Well, I don't want to take this too far off topic. But I do think there are occasions when appearances for clients are probably very important. I worked for a very successful law firm for a few years. The partners were sometimes required to stay in top-end hotels depending on the client (and the client was footing the bill for everything).

I think it's largely a question of "face". You will see this issue quite a bit when doing business with Asian companies, and to a lesser extent with European companies.

Your point on responsibilty to shareholders is well-taken. But it's a concept that is not always as prevalent in other countries.

My "Americaness" is showing. If my attorneys were staying at the Four Seasons, my first quesion would be "Why the hell are you staying at the Four Seasons, and am I paying for this?" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

There are many instances where you have to spend money to make money. At times it is absolutely necessary. Right or wrong, appearances do count. Image can be everything and can make the difference between acquiring and retaining vital accounts or losing them to the competition. It is also extremely important to be aware of the differences, attitudes and nuances among various cultures. True ignorance of that knowledge can make you or break you. There are good books available on the subject.

Speaking of spending money to make money, I'll never forget years ago walking downtown Reno, Nevada in front of the many open casinos that lined Virginia Avenue. One carney-type (as in carnival) character or better yet, huckster was out on the sidewalk encouraging business for the company he represented. He kept saying, "Come on in folks, come on in" repeatedly. The part I'll always remember is when he said, "You've got to pop 'em to drop 'em and drop 'em to win."

Even that huckster knew that you had to spend money to make money!

We didn't go in. Appearances do count! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

------------------
When all Frequent Flyer programs become equal, they will cease to exist! Be careful what you wish for!

I charge my hotels to my client, but they are manufacturers usually away from large cities, so the preferred (image) hotels list my company has is useless. I stay in chain hotels. I thus prefer points and then during vacations, I stay at the best properties the chains have to offer worldwide. I live by the golden rule, I spend money like it was my own. I even use hotel coupons for additional savings, even though it's the client's nickel. Being thrifty has allowed me to stretch my vacations, allowing my wife and I vacation trips to LGA, BCN, ATH, NRT, GIG and GCM this year alone. Like the barrister (lawyer) we met in Rome last year who was staying at the Lord Byron, supposed the highest quality hotel in Rome, he was happy with his great skyline view of Rome for $450/night. My wife and I were happy with the balcony view of Rome life at a $65/night 7-room hotel one block from the coliseum. Our memories of Rome will include the sight, sounds and smells of the city, not the number of people paid to wait on us. Quality is a measure of meeting one's requirements and people will have differing requirements, and requirements may depend on who pays the hotel bill. Quality and Points can both be of value, however image alone shouldn't be associated with quality. I value quality hotels, but hotel image is near zero value to me.

Edited for some syntax and spelling errors.

[This message has been edited by outoftown (edited 12-08-2001).]

Quite so. It is also often true that this sort of thing is hidden comp. It may also be de minimis. If you are paying someone a couple of $M per year, what's a few hundred bucks for a hotel?



------------------

Wish I had your dilemma, PremEx....

I also don't want to invest in them, but I'd be happy to apply to work for them. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

your case does not hold.
unless the company is generous enough to put u also into the presidential suite, then definitely the quality. this is what james bond has chosen.

otherwise, a st. regis is jsut as good in quality and also offers points. for the same corporate policy, i can get a club suite in st. regis vs. a club room in ritz carlton; and the persidential suite in st. regis vs a diplomat suite in a boutique hotel.
and i get points and exceptional service as well!
also, sometimes it is not the service itself, it is also the status and the fact that they treat me better than other guest. e.g. priority/guaranteed reservation is nothing your boutique hotel can beat.
again, james bond does not care because he can always jump the reservation queue.

PremEx = James Bond

This should be good ...

Interesting question - I had this same choice to make earlier this year while on business in NYC for several months. I ended up choosing quality - the Regent - over points... and do not regret the choice, even though I passed up on many tens of thousands of hotel points. In some cases the experience of the service offered in true "quality" hotels far outweighs the benefit of points in improving your immediate quality of life.

Go for quality!

-Zombie-

Without a doubt, I'd go for the quality. Staying in a great hotel can be a large part of the fun of a trip, and I agree with the posts above that there's a world of difference in the level of service you get.

I've always preferred the Intercontinental's SCC over any number of points. The reason is simple. I don't really travel that much so have little chance of making an elite status that way. Therefore, when I do travel for business, I want my hotel to be working for me, even if I don't have enough "points".

When I'm at a high-service hotel, I know that my phones, fax, shower, etc. will work or I will immediately be accomodated. Issues will be handled promptly at any time of day. Any item or service that I need will be given, within reason, on demand. If I need to get something from outside the hotel, it will be gotten. I'm in control. The hotel is incentivized by the size of the bill.

A high quality hotel can make you a more effective traveler, especially if you don't travel that much.

That doesn't mean I advocate that true "road warrior" stay at high end hotels. They are usually much better equipped to deal with the little items that would stymie me.