Originally Posted by
ahbitheman
Great information, pictures and advice on this thread.
I'm a once frequent business traveler that is doing their first flight in nearly 2 years with a newborn. Will be traveling with wife and the in-laws (4 adults + 1 newborn). Interested in the CLL. Wife is demanding lounge access given all the trips I did with her around the world in Marriott's (she's used to Asia executive lounge type stuff)
Currently have a reservation at the CLL for Gold Lakeview 2Q but debating on Junior Suite 2Q with no view. Sucks all the "upgrade options" are pretty much King beds as we'll definitely need two beds. Also have a reservation at the Rimrock in a Grandview One Bedroom Suite 2 Queen Beds. Both reservations are pretty much the same price.
Few questions:
- When booking 4 adults, it doesn't even give me the option to book the Gold Lakeview 2Q, therefore I've booked for 2 adults for now. How sticky are they about this? I'm assuming I'll just pay the extra adult fees but kinda silly you can't stay with 4 adults in a room with 2 Queens. Really want the view obviously
- Best rates / codes? Currently using just a CAA rate
- Chances of an upgrade? I'm very much used to booking base rooms with Marriott and pretty much getting guaranteed upgrades. I don't have ALL status. I do have an Amex Platinum (which I read in a few other threads previously had promos to fast track ALL status? Is that still happening?)
- Currently debating on bringing my pup as well. Rimrock has already accommodated us in a "dog-friendly floor". I've read CLL limits you from the 6th floor? Do you get screwed with a dog?
I'm kinda leaning towards the Rimrock but everyone in the family is wanting "lounge life".
I just did some dummy bookings for 4 adults, and Gold Lakeview 2xQ does come up in the search results. Are you sure they're not just sold out of that room type for your dates?
As for booking for 2 adults and putting 4 in the room, my experience is that it's no problem. I think on all of my recent bookings there, it's always been for just 2 people on the reservation, even though we have had more than that. Nobody ever questioned it. I think they even expected more, since we booked the Gold Two Bedroom Lakeview Suite a couple of times, and who would ever book that if you only had 2 people staying? It was no problem when additional guests stayed with us.
I kind of like [MENTION=210811]Jasper2009[/MENTION]'s suggestion. If you can get a 2 Bedroom Suite (no view and no lounge and no recent renovation are the downsides) for a similar price as your Gold Lakeview Room, I would probably do that. Free breakfast in the main restaurant may not be quite as convenient as the lounge, but the much larger suite could make up for that. There is no one right answer. If you ask 5 people what they would do in your situation, you might get 5 different answers! What do you value more? Lounge? Space? View?
But don't expect much of an upgrade on arrival. The Rockies have been packed through July and August, and if the hotel is close to full, there just might not be much available.
And be sure you have a rental car booked. I had friends who recently travelled to LL, and they didn't think about booking a rental car until the last minute. Big mistake, No rentals were available anywhere in Calgary. Luckily, they had some relatives living in Calgary, and they were able to borrow a vehicle. Most years in the Rockies, you need to book your hotels in advance first, then your flights and cars. This year, flights are easy, hotels are tight, and for some dates, rental cars are almost impossible.