Best Renaissance in the World -- what are your favorites?
 

Since the integration of the programs this past year, I'm starting to slowly venture beyond my usual SPG brands. One I'm trying to figure out as of late is the Renaissance.

Back in the days, I had started a popular series of threads exploring what the best of each of SPG's brands was. Now that a lot of us are exploring the Marriott side, it's time to do the same for some fo the more interesting Marriott brands. So, without further ado…

What's everyone's favorites; and if we were to collectively crown a single winner, which would it be?

What's the great, the good, the bad, and the plain ugly.

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I've only stayed at two Rens so far, with more on the way. For now, however, I'll name the Renaissance Montréal as my favorite:

- it's new, modern, and well design
- it's hip and "cool" like a W would've been a decade ago
- super nicer service, good elite recognition
- good bar & service
- and at a remarkably good price to boot


As far as the bad:
- Renaissance Kuala Lumpur - dated and in serious need a of a renovation


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Other threads:
- W: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html
- Le Méridien: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...worldwide.html
- St. Regis: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...worldwide.html
- Luxury Collection: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html
- Tribute Portfolio: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html
- Four Points: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html
- Westin: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html
- Sheraton: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html
- Design Hotels: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...ites.html.html
- Aloft: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html

I also like the Ren Montreal. However, my favorite is still the Ren Bangkok - great staff, lounge, rooms, location, price.

The Shelbourne in Dublin is very nice. I believe it's considered the top hotel in all of Ireland.

The Renaissance brand is quite peculiar. Their properties vary from top tier, to airport hotels outside St. Louis.

My vote is for Renaissance St Pancras in London . It is a fantastic building, has a truly wonderful lounge and to top it all, the Spice Girls filmed the Wannabe video on the main staircase.

The one in minsk had really good food

The Shelbourne and St. Pancras location do seem beautiful! Henceforth adding them to the bucket list.

Fond memories from the one in Zurich 25 years ago.

We had almost got to SOF when the plane did a 180 due to fog suddenly descending, and flew back all the way to ZRH. Not sure if it is normal for an aircraft to have enough fuel for a round trip between origin and destination. Only time I've had a smoke on a plane, too. One of the Swissair stewardesses was kind enough to offer one of hers, which I thoroughly enjoyed in the back of the plane.

Many of the pax held passports which did not entitle them to visa-free entry into Switzerland. So they basically collected our passports, and I don't think we even went through customs, put us on a bus and took us to the Renaissance, with a stern warning not to leave the premises, which I wasn't particularly inclined to do. That hotel was the fanciest place this boy, who had theretofore only lived in Eastern Europe and a spartan dorm room in the boonies of Kentucky, had ever been.

Not sure if that place still exists, and if it does it may well be a dump today, although the chandelier in the lobby from the tripadvisor photos looks much like they way I remember it.

Wow… Swissair… a blast from the past. I remember the national shame when they went out of business. (As you can guess from my username, maybe, I'm Swiss).

A smoke on the plane, on the other hand, I don't love the sound of as much.

Your nick is what brought the memories actually.

I'm with you on the smoking bit. Different times and mores, and a lifetime ago...

The new Renaissance Bali was fantastic - Very new modern rooms; Nice executive suites; really good Plat benefits; fantastic views; Two pools to choose from etc.,

Great to hear! I will be staying there in a week, and am already looking forward to it!

Renaissance Phuket -- one of our favorite trips and places we've stayed (it's often our benchmark in judging vacations).

It helped they upgraded us to a plunge pool villa on a points stay as a then Marriott Plat (2016 before acquisition was announced).

Peaceful and beautiful beach, good food and very cheap for a resort, nice spa, not far from the airport.

In terms of bad, Ren57 in NYC -- despite being in a junior suite was tiny, old, dark

+1 on La Concha (it's the hotel I have the most leisure stays ever)

But my vote goes to Ren Paris Vendome

It looks like it has been.