I prefer lounge access to suite upgrades.

While I agree with Pakse, for me there's an even better reason to like a suite -- silence.

Given that most hotels regularly train their housekeeping and other staff in the best way to slam a door, how to set walkie-talkie volume to maximum, and how to scream a conversation from one end of the hallway to the other, having an additional layer of "soundproofing" between the public areas and the sleeping area typically makes the the bedroom a great deal quieter. But I'd rather have a quieter standard room than a noisier suite.

'Course, if I really had my 'druthers, I'd like to see a prefect or hall monitor with an electric cattle prod.

[This message has been edited by Ken hAAmer (edited 06-10-2002).]

I've never asked for a suite upgrade - and I'm still waiting for my first suite upgrade (~200 nights per year in a hotel). I've the same working pattern as described by the most posters above: arrive late in the room (~19:00), leave early in the morning (~06:30, after breakfast). So I also prefer that suites are given to guests who stay longer and/or work in the room. More important for me is a room on the non-smoking floor.
During holiday I often stay longer in the room or come back several times a day to relax. A bigger room may be a plus but superior would be a room with a nice view (and late check-out if necessary). Breakfast is always (leisure or business trip) very important; I rarely book a room without breakfast included. Lounge access during leisure trips would be nice.

I rarely rent a car (I prefer public transport + cabs). Car rental has become quite expensive in recent years. Though the upgrade of the car is free of charge, there are other higher costs as a result of the upgrade e.g. gas (gas in Germany is expensive).

I agree with PremEx. Suites are only important for me when I share the room with a lady, else I would rather get other perks.

I can give up all the other amenities of a hotel (restaurant, fitness center, meeting rooms, etc.) for more space. When I'm travelling with colleagues, it's nice because we can just get some beverages from the corner mini-mart and talk without having to go find a bar. When I'm alone, I still like the abilty to pace (especially when there's a cordless phone in the room) and to spread out and order room service.

I prefer a room with club/executive floor privileges. I generally arrive late in the evening and leave early the next morning.

When traveling with family or friends however, that is a different matter. I love the extra space to spread out all the junk (the Pupster does not travel light ) and its a really nice feeling when the family/friends ooh and ahh about how nice our accomodations are compared to theirs.

So where's the problem here?

If you want club level benefits, ask to be upgraded to the club level. If you want a suite, ask for one. Obviously there are instances where one type of upgrade is going to be more important for you than the other.

But, I don't see a problem with the current system. Someone, in another forum, was suggesting that hotels limit the number of suite upgrades they give out. Where's the logic in that?

d

folks, arriving at 19:00 is NOT late

I would love to get back to hotel at 7PM. As with most opinions here, I prefer lounge benefits etc over a suite except when traveling with someone else or on vacation.

Someone asked above, if we all prefer non-suites, why are they always full? I'd like to know hte reasoning too.

Yep! As David and others note, usually the Ex Lounge, not a suite, is my personal "perk of choice!"

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 06-10-2002).]

Even when traveling with someone, the lounge is the benefit of choice.

Suites would be important for me if I was sharing the room with a lady, but even more important if I was sharing with another man. In fact, a 2-bedroom suite would be preferable.

Come to think of it, if I was sharing the room with a lady, I might well prefer a studio, with a small bed. A single small bed.

Unless of course, that lady was my wife.

(That's no lady...)

Ken,

Nice one, you made my whole office laugh then!

Lounge access is more important to me, as well but I appreciate the extra room of the suite when offered. Often when I'm on the road, my preference is to spend a few hours working from my hotel room at night rather than staying at the office really late.

As for cars, I still remember the first time when I had an economy reservation when they gave me a 'complimentary' upgrade to a cadillac because it was the only car they had, and wasn't it great I was getting this bargain. I absolutely hated that thing, it drove like a tank. I ate in the hotel every night that trip because the car was just too much, a bear to drive and a worse one to park.

Well, call me crazy, but I like big cars and hotel rooms.

I stay in hotels mostly on weekends when club lounges are closed anyway.

The only hotels in which I'd choose the club level over a suite are Ritz Carltons, because their club lounges, food and beverages are actually worthwhile, as opposed to a lot of other places that charge you for everything.

d