CLEguy

Thank you escape4 for the review, it's quite timely. I was hopeful that the Bonvoyization of luxury properties had missed Las Alcobas as prior reviews were so positive. Sadly not, it seems. We have a stay here scheduled (as Hyatt doesn't have many options in the area) but are reconsidering.

boolean64

That is too bad that things have slipped regarding breakfast. Although i don't recall this property ever being a big upgrader. Assuming you aren't focused on room size, the hard product is indeed fantastic (especially that shower). Biggest downside i recall is what you mentioned about the walls being thin. Twice now i've had the corner room across the hall from the gym and you can hear it...if you're in your room, which we tend not to be unless we are sleeping.

I've always liked Polanco over where the St Regis is. Much more relaxing environment. In that area, even with no status recognition, this is a better choice than the W or Hyatt Regency unless you are optimizing solely for status benefits.

I woudn't say it's high on the list, but returning to CDMX and staying again at Las Alcobas is defintiely on the list of things we are looking forward to as life hopefully gets back to normal.

CLEguy

Even with degraded benefits and no upgrade, you'd place LA over StR? Based on what I'm seeing here lately, the current environment is:
Hard product: LA > StR
Breakfast: StR > LA
Base room: StR > LA
Location: LA > StR

Do you think that's accurate?

coffee18

I was one of those who raved about this property in 2018. We are planning to return this October. This latest review is disappointing to hear, and given the preponderance of great food in CDMX in general it may lead me to look elsewhere.

Solely out of curiosity, I booked a stay at the new Ritz Carlton, and agonizing over that vs. LA and StR.

escape4

If money is no object, then perhaps yes. However it's not only about status benefits (suites, breakfast, lounge), it's also the fact that LA is probably 50%+ more expensive than W / HR, so it all adds up in a significant way to make LA a questionable value proposition despite some of its strong points.

In the luxury space I will be inclined to try RC once it's open rather than return to LA.

boolean64

I do think that's accurate. Depends on what you prioritize.

Kacee

The immediate location of StR I don't love, but it's very close to Roma Norte and Condesa, which I find preferable to Polanco.

MSPeconomist

Their elite breakfast policy seems to be standard continental with a free fruit plate thrown in, available (served) in either the restaurant or through room service. Isn't this more than consistent with Bonvoy standards for LC properties?

OTOH, I'm very disturbed by their local policy of only doing one or two category upgrades. This seems to clearly violate Bonvoy T&Cs.

Kacee

The limiting term "continental" is a very recent addition to the T&C for legacy SPG properties. Formerly they were required to provide "breakfast in restaurant." So this is just one more in an ongoing parade of unannounced, property-favoring program devaluations.

Despite Marriott yet again devaluing benefits without any notice, there are plenty of high-end properties that provide more, particularly in Asia and Europe. I would certainly hope that an LC or StR would go beyond the bare minimum, and will absolutely factor that into account in deciding where to stay.

escape4

Yes, failure to upgrade to suites when they are available is a clearer violation of T&Cs than breakfast. With the current breakfast terms, if you give a slice of bread and a coffee, one could argue that it would qualify as "continental breakfast". While luxury hotels are entitled to offer such an elite breakfast, it's unlikely to give a feeling of luxury to guests, hence it raised my eyebrows during my stay at LA.

Personally I am focused on what hotels provide in the aggregate, more so than whether there a breach of T&C because I would not want to argue semantics with a hotel. For example:
Hotel 1 = They upgrade me to a fantastic presidential suite from the entry level room every time I stay there, but they consistently charge me for breakfast when they should not
Hotel 2 = They upgrade me to what they consider a "junior suite" but it's identical to entry level is except there is an extra 1 sqm. They give me bread and coffee for breakfast

Technically hotel 2 has filled its obligations, but they are just dancing around the line of what's acceptable or not. I do not care for such behavior, I do not wish to engage in such debates with the hotel, and I will tend avoid them if I have other options. Hotel 1 is clearly in breach of breakfast but they are so generous about the room upgrade so there is not a chance I will complain about having to shell out $50 for breakfast if the room upgrade is worth $1000. I would note the breakfast issue in a hotel review however, just to give information and objective facts.

I am afraid Las Alcobas is doing a bit of both here: breakfast is borderline acceptable according to T&Cs, and for suite upgrades they are in violation. So for the total package of what they provide, this hotel is a better fit for non-elites than guests who are Platinum and above.

Brandinho1

Bumping this thread with a recent stay here. Some of my key takeaways:

- upgraded one category to Grand Deluxe Room
- free snacks and non alcoholic beverages in your room
- as an ambassador you choose from 1000 points, upgraded breakfast, or handmade soaps
- shower was one of the best I have ever experienced.

OliverB

Long shot here, but would anyone happen to have an email contact for the GM at Las Alcobas, Mr. Mendiola?

I have an upcoming extended stay in a couple of weeks and would like to reach out about something related, if I can figure out how to do so.

Thanks

margarita girl

Looking at Trip Advisor, looks like email addresses are first initial, last name @lasalcobas.com.

There’s also a concierge email address in the master thread too but no idea if it’s still valid.

Las Alcobas, Luxury Collection, Mexico City [Master Thread]

Hope that helps.

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker II

The concierge email address in the master thread is the same as what we have in our system.

[email protected]

Best Regards,

Christina Z
Specialist, Social Media
Marriott International

OliverB

Thanks so much!!