Lounge
Apr 23, 2010 | 2:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: Marriott LT Plat, UA LT Gold, Hyatt Glob, Delta Dia, Hilton Dia
Posts: 60
Lounge
I'm new to the hotel rewards program, but previously i was using hotels.com until they changed there reward policy. Now i've started with the Marriott and stayed over 60 consecutive nights to realise that all the marriott lounges don't provide free drinks (alcohol) which kind of for me is a downer. (Any body going to Bangkok should stay at then Banyan Tree as the loung serves free booze all day everyday, including my favorite VSOP Henessy).
So i'm wondering should i switch programs to maybe Starwood or Hyatt? Are the lounges there better? technically this year i will probably stay another 150plus days at a hotel so should be easy to reach the status required.
So i'm wondering should i switch programs to maybe Starwood or Hyatt? Are the lounges there better? technically this year i will probably stay another 150plus days at a hotel so should be easy to reach the status required.
Apr 23, 2010 | 3:03 pm
#2
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,775
But I can say that if you want better lounges, then don't be heading to Starwood. Out of all their hotels, only the Sheraton brand now has lounges. Westin/W/St. Regis/Aloft/Element, none of those brands have lounges as part of their standards. Even outside the US, most of those hotels don't have lounges. I do believe some of the Le Meridian's do have lounges, but that can be hit or miss. So while Starwood may do some things better than Marriott, lounges ain't one of them.
Apr 23, 2010 | 6:38 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: N Charleston South Carolina
Programs: UA PM (by 2MM), DL GM (by 3.5MM), Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,655
Many of marriott's international lounges, such as the one at the JW Marriott Bangkok, do serve drinks for the evening service. Same's true of the Full service Marriotts in Sydney.
Domestically, no.
Billy
Domestically, no.
Billy
Apr 23, 2010 | 9:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium (former PP), Hilton Silver, UA Silver, AS Member, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,906
For the OP and anyone else, it depends on where you stay. Marriott properties with free alcohol in the lounges are usually in Asia/Australia. There may be some exceptions (like the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids and some properties in Europe), but this is the general rule.
Hyatt properties tend to have free alcohol in all lounges outside of North America, but property availability is lower and you will have to pay more for the rooms in many cases.
Hyatt properties tend to have free alcohol in all lounges outside of North America, but property availability is lower and you will have to pay more for the rooms in many cases.
Apr 24, 2010 | 12:51 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,050
For the OP and anyone else, it depends on where you stay. Marriott properties with free alcohol in the lounges are usually in Asia/Australia. There may be some exceptions (like the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids and some properties in Europe), but this is the general rule.
Hyatt properties tend to have free alcohol in all lounges outside of North America, but property availability is lower and you will have to pay more for the rooms in many cases.
Hyatt properties tend to have free alcohol in all lounges outside of North America, but property availability is lower and you will have to pay more for the rooms in many cases.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Apr 24, 2010 | 9:41 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 9,109
I'd be happen to pay for the drinks in the US if the food quality of the lounges just got back to the point where it was before the "economic crisis". The hotel lounges I return to time and time again are just pitiful shells of what they used of offer in choices, quanity, quality and convenience. Full how they all cutback at once...
Apr 24, 2010 | 3:07 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: Marriott LT Plat, UA LT Gold, Hyatt Glob, Delta Dia, Hilton Dia
Posts: 60
Ah k thanks for the information, hyatt compared to the marriott does have a lot less locations. I guess will just have to spend the money once drinks then lol
Apr 25, 2010 | 8:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: I fly too much and stay at too many hotels
Posts: 491
Just one opinion, but domestically the breakfast options in the Marriott lounges far outshine the Sheraton offerings - and that is even with the cutbacks that many here have groused about. As far as evenings go, while the Marriott d0oes charge, 9honor bar) for drinks, I have been at several Sheraton lounges where the only adult beverage option was lite beer or cheap wine. I'll stay with Marriott.