Have You Changed Brands Now That Marriott Has So Many?
Jul 1, 2019, 4:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BWI
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 165
Have You Changed Brands Now That Marriott Has So Many?
Not only have I yet to stay at an ex-Starwood property, I have not even stayed at the newer brands such as Moxy, Aloft, or Autograph Collection. I guess I have not "gone exploring" because I know what I am getting from the old Marriott brands. Anyone else like me?
Jul 1, 2019, 6:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,209
Definately. I'm staying at Courtyards, Marriotts, JWs, and Renaissances that I would not have done when it was just SPG.
Courtywards in Asia (Taipei Downtown, Iloilo, HK, Sha Tin) are great value with lounges, breakfast, suite upgrades at some, evening food and drinks. Full service. I find them better than Four Points because of the lounges.
New Marriotts (HK Ocean Park, Shenzhen Nanshan) are great hotels with good recognition and lounges. Old ones are indestinguishable from legacy Sheratons.
JW (KL, HK) and Renaissance (Shanghai Yu Garden) are solid hotels though I don't find the brands to be particularly distinctive for the prices (much like Sheraton Grands and Westins).
I don't stick to one brand but tend to stick to around the same rate of US$120-150 inc taxes etc. So that determines where I look in a particular city. The merger has expanded my footprint of available hotels.
Courtywards in Asia (Taipei Downtown, Iloilo, HK, Sha Tin) are great value with lounges, breakfast, suite upgrades at some, evening food and drinks. Full service. I find them better than Four Points because of the lounges.
New Marriotts (HK Ocean Park, Shenzhen Nanshan) are great hotels with good recognition and lounges. Old ones are indestinguishable from legacy Sheratons.
JW (KL, HK) and Renaissance (Shanghai Yu Garden) are solid hotels though I don't find the brands to be particularly distinctive for the prices (much like Sheraton Grands and Westins).
I don't stick to one brand but tend to stick to around the same rate of US$120-150 inc taxes etc. So that determines where I look in a particular city. The merger has expanded my footprint of available hotels.
Jul 1, 2019, 7:32 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
When booking, I consider any and all Marriott brands except W. More brands means more opportunities for BRG.
Jul 1, 2019, 9:28 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2016
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,240
Legacy MAR member. I'm definitely staying at more US Courtyards this year since they implemented the $10 F&B platinum benefit, and will likely stay at them more (whereas I used to avoid them like the plague due to their complete lack of benefits previously). I still tend to stick to legacy MAR properties, but have gone to a Sheraton and a Four Points this year when the price was right, and had a decent experience. I'll consider almost any property in the combined portfolio, but I'm often paying out of pocket for stays, so I tend to be more price sensitive in my choices.
Jul 2, 2019, 3:18 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,808
Not change, but additions.
Still stays at St R and LuxCols but now can consider RC properties as well for luxury hotels.
And for the rest I find that Marriott legacy brands complement legacy SPG well
Still stays at St R and LuxCols but now can consider RC properties as well for luxury hotels.
And for the rest I find that Marriott legacy brands complement legacy SPG well
Jul 2, 2019, 5:02 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
Legacy SPG - I find myself staying at more Courtyards than I previously did. I still favor the legacy SPG brands I enjoyed (Aloft, Westin, W, LuxCol), but don't mind a Courtyard or RC where the above are not available.
Jul 2, 2019, 6:36 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: ARN
Programs: AC, SK, Marriott
Posts: 1,150
I've got an upcoming stay at the SFO Westin instead of the Marriott which is my usual hotel for the night before early morning SFO departures. Prices were similar, so I decided to try to the Westin for a single night just to see how it compares. Most of my stays are still at legacy Marriott brands.
Jul 2, 2019, 6:57 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
I wouldn't say I've changed brands. But when all else was equal in the past, I considered Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, Hyatt, in that order. Now it's Marriott/Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt, so I find I'm rarely staying at Hiltons -- just a few nights so far this year.
Among the Starwood brands, I still find myself staying mainly at Westins and Sheratons. But it's the same with Marriott. I rarely stay at Fairfield Inn (1 night this year), RI (0), or SHS (0) - mostly CY's, FS Marriott, and Ren.
Among the Starwood brands, I still find myself staying mainly at Westins and Sheratons. But it's the same with Marriott. I rarely stay at Fairfield Inn (1 night this year), RI (0), or SHS (0) - mostly CY's, FS Marriott, and Ren.
Jul 2, 2019, 7:26 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,160
I have tried a couple of St Regis, Four Points, and have partially forgiven Westin and stayed at a few of them again, Sherston has also gotten a few bookings. Most of these would not have happened without the merger.
I also got around to staying at Protea, it that was more a consequence of finally going to a country were it was an option.
I also got around to staying at Protea, it that was more a consequence of finally going to a country were it was an option.
Jul 2, 2019, 7:29 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,718
At the budget level, I’ve found newer Renaissance hotels to be good, plus some AC’s and Moxy’s when really trying to save money. At the luxury/ close luxury level I have been staying at but not really enjoying RC’s and I do look out for any good Autographs just in case.
Jul 2, 2019, 9:18 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dayton, OH/CVG
Programs: DA Diamond(1 MM), Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador/Charter Ambassador, Hyatt Glob, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 883
I've got an upcoming stay at the SFO Westin instead of the Marriott which is my usual hotel for the night before early morning SFO departures. Prices were similar, so I decided to try to the Westin for a single night just to see how it compares. Most of my stays are still at legacy Marriott brands.
, good staff, decent gym, etc. I've been hesitant to change due to "if it aint broke dont fix it" syndrome.