Aug 25, 2019, 7:33 am
The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico [Master Thread]
Feb 24, 2017, 8:27 am
#346
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
Does anyone know if it is possible to book a Royal Beach Club room with points? I've done it several times at the Cancun Westin, but when I called SPG directly they said it was not possible. I'm willing to keep trying different reps if someone has had success because we love the free breakfasts & happy hour. Thank you!
Feb 27, 2017, 1:34 pm
#348
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: SkyMiles Gold, Marriott Rewards Platinum Premiere, United Premiere, Starwood Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 50
Any Recent Stays as Platinum?
-Can I choose the full breakfast buffet as platinum amenity? Sounds like the club offerings are a bit slim, so wondering what my options are.
-How is the marina these days? Haven't been since 2012 - are there still lots of great options there? Is it mostly occupied?
-Any word on the room re-modeling? I imagine this hasn't started yet?
Thanks in advance.
-How is the marina these days? Haven't been since 2012 - are there still lots of great options there? Is it mostly occupied?
-Any word on the room re-modeling? I imagine this hasn't started yet?
Thanks in advance.
Apr 10, 2017, 7:56 am
#352
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
Maid Tip automatically added to folio
Checking out of th Westin Puerto Vallarta and noticed they included the MXN equivalent of $USD 5/night as "Maid tips".
I think this is pretty low class to put it on your bill, and also think it's a lot. I totally believe being a housekeeper is tough/crappy work. Hotels should pay them sufficiently and guests can leave specific tips if the service is exemplary. But to automatically get $5/night from every room suggests the hotel can then underpay the staff from their own pocket. Also question whether this is all going to the housekeeping staff.
What do you guys think? Does SPG even allow this?
I think this is pretty low class to put it on your bill, and also think it's a lot. I totally believe being a housekeeper is tough/crappy work. Hotels should pay them sufficiently and guests can leave specific tips if the service is exemplary. But to automatically get $5/night from every room suggests the hotel can then underpay the staff from their own pocket. Also question whether this is all going to the housekeeping staff.
What do you guys think? Does SPG even allow this?
Apr 10, 2017, 8:34 am
#354
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Central FL
Programs: DL Gold; Bonvoy Gold; HHonors Diamond; Avis Preferred, Hertz PC
Posts: 600
I'd request that it be removed from the folio. Tell them you'll leave an appropriate tip for housekeeping in the room if you feel it appropriate.
Apr 10, 2017, 10:25 am
#356
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
I've had UNICEF donations automatically added to my folio at checkout as well. It can be removed of course. So it all depends. If these charges can be removed on request - it's annoying but not harmful. If they cannot - I consider them a resort fee. And personally I hate those and try my best not to patronize hotels that use them.
Apr 10, 2017, 10:31 am
#357
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
SPG has nothing to do with what a hotel charges. SPG is a loyalty program. Starwood/Marriott allows setting of local fees - why else would we have all those resort fees?
What rate plan were you on? Was it a group rate? There are different negotiated rates where some gratuities are part of the package. I see this all the time at hotels I've worked at.
What rate plan were you on? Was it a group rate? There are different negotiated rates where some gratuities are part of the package. I see this all the time at hotels I've worked at.
Apr 10, 2017, 10:35 am
#358
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Wow. I always tip the maids, but I would not be happy seeing that charge on the bill and would ask to have it removed.
Pretty sure the full $5 is not getting passed to the maid.
Pretty sure the full $5 is not getting passed to the maid.
Apr 10, 2017, 10:37 am
#359
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,455
Since I leave cash tips daily for housekeeping, I'd insist it be removed. Or leave it on and let me watch the front desk pull the money out of the cash drawer and hand it to a maid.
What I won't do is trust that one dime of an SPG folio charge is ever ever going to see the housekeeper's pocket.
What I won't do is trust that one dime of an SPG folio charge is ever ever going to see the housekeeper's pocket.
Apr 10, 2017, 10:42 am
#360
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
Yes, Starwood allows this sort of thing provided it's disclosed. I did a dummy booking and didn't see any additional fees disclosed in either a prepaid or standard booking.
Before jumping to conclusions that the hotel management is being underhanded (and possibly stealing a portion of this from their housekeeping staff), why not address your questions to the Front Desk?
I used to work in a hotel where we added Bell Stand fees to room bills for our tour groups. But, it was part of the contracts for these groups. Perhaps this hotel does something similar and the fee just got accidentally posted to your room. Without asking, you'll never know if this is sleazy business practice or a simple case of human error.
Before jumping to conclusions that the hotel management is being underhanded (and possibly stealing a portion of this from their housekeeping staff), why not address your questions to the Front Desk?
I used to work in a hotel where we added Bell Stand fees to room bills for our tour groups. But, it was part of the contracts for these groups. Perhaps this hotel does something similar and the fee just got accidentally posted to your room. Without asking, you'll never know if this is sleazy business practice or a simple case of human error.