It's been said but I emphasize, why would they take away benefits for their most loyal, most productive customers? In this economic downturn, we are trying to keep our current customers not run them off.

Hilton is looking better

Agree 100% I just came back from a European business trip. Two Renaissance hotels and one Courtyard.

The Renaissance in AMS -- treated me like garbage -- small room on top floor with low ceiling in the old extension. This despite the hotel being empty. The LOUNGE is now closed on the weekends and they charge me for breakfast on the weekend.

Renaissance in Vienna. Service was good but no club lounge here (never had one), but the new GM has discontinued the English daily newspaper as a cost savings move (no USA today) and substituted a two page news sheet.

Starwood is looking better^^

At the Marriott Napa this week.

Pretty decent CL service, though I haven't had breakfast yet. Appetizers tonight were a veggie crudite, crackers and cheese, and chicken skewers. Free cab and chardonnay included in CL offerings.

Dessert was brownies and pieces of chocolate cake, plus popcorn fresh made and chex mix.

I was happy.

Some of the Homewood Suites locations do have studios....Two locations that come to mind are City Line Philadelphia and SFO Airport. The "studio" at SFO Airport has something like a half wall between the living area & bedroom section. The studios at City Line Philadelphia are huge. The one time I stayed there I received an "upgrade" as an HH Gold and for some reason, they gave me two studios with a connecting door; didn't really have any use fo the extra space since it was identical...

So you actually need to check each Homewood to see what room types they offer. I booked a studio one night and a 1-br a second night at the Fargo ND Homewood for my wife. She said the studio room she had first was bigger than the "one bedroom" unit at the same location...

As a plat, most Westins that I have been to offer a coupon for free breakfast in their restaurant.

did anyone see the Hyatt Gold Passport enhancements..

Hyatt giveth.. Marriott continue to taketh away

http://www.goldpassport.com/gp/en/be...bigwelcome.jsp

to summarize

bold = my emphasis

Diamond Membership

After 25 eligible stays or 50 eligible nights, you will experience the highest level of membership and have access to our most generous benefits and awards.


Benefits:
Achieve rewards even faster with a 30% point bonus on each stay
Enjoy the best room available including Regency Club� or Grand Club� rooms3 (new)
Receive exclusive access to the Regency Club or Grand Club lounge featuring complimentary continental breakfast and evening hors d�oeuvres. Enjoy daily complimentary full breakfast in hotels without a club lounge4

Treat yourself to a suite upgrade four times annually on paid room nights5 (new)

Receive a special welcome point bonus or food and beverage amenity during each stay

Receive your requested bed type at check-in1

Stay connected with complimentary Internet access (new) Expedite

check-in at a dedicated area for elite members2 (new)
Ensure a room is always available with our 72-hour guarantee6
Book reservations through an exclusive Diamond line


Terms and Conditions


1Request must be made at time of reservation

2Not available at Hyatt Place or Hyatt Summerfield Suites

3Excludes suites

4During periods of high demand access to the Regency Club or Grand Club lounge may not be available; therefore, complimentary full breakfast for each registered guest and 2,500 bonus points will be given. Not available at Hyatt Place or Hyatt Summerfield Suites

5Suite upgrade awards valid on stays of seven nights or less; excludes Premier, Presidential and Diplomatic Suites. Not available at Hyatt Place or Hyatt Summerfield Suites

6Guarantee not valid at Hyatt resorts or during extraordinary room demand

Wow! Instead of pushing clients towards lower end properties with better value, Hyatt is trying to attract loyal well paying guests. What an interesting strategy!

Hyatt's move is quite interesting. ^

well lets be fair here

Marriotts recent moves have been quite interesting as well

Marriott Crystal City [not Gateway], VA: front desk rep told me this weekend: "Marriott will no longer do comp b'fast for elites on weekends when CL is closed".

Just over two weeks ago I announced that Marriott would be reevaluating its Concierge Lounge offerings. All the concerns raised in this thread were discussed; however, the focus of the current change is on food offerings. Based on multiple feedback sources, we learned that hotels needed additional flexibility in the types of popular, healthy, and comfort food selections they offer. Going forward, our General Managers and hospitality teams on property will have options that will help them to customize lounge offerings that meet their guests preferences.

I recognize that many of you would have liked more details regarding this new policy, or perhaps to have seen additional changes. I am optimistic that as you visit our lounges over the next weeks and months you will be pleased with the changes you observe. I assure you that we continue to look for ways to improve and we value your comments, concerns, and questions.

Regards,

Ira

Thank you Ira.

thank you for keeping us posted

much appreciated

Thanks Ira and team...

BTW I would hope that the powers that be have seen Hyatt's offerings and are taking them under advisement as well???

Basically though, it seems that, as a PP there is no longer a need to stay at a full service hotel on the weekend since, chacnes are, you'd be 'upgraded' to a 'Concierge Room' that is, in reality just a room. Oh, and points or a gift....still isn't really worth it. (Robes, mouthwash, water-whatever.....free breakfast would sure make me feel appreciated, along with free internet,and hows about a break on parking in lots that are operated by the hotel. )

I can't remember the last time I stayed in a FS hotel.....PROBABLY the Ren at PHL airport, but since they charged me for a no show-TWO TIMES-for reservations that I had cancelation #s for, I will never go there....took them 2 months to refund one of them.....

How about paying a fair price for a good room, good service, and good amenities? It seems to me that a guest who isn't willing to pay $12 or whatever for breakfast on the weekend isn't the kind of guest Marriott wants to go out of their way to keep as a customer. The same goes for internet and parking and anything else you might want for free.

If Hyatt or Sheraton or whomever can lure someone away with a few cheap gifts, then by all means they should take their business there and enjoy the inconsistent service and occasional dump of a property they stay in.

Look at Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, etc.--they don't provide anything other than an outstanding experience every time you stay with them. And for people who want to whine that they don't get a free breakfast, either pay the significant upgrade for the Club Level or take your business elsewhere.

Marriott could do worse than to emulate the successful model of those upscale chains, as opposed to chasing the penny-pinching, change-loyalty-at-the-drop-of-a-hat crowd...