Remind me why I should stay at Ritz-Carlton now?
Aug 25, 2018, 8:32 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,404
Remind me why I should stay at Ritz-Carlton now?
What exactly changed for those of us who are now Platinum Premiere. We don't get breakfast? No lounge access? Maybe a category room upgrade? I don't understand why I should stay at a Ritz-Carlton now...
Aug 25, 2018, 10:04 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,247
Aug 26, 2018, 1:56 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
I understand still not offering lounge access, as RC lounges operate in a very different way to lounges at most Marriott properties (albeit there are some hotels on the former-SPG side which have lounges that are fairly similar but do grant access for status).
No breakfast just feels cheap, however and I'm not sure how long this will be defensible as a policy, particularly now i) Hilton has relented and gives free breakfast at WA properties and ii) it's possible to get free breakfast at many proper luxury properties now such as MOs through their new programme.
You also forgot that fact that you can't apply SNAs at RCs in the new programme as well, despite the fact they have probably the most standard suites available of any Marriott brand!
No breakfast just feels cheap, however and I'm not sure how long this will be defensible as a policy, particularly now i) Hilton has relented and gives free breakfast at WA properties and ii) it's possible to get free breakfast at many proper luxury properties now such as MOs through their new programme.
You also forgot that fact that you can't apply SNAs at RCs in the new programme as well, despite the fact they have probably the most standard suites available of any Marriott brand!
Aug 26, 2018, 3:08 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
I was happy to take Berlin Marriott (admittedly one of the best in the world) over the RC next door. 15k points cheaper, lounge and 4pm check-out. I have stayed at this RC before so I know the difference.
Aug 26, 2018, 4:45 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,169
RC vs. StR vs. LC would most likely be vacations for me (vs. paid stays), but the generally lesser treatment at RCs make it a semi-stay away if I have other choices.
As Gary would say, "I am not my rate!"...if I am spending $20K or so on my work trips, I'd like to have the benefits when on vacation.
Aug 26, 2018, 6:22 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: MM, EK, HH, etc.
Posts: 381
I particularly fail to understand the restrictive policies at RC given that StR and LC are now part of the same program and somewhat comparable, so the same should apply to the elite perks. Am sure market pressures will force them to align somewhere along the way (hopefully that doesn‘t mean removing the perks at the others 
).
).
Aug 26, 2018, 6:55 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Likewise I’d take the JW over Ritz Carlton next door in Kuala Lumpur... if not for JW actually having a higher corporate rate than Ritz Carlton!
Aug 26, 2018, 6:56 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: lounge next door
Programs: *A Gold / ST Elite+ / OWS / EK G / HH Diam. / MR Tit / Hyatt GLOB / IHG Diam. / SL Jade / GHA Tit.
Posts: 1,527
Nothing!
Expect the fact that I'm not a big fan of the RC definition of luxury, they are no reasons to stay there as an elite member.
Poor upgrade, no lounge access and no butler.
Expect the fact that I'm not a big fan of the RC definition of luxury, they are no reasons to stay there as an elite member.
Poor upgrade, no lounge access and no butler.
Aug 26, 2018, 7:13 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
I just completed two stays at Ritz Carltons this month. Overall, a good impression. One property was much better than the other. On both occasions got pretty good suite upgrades.
I was surprised that RC doesn’t have daily bed linen change as a brand standard. Not even, as happens on StR and other SPG legacy properties, the bedside table card to opt-in for daily bed linen change. They simply would not change the linen for the entire duration of the stay.
That is very surprising for a top luxury property.
Aug 26, 2018, 9:35 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,409
Their style, including the "ladies and gentlemen of the RC" way of referring to their employees. Their properties used to have dress codes.Also their lounges.
Aug 26, 2018, 11:28 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378