Since I generally don't actually spend a lot of time in hotel rooms my main goal is a comfortable bed and Hampton wins that for me.

One of the best places to work in are crappy Candlewood Suites (had to go there when my usual HGI went skyhigh). They designed the room such that the desk faces the TV so it's real easy to be typing away on your laptop and watch TV at the same time.

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Speaking of Candlewood - I had a recent experience with a Hyatt Summerfield Suites. The studios are supposed to be the same as a Hyatt Place, except for a full kitchen. I love Hyatt Places, hated the Summerfield Suites ...

Same here. My experience as a Marriott Silver, Gold, and Platinum has always been very good, with some hotels giving me Platinum level benefits while I was a Gold. Granted there are some Marriott properties that seriously need renovation, but I've also stayed in some Westins that the same could be said about. I think most of the hotel chains have their strengths and weaknesses. That's why I've come to appreciate having status in multiple programs, as I can chose the best hotel wherever I go, rather than feeling like I need to suck it up and stay in a crappy Westin that hasn't seen a renovation in 15 years because I have SPG Platinum when there's a brand new Marriott or Hilton nearby. Likewise, the same applies to Marriott and/or Hilton when SPG is the better choice in the market.

Fortunately I have to travel enough for work that I don't have to worry about being a slave to a single program.

Yeah it does , the 25 % discount is on everything , the 50 % is limited to specific flights.

I can definitely see how SPG might not be practical for many business travelers, given their (present) lack of properties in many midsize markets. Also, the quality of some of their properties (mainly Sheratons and some older Four Points) is dubious, at best. It seems they are making a real effort to refurbish many of those types of properties. Case-in-point... the new Fairfax at Embassy Row, rebranded as Luxury Collection from Westin. The old Westin left a lot to be desired. From what I've read and heard, the new Fairfax is stellar. SPG used to be abysmal in D.C. With the Fairfax, Westin City Center (though they refused to upgrade me to a suite, the property itself was decent), and St. Regis (also recently redone), it's one of their better cities now.

Similarly, cities like Minneapolis and Portland have seen expansion of high-quality SPG properties, Austin is similarly due for a massive expansion, and there are dozens of other cities slated for their first Aloft or Element property. 2009 might not be the right year for a switch, based on your travel patterns, but (as you said), you might keep it in mind for the future, as they refurbish more hotels and bring new ones online.

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Don't get me wrong. I do get upgraded at Marriott. But here's the difference:

At SPG, I am more than often preblocked into a PREFERRED room or suite. By preferred, I mean top floor corner, away from the elevator, amazing views etc. I never have to worry about them giving me a bad room. I am almost always being taken care of as a Platinum. In fact, I am often upgraded to specialty suites or even Presidential Suites at many SPG properties. I am often treated like royalty and this is EVEN when I am paying a cheap rate like $79 a night or using points.

As a Marriott gold, they do upgrade me when I request, but they never preblock me to a preferred room of any kind. Usually, the agents do upgrade me to the highest level of stardard room. But, it's never a preferred room. Like this past weekend, I was upgraded to a club level room, but facing the courtyard :rolleyes: even though they had better rooms available for sale. When inquired, was told no.

Actually, at more than a handful of SPG locations, the staff goes far and beyond to make me feel comfortable. When inquiring about the types of rooms and location available, I've been often given a variety of options. They often will give me all types of rooms to pick from: corner room on the highest floor, small suites on higher floor, large suites without view, etc. In fact, on more than several occasions, I was given keys to 5 different types of rooms and suites and was told to pick one that I liked the most ^ Never going to happen at Marriott.

Yes.

Who knows? For the last week, I can't get the CO site to book an Avis reservation. And for National, it is suddenly refusing to quote me anything other than the standard price, regardless of whether I enter my Emerald Club number and corporate discount code or not. This nonsense may cost me a ton of Mileathon points I was depending on for a decent bonus out of that promotion. :td:

I so wish I had taken photos of the Suite they gave me at the Sheraton Brussels. It wasn't a particularly striking suite, except for the bathroom. The green tiling in there was straight out of a psychedelic 60's film. I got dizzy just walking in there.

Are you sure that wasn't just from the beer? :p

Yea, why didn't you? :rolleyes:

I was sleepy and passed out, then forgot to take photos in the morning, after rushing to catch a CO flight that was super-delayed. :rolleyes:

I pick my Marriott properties wisely. I've had some so so experiences with some but I'm so close to lifetime Plat I can't stop. It doesn't keep me from SPG though. I love SPG and my time so far this year has been split between the two. I need both and I have enough nights that I can keep top tier on both. After my lifetime plat on MR though, who knows? I just spent my last $ at the Marriott Marquis in NYC and will not be returning. There are plenty of SPG properties I'd rather stay at there.

That Westin was such a dump. Glad to hear they got rid of it.

The only other SPG property I've stayed in D.C. was the 4P near the old convention center. It was nice when It was brand new but last year when I stayed there one night it was obvious it had not been renovated since I had last been there in 2002.