Quality hands down.

I frequently make a similar choice. Not so much quality over points - but uniqueness over points. With the amount of nights I spend in hotels I could easily be platnium, but I'd rather pass on the higher status and points and stay in unique places when I can - castle in Umbria, grass-roofed chalet in Norway, sailboat in Greece, treehouses in Port Douglas. In cities when there's no better option or hotels are pretty much all the same, I'll stay with Hilton or Starwood enough to make gold on each. I still earn lots of points by using their co-branded Amex cards.

Just to add: As someone else mentioned, the truly top hotels do quietly track your stays and offer wonderful gifts to those who stay frequently. A former neighbor who stayed in top-tier hotels got great offers for free weekends and lots of goodies. I was so jealous.

[This message has been edited by letiole (edited 12-07-2001).]