StarmegaDO 2010 (SMD2) Nov 1-6, 2010 Masterthread
Aug 17, 2010, 9:08 am
#856
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That is a big contrast to how Marriott does it. Marriott allows you to bring guests, though the limit kind of varies, but I know that it is two in most places, not really enforced, and it does not matter whether they are in your room or not. I use Marriott club lounges for business meetings often. It would seem that is not possible with Starwood, what a shame.
Aug 17, 2010, 9:14 am
#857
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Actually Marriott's policy is similar to Starwood's. But THIS thread is about StarMegaDo2. Might I gently suggest if folk want to get into whose program is better discussion they take it to the individual hotel forums 
To the organizers - thanks for posting the schedule. This trip is already pricey - now I have to decide whether to come in on Sun vs Monday. Decisions, decisions...
Cheers.
To the organizers - thanks for posting the schedule. This trip is already pricey - now I have to decide whether to come in on Sun vs Monday. Decisions, decisions...
Cheers.
Aug 17, 2010, 9:15 am
#858
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Aug 17, 2010, 9:22 am
#859
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That is a big contrast to how Marriott does it. Marriott allows you to bring guests, though the limit kind of varies, but I know that it is two in most places, not really enforced, and it does not matter whether they are in your room or not. I use Marriott club lounges for business meetings often. It would seem that is not possible with Starwood, what a shame.
Honestly, even if one doesn't drink alcohol -- they can certainly consume a lot in non-alcoholic drink & food!
To have guests that are not registered at the hotel to be partaking in the club lounge offerings must make it difficult for the hotel to manage the lounge, in terms of providing proper service for all those who are paying for the privilege! Afterall, they are in the business to make money from their restaurants & lounges, as well!
Aug 17, 2010, 9:23 am
#860
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Aug 17, 2010, 9:32 am
#861
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Getting back to Do activities ...
If by chance I do come in on Sunday, what time are the festivities supposed to start that night?
And re: Monday at JFK, is there a particular time we're all meeting up there (presumably in the LH lounge)? Anything planned for that, or is it primarily drink, eat, sit, gab 'til various flight times?
Cheers.
...If by chance I do come in on Sunday, what time are the festivities supposed to start that night?
And re: Monday at JFK, is there a particular time we're all meeting up there (presumably in the LH lounge)? Anything planned for that, or is it primarily drink, eat, sit, gab 'til various flight times?
Cheers.
Aug 17, 2010, 9:36 am
#862
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Clearly, that's why your hotel affinity is with Marriott!
Honestly, even if one doesn't drink alcohol -- they can certainly consume a lot in non-alcoholic drink & food! To have guests that are not registered at the hotel to be partaking in the club lounge offerings must make it difficult for the hotel to manage the lounge, in terms of providing proper service for all those who are paying for the privilege! Afterall, they are in the business to make money from their restaurants & lounges, as well!
Honestly, even if one doesn't drink alcohol -- they can certainly consume a lot in non-alcoholic drink & food!
To have guests that are not registered at the hotel to be partaking in the club lounge offerings must make it difficult for the hotel to manage the lounge, in terms of providing proper service for all those who are paying for the privilege! Afterall, they are in the business to make money from their restaurants & lounges, as well!I don't think that Marriott generally has any trouble operating their lounges. Remember, the point of the lounges is for paying club level guests and to reward elite members, so obviously the lounges are set up as cost centers, not profit centers, by and large. The exceptions to that would be when there are a lot of club level paying guests, which I would think increase when conventions, conferences, and meetings take place in or nearby the hotels.
Aug 17, 2010, 9:37 am
#863
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That reminds me, how do we get into the LH lounge if we are not LH lounge paying members?
Aug 17, 2010, 9:41 am
#864
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Aug 17, 2010, 9:54 am
#865
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Aug 17, 2010, 9:58 am
#866
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Aug 17, 2010, 10:41 am
#867
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Aug 17, 2010, 11:22 am
#869
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I am considering the same, except to MSY. I know that the Boeing visit will end plenty early enough for any red-eye, but what I would like to know is what are the festivities for the NIGHT OF the 5th please?
Aug 17, 2010, 11:30 am
#870
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You know, I started thinking about the whole club lounge thing & something occurred to me.
We've got over 200+ FTers who are on SMD2, the majority of whom will probably be staying at the hotel. A number of them either have top status w/ Starwood or will be getting it by taking up Starwood on the Platinum status comp offer. Which means that basically most will be able to access the lounge.
I've never stayed at the IAH Sheraton, but I seriously doubt ANY hotel club lounge can handle 200+ folk descending on it more or less at once early in the a.m. for brekkie before CO Tour or SMDo Charter, or handle the same upon return should people decide to get a drink & munchies before evening activities (late at night perhaps, because people will split between lounge, bar, & Jr or Full Suites).
So - is the hotel planning on having a separate room (meeting room maybe) for the hungry FT hordes who want to take advantage of their well-earned or newly-minted status? If not, it's going to get mighty crowded in the lounge - and then we'll probably have to listen to people complain about it being crowded, etc.
The restaurant or coffee shop (if the property has one) might be worth thinking about vs SRO for a cont brekkie in the lounge. I don't mean for the hotel to offer up (meeting room might be better for that), but for those who are willing to pay a few $$ to avoid SRO. And may also be another factor to consider when trying to decide between reg room, Jr. Suite or club level room.
Anyway, something to think about....
Cheers.
We've got over 200+ FTers who are on SMD2, the majority of whom will probably be staying at the hotel. A number of them either have top status w/ Starwood or will be getting it by taking up Starwood on the Platinum status comp offer. Which means that basically most will be able to access the lounge.
I've never stayed at the IAH Sheraton, but I seriously doubt ANY hotel club lounge can handle 200+ folk descending on it more or less at once early in the a.m. for brekkie before CO Tour or SMDo Charter, or handle the same upon return should people decide to get a drink & munchies before evening activities (late at night perhaps, because people will split between lounge, bar, & Jr or Full Suites).
So - is the hotel planning on having a separate room (meeting room maybe) for the hungry FT hordes who want to take advantage of their well-earned or newly-minted status? If not, it's going to get mighty crowded in the lounge - and then we'll probably have to listen to people complain about it being crowded, etc.
The restaurant or coffee shop (if the property has one) might be worth thinking about vs SRO for a cont brekkie in the lounge. I don't mean for the hotel to offer up (meeting room might be better for that), but for those who are willing to pay a few $$ to avoid SRO. And may also be another factor to consider when trying to decide between reg room, Jr. Suite or club level room.
Anyway, something to think about....
Cheers.