Originally Posted by
dmodemd
I am still very annoyed that there are no lounge alternative options under the SPG brands and for Marriott, the US column has no alternative if there is no lounge like Europe has.
The Westin I stay at has no lounge but the Sheraton half a mile away does (with a non-lounge Le Meridien next to it but gives access to Sheraton lounge). The Westin is much closer to my work but I have to sacrifice the points to get the breakfast. So less points for me than at the Sheraton.
Just a different brand standard but obviously, from a purely objective standpoint when staying at a non-resort property, the benefits at a Marriott/Renn/Autograph for Plats or above are better than those at a Westin/Sheraton/W -- on the Marriott side, I can get breakfast, a light dinner, and a $10 voucher (or points) for drinks. On the SPG side, I can get breakfast or points. Of course, the value is different at resorts where SPG had better benefits.