantee on this reservation my rate is lower than any rate for the currently available lower-category room. Additionally the nominal difference would be something like $10 - certainly not making up for the purpose I decided to go with the 1BR instead of the studio...

So it seems that the rules do not back me up, and I have to rely on my negotiating skills in such a situation...should it arise. Thanks everyone for your input!

Greetings - Dirk