Annual Category Change Announcement 2014 [effective March 4, 2014]
Feb 20, 2014, 8:17 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 11
After perusing the list, I have to say that I'm ok with these changes. I understand the changes made to all of the hotels I stay at, except one. I'm very surprised that the Sheraton Baltimore City Center went up from a Cat 2 to a Cat 3. Rooms can be had during the week, often as low as $59.
I would've liked to see the Le Centre Sheraton Montreal drop to a 4 as it's rates are consistently lower than the Westin and W (Cat 5), but I'll live.
I would've liked to see the Le Centre Sheraton Montreal drop to a 4 as it's rates are consistently lower than the Westin and W (Cat 5), but I'll live.
Considering the Sheraton Baltimore City Center didn't break 30% occupancy in 2013, it is a bit surprising that they would move up. But their ADR was over $100 which seems to be what category 3 designations are linked to.
Feb 20, 2014, 8:19 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,643
Feb 20, 2014, 8:20 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta but Washington DC will always be home.
Programs: Marriott LTP, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold, Hyatt Explorist,, Delta Plat,
Posts: 2,075
Actually, I'm not. In my mind, balancing that 1) Thailand is an incredibly popular tourist destination, 2) which right now and for the indefinite future is experiencing occasionally quite violent political unrest aimed at regime change, thus driving tourists away resulting in very low hotel occupancy rates, I had guessed that those factors would balance out to no net change.
Feb 20, 2014, 8:25 am
#19
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Live in Columbia, MO. Fly COU, STL, or MCI.
Posts: 95
Thank you for the announcement. I appreciate the reasonableness of the changes and would like to thank you for solidifying my choice in making you my go-to hotel chain.
Feb 20, 2014, 8:28 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Programs: AC 75K, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 10,069
Not too bad...lots of China hotels going down just in time for my trip next fall 
Feb 20, 2014, 8:32 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 11
You would think that they would be tied to RevPAR, but in reviewing the ADR and RevPAR of many of the US properties, it appears that the move is tied more to the ADR. They also make some changes for appearance sake within certain cities or following major renovations with the expectations of considerably better performance. But in general, the properties line up in categories based on the previous year's ADR. Certain highly seasonal markets like ski or beach destinations buck the trend as their ADRs range so wildly throughout the year.
Feb 20, 2014, 8:39 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: YYC; YYZ
Programs: SPG Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 231
These are the most reasonable changes I have seen from starwood in the last five years. Except for a few surprises, I cant complain about this list. Lots of great properties in the Asias that have been nicely adjusted downward.
Feb 20, 2014, 8:43 am
#23
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA ExP, Hyatt Diamond, MR Platinum, PC Platinum, SPG Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 498
Looks like the Strategy to build a bunch of hotels in China turned out to be very flawed. 
Feb 20, 2014, 8:45 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
The St. Regis Rome jumping to a 7 is pretty surprising. For anyone that hasn't been, this place is very different from the other European St. Regis properties, and the rates usually reflect the lower quality. It's a solid hotel, but doesn't compare to the current Cat. 7 european properties unless they've done some serious renovations in the last year.
The annual flip flopping of the Westin and Sheraton in Puerto Vallarta is surprising as well. The Westin as a category 2 is one of the better redemption values in the system over the holiday periods IMO. The Sheraton as a Cat. 4 on the other hand, is probably never worth that many points.
The annual flip flopping of the Westin and Sheraton in Puerto Vallarta is surprising as well. The Westin as a category 2 is one of the better redemption values in the system over the holiday periods IMO. The Sheraton as a Cat. 4 on the other hand, is probably never worth that many points.
Feb 20, 2014, 8:50 am
#26
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
As always, thanks for giving us some advance notice of the changes, Lurker IV. Based on a quick skim of the change list, this seems pretty mild compared to previous years.
Noteworthy:
Noteworthy:
- Sheraton Shanghai Waigaoqiao Hotel drops 2 levels, from 3 to 1
- Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort jumps 2 levels (4 to 6)
- Sheraton Baltimore Washington Airport Hotel - BWI jumps 2 (2 to 4)
Feb 20, 2014, 8:58 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA, AA, Delta, HGP Diamond, HH Gold, Marriott, CC Gold, SPG
Posts: 154
The drop in category for that many properties in China probably has to do with the government cracking down on officials staying at 5 star hotels. Only three properties went up. The Sheraton in Xian as a category 2 is nice. Stayed there in 2008. Staff was unbelievably helpful.
Feb 20, 2014, 8:59 am
#28
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,820
Nice list for Asia Pacific.
Looks like it's time to plan my 5 night award stay using the 25% discount gold gift.^
Looks like it's time to plan my 5 night award stay using the 25% discount gold gift.
^
Feb 20, 2014, 9:06 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
You would think that they would be tied to RevPAR, but in reviewing the ADR and RevPAR of many of the US properties, it appears that the move is tied more to the ADR. They also make some changes for appearance sake within certain cities or following major renovations with the expectations of considerably better performance. But in general, the properties line up in categories based on the previous year's ADR. Certain highly seasonal markets like ski or beach destinations buck the trend as their ADRs range so wildly throughout the year.
Feb 20, 2014, 9:10 am
#30
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 699
Eugh, not happy with Hawaii changes.