2018 in review...
As 2018 comes to an end and I only have a few more properties coming up, it looks like a good time to start a review of the year 2018 and of the different properties I visited.
Great- Roomers Baden Baden - exceptional hotel, great elite recognition. If all Roomers properties are like this, then I hope they will all switch to Autograph Collection as well.
- JW Marriott Rosseau - extremely beautiful hotel in a very scenic part of Canada. The hotel is so laid back and comfy, it really is a place where you can come to relax and enjoy yourself. Most Canadians visit Muskoka in Summer, it is a lot more beautiful in Winter. In short, one of my favorite hotels in North America.
- Courtyard Hong Kong Sha Tin - best deal in Hong Kong, what a great property with great elite benefits. If the location works for you, stay there! In any other city in the world, this hotel would be an upper scale full service property.
Good- Toronto Marriott City Center Hotel - ex-Renaissance right next to CN Tower. If the area works for you, then stay here. Like their indoor pool on a cold Canadian morning.
- Courtyard Niagara Falls (Canada) - Good upgrade and many goodies such as wine tastings included in my rate. Great deal, but could use a renovation soon.
- Niagara Falls Marriott on the Falls - recently renovated and excellent upgrade to a bi-level room. Hotel was empty on my stay.
- Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview - No upgrade but all around good stay. Great location and marvelous views of the Falls.
- Toronto Airport Marriott - It's an airport hotel with small rooms, but I like the hotel. Great elite recognition on every stay, that's why I return.
- Courtyard Lake Buena Vista at the Marriott Village - I liked the completely renovated rooms and I like the area. Hate the parking fee but I had a cheap rate. Ask for a room with a view of the pool, those are a lot quieter.
- Marriott Desert Spring Villas II Palm Desert - great vacation club, newly renovated at an excellent rate. I'll return!
- Courtyard Flagstaff - Beautiful hotel, the lodge-style exterior fits the area very well. Too bad they don't have an indoor-outdoor pool. Add one of those and it could almost be considered a resort.
- Renaissance Shanghai Zhongshan Park - excellent property, bargain due to being a bit outside of the central area. If you can make the location work, stay here!
- Courtyard Seoul Times Square - excellent staff, great breakfast buffet, good elite benefits. Only downside would be the location and the lack of pool.
- Westin Blue Mountains Resort - man made ski resort town outside of Toronto with a beautiful all-suites Westin.
- Sheraton Grand Macao - probably the best Sheraton I ever stayed at. Bargain compared to the JW Marriott a few meters down the road.
Nothing bad to report- AC Hotel Ciutat de Palma - quick 2-night stay before a cruise out of Palma, nothing wrong with it.
- Renaissance Long Beach - ok stay, ok property.
- Courtyard Los Angeles LAX/El Segundo - renovated and ok for a quick night before a flight.
- Springhill Suites Orlando Millenia - new property, breakfast area too small for the hybrid SHS/RI hotel.
- Residence Inn Sanibel - I like the hotel despite its problems in maintenance (I had three rooms before I finally had one with a working safe)
- Residence Inn Scottsdale Paradise Valley - newly renovated but a really old hotel. I hate the exterior corridor style rooms in multiple buildings. Staff friendly but will not be returning due to the hotel layout.
- Sheraton Miami Airport - nothing wrong with the hotel per se except for not enough elevators during the morning checkout rush. The service at this place however is horrendous. I had three rooms reserved on a single reservation for a few nights with a BRG rate. On checkout, the manager decided that I had to pay rack rate for the third room as they split the reservation upon check in and thus BRG would not be available. Had to fight for almost an hour over this but in the end he gave in and saw that the check-in staff did a mistake. I guess he was tired of the scene I was making. What a complete fool.
- Springhill Suites Orlando Convention Center - ok stay, ok rooms and friendly staff.
- Courtyard Los Angeles Torrance South Bay - ok if you need to be in the area. If not, stay elsewhere.
What a dump...- TownePlace Suites St. George - tired
- Four Points by Sheraton Miami Beach - What a filthy place. Please remove it from the portfolio immediately. Everyone, please refrain from staying here. Dealing with management is a waste of time, desk staff is clueless. It is at least 10 years past a much needed renovation. This place needs to be gutted.
What are your comments/experiences for this year?
Last edited by Muerz; Dec 15, 2018 at 12:26 am