New lounge requirement at international properties
Mar 16, 2018, 7:44 pm
#16
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They are 100% legitimate, even if some wine snobs prefer to believe otherwise. And I believe Korbel does quite well internationally.
Mar 17, 2018, 2:32 am
#17
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Depends on your definition of "quite well". While e.g. Freixenet is prominently available in most countries I have been traveling to, Korbel has only crossed my path within the USA. And honestly as someone who drinks sparkling wine frequently I would not really buy Korbel even if it would be offered here after a few tastes in the US...
As to London hotels offering Cava in their lounge, I thought that their choice was not bad - the Codorniu they serve is something I buy frequently by choice for consumption at home...so I certainly would not complain being served that when staying at the JW.
Regards,
Dirk
As to London hotels offering Cava in their lounge, I thought that their choice was not bad - the Codorniu they serve is something I buy frequently by choice for consumption at home...so I certainly would not complain being served that when staying at the JW.
Regards,
Dirk
Mar 17, 2018, 2:36 am
#18
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I'd just like the lounges back in the UK hotels I frequent that have closed them! You really miss somewhere to sit and read etc. that either isn't your room or the bar.
Mar 18, 2018, 1:01 pm
#19
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Mar 18, 2018, 4:42 pm
#20
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My post had NOTHING to do with taste but with “delusions of granduer” that eventually led the Starwood brand into the fire sale crapper 
Mar 19, 2018, 12:30 am
#21
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Fire sale? My HOT stock did pretty well, partly thanks to Anbang/Chinese pushing the Mormons to make a counter-offer. Trust me, there was no delusions of granduer in the offerings of the Sheraton Club Lounges. Sure the SPG program was/is far more generous but I have a feeling MR will look a little more like SPG when all is said and done as the Marriott beancounters and CEO realize a solid loyalty program is cheaper than having to pay commissions to Travelocity or have customers jump ship to another chain.
Mar 19, 2018, 1:02 am
#22
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Another chain - now that was funny.
Like Hilton and their secret devaluations or Hyatt and their almost nothing footprint and strange loyalty names ?
Only thing I agree on is that (1) Marriott DID overpay. Should have left the table and let SPG be bought by Anbang.... oh I forgot, Anbang is history and (2) SPG was overly generous and forced to sell because of their generocity that won’t be matched by Marriott (this isn't United becoming Continental)
Like Hilton and their secret devaluations or Hyatt and their almost nothing footprint and strange loyalty names ?
Only thing I agree on is that (1) Marriott DID overpay. Should have left the table and let SPG be bought by Anbang.... oh I forgot, Anbang is history and (2) SPG was overly generous and forced to sell because of their generocity that won’t be matched by Marriott (this isn't United becoming Continental)
Fire sale? My HOT stock did pretty well, partly thanks to Anbang/Chinese pushing the Mormons to make a counter-offer. Trust me, there was no delusions of granduer in the offerings of the Sheraton Club Lounges. Sure the SPG program was/is far more generous but I have a feeling MR will look a little more like SPG when all is said and done as the Marriott beancounters and CEO realize a solid loyalty program is cheaper than having to pay commissions to Travelocity or have customers jump ship to another chain.
Mar 19, 2018, 8:32 am
#23
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Yes the fact that Marriott overpaid plus elimination of their one serious competitor will rain pain on both sides of the SPG/Marriott house in the very near future.
Mar 19, 2018, 9:05 am
#24
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I'm both, so I'm pretty confused on what I'm expected to like and not like via these grand generalizations.
Mar 19, 2018, 10:40 am
#25
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You're only expected to better understand reality, rather than the fiction that has permeated the Marriott forum (and I assume the SPG forum) since the announcement.
Mar 19, 2018, 11:05 am
#26
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And back to the champagne/sparking wine discussion... 
Mar 19, 2018, 12:31 pm
#27
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If this is true, why not the US as well? Marriott really bothers me will all its exceptions and carve outs when it comes to benefits especially since they have phonebook after phonebook of developed SOP's. Those 3 quick knocks on the door followed by "room service" aren't chainwide by accident.
Mar 19, 2018, 6:26 pm
#28
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If this is true, why not the US as well? Marriott really bothers me will all its exceptions and carve outs when it comes to benefits especially since they have phonebook after phonebook of developed SOP's. Those 3 quick knocks on the door followed by "room service" aren't chainwide by accident.
--Jon
Mar 20, 2018, 4:40 am
#29
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Originally Posted by OP
New lounge requirement at international properties
How about re-imagining the wording of the OP as :
"I'm told by a Renaissance property general manager that Marriott is requiring all of its properties with executive lounges, concierge lounges, or M Club lounges [with the exception of the USA] to offer a complimentary sparkling wine"
Mar 20, 2018, 6:00 am
#30
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If there's one thing I truly hope the SPG/MR merger will achieve, it's to dispel the rather insular MR notion that the world is divided into 'domestic' and 'international'.
How about re-imagining the wording of the OP as :
"I'm told by a Renaissance property general manager that Marriott is requiring all of its properties with executive lounges, concierge lounges, or M Club lounges [with the exception of the USA] to offer a complimentary sparkling wine"
How about re-imagining the wording of the OP as :
"I'm told by a Renaissance property general manager that Marriott is requiring all of its properties with executive lounges, concierge lounges, or M Club lounges [with the exception of the USA] to offer a complimentary sparkling wine"
And if they did have sparkling wine in domestic lounges it would probably be a $5 bottle of junk, like th $5-7 wine that they serve in honor bars.