Which brands from Mariott are ultra luxury?
#61
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Unlike objective criteria, like upgrades and food and beverage credits, which are quantifiable; it is far more difficult to convey the merits of the soft product. Those of you who appreciate the latter and are able to provide the reader with an accurate impression of their experience are rarer than those who focus on the former. Although I am more likely to be sitting in the stands during an ACC or NCAA basketball tournament than enjoying a meal at the King Cole Bar, even if one is able to root against Duke, your review makes a compelling case for an anniversary dinner there.
#62
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Morning coffee/tea service—all complimentary. Wake up, call for coffee or cappuccino or espresso or tea, and 10 min or so later, there it is for you in your room. That’s another intergeal part of StR butler service that I love. You can get that as part of RC Club service, but you have to schedule it the night before. (They did it for me this morning without schedule, fortunately.) You also pay a hefty up charge for RC Club level access, and I don’t like the rest of Club offerings. You don’t get that with FS, PH, MO.
Last edited by bhrubin; Nov 16, 2018 at 4:33 pm
#63
Join Date: Nov 2014
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ROFLMAO. You must know that the exact same night of our King Cole Table 55 extravaganza also was the most unexpected ACC semifinal between UNC and Dook. I did consider trying to move our Table 55 to another night (even with Eleven Madison Park the very next night) so I could go to the game...but my husband put the brakes on that idea. So I am a huge fan of any ACC or NCAA basketball (or football) game as much as a top food/dining experience. In fact, I went to the UNC-Cal football game in Berkeley in Sept...and I’m already booked with 2 tickets for the UNC-Dook game in March in Chapel Hill. Care to join me?
Although it is a family tradition to root against Dook in any venue, and what better one than a UNC home game, I will be in Park City/Deer Valley with family that week. Next year?
Last edited by rny321; Nov 16, 2018 at 5:10 pm
#64
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#65
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Fortunately, as an Ambassador guest, I’ve most often been upgraded to a junior suite or higher at most StR, and the few where I didn’t get upgraded still offered me butler service as a warm gesture.
Last edited by bhrubin; Nov 16, 2018 at 11:26 pm
#66
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thats why I have concluded StR brand is probably not suite me.
#67
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That can be true. Some StR properties offer butler service to every room (NYC, Bora Bora, Mexico City, Bahia Beach, Punta Mita), some offer it for upgraded rooms and suites (Houston), and some only offer it for suites (Washington, San Francisco, Bal Harbour).
Fortunately, as an Ambassador guest, Ive most often been upgraded to a junior suite or higher at most StR, and the few where I didnt get upgraded still offered me butler service as a warm gesture.
I think they same amount of money can get a suite room in Westin .
well again probably personal preference
#68
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General rule is unless youre a family of 3 or need a room to work in, a lower class room in a better Hirson is always better than a higher class room in a worse hotel.
#69
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people obsess over free breakfast and $100 credit on super expensive stays.
i refuse to give agents commissions on such bookings as i find it to be a joke.
discouraging spend is odd, including limiting highest one-category upgrades
it is incorrect to suggest that no element of service can be quantified.
but ultra luxury is indeed not about profit, many do not make a profit
bhrubin is a 'starwood' regular, not a four seasons regular.
four seasons doesnt need program to treat regulars similarly
interesting, so butler service is NOT for all st regis rooms
some here spend a lot more per night on a lot less travel.
a few of us care about property (like ultra luxury) not room.
ultra luxury can be about scale rather than hard product.
big gaps - ultra luxury, luxury, upscale, average, budget.
and yet rates do not match, big chains can be overpriced
i refuse to give agents commissions on such bookings as i find it to be a joke.
discouraging spend is odd, including limiting highest one-category upgrades
it is incorrect to suggest that no element of service can be quantified.
but ultra luxury is indeed not about profit, many do not make a profit
bhrubin is a 'starwood' regular, not a four seasons regular.
four seasons doesnt need program to treat regulars similarly
interesting, so butler service is NOT for all st regis rooms
some here spend a lot more per night on a lot less travel.
a few of us care about property (like ultra luxury) not room.
ultra luxury can be about scale rather than hard product.
big gaps - ultra luxury, luxury, upscale, average, budget.
and yet rates do not match, big chains can be overpriced
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 17, 2018 at 11:55 am
#70
Join Date: Nov 2018
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I'm surprised no-one's mentioned the Como Group here.
15 or 20 hotels worldwide, and those I've stayed in in London and Thailand are truly outstanding. The Group is owned by a Singaporean billionairesse apparently, so she's under zero pressure to sell up to a huge Group like Hilton or Marriott.
St Regis and RC sadly, still, for me, have the feel of the "chain" product that they are. Though I'm sure there are outliers in both cases where they manage to retain the bespoke boutique style of service on offer in places like the Connaught in London or the Royal Mansour in Marrakesh to give but two privately owned examples I've stayed at recently.
But I have high hope for Al Maha, which I'm staying at this coming winter, and is part of Starriott.
15 or 20 hotels worldwide, and those I've stayed in in London and Thailand are truly outstanding. The Group is owned by a Singaporean billionairesse apparently, so she's under zero pressure to sell up to a huge Group like Hilton or Marriott.
St Regis and RC sadly, still, for me, have the feel of the "chain" product that they are. Though I'm sure there are outliers in both cases where they manage to retain the bespoke boutique style of service on offer in places like the Connaught in London or the Royal Mansour in Marrakesh to give but two privately owned examples I've stayed at recently.
But I have high hope for Al Maha, which I'm staying at this coming winter, and is part of Starriott.
#71
Join Date: Nov 2014
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Some posters have questioned the desire for suite upgrades and other amenities that come with higher status levels. Unless one cares about upgrades to high value rooms and suites and has a reasonable expectation of receiving them or needs the more personalized service that may come with status, it might not make much sense to aggressively seek status. The lower value benefits, like single category upgrades, breakfast, food and beverage credits and welcome gifts are available through programs like Amex's FHR, Visa Infinite, Virtuoso and Hyatt Prive' are at least comparable to what one would receive as a top tier elite in some programs.
When I used FHR for a Peninsula stay, I received an nice upgrade, free breakfast, a $100 F&B credit and a decent welcome gift for a price that wasn't much more than the lowest available rate. Although others have been treated far better, on a recent St. Regis stay I received a minimal upgrade, breakfast, a mini bar credit and a note which acknowledged my status unaccompanied by a welcome gift. If I didn't care about suite upgrades or I thought that my St. Regis experience was typical, I would use one the the above travel agents to book hotels and forget about earning status.
Although there have been some service failures, I am generally happy with the quality of the upgrades that I have received from both the MR and SPG side and I believe the effort I expended towards annual and lifetime status has been worth it. Since I am not blindly loyal to any program, how I am treated going forward will determine my future lodging preferences.
When I used FHR for a Peninsula stay, I received an nice upgrade, free breakfast, a $100 F&B credit and a decent welcome gift for a price that wasn't much more than the lowest available rate. Although others have been treated far better, on a recent St. Regis stay I received a minimal upgrade, breakfast, a mini bar credit and a note which acknowledged my status unaccompanied by a welcome gift. If I didn't care about suite upgrades or I thought that my St. Regis experience was typical, I would use one the the above travel agents to book hotels and forget about earning status.
Although there have been some service failures, I am generally happy with the quality of the upgrades that I have received from both the MR and SPG side and I believe the effort I expended towards annual and lifetime status has been worth it. Since I am not blindly loyal to any program, how I am treated going forward will determine my future lodging preferences.
Last edited by rny321; Nov 18, 2018 at 3:41 pm
#72
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good points re earned status (and limiting options)
may be ideal to at least briefly consider multiple options
'ultra luxury' may be similar price as a 'luxury' chain
may be ideal to at least briefly consider multiple options
'ultra luxury' may be similar price as a 'luxury' chain
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 18, 2018 at 12:34 pm
#73
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"Unlike objective criteria, like upgrades and food and beverage credits, which are quantifiable; it is far more difficult to convey the merits of the soft product."
#74
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I'm surprised no-one's mentioned the Como Group here.
15 or 20 hotels worldwide, and those I've stayed in in London and Thailand are truly outstanding. The Group is owned by a Singaporean billionairesse apparently, so she's under zero pressure to sell up to a huge Group like Hilton or Marriott.
15 or 20 hotels worldwide, and those I've stayed in in London and Thailand are truly outstanding. The Group is owned by a Singaporean billionairesse apparently, so she's under zero pressure to sell up to a huge Group like Hilton or Marriott.
St Regis and RC sadly, still, for me, have the feel of the "chain" product that they are. Though I'm sure there are outliers in both cases where they manage to retain the bespoke boutique style of service on offer in places like the Connaught in London or the Royal Mansour in Marrakesh to give but two privately owned examples I've stayed at recently.
Wherever there is a StR or top Luxury Collection hotel option (and now perhaps a Ritz Carlton, too), I’ll always measure the cost/benefit of my Ambassador status and elite perks there against the true luxury level and distinction of any other unique or standout luxury property, whether it’s from another luxury chain or independent. In Sydney, we stayed ar the Park Hyatt because it’s undeniaby the best hotel in town AND offered an amazing cost/benefit. In New Delhi, we stayed at the Lodhi because it was more modern and Aman-ish and worth the premium for us (and the ITC was too large for our tastes). In most locations, there are no Royal Mansour-like options...at least not to my mind. In Tokyo, I was very glad to enjoy the amazing cost/benefit and tremendous service of the Prince Gallery over the outrageous cost and subpar service record of the Aman Tokyo. In Kyoto, I was most happy at the Suiran Luxury Collection property on the outskirts of Arashiyama, even though we had an incredible cost/benefit stay at the RC Kyoto across town, too.
But I have high hope for Al Maha, which I'm staying at this coming winter, and is part of Starriott.
Last edited by bhrubin; Nov 18, 2018 at 5:49 pm
#75
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Agree 100%. I don't consider the Ritz brand as luxury other than a handful of their properties in Asia.
In general, luxury is not in mega-chain Marriott's dna. But there are some real gems to be found. Ritz-Carlton seems to strive for more staid traditional luxury while St. Regis can at times be a little more contemporary in the way they provide luxury. I would hardy ever consider JW a luxury brand, just a glorified Marriott. Some of the former SPG Luxury Collections are indeed luxury, but I'd say they are also often historical properties which can lead to challenges in terms of renovated accommodations, but overall I really like most of the Luxury Collection properties that I've stayed. I do think Edition is striving for a modern luxury as are some W resorts.