Kacee

That's very different from when I was there. Sounds like a big downgrade.

My issue at this property was poor internet and a truly spectacular service recovery fail when I complained about it. Back to GH for my next Singapore stay.

yurtripper

Thanks for the update, hockeyinsider. What you say about the lounge is very discouraging but even before reading that I could tell from the pics (silly furniture) that the lounge wasn't going to be a highlight of the stay.

My other options are St. Regis and Westin but they don't look compelling either. This really needs to be a points redemption to contain the costs and both of those cost 20K per night, versus the JW at effectively 13.3K starpoints. I don't see anything in those properties which really merits shelling out 50% more points than the JW.

If it was a weekend stay I'd simply stay at the IC and use my free night with the Ambassador certificate. Instead, I'm using that in Kuala Lumpur.

yurtripper

If you look at the top of the booking page giving the rates there is a highlighted notice:

(my emphasis)

It conspicuously displays the same notice at the top of my reservation page also.

This seems to be at variance with what hockeyinsider said in his post above. I wonder - is this a (very) recent update to their page, possibly in response to complaints, or is the hotel acting at variance to their stated conditions?

hockeyinsider

The attendant told me it was a recent change. He admitted he agreed with my complaints but said management decided to allow kids in the lounge. For example, the Grand Hyatt doesn't allow children after 5 p.m.

I'm guessing lounge access for families is a huge revenue stream because most of the kids were age 2-8. In fact, every guest I saw over two days throughout the hotel I also saw in the lounge. I'm guessing they sell lounge access. It's easier for families to take their kids to the buffet in the executive lounge than a restaurant. The problem is it ceases to be an executive lounge and more a family buffet. This is evident by the fact that there is only one computer and it's hidden behind a wall in the far corner of the lounge.

Yeah. The internet is only good in the rooms, but in the executive lounge, public spaces, pool and so forth it is unreliable. Also, there is no enhanced, high-speed wireless option -- a first for me at a Marriott property.

hockeyinsider

I will say that the food and beverage offerings are very, very good. One of the best lounge spreads -- in terms of selection and quality. I don't know if the food changes every night, though. If not, it might get old for a week-long stay. It's a little weird seeing adults get hammered off booze while sitting with their kids.

If they would improve the coffee situation and fix the kids/families issue, this would be one of the better lounges in the Marriott system.

One of the downsides of the generous open-bar in the lounge is that the hotel's bars were empty every time I walked by. That's too bad because the lobby bar in particular is kind of classic. I'd rather get a platinum coupon for complimentary wine in the lobby bar. At least it would fill chairs because nobody wants to go to a bar with no customers.

hockeyinsider

The welcome letter one receives at check-in also reiterates the dress code, but it is not followed whatsoever. Supposedly, you aren't supposed to take food and beverage out of the lounge, but staff didn't stop me from taking the horrible coffee (it was better than the instant coffee in the room), bottles of water and cans of Diet Pepsi back to my room as the lounge was too noisy.

As I said earlier, staff said management made a recent change.

CPH-Flyer

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Of course they sell executive lounge access, all properties do that. Book an executive room and you have access, the price difference is often not that big. Usually you can make the upgrade at check-in if you want to. Elites are just used to getting it for free.

hockeyinsider

I'm aware of that, but there are some properties that don't really monetize the lounge and there are others that do. The lounge seems to be a replacement for a restaurant, judging by how many people use it, how it's setup, and so forth.

CPH-Flyer

In many Asian properties I find it far more common that people on family vacations, or family weekend outings buy (I am guessing buy) lounge access as part of their booking. Not just Marriott, but have also seen this at Conrads and Hyatts accross the region.

hockeyinsider

I agree, but it kind of makes sense because most Asian lounges are very good. The problem, however, is the executive lounge becomes more of a cafeteria for families than a real executive lounge. That's the issue.

Kacee

Typically this is more of a weekend issue at Asian properties.

Tokyoite

Any photos of that pool?
furthermore, how visible is the F1 track from the lounge/pool/rooms?

hockeyinsider

The pool on the sixth floor in the east tower has views of the street. You can see the race track already setup. The hotel had promotional advertising saying it would have special events in the pool area the day of the race. On the 18th floor, at the main pool, you can't really see it unless they open the balcony.

nldogbert

Not wanting to divert the main topic, this is very true. I've been to a number of lounges in Asia during the last couple of months, and the worst is during the school holidays or weekends where the lounges are jam packed with lots of families, couples, etc.

I am fine that they have the option to buy or just book a room with Executive floor access (as mentioned normally the F&B are equivalent to a reasonable dinner) - but in my opinion, the hotel should than make additional arrangements to not turn it into a sour experience for their guests - e.g. no sitting place, insufficient food, bad quality food, etc.

I find that if a hotel is not able to accommodate the sudden surge of eligible guests, please limit the offer or inventory of selling these packages/access (without impacting guests with status).

Cheers!

Srisarin

while I appreciate your desires, hotels aren't going to cut their own financial throats by implementing the way you want it to be

I also want to avoid rug rats so I just travel when there are no school or national holidays and avoid resorts known to cater to families on weekends

I also avoid properties that don't enforce their own stated rules regarding dress code and no children in lounge during certain times so I find the negative comments on FT and take them into consideration before booking