Saying no to suites
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Bonvoy titanium
Posts: 537
Saying no to suites
i may be alone on this but I’m starting to become of the mind to turn down suite upgrades when traveling for business.
I’ve had a couple stays in recent trips where I’ve been upgraded to suites. Problem is these one bed room suites are separated from the so calling living area so the bed room feels smaller than a normal room would. I also never use the living area as I like to sit in bed when in the room
am I alone in the opinion that suites are pointless for work trips and turning down the suite upgrade for another upgraded room type is the way to go?
I’ve had a couple stays in recent trips where I’ve been upgraded to suites. Problem is these one bed room suites are separated from the so calling living area so the bed room feels smaller than a normal room would. I also never use the living area as I like to sit in bed when in the room
am I alone in the opinion that suites are pointless for work trips and turning down the suite upgrade for another upgraded room type is the way to go?
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,712
I find that it is the case for some suites - the usual suite I'm upgraded to in the Grande Bretagne, for example. The worst situation is where there's a slightly claustrophobic bedroom and then a living room without a comfortable seating area.
That's a minority of cases for me though. I usually find suite bedrooms are comfortable enough and the living room allows me to do work, watch TV, workout etc. in a separate room with a bit more space before retiring to my bed. When travelling for work I pretty much have every evening guaranteed at at the hotel, so it does make a difference for me.
That's a minority of cases for me though. I usually find suite bedrooms are comfortable enough and the living room allows me to do work, watch TV, workout etc. in a separate room with a bit more space before retiring to my bed. When travelling for work I pretty much have every evening guaranteed at at the hotel, so it does make a difference for me.
Last edited by EuropeanPete; Aug 7, 2019 at 11:30 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,640
Agree, for work I'm fine with a standard room. Takes me an extra 20 minutes to hope that I didn't forget something, looking everywhere. Unfortunately its work that the upgrades happen, not personal travel with family.
#5
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Some suites have nicer bathrooms than regular rooms while others have an additional half bath off the parlor or entry foyer. The latter is very convenient and nice to have if you want to use the living room for meetings.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Springfield,MO,USA
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,604
Suites are great when the HVAC is noisy. I can run the unit in the unoccupied room, leave it off in the room I'm in, and the air will circulate eventually.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Bonvoy titanium
Posts: 537
Junior suites are a different story as they usually are just a big ole room and I will always take a bigger bed room.
But I’m pretty sure I’m done with one bedroom suites for work travel. Just completed a stay and got a one bed 1.5 bath suite. The damn thing had three exit doors that I had to check were locked each time I went into the room and the entire space was a waste
something else to consider. The bigger the room, the longer it takes to clean. If housekeeping is in a rush they might be tempted to skip a few steps on a suite that they couldn’t get away with in a smaller room. For example I left an empty juice bottle in my half kitchen. Came back to the room and the bottle was still there. Housekeeping also failed to refresh all my towels, but took the dirty ones and made the bed.
But I’m pretty sure I’m done with one bedroom suites for work travel. Just completed a stay and got a one bed 1.5 bath suite. The damn thing had three exit doors that I had to check were locked each time I went into the room and the entire space was a waste
something else to consider. The bigger the room, the longer it takes to clean. If housekeeping is in a rush they might be tempted to skip a few steps on a suite that they couldn’t get away with in a smaller room. For example I left an empty juice bottle in my half kitchen. Came back to the room and the bottle was still there. Housekeeping also failed to refresh all my towels, but took the dirty ones and made the bed.
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,640
The downtown SLC Sheraton is a good example of suites that are actually a downgrade. Huge rooms, but worthless.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
The biggest benefit I get from suites is simply physical separation from other guests and sources of noise, especially when they're configured so that the living area sits between the bedroom and another guest room.
Also second the previous comments on HVAC noise reduction/control and better working spaces. To that latter point, I also order a lot of room service so I enjoy it when there's some place to eat other than at the desk, especially when it's the evening and my desk space is already set up for work. The best setup has been at some suites with big dining tables where I can have everything in one place.
Oh, and more toiletries to bring home if there is a second bathroom. At some places, the suites actually get larger sizes of individual toiletries as well.
Also second the previous comments on HVAC noise reduction/control and better working spaces. To that latter point, I also order a lot of room service so I enjoy it when there's some place to eat other than at the desk, especially when it's the evening and my desk space is already set up for work. The best setup has been at some suites with big dining tables where I can have everything in one place.
Oh, and more toiletries to bring home if there is a second bathroom. At some places, the suites actually get larger sizes of individual toiletries as well.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: California
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Posts: 233
I tend to agree. For me its the bedroom is often designed so light leaks in, say through frosted glass to the bathroom. Also I've found HVAC can be actually worse in many suites. Really just depends on the hotel and suite design though. A couple times standard rooms had very small shower, while the suite's shower was very comfortable. I think this one has to be hotel specific, but several times I've changed to a standard room over a suite.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
I've had situations where the hotel went ahead and upgraded me to a suite after I requested 2 beds. Well its not so fun, when one person has to sleep on the pullout.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum; Amex Plat; Four Seasons; Fairmont; HH; etc.; "Retirees-In-Training"
Posts: 658
i may be alone on this but I’m starting to become of the mind to turn down suite upgrades when traveling for business.
I’ve had a couple stays in recent trips where I’ve been upgraded to suites. Problem is these one bed room suites are separated from the so calling living area so the bed room feels smaller than a normal room would. I also never use the living area as I like to sit in bed when in the room
am I alone in the opinion that suites are pointless for work trips and turning down the suite upgrade for another upgraded room type is the way to go?
I’ve had a couple stays in recent trips where I’ve been upgraded to suites. Problem is these one bed room suites are separated from the so calling living area so the bed room feels smaller than a normal room would. I also never use the living area as I like to sit in bed when in the room
am I alone in the opinion that suites are pointless for work trips and turning down the suite upgrade for another upgraded room type is the way to go?
(Suites can be useful if we are traveling with family, including grands, in which case we've identified a few 3BR suites, but those are few and far between, and not "upgrades", to put it mildly.)
But we love the huge "executive [or junior] 'suite' rooms", with lots of extra space. It's also nice if there are WIDE French doors (IF there have to be any doors at all), which can be left open most of the time, still keeping it mostly "one big room".
And yeah, it's tricky... how does one quietly "hint" that "IF you are going to surprise us with an upgrade, could it please have x,y, and z specifications?"
And in the USA, 1BR suites are less likely to have an extra bathroom or even half-bath, which is one of the other serious advantages elsewhere.
When we used to travel to conferences where we were both working/giving presentations, we'd request two "interior connecting rooms" (and call to double check that this wasn't a hotel that figured two rooms next to each other were just as good!).
That way, we used one as sort of an office, so the other could get to sleep earlier, plus we'd have two full bathrooms to get ready for early morning meetings. We had made the mistake early on of getting a 1BR suite for that purpose, without thinking it through properly, alas.
GC
#15
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
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