Originally Posted by
SHLTP
I hope BHRubin you are right, but I am not convinced all properties will upgrade. I worry wording leaves much to local GM decision making. If they did I'd stay at more properties.
I appreciate that. I think you might worry too much. I'm not worried. If I'm wrong, I'll just switch to a different brand. No biggie. Marriott now has tons of brands from which to choose.
But my experience post Aug 18 is LCs are actually lowering benefits (cutting lounge access) and going towards RC standards rather than other way around
First, that has nothing to do with whether or not RC properties will upgrade to suites.
Second, LCs offering or not offering lounges isn't related to RC standards at all. StR also don't have lounges. A few LC have lounges, but most don't.
Personally, I'm thrilled when most luxury hotels get rid of lounges. I think a lounge/club saps resources from the restaurant and room service. For me, that isn't luxury.
I had coffee the other day at Ritz Pudong. Place was virtually empty but they wouldn't let me have a seat semi near window as that was for people having a special tea set. I can understand reserving a section off for sure. But there were literally 20 empty tables near end of tea time, and they stuck me in literally worst spot near check in. I don't know how to describe but it was not comfortable and we had to twist awkwardly for our meeting. I said I was LTPE and asked if I could move to any other seat.
I see this as an issue for the RC Pudong, not the RC brand as a whole necessarily. Nor has it anything to do with suite upgrades.
I also don't happen to believe your elite status obviates a hotel's seating policy. But that's still an issue for THAT hotel, not all hotels.
I just don't think RC in dna cares much about loyalty. They are transactional for that specific day or serving time. In general pre Aug 18 was good, post Aug 18 had not been
Again, I believe this conflates the issues. You may not like the RC brand--so be it! So avoid the RC brand. As a former Marriott elite, you now have many more luxury properties from which to choose that you didn't have before.
I don't think RC as a brand is behaving any worse post-Aug 18 than it was pre-Aug 18. In fact, I believe it will be better in elite recognition. And there now is an expectation with RC for better room upgrades--including suites--that never existed prior to Aug 18.