Facing Up to the New Reality — Escalating Luxe Hotel Rates
Nov 3, 2023, 7:00 am
#31
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 182
The only reason I've still been able to travel in luxury hotels post-COVID is access to negotiated fixed-price corporate rates. When I look at our rates at Corinthia and Langham in London compared to the rack rate it's like a joke. No idea who is paying those crazy prices.
We just lost our good rate at Andaz Tokyo and PH Tokyo due to the closure of the latter for 2024, and I expect the former decided not to renew our negotiated rate because they anticipate being fully booked all year by those who would have stayed at the PH. All we have now is the GH which is not what I would call luxury but given the prices elsewhere it might be the best I can manage.
I am basically priced out of Kyoto now. I remember when I could stay at the RC for 90,000 JPY a night, and during the most peak time of the year rooms would hit 250,000 and that was crazy. Feels like ancient history now.
We just lost our good rate at Andaz Tokyo and PH Tokyo due to the closure of the latter for 2024, and I expect the former decided not to renew our negotiated rate because they anticipate being fully booked all year by those who would have stayed at the PH. All we have now is the GH which is not what I would call luxury but given the prices elsewhere it might be the best I can manage.
I am basically priced out of Kyoto now. I remember when I could stay at the RC for 90,000 JPY a night, and during the most peak time of the year rooms would hit 250,000 and that was crazy. Feels like ancient history now.
It's also worth it to check out other places like Hakone and Nikko. I especially like Hakone. IMO Kyoto is very overrated and overcrowded
Nov 3, 2023, 7:48 am
#32
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,334
Nov 3, 2023, 9:06 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,470
Hotels like the renovated Westin and the Suiran are very very good. I don't know what you define as "luxury" but both of them definitely suffices for me.
It's also worth it to check out other places like Hakone and Nikko. I especially like Hakone. IMO Kyoto is very overrated and overcrowded
It's also worth it to check out other places like Hakone and Nikko. I especially like Hakone. IMO Kyoto is very overrated and overcrowded
I stayed once at the renovated Westin back in March and it probably is the way to go when paying cash.
RC Nikko very expensive. I didn’t think they’d be able to sustain the rates but somehow they have.
Nov 3, 2023, 9:12 am
#35
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 182
I’m at Suiran next month for a rate far less than what they’re charging now, having booked a year in advance before things escalated further. I am a many time guest and generally get upgraded to a one of the four suites but even it is creeping out of my price range.
I stayed once at the renovated Westin back in March and it probably is the way to go when paying cash.
RC Nikko very expensive. I didn’t think they’d be able to sustain the rates but somehow they have.
I stayed once at the renovated Westin back in March and it probably is the way to go when paying cash.
RC Nikko very expensive. I didn’t think they’d be able to sustain the rates but somehow they have.
For Nikko, the RC is only worth using points. I suggest you try the Kai hotel by Hoshino Resorts there.
Nov 3, 2023, 9:13 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 182
The only hotels that have sustained their 2019 prices are the Conrad, GH and the Imperial hotel. The Okura also is only a bit pricier
Nov 3, 2023, 9:16 am
#37
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
Same. We are headed to Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos on two separate trips this winter. We're going to Tasmania including Saffire then on to Southern Ocean Lodge. Next spring we'll go to Albania and Montenegro, ending in Vienna. We are very much about the destination which might or might not have luxury properties. We have some solid mid tier properties that will be just fine, especially in the suites that we've booked. I'm also happy to use points, particularly at strong Hyatt properties.
Nov 3, 2023, 9:18 am
#38
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 182
Same. We are headed to Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos on two separate trips this winter. We're going to Tasmania including Saffire then on to Southern Ocean Lodge. Next spring we'll go to Albania and Montenegro, ending in Vienna. We are very much about the destination which might or might not have luxury properties. We have some solid mid tier properties that will be just fine, especially in the suites that we've booked. I'm also happy to use points, particularly at strong Hyatt properties.
Nov 3, 2023, 9:20 am
#39
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
Nov 3, 2023, 9:23 am
#40
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 182
Assuming your stay in Montenegro is Regent Porto Montenegro or the One and Only, I have been told they are where all the Russian oligarchs docks their yachts and hang out.
Nov 3, 2023, 9:27 am
#41
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,879
oops, forgot it is “flyertalk” not “flyerfacts”
Nov 3, 2023, 9:37 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,470
Have a look at the Fujiya hotel in Hakone or the Hyatt Regency. Stayed at both and especially enjoyed the Hyatt. However, the Fujiya is the first hotel in Hakone and a lot more historic and distinctive.
For Nikko, the RC is only worth using points. I suggest you try the Kai hotel by Hoshino Resorts there.
For Nikko, the RC is only worth using points. I suggest you try the Kai hotel by Hoshino Resorts there.
Nov 3, 2023, 10:07 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,522
I would be also very careful to "blame" ethics groups for prices. This said of course price for example in some Carribean countries are higher, as they are beach-destinations and easy to reach from big American cities with many people who are willing to stay and pay. Same with Mallorca and Germans. Of course you are willing to pay some extra bugs if you able to reach a destination with relative short flight (so for example for a weekend trip) instead of a long haul flight.
Last edited by offerendum; Nov 3, 2023 at 10:14 am
Nov 3, 2023, 10:18 am
#45
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
Having now stayed in a Kyoto PH 1 King bed Garden View suite, I have to say that I prefer an Executive suite at the Hyatt Regency (and on the random peak cherry blossom date I checked it was about Y200,000). Plus, unless they've downgraded it since I was last there, the breakfast at the HR was a lot better.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Nov 3, 2023 at 10:24 am