Originally Posted by ElevatorEnthusiast

Interesting - though, I would agree on experience but that is because all of my Conrads have been international and more of my JWs have been in the US. Some JWs are amazing (Camelback Inn), but I have found that Conrad internationally is quite a good brand. I need to try out more JWs internationally. With Marriott's wide set of brands, there is usually a competing hotel in value proposition to the Conrad in a respective city, but which brand it falls into is anyone's guess.

Originally Posted by cfischer

I equate Conrad often with St. Regis. Not quite the same from an atmosphere, but overall comparable IMO

Originally Posted by WasKnown

Sure, it is no secret that limited service properties are generally the most profitable. I honestly think Hyatt’s move towards limited service is sensible for them as a business (but obviously disappointing for customers). Hyatt clearly needed to make a change from a business perspective so I understand why they are running toward the lower end. Furthermore, I sincerely deeply respect Hilton as a business. They have some of the most profitable hotel flags for developers (home2, Hampton inn, etc) and have done a great job at creating a highly efficient hotel machine that just works.

However, I disagree with the idea that the big hotel chains have unilaterally shifted focus away from higher end properties (IHG market cap is almost the same as Hyatt’s). I think it is possible to continue to invest in these higher margin limited service properties while still focusing on high-end properties as well. Marriott’s purchase of Starwood alone was a large investment in nicer properties and the reason why they are so far ahead of the rest of the pack in this regard today. As mentioned above, IHG went out of their way to purchase Kimpton and especially Six Senses. They have also worked to revive Regent (with fine properties such as the Four Seasons Shanghai Pudong reflagging to Regent) and have created their Vignette collection soft flag. Even Hilton launched their LXR soft flag relatively recently.

Base top line revenue aside, I think there is a material benefit to having nicer properties that creates a halo effect for the entire chain. It just so happens that Hyatt and Hilton don’t seem to care about this whereas Marriott and (increasingly) IHG do. The late Arne Sorenson spoke about the idea of Marriott’s nicer flags “pulling up” the perception of their cheaper flags frequently. Only time will reveal if this approach is worthwhile in the long run. Personally, this tactic definitely works on my specifically. I am far more interested in IHG for having Six Senses and Regent than I am in Hilton (which seems fine to leave their flagship Waldorf Astoria closed indefinitely).

Originally Posted by Fluff Ermine

These are all great responses. As a former consultant mainly staying at full-service Hyatt properties for work, I was enamored by Globalist and find it hard to leave, so been mattress running ~$1K a year or so trying to maintain it (usually during a promotion so net cost isn't terrible). Staying at luxury properties on Chase points with guaranteed suite upgrades have been awesome, but that'll probably change once the award charts inevitably go away in a couple years.

Looks like some low-effort 85K certs with the Brilliant / Ritz and mattress running Titanium during a promo might be the way to go for me. Just annoying how difficult it can be to generate Marriott points effectively without work travel.

Originally Posted by HBlurb

I got tossed out of my room at a Homewood today after I politely requested an additional hour at noon to do a Zoom call for work. Both the desk agent and manager were emphatic that any extension would result in a half day charge in spite of a near empty Monday morning hotel. I have been spoiled by the Marriott late checkout as a Platinum and while they are occasionally smary and deny such a benefit (that means you Fairfield in Boca Raton) 90% of the time, as a business traveler I am able to keep the room for work when I need it into the afternoon. I made lifetime Diamond a few years ago and while I use the international properties and a scant number of favorite domestic ones, I am increasingly not checking Hilton options and choose Marriott even when I am leaving early which is typical.

Originally Posted by Polytonic

I imagine hotel brand development is following overall economic (class) trends. It's no secret wealth inequality is growing, and the choices hotel operators are making widely reflect that. On one hand, there's a rapidly expanding limited-service footprint (e.g. Hyatt House, Hyatt Place, HGIs) for people on a tight budget, and then on the other, very high end luxury property development where some of the "expected" business frills (e.g. club lounges, breakfast) aren't really relevant to someone dropping $1k/night on a hotel room (EDITION comes to mind).

Originally Posted by Polytonic

The 85k FNC farm is probably the ideal way to redeem for short stays, but working around Marriott's 24 month restrictions means it'll take you 3-4 years to accrue enough cards to make it a viable redemption strategy, and who knows where Bonvoy will be in 4 years?

Originally Posted by WasKnown (Post # 167)

IHG seems interest in breaking into the upper upscale/luxury space more. They have purchased Kimpton and Six Senses relatively recently and have also worked to revive Regent. They also launched a luxury soft flag (Vignette Collection) not too long ago. However, their current hotel portfolio is very similar to Hilton’s with largely limited service properties. It will take them a long time to catch up to Marriott.

Originally Posted by mfirst (Post # 177)

I think for the <20 nights a year traveler - unless there was a long-term goal for points - as with most programs (especially the airlines these days) the benefits (even in theory) are of limited value...

My sense - and please comment if this applies to you - is that there are few non-business travelers that are staying and earning top status on their own which means that the real perks only have value if you are spending a significant amount of time in hotels and the "little things" that status brings actually mean something . . . .

Originally Posted by SPN Lifer

Unlike Marriott & Hilton (and Hyatt), the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has no lifetime status.