I ssem to be in the mood for philosophical posts this weekend, so here goes one more.

One of the benefits of top tier in hotel programs is the upgrade to a suite. [More often than no, though, it may just be a best room available and/or club/exec floor with lounge privileges.]

For me, a suite is a touch indulgence from time to time, and particularly when I am travelling with a friend [or spouse when I was so attached]. But most of the time, when I am only staying a night or two at a property, I would actually prefer the upgrade to a better room and club/exec floor lounge benefits. Size really isn't a bit issue for me. Same goes with rental cars, I actually prefer a smaller vehicle for a variety of similarly arcane reasons. Cadillacs, Lincolns and Crysler Imperials are more of a problem than benefit.

I know it is all personal, but I am curious why the hotel suite holds such a mystique for people here. Is it a reflection of status? Is it a really functional space [which I can see if I want to hold business meetings in my room]?

[And no, when it comes to flying, an upgrade to the front cabin and the extra space and amenities this offers actually means something to me, so I take a very different view of these, than I do of suites and large cars.]

With respect to the suite, if I'm not travelling alone, or am having guests over, or will be eating in the room, a suite is nice. Especially if there is a second bathroom (or 1/2 bath). More often than not though its when I'm travelling alone that I get the suite... In some hotels the suites seem to be better "tended" to in the dept of toiletries, robes, etc. I think it really does show "we appreciate your business" however, and is a no-cost item to the hotel if the room is going to go empty. There are some particular hotels where having a suite upgrade is nice because (one comes to mind) they are corner rooms on high floors with sweeping vistas in 2 directions. But really in all the years of rooms and suites I have had, and I can recall several very nice suites, only 2 stand out as truly memorable and impressive - the W (SF) and the Plaza. I could have moved in to either. I tend to agree that in a hotel with a lounge level, access to that is generally more important.

With resepct to the cars, I generally prefer a smaller car - so long as the AC works well and there's a respectable audio system in it.

Whenever I'm doing a seminar or traveling with my wife I prefer to have a suite for entertainment or when with my spouse, for the ability to not disturb her (we have very different sleeping habits - I sleep a little, she sleeps a lot )

When I am traveling a lone (majority of the time) I still like to have a suite because it gives me a feeling of comfort and small touch of being home. When you have 2-3 rooms you're able to eat/work in one room, relax in another and sleep in a different room. Unfortunately when I really need a suite (for entertaining, etc.) I end up with a standard room. I have been successful in getting a suite when I have a group with me by promising the sales manager that I will order food into the room. The two largest suites that I've ever received were in Dallas and Atlanta - traveling alone.

When it comes to vehicles, there are certain large vehicles that I do not like. However I typically prefer a larger car. I don't drive a compact car at home and don't like to drive a compact car on the road. I rent a lot from Hertz and have gotten to know the managers at the locations I frequent. So if it's available I can usually plan on getting a luxury car or a larger SUV. I prefer the SUVs in unknown cities for the added visibility when I'm on the road.

I may be in the minority here, but I don't like suites (when traveling alone) and turn down upgrades to them when offered. They're just too darn big. I leave things all over, whatever I put down is always at the other end of the place when I want it, so is the bathroom, and I just plain don't need it.

For what it's worth to FT psychoanalysts, I also drive a compact car. It's not to save a few bucks - I can afford any car I want within reason, it's a BMW, and it's not stripped - but I like its performance, its agility and its overall sportiness.

I just got a suite at St. Francis, and was there a week. It was nice to get it, but frankly I really don't need a suite - and the better TV was in the sitting room. Since I often am not there too much until late at night, it would be more convenient to have a big TV by the bed.

I generally like a suite, but don't care all that much, so it isn't something I'm going to fight for.

As long as I am traveling alone I am very happy with a nice room and exec lounge access if available. If my wife is with me I prefer a suite because if I get up at night or early in the morning I can watch TV in the living room with out disturbing her in the bedroom. Makes for a happier trip.

I also regularly turn down hotel suites when traveling alone. Especially at hotels that know me and usually offer a suite as a matter of course (LAX Four Points as a main example).

I usually say something like, "Give it to someone else this time that might really appreciate it.

I think the front desk staff appreciate the gesture and handing the suite back to them, and this could actually help on those occasions when I really want one.

But to answer the question on the title of this thread, they are only important when traveling with my ladyfriend.

I'm the airline whore. She's the hotel whore.

David, I totally agree with you. To me it isn't really important unless I'm travelling with my husband and will be at that property for a couple of days. Generally I arrive at a hotel (when traveling on business) after 8 pm and leave at 5 or 6 am-- so the important thing to me is a nice, comfortable room -- perhaps on the club floor. If it is that important, I'll pay extra and reseve it in advance (as I will with Butler/Tower floors at Starwood).
What annoys me is when I pay for the club floor and it's closed and no one at the hotel tells me until after I've checked in -
Even though I've called in advance and re-checked my reservation!

I'm the same as most of the posters - when on business I get in late, leave early. As long as it's clean and quiet it's OK. If I get the club level I'm happy.

Cars - any 4 door sedan made in the US and larger than a Taurus rented by Hertz is more of a hassle than a help unless I really need the space. The suspensions are all made for 80 year old drivers so you feel like you're piloting a boat whenever you get the car over 60 mph.

BTW - if no one here really cares about the suites why are they full all the time?

You must be working on my project I normally spend 6 hours total per night in my room.

I couldn't agree more on the cars. Hertz used to push the Mercury Grand Marquis and I always declined that "upgrade".

SteveH

I say this only half in jest: when I get a suite, I know I've been upgraded! Many times I'm left wondering if I've been upgraded at all (of course, I could always ask, but I don't think we're supposed to have to ask).

I, too, only care about a suite in certain instances- when I'm on vacation, when I'm traveling with others (even if we have separate rooms, it's nice to have the sleeping quarters separate so I don't feel like I'm hanging out in a bedroom with co-workers when we congregate), or if it's a super-nice hotel and the suite is something to write home about.

The last few times I've been upgraded at the W LA, I've been upgraded to the same "cyber" suite- a large three room suite on the NW corner (nice views to the North and West). "Problem" is that the third room is extraneous- except that's where they have the desk and phone/data port, but no TV. so, I have to chose between computer and TV- a tough choice for someone nicknamed "multi-media man" by some of my college friends!

I'd much rather have an upgraded room that has a superior view than simply get a suite.

I find, like some of the other posters, that there's just too much room. My stuff tends to expand to fill the available space. If too much space, I run the risk of losing something when I leave.

A match made in Heaven, IMHO!



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A gentleman always respects a lady's wishes.

As a female, when traveling alone, I really don't like a suite--too many extra doors to make sure are locked, etc. In fact, it can be a bit spooky, especially if adjoining rooms are rented out. Last time I was upgraded to a suite, I ended up locking the door between my room and the living room at night just to feel a bit safer.

Howdy folks,

Here's a dissenting opionon for ya'll. I generally get in late, and leave early.

But - My average hotel stay is most likely 3 nights. Generally, I get back to the room around 7pm and go to sleep around midnight.

A suite allows me to eat dinner with the Television to the channel I want, with a table and chairs to spread my work out on, followed by catching up on some reading on the couch. When I'm ready, I retire to the bed.

Having a table and chair to eat and work at, along with a full couch to relax/work on; makes my 5 hours each night more productive than when I'm cramped into a single room, with a tiny desk at best. In the morning, I brew a pot of coffee and get an hour or two of work in before I reach the client site (I generally get up at 6am).

So for me, when I'm traveling alone on business, I really appreciate the suite.

Oddly enough - when my wife travels with me, that's when I don't care about the suite. The only time I'm in the room with her is when we're in bed - breakfast is out in a resturant, or a picnic. After dinner, we do things - see the local sites, etc... Not being in the room much, I don't have the time to appreciate anemities in the room as much, so they are then of a lesser concern to me.

Keep the faith,

Pakse