ZenWorld

Was it a special occasion? Or a Virtuoso rate?

Then again, I had a very special occasion, and booked Caroline Astor Suite, and yet was not able to get upgraded to Knickerbocker Suite or any other Suites above Caroline Astor Suite.

I remember also booking a Virtuoso Rate before, and still did not manage to get a Suite upgrade.

In all my stays (apart the special occasion and booked the Caroline Astor Suite directly), I have never been upgraded to a Suite. In fact, I think I was in Grand Deluxe Room only as my best "upgraded" room, and I have stayed a few times.

Now reading your review, I am upset that St Regis is selective treating certain Platinums extremely well.

I am considering booking St Regis for a special occasion again, but if I am going to miss out on yet another upgrade, and comparing it with your treatment, I am sure the special occasion will become be less special. lol.

stimpy

Wow, breakfast service is really, really bad. Check in was nice, the upgrade to a St. Regis Suite is nice. But breakfast was worse than a Holiday Inn service-wise. No hostess (although that could be a positive for anyone who sneaks in for a free breakfast). I flagged down a harried waiter to find me a table. Then I went to fill up a plate and found someone making up the table. Only they left without putting down any silverware. So I stole some from another table. I ate for a while, waiting in vain for someone to come around for coffee or tea. Finally got up and flagged down the same harried waiter. He took the tea order and came back soon with a pot of tea...and a filthy spotted tea cup! I got up and found him and showed him the cup and he kind of half apologized and got a clean cup. I am sure that he cannot be normal staff because normal staff know how to make up for a mistake like that. Or not let it happen in the first place. So all I can guess is that this hotel is very short staffed for some reason.

MSPeconomist

IMO you should be careful to distinguish the upgrades to which you are entitled versus the above and beyond ones you'd like to get.

First of all, if you book an "ordinary" suite (senior or junior), most hotels won't upgrade you to a specialty suite (especially of the sort that the StR has) unless you're either an extremely frequent guest who spends a lot at the property or the hotel is totally booked and every suite will be assigned to someone that night.

Secondly, the upgrade that Virtuos0 bookings get (at most properties) according to their contract is one category only. If there are no rooms in the next category available at check in, the hotel isn't obligated to give you a two category upgrade even if those rooms are available,

m0hamed

Does the Virtuosos/FHR resort upgrade stop at a certain level? i.e. If you book a specialty suite would they upgrade you further?

MSPeconomist

IME in most properties the answers would be yes and no.

Each hotel sets its own policy for the maximum possible upgrade category which they are obligated to give if available at check in. In a few places, there's no limit (but maybe the Presidential Suite, if there is one, isn't so special) while some other hotels won't upgrade above a junior suite. If you call AmEx PTS/CTS, they can tell you the policy of any hotel you're considering as well as which category upgrades into what category; usually they volunteer the FHR rates for the upgraded category too so that you get some sense of how much of an upgrade it would be.

The rules for Centurion are a bit different with more generous amenities and upgrades in some properties, including more places that confirm the upgrade at the time of booking.

m0hamed

Thanks. I (incorrectly) assumed why upgrade benefit would stop at a certain level.

MSPeconomist

The FHR upgrade benefit generally does stop at a certain level, but this isn't uniform in any sense across hotels in the program.

stimpy

Yes, but they don't serve cocktails. Did they before? Now it is a weak Prosecco, wine or Tiger Draft. And some so-so nibbles. They call it a Platinum soirée rather than Platinum cocktail.

m0hamed

That is hilarious!

MSPeconomist

A soiree? For me, that has connotations of formal evening dress.

stimpy

I wore both pants and shoes!

d'Yquem

Am planning a trip to Singapore next year. Last year we tried the Fullerton (Governor's suite) but it had a serious cockroach problem in the guest toilet and the management were utterly useless about it (not even an apology).

Am considering the St Regis and the Raffles. Which do folk recommend? We like old school, large terraces, top notch service and taking food allergies seriously.

Thanks in advance.

m0hamed

Definitely not top service here. One of the most useless Concierges and Butlers we have ever encountered.

BRITINJAPAN3

Raffles, Raffles, raffles Raffles or Raffles

stimpy

As said, St. Regis doesn't have great service throughout, although there are some standout employees here. The hard product is decent and the suite I'm in is very nice. I don't think you will find good service at Raffles either, and it is a Disney-like property which turns some people off. My best service in Singapore is as a Club guest at the Mandarin Oriental. But you have to book a club room or club suite! I hear that the Ritz is just as good, but it is a much larger hotel.