I hope this interview will finally stop the Marriott apologists from calling SPG loyalists like me crazy and deluded for saying SPG was a better program for guests (especially elite ones) than Marriott and that Marriott isn't even trying to achieve SPG's level of guest satisfaction.

The CEO himself admits it!

So stop criticizing me for telling the truth about the programs. Marriott is better for owners (as I've always said) but not for guests, especially those like me that tend to spend at higher end properties.

The vast spread of Marriott doesn't appeal to me. Aside from some JWs, nothing much from the Marriott side appeals to me. I'm sure the spread appeals to many former loyalists who can now use points earned at vanilla properties at ex Starwood superior properties.

So, yes, I have shifted to Hyatt. I have had 2 paid stays at Marriotts in past 2 years. I still have a lot of points left that I'm trying to burn.

I just stayed at a Park Hyatt that was 80% more expensive than the St. Regis in the same city, 60% more than Ritz. I am fairly price inelastic but I care about treatment and service. PH was superior. The F&B manager called other Park Hyatts they know I like, for example, to find out what preferences my family has. They thus ordered Greek yogurt special for me. Wow. That's service.

And when the trip ended up being a disaster because of massive hardware problems on a daily basis (my foot went through the floor, the aircon blew up, the water system failed, the lights turned on every night in the middle of the night waking us up) , the head of the region I'm in actually called me when on I was the airplane heading home and then again 3 days later and emailed me twice and made me whole.

Will I boycott Marriott? Absolutely not. But for SPG loyalists, it was a painful transition especially when Marriott made it seem like they were maintaining SPG standards but it was obvious that it wasn't.

I'm glad the CEO was honest and came out. Now I know I'm not nuts. If Marriott happens to be the best option in a locale, I'll take it with zero expectations.

But if not, I'll take a Hyatt. I am on a 3 week trip right now. It's either Hyatt or whatever fits best and Marriott is not a choice unless it just so happens to be the best option.

Does Marriott care they lost me as a loyal customer? No. Owners prefer Marriott, prices are soaring, and they have that spread for corporate contracts. If I were Marriott, I'd do the same, without pretending life was same w SPG