Originally Posted by
rgrobins
I agree Edition is closer to LuxCol. I've never stayed in one because their locations are never convenient for my travel. I included FS non lux only because the Ritz/JW portfolio doesn't cover my locations so I supplement with Auto and Ren to round out my picks.
I've been to the Edition London. It is a fantastic luxury hotel.
However, I disagree that Edition is closer to Lux Collection. Lux Collection tend to be independent luxury historic properties with boutique and independent luxury standards that adhere to no specific overall brand standard; Edition is a luxury brand, but the design aesthetic is more modern and consistent between the different brand hotels. Edition's style isn't the same as W, but the same modern approach to style and brand standards are far more comparable to W than Lux Collection IMO. I feel Edition is closer to W. But let's face it, that's another one of those perspective things.
Originally Posted by
rgrobins
Ren is lux abroad. Paris are borderline lux where Ritz/JW don't play. Bangkok is in the lux space because their JW is smaller and old.
I also disagree here. I think Ren is nicer abroad than in the USA simply because the hotels are newer...but that doesn't qualify them for the luxury segment (via pricing nor service/amenity standards). Ren is a very nice brand, upper upscale being just below the luxury segment, of course. But the absence of a true luxury segment property in any location doesn't suddenly lift an upper upscale property into the luxury segment--abroad or domestically. That being said, I know there are some very nice, very new Ren properties abroad. The Paris and Bangkok Rens, though very nice, are not luxury to me at all. Nor are even the nicest Le Meridien or Westin properties, to be fair. I love the Westin Vendome Paris, for example...but that still doesn't make it luxury.
Originally Posted by
rgrobins
I'm certainly Marriott heavy but I've had my fair share of SPG stays. I stayed in over 10% of Marriotts entire portfolio and maybe 2% of SPG. I just wasn't going to flood with my entire list of must-go-back and never-go-back. SF I flip back and forth between JW and Ritz. They're both great, but I'm not dying to stay in them again.
If you like the RC SF, you may also like the StR SF, which is the only hotel remotely comparable. I've stayed at both; both are excellent properties in different areas of the city. Personally, I prefer the style of the StR, which is my favorite StR in the USA. But I agree that the RC SF is one of the best city RC properties in the USA, as well.
Originally Posted by
rgrobins
I've stuck with Marriott because I've had some awful service issues with SPG. Westin Hyderabad, St Regis Houston, and W Hong Kong were absolutely awful. Ritz service levels are always on point in my book, even if the fit and finish weren't there.
StR Houston is certainly the weakest StR at which I've stayed in the USA. That being said, it's still one of the nicest hotels in Houston. Trust me--I won't be unhappy if a RC opens in Houston in the near future!
Originally Posted by
rgrobins
At the end of the day, the merger will create compliments to your existing preferences. I like the Ritz and JW over the W in SF for example, so the merger isn't going to add the W to my SF go-to list. I'm not about to start splitting hairs between properties in cities like HK or Tokyo because where I stay is perfect and what I don't know won't kill me. The Four Seasons might be better, but I don't care. I will welcome SPG properties where Marriott plays poorly like Kuala Lumpur and Boston.
The RC in SF is comparable to the StR SF...so I can understand your preference there. I actually like the W SF, too, since I love the SoMa location...and I tend to the more modern aesthetic. I suspect you'll be adding the StR SF to your go-to list if you like the RC and JW and are open to the more modern aesthetic of StR.
Originally Posted by
rgrobins
So think of this as an expansion of SPG. You now get to play in a bigger sandbox, but feel free to stay in the same corner you started in. Just beware that Ritz doesn't give points on anything but room rate, which greatly reduces my appetite for them given the amount of incidentals I have.
I agree. I am not thrilled at the thought of lost elite SPG benefits I now enjoy, but I am happy to have so many additional luxury and "luxury-lite" properties to consider in so many more locations. For me, it mostly will be about the additional RC locations...and other locations where JW Marriott or Edition will be available even as no SPG luxury or luxury-lite option might be.
I do know RC doesn't award points beyond room rate. I actually have no issue with that, though in the locations where both RC and StR exist, that pushes me to StR--until Marriott changes things, perhaps. I find it unlikely that Marriott will continue to allow one to earn points beyond room rate at StR but not at RC...so either RC will become the model for StR (and perhaps Lux Collection) in a distinct but aligned "luxury" program OR Marriott will see that keeping things simple in one overall program has appeal and can work very well and might simply convert RC into the larger Marriott Rewards program along with all the other brands (including StR, Lux Collection, etc). Who knows?