Oct 27, 2018, 11:03 am
Last edit by: littlevoices
Hotel email: [email protected]
Latest Email: [email protected]
As of April 2024:
Resort fee inclusions / hotel details: https://ipoolside-media.s3.amazonaws...tivities_2.pdf
Elite Breakfast offering: https://www.kaimarketwaikiki.com/our-menus (look for the elite benefits)
Parking: Self-Parking $55.00 per night / Valet $65.00 per night
Latest Email: [email protected]
As of April 2024:
Resort fee inclusions / hotel details: https://ipoolside-media.s3.amazonaws...tivities_2.pdf
Elite Breakfast offering: https://www.kaimarketwaikiki.com/our-menus (look for the elite benefits)
Parking: Self-Parking $55.00 per night / Valet $65.00 per night
Sheraton Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii [Master Thread]
Oct 12, 2021, 10:34 pm
#1351
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Oct 15, 2021, 11:09 am
#1352
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I spoke with a manager and here’s what came of it:
Me: If a guest at check-in attempted to provide a monetary incentive to the FD agent before, during, or after asking for a suite upgrade, would the hotel consider this inappropriate?
M: Yes.
Me: If I placed cash on the counter intended for the agent and not as compensation to the hotel for my stay at check-in and asked if a suite upgrade was available, what would you describe it as?
M: Bribery.
Me: If this occurred at the property would you want to be aware of it?
M: Absolutely.
So, at least this hotel doesn’t approve of it. I’m guessing it’ll come at at the next staff and operations meeting too.
Mahalo 🤙🏻🍹
Me: If a guest at check-in attempted to provide a monetary incentive to the FD agent before, during, or after asking for a suite upgrade, would the hotel consider this inappropriate?
M: Yes.
Me: If I placed cash on the counter intended for the agent and not as compensation to the hotel for my stay at check-in and asked if a suite upgrade was available, what would you describe it as?
M: Bribery.
Me: If this occurred at the property would you want to be aware of it?
M: Absolutely.
So, at least this hotel doesn’t approve of it. I’m guessing it’ll come at at the next staff and operations meeting too.
Mahalo 🤙🏻🍹
Out and about in Vegas last night - I posed to this person the theoretical $40 offering - this persons response:
For a Titanium (or Platinum member) the $40 was totally unnecessary. Would've gotten the suite regardless.
But is it ok for the front desk agent to keep the $40 - sure, people do that now and then - but it doesn't really make any difference.
Would you really care - answer, not really.
Would a non-member or Gold garner a suite in the same scenario - this I didn't know - answer: Highly unlikely - front desk agents receive a commission from upsells.
For my own curiosity I posed the question - is there much a difference between Platinum and Titanium? Answer not really - you aren't really on our radar unless you are Ambassador.
Oct 16, 2021, 11:12 am
#1354
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Here there everywhere
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, BA Silver, Aegean Gold, Aeroplan 25k, AA EXP
Posts: 2,827
So we're saying that offering a tip is only appropriate in certain locations in the US? 
Like I explained, my experience on the upgrades has been different than others. In this case, I was just describing the result as a data point.
The definition of bribe to me sounds as though it is something illegal, or attempting to influence a public official. I would imagine any tips get pooled into a central jar for staff that have likely had substantially less hours as a result of the pandemic's effects on tourism. I am certainly sympathetic to those in this sector, given the pandemic's environment.
It's great news that the lounge appears to be re-opening soon.
Like I explained, my experience on the upgrades has been different than others. In this case, I was just describing the result as a data point.
The definition of bribe to me sounds as though it is something illegal, or attempting to influence a public official. I would imagine any tips get pooled into a central jar for staff that have likely had substantially less hours as a result of the pandemic's effects on tourism. I am certainly sympathetic to those in this sector, given the pandemic's environment.
It's great news that the lounge appears to be re-opening soon.
It's not too hard to understand:
1. Someone performs a service you are happy about or involves a physical effort and/or on minimum wage -> tip can be given
2. You give a "tip" or "sandwich" to change an outcome -> bribe
A FD agent doesn't expect a tip. Perhaps if they give you directions, set you up for a restaurant reservation then it might be appropriate.
Oct 16, 2021, 12:28 pm
#1355
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Your sandwich is simply a bribe.
It's not too hard to understand:
1. Someone performs a service you are happy about or involves a physical effort and/or on minimum wage -> tip can be given
2. You give a "tip" or "sandwich" to change an outcome -> bribe
A FD agent doesn't expect a tip. Perhaps if they give you directions, set you up for a restaurant reservation then it might be appropriate.
It's not too hard to understand:
1. Someone performs a service you are happy about or involves a physical effort and/or on minimum wage -> tip can be given
2. You give a "tip" or "sandwich" to change an outcome -> bribe
A FD agent doesn't expect a tip. Perhaps if they give you directions, set you up for a restaurant reservation then it might be appropriate.
I did ask - what is the commission for upsell. It’s 10%. Which adds up. As I’ve been told - this particular hotel needs front desk manager approval for upgrades. The front desk agent can negotiate but ultimately it has to be approved.
Oct 16, 2021, 1:06 pm
#1356
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 47
I'm very good friends with a former front desk manager at the Sheraton - this person who shall remain gender neutral worked at the hotel until 2019 when that person transferred to a mainland hotel.
Out and about in Vegas last night - I posed to this person the theoretical $40 offering - this persons response:
For a Titanium (or Platinum member) the $40 was totally unnecessary. Would've gotten the suite regardless.
But is it ok for the front desk agent to keep the $40 - sure, people do that now and then - but it doesn't really make any difference.
Would you really care - answer, not really.
Would a non-member or Gold garner a suite in the same scenario - this I didn't know - answer: Highly unlikely - front desk agents receive a commission from upsells.
For my own curiosity I posed the question - is there much a difference between Platinum and Titanium? Answer not really - you aren't really on our radar unless you are Ambassador.
Out and about in Vegas last night - I posed to this person the theoretical $40 offering - this persons response:
For a Titanium (or Platinum member) the $40 was totally unnecessary. Would've gotten the suite regardless.
But is it ok for the front desk agent to keep the $40 - sure, people do that now and then - but it doesn't really make any difference.
Would you really care - answer, not really.
Would a non-member or Gold garner a suite in the same scenario - this I didn't know - answer: Highly unlikely - front desk agents receive a commission from upsells.
For my own curiosity I posed the question - is there much a difference between Platinum and Titanium? Answer not really - you aren't really on our radar unless you are Ambassador.
Oct 16, 2021, 10:10 pm
#1357
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Chicago, Il
Programs: United 1K, 2 Million Mile member, SPG Plat
Posts: 52
room key wristbands/resort fee
Heading out to the SW on Friday. We were last there in May '21. Are they still using the grey room key wristbands for platinums?
Has anyone been successful in getting the resort fee waived? Normally, it doesn't bother me because the Lounge makes up for it, but it's a hard fee to swallow if we're not using anything.
Has anyone been successful in getting the resort fee waived? Normally, it doesn't bother me because the Lounge makes up for it, but it's a hard fee to swallow if we're not using anything.
Oct 18, 2021, 3:53 pm
#1358
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 47
Heading out to the SW on Friday. We were last there in May '21. Are they still using the grey room key wristbands for platinums?
Has anyone been successful in getting the resort fee waived? Normally, it doesn't bother me because the Lounge makes up for it, but it's a hard fee to swallow if we're not using anything.
Has anyone been successful in getting the resort fee waived? Normally, it doesn't bother me because the Lounge makes up for it, but it's a hard fee to swallow if we're not using anything.
Oct 25, 2021, 10:22 pm
#1362
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,217
The breakfast is bad, but the hotel is good - you can get breakfast elsewhere, or just skip it and save room for a plate lunch somewhere. I wouldn't shop for a hotel just for breakfast. Personally I skipped it a few days and walked to Leonard's, whose malasadas made me far happier than anything the Sheraton could offer.
Oct 25, 2021, 10:24 pm
#1363
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,155
The breakfast is bad, but the hotel is good - you can get breakfast elsewhere, or just skip it and save room for a plate lunch somewhere. I wouldn't shop for a hotel just for breakfast. Personally I skipped it a few days and walked to Leonard's, whose malasadas made me far happier than anything the Sheraton could offer.
My vote is stay and then walk across the street on Seaside Ave to Heavenly. Their Hawaiian fruit French toast is so good I fly out monthly for it.
🤞🏻
Oct 26, 2021, 2:30 pm
#1364
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Chicago, Il
Programs: United 1K, 2 Million Mile member, SPG Plat
Posts: 52
Plat perks (or lack of)
This hotel is going downhill quickly. It's all about the bottom dollar now. I guess they are trying to make up from lost revenue from the pandemic. Be prepared to have a different feel if you have status as a Marriott member.
We've always been upgraded to the Kai, Ohana, or Malia Suite. We visit for a week 2 times a year. We were last here in May 2021. The breakfast benefit was a buffet much smaller than the lounge options but not bad at all. Now it's the yogurt, 2 pastry, fruit and coffee OR juice (You can't have both!).
We did NOT get a suite upgrade this trip even though it shows rooms available. The front desk told me some sketchy story that floors 9-17 were shut down because of low occupancy but if you were to "buy" the room, they would open it up. Makes no sense. I have an inquiry call into corporate.
So dissapointed in this place. May have to switch to the Hyatt.
We've always been upgraded to the Kai, Ohana, or Malia Suite. We visit for a week 2 times a year. We were last here in May 2021. The breakfast benefit was a buffet much smaller than the lounge options but not bad at all. Now it's the yogurt, 2 pastry, fruit and coffee OR juice (You can't have both!).
We did NOT get a suite upgrade this trip even though it shows rooms available. The front desk told me some sketchy story that floors 9-17 were shut down because of low occupancy but if you were to "buy" the room, they would open it up. Makes no sense. I have an inquiry call into corporate.
So dissapointed in this place. May have to switch to the Hyatt.
Oct 26, 2021, 3:04 pm
#1365
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,155
This hotel is going downhill quickly. It's all about the bottom dollar now. I guess they are trying to make up from lost revenue from the pandemic. Be prepared to have a different feel if you have status as a Marriott member.
We've always been upgraded to the Kai, Ohana, or Malia Suite. We visit for a week 2 times a year. We were last here in May 2021. The breakfast benefit was a buffet much smaller than the lounge options but not bad at all. Now it's the yogurt, 2 pastry, fruit and coffee OR juice (You can't have both!).
We did NOT get a suite upgrade this trip even though it shows rooms available. The front desk told me some sketchy story that floors 9-17 were shut down because of low occupancy but if you were to "buy" the room, they would open it up. Makes no sense. I have an inquiry call into corporate.
So dissapointed in this place. May have to switch to the Hyatt.
We've always been upgraded to the Kai, Ohana, or Malia Suite. We visit for a week 2 times a year. We were last here in May 2021. The breakfast benefit was a buffet much smaller than the lounge options but not bad at all. Now it's the yogurt, 2 pastry, fruit and coffee OR juice (You can't have both!).
We did NOT get a suite upgrade this trip even though it shows rooms available. The front desk told me some sketchy story that floors 9-17 were shut down because of low occupancy but if you were to "buy" the room, they would open it up. Makes no sense. I have an inquiry call into corporate.
So dissapointed in this place. May have to switch to the Hyatt.
With respect to Bonvoy, I believe it only calls for upgrading into a standard suite. So, perhaps the hotel isn’t denying benefits but rather simply being less generous during a financially difficult time.
Did you try speaking with the FDM? I am curious what their reply would be to the change in suite upgrades.
margarita girl may know about the suite categories.
I know for the Moana, the oceanfront suites are luxury suites and not in the SNA pool or for complimentary upgrades.
Last edited by anteater; Oct 26, 2021 at 4:20 pm