Warning: Element by Westin Ubud Bali
 

I wanted to give a heads up to members who plan on visiting Ubud Bali and staying t Element by Westin. I contacted them asking for Platinum benefits. Their response indicates they no longer give breakfast to Platinum members and that suite upgrades do not apply. I think it is quite crazy that they take that stance as practically every hotel in Bali includes breakfast with room rates. Just a warning. I will be changing my 7 night stay for January.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...er-thread.html

Suite upgrade has never been a benefit at Element properties.

This is not anything new.

The brand standard for Element is that all guests get "fresh, hot complimentary breakfast daily." I think it's been that way since the brand was launched. SPG Platinum guests received breakfast, but so did all other guests.

Element is now one of five Marriott brands with complimentary breakfast for all guests.

SPG specifically excluded Aloft and Element from Platinum upgrades: "Platinum members receive upgrades to the best available rooms, including Standard Suites, subject to availability for the entire length of stay at time of check-in. Not offered at Aloft® or Element℠ hotels."

Marriott's combined loyalty program now excludes "Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Aloft, Element and participating Vistana properties" from upgrades.

Unfortunately this hotel does not include breakfast in all room types. We were there a few months ago and they did offer breakfast to platinum members as a benefit. I am enclosing a response from the hotel regarding this question. Greetings from Element by Westin Bali UBud!

"Thank you for your email and kindly informed you that is part of New Loyalty Integration that our hotel brand only provide 500 points per stay or welcome amenity for those Platinum member now, for complimentary breakfast not more longer offer. Also for enhanced rooms upgrade include SNA’s ( Suite Night Awards ) program is not applicable in our hotel"



All the information has been shared to all the members thru email by Loyalty Team Operation . Please feel free to contact on me should you have for any further assistance

Interesting.

The hotel's official website confirms, "Buffet breakfast, fee from 181500.00 IDR." See https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hote...tin-bali-ubud/

Element by Westin Bali Ubud is making up its own rules. The Element brand continues to offer free breakfast. Other SPG legacy brands continue to provide daily breakfast to member + 1 as a Platinum Welcome Gift. (One SPG legacy brand, Design Hotels, did not and still does not do so.)

Marriott should tell the hotel to comply with Marriott standards or should kick it out of Marriott.

​​​​​​So a better title for this thread should be like: "Element by Westin Bali Ubud follows T&C of newly merged Marriott program". :p
Upgrade has never been part of the Platinum benefit at any Element by Westin.

As a note I never said they were not following Marriott rules and regulations. I just wanted people to be award this is an exception hotel with the Element chain.

No doubt they should adhere to brand standards. But speaking as someone with probably quite a few more Element nights than the average bear (hundreds), I can honestly say that such institutional gruel is not to be much missed in the morning.