Originally Posted by pinniped
.....In Europe, I simply never use points because I don't
want an American business hotel when I'm there. When I'm in Paris, the last thing I want is a hotel that makes me feel like I'm in Tulsa.
...
You might be right with Paris - I never stayed in a chain hotel ... wait, I stayed twice in a **** Novotel and it was bad....but I believe the Starwoods in Paris are very good.
Other than this, I often use points in Europe (when I don't get a **** hotel with Priceline) and have had very, very nice hotels:
-Westin Bellevue Dresden
-Westin Grand Berlin
-Sheraton Vitznau (or so), Lake Lucern
to name a few.
This is actually the reason why I am going to pay my tax with Starwood. $125 (+/-) gives me 10,000 for a nice hotel, which would cost me at least $200 (+/-). And I 'park' the amount for about 6 weeks on a 4% + account (with a payment due on May 30)