JW Marriott v. Renaissance Harborview ?
Oct 24, 2012, 3:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: UnitedMileage Plus Marriott Rewards
Posts: 8
JW Marriott v. Renaissance Harborview ?
We will be in Central Hong Kong for 5 nights at the end of March 2013. Our first visit there. Using Marriott points to redeem the stay for 2 people - Silver status. Have just enough (145k) for 5 nights at either JW Marriott or Renaissance Harbour View. JW is 25k points more.
We are normal people and relatively easy to please (Hampton Inns work for me).
1. Ideas?
2. Which has the best chance of upgrade to executive lounge access?
3. Room reservations are for only Cityview - chances of upgrade to Harbour View?
4. Can I reserve now and in January call Marriott and ask for "Gold" challenge in order to effect an upgrade?
Thanks!
We are normal people and relatively easy to please (Hampton Inns work for me).
1. Ideas?
2. Which has the best chance of upgrade to executive lounge access?
3. Room reservations are for only Cityview - chances of upgrade to Harbour View?
4. Can I reserve now and in January call Marriott and ask for "Gold" challenge in order to effect an upgrade?
Thanks!
Oct 25, 2012, 9:50 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold, JGC Sapphire, OZ Diamond, AF Silver, CX GR, Marriott Lifetime SL
Posts: 3,598
Welcome to Flyertalk, hikerdave
Even I live in Hong Kong I stayed in both hotel for couple of times, so I guess I can give you some decent comment.
1. Depends if you are traveling a lot, and if you are planning to take taxi around, or doing subway. If you take subway a lot, take JW, if not, take Ren. Ren is a fair bit of walk from subway where JW is right on top of it.
Room are small anyways unless you score a suite upgrade (which is, again rare for both hotel)
for which hotel to stay it really depends on your pattern (are you coming to work or travel, are you planning to taxi everywhere or train it, what if you have that extra 25K sitting in your MR account instead of spending it, etc)
2. Absolute no for JW, basically no for Ren
- Just a reminder that even they upgrade you to executive level, they can decline your admittance because you are not entitled to: live in executive floor != lounge access unless you pay the corresponding rate.
3. JW will have lower chance, I got cityview (or hillside view) even I am a Plat, just because I check in late. Note that for JW you can normally pay cash to guarantee upgrade
Ren: As Gold / Plat so far I get harbor view every time.
4. Yes, of course, just a reminder that you better not "hate" yourself to use the quota. If you factor the Gold / Plat. Challenge and to obtain lounge access, JW lounge wins with one of the best lounge serving spread across the system. Ren Lounge is bit dated but still generous offerings.
As a off topic, both hotel offer 20% off for in hotel restaurant. JW has one of the best buffet brunch / dinner offering while the Chinese Restaurant at Ren is a Michelin ones. I recall you have to book ahead of time for both.
Even I live in Hong Kong I stayed in both hotel for couple of times, so I guess I can give you some decent comment.
1. Depends if you are traveling a lot, and if you are planning to take taxi around, or doing subway. If you take subway a lot, take JW, if not, take Ren. Ren is a fair bit of walk from subway where JW is right on top of it.
Room are small anyways unless you score a suite upgrade (which is, again rare for both hotel)
for which hotel to stay it really depends on your pattern (are you coming to work or travel, are you planning to taxi everywhere or train it, what if you have that extra 25K sitting in your MR account instead of spending it, etc)
2. Absolute no for JW, basically no for Ren
- Just a reminder that even they upgrade you to executive level, they can decline your admittance because you are not entitled to: live in executive floor != lounge access unless you pay the corresponding rate.
3. JW will have lower chance, I got cityview (or hillside view) even I am a Plat, just because I check in late. Note that for JW you can normally pay cash to guarantee upgrade
Ren: As Gold / Plat so far I get harbor view every time.
4. Yes, of course, just a reminder that you better not "hate" yourself to use the quota. If you factor the Gold / Plat. Challenge and to obtain lounge access, JW lounge wins with one of the best lounge serving spread across the system. Ren Lounge is bit dated but still generous offerings.
As a off topic, both hotel offer 20% off for in hotel restaurant. JW has one of the best buffet brunch / dinner offering while the Chinese Restaurant at Ren is a Michelin ones. I recall you have to book ahead of time for both.
Oct 25, 2012, 4:03 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: HHonor Dia, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 550
Curious about the 20% off. Is that from elite benefit? Or just for guest of the hotel?
Oct 26, 2012, 6:38 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold, JGC Sapphire, OZ Diamond, AF Silver, CX GR, Marriott Lifetime SL
Posts: 3,598
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 4: Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.3.6; en-us; GT-I9210 Build/GINGERBREAD) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1)
it probably elite only as I got it printed on my welcome letter. not sure if silver elite get it as well
Originally Posted by tomy77
Curious about the 20% off. Is that from elite benefit? Or just for guest of the hotel?
Oct 26, 2012, 2:59 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
Dynasty at Renaissance Harbourview is highly recommended. Especially with the guest dining discount.
I attended private dinner/party there many times; definitely Mich* material.
I attended private dinner/party there many times; definitely Mich* material.