Really liking the Spring Hill Suites brand!
Jul 14, 2010, 5:46 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA GOLD MM,WN CP A+list, HH Gold,MR LT Titanium
Posts: 2,184
When Marriott changed the earnings on RIs a while back to 5 pts per dollar they lost my business there. If I need a full kitchen suite, I use Staybridge. If a larger suite is necessary,I will try for a MVCI.
Jul 14, 2010, 5:57 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAS - I'm All In!
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott PP
Posts: 3,639
It only took Marriott 15 years (!), but SpringHill Suites is now the preferred non-full service brand in my opinion, as Courtyard slips to "oh yeah, we have that brand too" status.
If you have a CY and SHS at the same intersection, and both are updated to the current spec, there is no possible reason to choose the CY over the SHS. At SpringHill you get bigger rooms and free breakfast, and virtually every other comparison point is the same.
SpringHill's breakfast isn't as extensive as a Staybridge Suites and doesn't have any "signature" items like a Holiday Inn Express, but it's quite adequate.
If you have a CY and SHS at the same intersection, and both are updated to the current spec, there is no possible reason to choose the CY over the SHS. At SpringHill you get bigger rooms and free breakfast, and virtually every other comparison point is the same.
SpringHill's breakfast isn't as extensive as a Staybridge Suites and doesn't have any "signature" items like a Holiday Inn Express, but it's quite adequate.
My only gripe is the breakfast but it is because I've been at the SHS about 8 of the last 10 weeks and I'm just tired of it. When I haven't stayed for a while it is quite good and I'll eat everyday. My last stay I just picked up some Yogurt and fruit and threw it in the fridge.
Plus as others have mentioned their is plenty of room. If you want to have some people over for drinks to discuss the day you aren't too crowded and everyone can spread out.
Jul 15, 2010, 4:53 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
The new Springhill Suites design is very good for working.
I like these hotels- and often the locations in the USA are very convenient depending where you need to go.
One of my colleagues far prefers the new Springhill Suites over full service Marriott/Westin/etc. I am not sure that he is wrong.
For whatever reason, it seems a number of owner/operators of Springhill Suites are almost always on site at the properties (I have met a few of them)- this is great as they obviously take a lot of pride in their operations- and it reflects in the way they work.
Normally the price/value equation is excellent also.
I like these hotels- and often the locations in the USA are very convenient depending where you need to go.
One of my colleagues far prefers the new Springhill Suites over full service Marriott/Westin/etc. I am not sure that he is wrong.
For whatever reason, it seems a number of owner/operators of Springhill Suites are almost always on site at the properties (I have met a few of them)- this is great as they obviously take a lot of pride in their operations- and it reflects in the way they work.
Normally the price/value equation is excellent also.
Jul 15, 2010, 7:07 am
#19
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
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FYI - there wasn't a change for RI's, upon joining the MR program the brand established their pts per dollar at 5 however they unlike compset hotels do not have a limit on the number of nights your eligible to earn credit on
Jul 15, 2010, 10:08 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reading, PA USA (RDG)
Programs: US Gold, Avis CHM, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Silver
Posts: 463
I'll chime in to agree with most of what was already posted. I do like the SHS brand quite a bit.
Better than the Courtyard, because they offer free breakfast.
Better than Residence Inn because they 10pts/$ instead of 5.
Better than FS Marriott and Ren beause they don't charge for internet, parking, and the other assorted ripoffs.
Generally speaking, the rooms are just a bit nicer and larger than Fairfield.
I still do a lot of stays at Residence Inns because I like the room layouts and I like the happy hour food. However, recently since many of the Residence Inns have cut back their happy hour service, I've been doing more stays at SHS and (gasp) Hampton Inns as well.
I'll continue to avoid Courtyards like the plague until they start to offer breakfast for plats.
My only gripe about SHS is that a few of the properties are a bit run down, so it does help to know which ones are nicer.
And last, this is more of an observation than a complaint. In my opinion, the use of the word "Suites" in the name of the brand is just a bit of journalistic license. From what I have seen, most of their "suites" are a pretty standard size room with a half wall between the sitting area and the sleeping area. Not quite what I typically envision when I think of a suite. Not a big deal, just a comment.
Better than the Courtyard, because they offer free breakfast.
Better than Residence Inn because they 10pts/$ instead of 5.
Better than FS Marriott and Ren beause they don't charge for internet, parking, and the other assorted ripoffs.
Generally speaking, the rooms are just a bit nicer and larger than Fairfield.
I still do a lot of stays at Residence Inns because I like the room layouts and I like the happy hour food. However, recently since many of the Residence Inns have cut back their happy hour service, I've been doing more stays at SHS and (gasp) Hampton Inns as well.
I'll continue to avoid Courtyards like the plague until they start to offer breakfast for plats.
My only gripe about SHS is that a few of the properties are a bit run down, so it does help to know which ones are nicer.
And last, this is more of an observation than a complaint. In my opinion, the use of the word "Suites" in the name of the brand is just a bit of journalistic license. From what I have seen, most of their "suites" are a pretty standard size room with a half wall between the sitting area and the sleeping area. Not quite what I typically envision when I think of a suite. Not a big deal, just a comment.
Jul 15, 2010, 10:24 am
#21
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Depends on the day!
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Posts: 17,832
Totally agree. The one in downtown Chicago is PERFECT for families very good (not great) location, and new, clean and airy...as a bonus, it's category 5 so I can use my Marriott Visa cert. there! ^
Jul 15, 2010, 12:39 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM; IHG Spire; HH Diamond; Marriott Gold (UA); National Executive Elite
Posts: 669
There's a new one (approx 12 months old) in Naples, FL which is simply stellar.
I'm a fan of the Hilton Garden Inns, and don't much like either FF or Hampton Inns, but I was blown away by how good this place was.
I would point out that Courtyard seems to be having a brand-wide refresh, so things may change yet again in the next year or two.
I'm a fan of the Hilton Garden Inns, and don't much like either FF or Hampton Inns, but I was blown away by how good this place was.
I would point out that Courtyard seems to be having a brand-wide refresh, so things may change yet again in the next year or two.
Last edited by Motorskills; Jul 19, 2010 at 11:04 pm Reason: typo
Jul 15, 2010, 1:21 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,472
Courtyard refresh has been widely discussed here in the last year or so. Much of the refresh appears to deal with the lobby/restaurant area and the reviews here have been mixed. As you can see from some of the posts in this thread, much of the antagonism towards CY here is generated by the breakfast policy which makes CY the only Marriott brand which neither provides breakfast (at the lounge or otherwise) as a plat/gold elite benefit or included without additional charge as part of the room rental. As of now, nothing in the refresh deals with this source of unhappiness.
Jul 15, 2010, 4:25 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: TX
Posts: 43
Courtyard refresh has been widely discussed here in the last year or so. Much of the refresh appears to deal with the lobby/restaurant area and the reviews here have been mixed. As you can see from some of the posts in this thread, much of the antagonism towards CY here is generated by the breakfast policy which makes CY the only Marriott brand which neither provides breakfast (at the lounge or otherwise) as a plat/gold elite benefit or included without additional charge as part of the room rental. As of now, nothing in the refresh deals with this source of unhappiness.
Jul 15, 2010, 5:02 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
It only took Marriott 15 years (!), but SpringHill Suites is now the preferred non-full service brand in my opinion, as Courtyard slips to "oh yeah, we have that brand too" status.
If you have a CY and SHS at the same intersection, and both are updated to the current spec, there is no possible reason to choose the CY over the SHS. At SpringHill you get bigger rooms and free breakfast, and virtually every other comparison point is the same.
SpringHill's breakfast isn't as extensive as a Staybridge Suites and doesn't have any "signature" items like a Holiday Inn Express, but it's quite adequate.
If you have a CY and SHS at the same intersection, and both are updated to the current spec, there is no possible reason to choose the CY over the SHS. At SpringHill you get bigger rooms and free breakfast, and virtually every other comparison point is the same.
SpringHill's breakfast isn't as extensive as a Staybridge Suites and doesn't have any "signature" items like a Holiday Inn Express, but it's quite adequate.
Jul 15, 2010, 5:40 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,967
The FI I'm in must seriously have only a 3000 kbit/sec incoming line in for all their rooms; it's totally unusable from say 7pm to 1am. I stay there so much I've gotten 3 surveys about the place, and the only complaint I have is the sucky internet.
Jul 15, 2010, 6:46 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
I've stayed in a few new SHS over the past few months, and a couple others that had the new redo. IMO, the best of the new hotels that I've been to is Winston-Salem SHS Hanes Mall. Get a room facing the back (woods) and it's quite serene. Pittsburgh Bakery Square is a new property with the new rooms, as are
One of my favorite features of the redo are the very useful tables in front of the sofa. It's a desk. No, it's a coffee table. No, they're eating tables. These might be cheap tables, but they're perfect in function for a hotel room.
One of my favorite features of the redo are the very useful tables in front of the sofa. It's a desk. No, it's a coffee table. No, they're eating tables. These might be cheap tables, but they're perfect in function for a hotel room.
Jul 15, 2010, 8:19 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: North Springfield, Nebraska
Programs: Marriott, United, Enterprise
Posts: 161
Jul 16, 2010, 10:28 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Winter Garden, FL
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It only took Marriott 15 years (!), but SpringHill Suites is now the preferred non-full service brand in my opinion, as Courtyard slips to "oh yeah, we have that brand too" status.
If you have a CY and SHS at the same intersection, and both are updated to the current spec, there is no possible reason to choose the CY over the SHS. At SpringHill you get bigger rooms and free breakfast, and virtually every other comparison point is the same....
If you have a CY and SHS at the same intersection, and both are updated to the current spec, there is no possible reason to choose the CY over the SHS. At SpringHill you get bigger rooms and free breakfast, and virtually every other comparison point is the same....
Bruce
Jul 16, 2010, 10:29 am
#30
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