Mar 10, 2015, 4:40 pm
Last edit by: daiseee
When did the 2015 Starwood hotel category changes go into effect?
The changes took effect on March 10.
What's the breakdown of properties going up/down?Based on the initial list of changes--see below for more on this--22% of hotels are changing category. Of these, 10.49% are moving up and 11.78% are moving down.
Where can I find the list of changes?The initial list can be found here.
Note that the initial list is not final or authoritative, and that additional changes (or even reversal of changes proposed in the initial list) have been made & may continue to occur. To date, these include
I booked a property before the category went up, but a) now my online reservation prices my stay at the higher category and/or b) I'm getting followup emails showing the higher rate? Is this problem?Note that the initial list is not final or authoritative, and that additional changes (or even reversal of changes proposed in the initial list) have been made & may continue to occur. To date, these include
- The Royal Palm going up to 6
- Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa going up to 3
- W Bangkok remaining 4
- Le Méridien Taipei remaining 6
- Sheraton Mahwah remaining 4
- Heathrow Sheraton remaining 3
- Westin LAX remaining 4
- Le Westin Montreal remaining 5
- Aloft Buffalo Airport going down to 2
- Aloft Tampa Downtown going down to 3
- Sheraton Gran Canaria going up to 4
As explained in post #118,
there is often a system-generated change that makes it look like the price will go up when checking reservations online and on any reservation confirmation emails for existing bookings that are re-sent after the change takes place. You will be charged what you booked originally, however.
Announcing SPG’s 2015 Category Changes : effective March 10, 2015
Feb 23, 2015, 3:47 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CHA/TYS
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Posts: 2,868
Four Points Nashville Airport is a joke at 4.
Sheraton Columbia SC has gone from Cat 2 to 4 over past few years.
Sheraton Columbia SC has gone from Cat 2 to 4 over past few years.
Feb 23, 2015, 3:49 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
Still only results in a 2.5% redemption rate... not great. Perhaps hold out for a little better imo. But yes, that is a good hotel in a very good location.
Feb 23, 2015, 4:07 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 1,982
Aloft David Whitney is surprising. Seeing as it opened a month or two ago. And you can stay at the Weston down the street....
Feb 23, 2015, 5:03 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,134
ETA: I'm anxious to see how the move to Cat 7 affects award space at StR Punta Mita. They're clearly playing games with their inventory now, and it's disappointing for the credibility of the program--particularly since astute posters here have alerted the Lurker team as to exactly how they're doing it, too...
Feb 23, 2015, 5:16 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,134
Le Parker Meridien Palm Springs moving back up to a Cat 6 is interesting. They just moved down to a Cat 5 last year.
It looks like one of our hotels booked in May is moving down to a Cat 5. It was not a good deal at 20,000, but it is a lot more appealing at 12,000. Hmm.
It looks like one of our hotels booked in May is moving down to a Cat 5. It was not a good deal at 20,000, but it is a lot more appealing at 12,000. Hmm.
Feb 23, 2015, 6:11 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
Overall not any terrible news, though a few disappointments.
I wil say though, with 4 Indonesian hotels going up...
If $100-120 hotels are Cat 4 and $80-95 hotels are Cat 3, then I clearly don't understand the math.
Bandung's TA #1 rated hotel can be had for $100. You'd have to be crazy or devoid of even infant level math skills to blow up 7000 points/night at the Sheraton- either pay $ or stay elsewhere. A TERRIBLE value on points.
and the LM JKT has been in need of renovation for many years- which I understand is starting. So bump to a CAT 4 before/during renovation? 10k points, only 2k/night below The Keraton!? That should bring their total award stays for the next year to roughly zero.
In BKK, hard to figure Plaza Athenee a Cat 4 either. It was a non-choice as a 3 already. Was hoping Aloft would fall back to a Cat 1. Granted, good thing it's not in Indonesia, it would have become a Cat 3. Or 4!....
I wil say though, with 4 Indonesian hotels going up...
If $100-120 hotels are Cat 4 and $80-95 hotels are Cat 3, then I clearly don't understand the math.
Bandung's TA #1 rated hotel can be had for $100. You'd have to be crazy or devoid of even infant level math skills to blow up 7000 points/night at the Sheraton- either pay $ or stay elsewhere. A TERRIBLE value on points.
and the LM JKT has been in need of renovation for many years- which I understand is starting. So bump to a CAT 4 before/during renovation? 10k points, only 2k/night below The Keraton!? That should bring their total award stays for the next year to roughly zero.
In BKK, hard to figure Plaza Athenee a Cat 4 either. It was a non-choice as a 3 already. Was hoping Aloft would fall back to a Cat 1. Granted, good thing it's not in Indonesia, it would have become a Cat 3. Or 4!....
Last edited by uncommonsensical; Feb 24, 2015 at 12:06 am Reason: post was mildly incoherent
Feb 23, 2015, 7:17 pm
#37
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Posts: 19,523
What's The Real Deal?
Aloft Tampa Downtown shows going from Cat2 to Cat3.
But web site says it's currently Cat4.
??
But web site says it's currently Cat4.
??
Feb 23, 2015, 7:33 pm
#38
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Feb 23, 2015, 7:50 pm
#39
Suspended
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Location: YYZ
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Posts: 19,284
Wow a lot of Ontario hotels moving down a cat. Good news 
Feb 23, 2015, 8:04 pm
#40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: SPG Plt, Hyatt Diamond, DL
Posts: 369
Shocking really. A block and a half apart, the Westin has better restaurants, amenities, etc. Not to mention the Westin is overall nicer. And yet the aLoft is a higher category?
Feb 23, 2015, 8:07 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 3,669
Happy to see the Grand Bretagne going down. I had a stay booked next door, at the King George, on C&P since it was cheaper. Now I can switch to the GB, which everyone tells me is better 
Feb 23, 2015, 8:39 pm
#42
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,363
Good result for UK Hotels
Aloft Liverpool goes from a Cat 3 to a 2 - probably to be expected given how low their prices are!
Sheraton Skyline Heathrow Goes from 4 to a 3
And Sheraton Heathrow goes from a 3 to a cat 2!
Sheraton Skyline Heathrow Goes from 4 to a 3
And Sheraton Heathrow goes from a 3 to a cat 2!
Feb 23, 2015, 9:01 pm
#43
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Feb 23, 2015, 9:51 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 3,669
Tbh, I've never been to either, but if you look at the GB thread on FT, it sure looks sexy. As a Plat, you can select the breakfast amenity, which would be given to you on their rooftop restaurant which supposedly has stunning views (having looked online, I concur). As a Gold, I'd have to pay the 20 euros, so I'm probably not going to get breakfast there
What really cinched it for me was that, according to that thread, the sauna and aromatherapy treatments in the spa are complimentary. This is a vacation for me, so, why not?
What really cinched it for me was that, according to that thread, the sauna and aromatherapy treatments in the spa are complimentary. This is a vacation for me, so, why not?