dmk11

I just noticed the Wiki above saying "Note: Leahi Lounge reopened on Oct 25!". The website still shows that it's closed.
Curious which is right because I'm going in a few days and got upgraded to a Club Oceanfront room.

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker

Hello,
I called the Sheraton Waikiki who stated the Leahi Lounge is still "temporarily" closed, with no date planned for reopening.

margarita girl

That was for 2019 renovations. I’ll delete.

DaM3nace

That’s disappointing to hear that the upgrades are less likely now due to closed floors. It makes sense that # of tourists probably dropped recently due to the recommendation to stay away. Did you try asking if a suite would become available mid stay?

Kacee

This property has traditionally upgraded to Malia, Ohana, and Kai suites.

anteater

And the original question.. are those standard suites or specialty / luxury suites? Because if they aren’t standard suites, no elite benefit is being denied. Yes, it’s a sad change to observe.

🙃

margarita girl

The only suite I’ve ever seen in the SNA pool is the Malia suite and quite often it’s not even there, just upgrades to ocean front room.

Kacee

I've seen Ohana suite in the pool as well.
The suite upgrades as "guaranteed" benefit is essentially a meaningless concept at this point, given that properties have latitude to define their upgrade pool entirely as they see fit. So at this point it's really a matter of how properties choose to treat elites, rather than compliance with Bonvoy T&C.

bocastephen

unless they attempt to treat them better than the T&C in which case they’ll be written up for a violation

anteater

I think there’s a functional difference between the SNA upgrade pool and suite categories. I completely agree that hotels have been adjusting their SNA pool to the detriment of the customer, but are there any datapoints that hotels are recategorizing their suites as higher tiers so as to not be obligated to tender them to the appropriate elites?

My point here is while the change in suite assignment to elites is disappointing, we don’t know if it’s actually against the T&Cs.

Personally, I know several hotels have been reprimanded by Marriott for exceeding the benefits as defined under the Bonvoy program.

I’ll try to chat with management soon on this topic, but I would save the pitch forks for now.

mikeak01

So we are staying there in 2 weeks.

I booked the Ocean front so already there an upgrade. Pointsaver made it affordable using points.

I have suite night upgrades left so put in for those and think next level up is with a better Oceanview and Diamond head?

My question is (so I can ask properly) what are the Malia, Ohana, and Kai I see mentioned here?

Bigger rooms? Actual suites with two areas? Or is that the Oceanfront rooms so just a different name than the system shows?

With the lounge closed what is their policy on drinks? It annoys me when they close the lounge then charge for soda and water bottles. That used to be available 24/7 pre COVID and should still be
thanks!

Kacee

One specific example I can recall is StR San Francisco, which as a matter of reported policy now will not upgrade beyond Grand Deluxe room. There are others as well.
Properties have always had an out under the T&C. Here's the relevant verbiage, with key language highlighted:
What's been happening is that more and more properties are now taking advantage of that last sentence to refuse suite upgrades, with the disease now spreading rampantly among former SPG properties as well.

And of course even with SNAs, there's no requirement that a property actually put suites in its SNA pool. I don't believe Sheraton Waikiki makes true suites available for SNA anymore, with highest available SNA option now being Large Luxury Larger Guest room (yes, that's what they actually call it, another example of the Marriott sickness spreading through the SPG universe).

edgewood49

So we have a new set of guidelines for awards coming to a Marriott near you, that of course will bring about a whole new landscape for us using points. This will further muddy the waters for upgrades the Sheraton will certainly be one to watch we are planning a return right around the time this kicks in.

margarita girl

Welcome to FT!

I assume you have Plat or higher? Don’t waste your SNAs on anything other than a suite. Ocean front rooms are the minimum upgrade at this hotel and more than half of the rooms are ocean front because of the design of the hotel. They do not pre-upgrade to suites at this hotel but 4-5 days out they upgrade to ocean front room. At check in, ask nicely if they have a suite. If they don’t, ask if they’ll have one the next day. The Kai and Ohana suites are 1100 sq ft. The Malia suite is 875 sq ft. They all have separate living rooms. No idea what the bigger room is but if it’s the one with 3 double beds, avoid at all costs. It’s like being in a dorm. (I got one to shower in once when I got a late check out.)

Your resort fee includes a water bag which you can fill at water stations (see pic I posted a couple of pages back). No replacement for alcoholic beverages while lounge is closed.

HNLbasedFlyer

Your best chances for a suite at this property is when it is under high occupancy - they will oversell regular rooms knowing they will upgrade elites to suites. And they have a lot of suites.

Tourism is picking back up - albeit slowly - so with some floors closed - and lower occupancy - and with not all housekeeping staff recalled (not unique to this property) - suites will be a more challenging upgrade.

And being a repeat customer will also help your chances - they track that.