SPG recognition at the St Regis
As I flagged in my earlier post, my emailed confirmation for my return booking says that the hotel does not participate in SPG.
I feared that this would be like the Lanesborough in London: no points, no privileges.
I asked the manager at reception who replied as follows......
"It's like most Starwood resorts for SPG members......partial participation....no late check-out....no Platinum upgrades....no welcome amenity....but you can still earn points."
I find that a mixed blessing. The points are a bare minimum for me, but I like to be able to book a long stay in the cheapest room and get upgraded when I go to Category 6 hotels, rather than pay rack rate for a short stay. I reckon that these sorts of hotels do better to get a platinum member to stay for 10 days at $500 per night than 5 days at $1000 per night, because the incidental expenses still accumulate and they get repeat custom.