Booking with hotel direct saves over marriott.com?
 

I'm looking at some dates in Berlin at the end of May. I noticed that the Westin Berlin offers a much lower rate directly with the hotel web site https://www.westin-berlin.com/

It's a different reservation system and doesn't ask for MR loyalty number. (Book-secure.com?)

Is this legit? Will I received my Marriott benefits, points, etc by booking online with the hotel? Could I book with marriott.com and request a price adjustment?

I've not see a property that has a separate web site that is much lower (30EUR/night) than the official booking portal.

THanks,
V

This hotel’s website seems to be completely against Marriott’s policy. The domain name is hotel specific and does not follow Bonvoy’s templates. It’s a different booking system altogether, no mention of the loyalty program and they even have their own standalone best rate guarantee program (10% off the competing rate) for bookings made directly with the property (and outside Marriott’s channels). My guess is their contract with Marriott is going to be over sometime soon and they’re getting ready to go solo.

The two Prince hotels in Japan that are part of Marriott also facilitate their own reservations. The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo even uses the same booking platform as the Westin Grand Berlin.

try a BRG and save another 25%,

well ... sure, I guess they approved my claim then in error. Never mind ;) Will be great to hear from Marriott how Book-secure.com is one of their own booking channels.

Really? :confused: I have no personal experience but I would think it is BRGable.

I have been successful in the past. It'll depend a bit on circumstances, but the one in the OP seems a pretty clear-cut case for LNF/BRG

This specific website has been available since the SPG times so doubt that this Westin will be leaving soon. The owner "Event hotels" also owns the Sheraton Berlin Grand, Westin Leipzig and Westin Bellevue Dresden which are all bookable through the owners website (eventhotels.com) and hotel linked websites such as Westin-Berlin.com. I doubt Marriott is not aware.

I tried to BRG the rate but was told "couldn't verify the rate". It's there at 10-20% less than marriott.com but they can't verify it. They didn't mention anything about being the internal hotel web site.

Curious ... is there a code associated with the rates on the hotel site that you can book through the Marriott site?

FYI. I was able to BRG the rate and ended up at the Westin. If you get a renovated room it's a great place at a great rate! The renovated rooms are a bit of a hike but worth it. (In an annex down a long hallway from the main atrium)