Best: Sheraton LAX when I moved to LA in 2003. They have this odd really large corner room on each floor that is setup like a suite (couch, two tvs, etc) even though it is a single room. Very nice - the room is almost too big. Was upgraded to this room on four different priceline stays (I was living on both coasts until my place was ready - would priceline my days in LA).

Good: No fantastic upgrades or extraordinary service, but very nice overall experiences (corner rooms with view, friendly service, etc) at several places -- Westin Times Square several times over the years, W Chicago Lakeshore and Sheraton Billings last year, and Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica and Le Meridien Eilat this year.

Worst: Westin St. John using points for my honeymoon. Story is too long to relay, though part of it was the front desk manager being outright hostile toward my gold status when I brought it up relative to other service issues I was experiencing -- ended up with me writing a 15 page letter to Starwood Customer Service and them refunding all my points for the stay. While the front desk manager was an *ss, I have to commend the GM for Starwood in the Carribean who responded immediately to my letter -- I was very pleased with their action (kept me from dropping SPG altogether).