Over recent years, I have stayed in the following suites at the CLL:
- Junior Suite Lake View (non-gold)
- 1 Bedroom Suite Lake View (non-gold)
- Marquis de Lorne Signature Lake View Gold 1 Bedroom Suite
I have never stayed in a CLL room, gold or not. That said, if I was choosing between a Gold Room or a 1-Bedroom Suite (both lake view), I would go for the 1 bedroom suite. The suites are quite nice and large, and the rooms, so I am told, are small. If you are choosing between a Gold Room and only a Junior Suite (both lake view), I might go for the Gold Room. It would be smaller but finished nicer.
I'm going to PM you a link to some trip reports with photos of the above rooms, so you can see what they each look like.
The gold lounge is a nice place to get breakfast, and evening snacks, but beyond getting some free food, you probably wouldn't hang out in it for too long. You'll have better views from your room or the main lakeview lounge downstairs (the gold lounge looks out to the parking garage), or you'll be outside enjoying the area. Lounge access wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, especially if you have a rate that is giving you breakfast in one of the main restaurants.
You seem to really want the late checkout, but I don't know if you need to worry too much about booking a rate that includes it. If you're FPC platinum, you are entitled to that regardless of the rate you book. If you're not a Plat, they may give you the late checkout anyway, since it's not high season. Ski season can be busy, but nothing like the summer crowds.
Anyway, look for my PM and you should get a good feel for what each room looks like.
Originally Posted by
stephem
Thanks, it's for next week. Last minute so I am really scrambling, but there is decent availability and there are some good rates.
I looked again and for Gold Lakeview Room there is a AAA rate that has $50 F&B, so that would mean my real choice is $50 less over 4 nights with AAA rate vs late check out, possible upgrade (and free breakfast downstairs as option) with FHR. I'm inclined to take FHR.
One other thing I noticed with the AAA rates is they have Jr Suite Lake View (not on Gold floor though) for same price as Gold Lakeview Room and Luxury Suite Lakeview for only a bit more per night.
But it sounds like the Gold floor is the best place to stay at this property, am I right that the Gold rooms are better and access to Gold lounge should trump getting a Jr Suite or full Suite on non Gold floor?