I would not put Renaissance at the same level of DoubleTree or even FS Marriott for that matter. Most Renaissance are usually nicer/newer than most FS Marriott and much nicer than DoubleTree.

Renaissance hotels are supposed to be more "boutique-esq", on the higher end. Obviously this is not true for all of them (LHR Ren - gross), but that is what the majority of them aim for.

on the top tier, you now also have Ritz Carlton and Bulgari.


Renaissance=Doubletree?

Renaissance Ratchaprasong Bangkok
Renaissance Phuket
Renaissance La Concha

Dont forget the true boutique Marriotts, called the Autograph Collection: Eden Roc in Miami (for now) the Cosmo in vegas, Hotel Monica in St Augustine, Glenn Hotel in Atlanta

In my opinion Renaissance is more on the level of W in Starwood.

TPS=Home2

One time I was given a voucher for a free breakfast when I checked in for a three night stay. Every morning for breakfast I was not charged, and nobody asked for my voucher. Instead, each time I was given check where I could charge a gratuity to my room (and the server made sure to explain it was for a gratuity only). Charged the gratuity the first two mornings, the third I just stuck a dollar in the holder.

Checking out I see the $1.00 for the first two mornings under "Restaurant Room Charge" and right below that $2.00 for another "Restaurant" charge. Funny thing was there were tent signs on the tables advertising made to order breakfasts for something like ~$8.00 but I never saw anybody served a plate out of the kitchen, and the hot buffet seemed good enough to not shell out any extra money.

One evening I stopped down by the bar, and they had salad fixings with fresh homemade salsa and chicken thighs and drumsticks that were pretty tasty for happy hour.

My other stay at a Courtyard this year I won a free breakfast on a prize wheel in a "pardon our dust" deal for an upcoming renovation.

So for this year so far I've had four Courtyard breakfasts and pigged out at happy hour all for $4 plus gratuities, and I could've saved the $4 if I tipped directly.

So what can I expect for breakfast at the various brands (as a Gold or higher)? I prefer something like HGI or Embassy Suites, where there are plenty of hot protein choices, rather than the low-quality, carb-focused buffets that most chains offer. As a Gold or higher, would breakfast be free at all of them?

Breakfast is the one benefit that has kept me with Hilton, especially HGI where you have a combination of a decent buffet and cooked to order items.

I stayed at a RI recently, and the adult beverage being served was Busch beer.

Poured out of a 40 ounce bottle.

By the very pleasant and smokin' hawt young lady that checked me in earlier that day.

There was a Waffle House next door, so maybe it was really the Redneck Inn.

Really

Yes really. Not all of them but there are a number of really nice, modern and luxurious Ren properties that put it at the same level of W in my book.

Are you traveling on the weekday or weekend? It makes a difference, because FS and Ren's may have a lounge during the week, but it will not be open on the weekend. And although some will give you coupons due to your status, others will not. There is a sticky with updated info on this at the top of this forum.

IMO, none of the other tiers are equal to HGI with regards to breakfast - all are more along the lines of Hampton...except Courtyard, where it doesn't matter who you are, on an regular basis you are going to pay for breakfast.

And I happen to agree with you - the superiority of breakfast at HGI causes me to choose the brand more often.

Yes, really--


On your side of the globe, you should check out the Renaissance in BKK and the one in Hong Kong both very nice a ultra modern

Most of my stays will include some weekend days. Typically something like Wednesday through Sunday. I'll have to check out (and probably bookmark) the sticky.

With about 30 stays to research and book, I hate to have to check so many different things.

I've recently been in the Ren in BKK and I would disagree with the statement that REN=W.
Not that this is a bad thing. W are too pretentious IMHO with little enough benefits for SPG Plat, whereas I thought that Ren BKK was fantastic especially as a MR Plat.

I agree, and it is the reason Marriott has lost my business on the weekend at FS, at resorts, or when the choice is CY VS HGI.

Based on what you are saying and have posted, why move from HGI?