Four Points by Sheraton Siena [Master Thread]
Feb 18, 2018, 8:29 pm
#1
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,912
Four Points by Sheraton Siena [Master Thread]
I just noticed a new 4P listed in Siena, Italy. Couldn't find any information on FT, but Google seems to think this is the Hotel Degli Ulivi. Pictures look decent, and reviews are ok -- large rooms, decent breakfast, lots of tour groups. Currently listed as Cat 1, which could be a great deal with cash rates of >EUR150 in peak summer months. Anyone have any insights?
Feb 18, 2018, 9:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,711
The Four Points will in fact be a rebranding of that hotel; found a few renderings online of what the new rooms will look like and they’re quite nice and high standard. I have a four-night stay booked between April 24th and 28th, so I hope there aren’t any shenanigans with the opening...
khabah
khabah
Feb 20, 2018, 5:13 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: europe
Programs: EX˛-*wood platinum, EX-hyatt diamond, sixt platinum, hilton silver, leaders club, esselunga verde...
Posts: 2,048
I also have an upcoming stay there with points on eastern. If there is no change in my planing I will report.
Mar 19, 2018, 8:20 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 65
Just returned from the Four Points. We originally booked it for the opening day but ended up having to push back, so we checked in on their second opening day. Stayed 3 nights as a plat.
Notes:
Location: The hotel is somewhat difficult to find. It is on a residential street surrounded by condos and apartments. The entrance is further down the hill than navigation suggests, we spent probably 10 minutes driving around until we found it.
You will want to rent a car if you are staying here, as the hotel is somewhat out of the way and there isn't any obvious public transportation nearby. The hotel is located about 2 or 3km from the historic area, with nothing of interest in between. There are no restaurants or activities nearby, save the ones in the hotel. This is a hotel that could really use a shuttle to/from the train station and the historic area, but does not offer one at this time. Note that renting a car in italy is fraught with shady hidden charges and most of the cities won't allow you to drive a car in the tourist areas unless you live there, but will fine a couple of hundred dollars if you mistakenly drive down the wrong non-tourist-approved roads. I digress.
Grounds: The hotel grounds are pleasant and quiet, with ample parking. It appears to have been built in a grove of olive trees. They look to be hundreds of years old and add a lot of character. The building exterior is aligned with what you should expect from a cat1 Four Points. Certainly not flashy, but not in bad shape.
Interior: The hotel interior was in the process of renovation. Ground floor was also aligned with what you should expect from a cat1 Four Points. Not flashy but not in bad shape either. Surfaces were older, furniture was new and stylish. Some parts of the ground floor have been renovated, others have not. The elevator was small, old, and slow with carpet that looked to be 20 years old. I assume that will also be replaced soon. The 2nd floor already has new carpet.
Plat recognition: good, not over the top. Upgraded to a suite on the second floor, which appeared to be an already renovated room, actually two rooms with the door removed. "Bedroom" was a cal king bed, renovated bathroom, small closet. "Sitting room" was two leather chairs with a table and a long desk on the wall, along with a fridge and an additional closet. This room was a bit sparse, it could use a couch to better fill the space. The "sitting room" had a sliding glass door that opened onto... the rooftop? It appears they were in the process of tiling over the rooftop in wood-look tile and would, I guess, turn it into some kind of sitting area. When I was there, it was just 3000 square feet of open area outside covered in tile. Espresso machine using nespresso cups in the room, along with water bottles.
Plat amenitity: breakfast. Buffet offered on the ground floor. A table of cookies and assorted italian sweet breads, a fruit table, instant coffee machines (similar to starbucks machines in the US), a selection of juices, breads, yogurt, and cold cuts. Hot options were pancetta (bacon), sausage, and eggs. All in all very decent spread, especially for a Four Points, though by the 3rd day we had exhausted about all of the different combinations that appealed to us. There were about 6 servers in the dining room for 8 total guests. I was asked what coffee I wanted 3 times before I even sat down.
Fitness center: wife gave it high marks. New equipment. Includes a sauna / hot room.
Service: Overall quite good. Anna at the front desk is a gem, she helped us out multiple times during the week with recommendations and fixing things for us.
Oddities:
--No water the second day from about 9am to sometime mid afternoon. Renovations on the 1st floor apparently damaged the water "tubes" and I didn't get a shower that day. Not a big deal, I expected that from a property just opening.
--No wifi the third night property-wide. After a few mentions to the front desk, they fixed it.
--No where to print your boarding passes onsite. Had to email them to the front desk to be printed.
--Groups of italians and other europeans discussing the site or arguing, sometimes heatedly, about some aspect of the hotel. It was obvious the owners/managers were onsite all week, and they were conducting their meetings in plain view. My wife noticed a group of about 8 managers standing in the middle of the breakfast area debating where the bread table should be parked. It was moved to another part of the buffet the next day. Interesting to watch the property come together.
--Obvious training going on of the staff. Not a big deal.
--Only partial SPG rebranding done. Wifi still named after the Ulivi which was the old hotel name. Some old branding still around in the rooms.
Overall value: This place is a steal as a cat1. 3000 points plus 5euro per day tax is going to attract hordes of SPG members with points to burn. The region (lower tuscany) has a ton of things to see, making this an ideal base. You could easily sit here for a week with all there is to do nearby, and 5th night free means you can stay 6 days for 12,000 spg points. That is insanely good redemption value. Florence, Montelpulciano, Montelcino, San Gimignano, Siena, and Arrezzo are all easy day trips (60 min) from this hotel. I don't expect it to stay cat1 in 2019.
Apologies for potato-quality photos.
Olive trees in the parking lot
Breakfast
Lobby rear
Lobby front
Notes:
Location: The hotel is somewhat difficult to find. It is on a residential street surrounded by condos and apartments. The entrance is further down the hill than navigation suggests, we spent probably 10 minutes driving around until we found it.
You will want to rent a car if you are staying here, as the hotel is somewhat out of the way and there isn't any obvious public transportation nearby. The hotel is located about 2 or 3km from the historic area, with nothing of interest in between. There are no restaurants or activities nearby, save the ones in the hotel. This is a hotel that could really use a shuttle to/from the train station and the historic area, but does not offer one at this time. Note that renting a car in italy is fraught with shady hidden charges and most of the cities won't allow you to drive a car in the tourist areas unless you live there, but will fine a couple of hundred dollars if you mistakenly drive down the wrong non-tourist-approved roads. I digress.
Grounds: The hotel grounds are pleasant and quiet, with ample parking. It appears to have been built in a grove of olive trees. They look to be hundreds of years old and add a lot of character. The building exterior is aligned with what you should expect from a cat1 Four Points. Certainly not flashy, but not in bad shape.
Interior: The hotel interior was in the process of renovation. Ground floor was also aligned with what you should expect from a cat1 Four Points. Not flashy but not in bad shape either. Surfaces were older, furniture was new and stylish. Some parts of the ground floor have been renovated, others have not. The elevator was small, old, and slow with carpet that looked to be 20 years old. I assume that will also be replaced soon. The 2nd floor already has new carpet.
Plat recognition: good, not over the top. Upgraded to a suite on the second floor, which appeared to be an already renovated room, actually two rooms with the door removed. "Bedroom" was a cal king bed, renovated bathroom, small closet. "Sitting room" was two leather chairs with a table and a long desk on the wall, along with a fridge and an additional closet. This room was a bit sparse, it could use a couch to better fill the space. The "sitting room" had a sliding glass door that opened onto... the rooftop? It appears they were in the process of tiling over the rooftop in wood-look tile and would, I guess, turn it into some kind of sitting area. When I was there, it was just 3000 square feet of open area outside covered in tile. Espresso machine using nespresso cups in the room, along with water bottles.
Plat amenitity: breakfast. Buffet offered on the ground floor. A table of cookies and assorted italian sweet breads, a fruit table, instant coffee machines (similar to starbucks machines in the US), a selection of juices, breads, yogurt, and cold cuts. Hot options were pancetta (bacon), sausage, and eggs. All in all very decent spread, especially for a Four Points, though by the 3rd day we had exhausted about all of the different combinations that appealed to us. There were about 6 servers in the dining room for 8 total guests. I was asked what coffee I wanted 3 times before I even sat down.
Fitness center: wife gave it high marks. New equipment. Includes a sauna / hot room.
Service: Overall quite good. Anna at the front desk is a gem, she helped us out multiple times during the week with recommendations and fixing things for us.
Oddities:
--No water the second day from about 9am to sometime mid afternoon. Renovations on the 1st floor apparently damaged the water "tubes" and I didn't get a shower that day. Not a big deal, I expected that from a property just opening.
--No wifi the third night property-wide. After a few mentions to the front desk, they fixed it.
--No where to print your boarding passes onsite. Had to email them to the front desk to be printed.
--Groups of italians and other europeans discussing the site or arguing, sometimes heatedly, about some aspect of the hotel. It was obvious the owners/managers were onsite all week, and they were conducting their meetings in plain view. My wife noticed a group of about 8 managers standing in the middle of the breakfast area debating where the bread table should be parked. It was moved to another part of the buffet the next day. Interesting to watch the property come together.
--Obvious training going on of the staff. Not a big deal.
--Only partial SPG rebranding done. Wifi still named after the Ulivi which was the old hotel name. Some old branding still around in the rooms.
Overall value: This place is a steal as a cat1. 3000 points plus 5euro per day tax is going to attract hordes of SPG members with points to burn. The region (lower tuscany) has a ton of things to see, making this an ideal base. You could easily sit here for a week with all there is to do nearby, and 5th night free means you can stay 6 days for 12,000 spg points. That is insanely good redemption value. Florence, Montelpulciano, Montelcino, San Gimignano, Siena, and Arrezzo are all easy day trips (60 min) from this hotel. I don't expect it to stay cat1 in 2019.
Apologies for potato-quality photos.
Olive trees in the parking lot
Breakfast
Lobby rear
Lobby front
Jul 31, 2018, 12:43 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: HELsinki
Programs: BONVOY Lifetime Platinum , Ay Platinum, Hhonors Diamond
Posts: 152
Major issues
I'm currently staying here on 5 night trip. Hotel looks quite alright but behind the surface there are major issues.
At check in the gave us 2 rooms at differnet parts of the hotel one at 1st floor and one at 3rd, claming one superior and one deluxe. Suites were available on website but no upgrades. It turned out that room on 1st floor was facing somekind of junkyard with old furniture and mattresses from hotel. Window didn't closed, phone was not working, and the room wasn't the prettiest for sure. When reported for the issues, the room was changed next day. But still it tells a lot of the propertys approach to status members to give a room like this to platinum member.
It is currently hot period and the hotel air conditioning is too week to keep rooms at cool temperature. We have 2 rooms on different parts of the hotel. One room is bearable but the other definately too hot and the ac is set to minimum.
Rooms are also quite noisy. Plenty of noise coming from corridors or from the neighbouring rooms.
Wifi has not been working during the entire stay that we have been here so far. Reported continuosly to reception, but no effect so far, in spite of some aperitif event organised on one night.
Service otherwise ok, lots of parking space, ok pool area, decent breakfast etc. But with the issues with wifi & AC, along with non existent status recognition i would stay somewhere else. Fresh paint to walls and some new furniture don't hide the service issues like this.
At check in the gave us 2 rooms at differnet parts of the hotel one at 1st floor and one at 3rd, claming one superior and one deluxe. Suites were available on website but no upgrades. It turned out that room on 1st floor was facing somekind of junkyard with old furniture and mattresses from hotel. Window didn't closed, phone was not working, and the room wasn't the prettiest for sure. When reported for the issues, the room was changed next day. But still it tells a lot of the propertys approach to status members to give a room like this to platinum member.
It is currently hot period and the hotel air conditioning is too week to keep rooms at cool temperature. We have 2 rooms on different parts of the hotel. One room is bearable but the other definately too hot and the ac is set to minimum.
Rooms are also quite noisy. Plenty of noise coming from corridors or from the neighbouring rooms.
Wifi has not been working during the entire stay that we have been here so far. Reported continuosly to reception, but no effect so far, in spite of some aperitif event organised on one night.
Service otherwise ok, lots of parking space, ok pool area, decent breakfast etc. But with the issues with wifi & AC, along with non existent status recognition i would stay somewhere else. Fresh paint to walls and some new furniture don't hide the service issues like this.
Jul 31, 2018, 5:18 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AS MVP; UA Gold; DL Gold; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 156
I'm currently staying here on 5 night trip. Hotel looks quite alright but behind the surface there are major issues.
At check in the gave us 2 rooms at differnet parts of the hotel one at 1st floor and one at 3rd, claming one superior and one deluxe. Suites were available on website but no upgrades. It turned out that room on 1st floor was facing somekind of junkyard with old furniture and mattresses from hotel. Window didn't closed, phone was not working, and the room wasn't the prettiest for sure. When reported for the issues, the room was changed next day. But still it tells a lot of the propertys approach to status members to give a room like this to platinum member.
It is currently hot period and the hotel air conditioning is too week to keep rooms at cool temperature. We have 2 rooms on different parts of the hotel. One room is bearable but the other definately too hot and the ac is set to minimum.
Rooms are also quite noisy. Plenty of noise coming from corridors or from the neighbouring rooms.
Wifi has not been working during the entire stay that we have been here so far. Reported continuosly to reception, but no effect so far, in spite of some aperitif event organised on one night.
Service otherwise ok, lots of parking space, ok pool area, decent breakfast etc. But with the issues with wifi & AC, along with non existent status recognition i would stay somewhere else. Fresh paint to walls and some new furniture don't hide the service issues like this.
At check in the gave us 2 rooms at differnet parts of the hotel one at 1st floor and one at 3rd, claming one superior and one deluxe. Suites were available on website but no upgrades. It turned out that room on 1st floor was facing somekind of junkyard with old furniture and mattresses from hotel. Window didn't closed, phone was not working, and the room wasn't the prettiest for sure. When reported for the issues, the room was changed next day. But still it tells a lot of the propertys approach to status members to give a room like this to platinum member.
It is currently hot period and the hotel air conditioning is too week to keep rooms at cool temperature. We have 2 rooms on different parts of the hotel. One room is bearable but the other definately too hot and the ac is set to minimum.
Rooms are also quite noisy. Plenty of noise coming from corridors or from the neighbouring rooms.
Wifi has not been working during the entire stay that we have been here so far. Reported continuosly to reception, but no effect so far, in spite of some aperitif event organised on one night.
Service otherwise ok, lots of parking space, ok pool area, decent breakfast etc. But with the issues with wifi & AC, along with non existent status recognition i would stay somewhere else. Fresh paint to walls and some new furniture don't hide the service issues like this.
We are doing a one-night stay on our way back from Florence to Rome (where we fly out to Germany).
It's a nice break point Tuscany, and we'll keep an eye on further reports on how the property is holding up.
Additional negative infrastructure reports, and I may decide to move hotels.
Thanks again! Hope you enjoy the rest of your Italia trip!
Sep 21, 2018, 1:23 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Europe
Programs: ex-SPG Platinum, Marriott LG, *G United
Posts: 245
We were here for 3 nights at the end of August. Hotel was clean, staff friendly, nothing at all to complain about. Plat upgrade to a suite.
The only issue is this hotel still comes up as "MERCURE SIENA DEGLI ULI SIENA" on my Amex statement, so with my SPG amex i cannot get the 5x points. I emailed amex but they said there was nothing they could do, as the hotel has not yet changed their ID.
'I'd like to inform you that the issuance of points towards a particular charge is an automatic process and is as per the way the merchant has registered themselves.
The system is programmed to check and issue the points as per the category under which the merchant has chosen to register themselves. So, in this case the merchant is still registered as a Mercure Hotel which is why it is reflecting that way on your statement.
We are unable to issue the points manually. "
The only issue is this hotel still comes up as "MERCURE SIENA DEGLI ULI SIENA" on my Amex statement, so with my SPG amex i cannot get the 5x points. I emailed amex but they said there was nothing they could do, as the hotel has not yet changed their ID.
'I'd like to inform you that the issuance of points towards a particular charge is an automatic process and is as per the way the merchant has registered themselves.
The system is programmed to check and issue the points as per the category under which the merchant has chosen to register themselves. So, in this case the merchant is still registered as a Mercure Hotel which is why it is reflecting that way on your statement.
We are unable to issue the points manually. "
Sep 21, 2018, 2:20 am
#10
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Guangzhou
Programs: SPG
Posts: 1,021
We were here for 3 nights at the end of August. Hotel was clean, staff friendly, nothing at all to complain about. Plat upgrade to a suite.
The only issue is this hotel still comes up as "MERCURE SIENA DEGLI ULI SIENA" on my Amex statement, so with my SPG amex i cannot get the 5x points. I emailed amex but they said there was nothing they could do, as the hotel has not yet changed their ID.
'I'd like to inform you that the issuance of points towards a particular charge is an automatic process and is as per the way the merchant has registered themselves.
The system is programmed to check and issue the points as per the category under which the merchant has chosen to register themselves. So, in this case the merchant is still registered as a Mercure Hotel which is why it is reflecting that way on your statement.
We are unable to issue the points manually. "
The only issue is this hotel still comes up as "MERCURE SIENA DEGLI ULI SIENA" on my Amex statement, so with my SPG amex i cannot get the 5x points. I emailed amex but they said there was nothing they could do, as the hotel has not yet changed their ID.
'I'd like to inform you that the issuance of points towards a particular charge is an automatic process and is as per the way the merchant has registered themselves.
The system is programmed to check and issue the points as per the category under which the merchant has chosen to register themselves. So, in this case the merchant is still registered as a Mercure Hotel which is why it is reflecting that way on your statement.
We are unable to issue the points manually. "
We would like to forward this to our AMEX liaison to look into if you could provide your account details to below email address.
[email protected]
As I will be away for the Mid Autumn Festival, please include a link to your post in the email so whoever is helping with the emails will know what this issue is about.
Best Regards,
Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Marriott International
Oct 1, 2022, 1:34 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Italy
Programs: Accor Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond , Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,484
I stay here quite regular 5/6 times x year for business
Not one of the best Four Points in the world, but it’s ok. And quiet even when crowded
Many rooms have been renewed and anyway the rooms are comfortable. Big free external parking inside the property
Just one thing I find personally very annoying here: don’t expect to get your points. Every time I stay here I have to claim with CC for my points, as well as the welcome bonus points
even the few times they credit the points, they always “forget” the welcome bonus points
claimed about that even directly at the front desk, but every time it’s the same old story. I’m sure they have this ridiculous attitude to try to save the points, always.
last time i stayed here I left 1/10 on my review because of that and the Revenue Supervisor sent me an email “ we will try to do something better next time “
try to do something better next time ? 😂 what about this time ? Nothing like “oh we are very sorry we are crediting your points immediately and for sure all the next times you will get your points”
they will just “try” to do something better next time …and they won’t do it.
they are simply pathetic about that
but, said that, it’s a nice hotel and the rates are 90% of the times not more than 100€.
Not one of the best Four Points in the world, but it’s ok. And quiet even when crowded
Many rooms have been renewed and anyway the rooms are comfortable. Big free external parking inside the property
Just one thing I find personally very annoying here: don’t expect to get your points. Every time I stay here I have to claim with CC for my points, as well as the welcome bonus points
even the few times they credit the points, they always “forget” the welcome bonus points
claimed about that even directly at the front desk, but every time it’s the same old story. I’m sure they have this ridiculous attitude to try to save the points, always.
last time i stayed here I left 1/10 on my review because of that and the Revenue Supervisor sent me an email “ we will try to do something better next time “
try to do something better next time ? 😂 what about this time ? Nothing like “oh we are very sorry we are crediting your points immediately and for sure all the next times you will get your points”
they will just “try” to do something better next time …and they won’t do it.
they are simply pathetic about that
but, said that, it’s a nice hotel and the rates are 90% of the times not more than 100€.
Dec 26, 2022, 2:16 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 647
If I'm potentially in range to get Titanium status next year based on my stays for the first half of the year, is this property an okay choice? Not a ton of chain hotels in Tuscany (as we'd expect) and many of the nicer looking agriturismos are already booked or require longer stays. We have one night booked off Piazza del Campo so we will not miss out on that experience but need to add on 3 more nights in the region. We will be coming to Tuscany from 5 nights at the St. Regis so need to prepare ourselves for a bit of a change in scenery regardless.