Originally Posted by Atacama40

Is a point Stimpy. And for work travels, no I agree and indeed were doing enough nights to get to know the GM's face to face very well, in a genuine way rather than a grabbing way. Starts with the weekly cocktail parties and then too many nights stopped and a lot of polite hellos and how's the family. And if things work nice, a better level of interaction. I have grown to like that. And you learn a hell of a lot about the mechanics of the hotel world, which I find genuinely facilitating.

That is definitely better for the long term. I got to know one super guy who had a stella rise though IHG IC's (unfortunately now moved to the casino/gambling world) and we met up and stayed at his places (with amazing treatment) on three different continents over time ... originally this accidental, later less so :-) Helped us weddings, and all sorts of family one off celebrations. A rock star. And another in China we had an evening meal with his Mother. Quite a few of these stories. And 100% same with staff who have took days off to take us places and things we would never have seen otherwise. Had a lot of those. And of course as a result, you get looked after beyond expectation.

Funny one we had was in Shanghai Expo. Wife is very specific about coffee and was talking with the F&B at Expo. Four weeks later in a lift in ICDFC, we see the same guy! He'd moved and was managing Anise :-) ..... small world and people move a lot and continue to be helpful and friendly.

I do keep in touch with these guys were it's appropriate. And if the relationship grows then it's great fun and useful. But of course these guys get a million asks ... so I try not to be one of those as well.

I'm glad you noticed the upgrades as well. Like you, all years are good but this year has been off the scale in many locations. Strangely Park Lane has not been one of them. They seem to be moving the other way. All the M.E one, Lyon, Maldives, and a few others have treated us exceptionally well with rooms and packages that the sheets are not pulled off so often. I heard somewhere you also got the presidential in Lyon :-) Yes it's been a year of Presidentials, Royals and all sorts of inclusions.Let's hope 2023 continues in the same mode.