Same here, I love to have more options, and for some cities, more affordable options. Thinking about Paris for example where most of the SPG properties are just crazy expensive.... W Opera, Westin, Prince de Galles are all EUR300 or above depending on dates. Where as some of the Design Hotels are around EUR200. The only SPG cheaper is the Meridien Etoile but I don't like its location....

I'll stick with SPG for full benefits whenever possible but for some locations, Design Hotels are good alternatives.