New brand, new systems, different integration with SPG--all can conspire to create a few mistakes/glitches. The SPG brand is soft for a reason, as it's meant really to offer Design Hotels a better distribution while offering SPG members some new and more unique options--but with adjusted/reduced SPG benefits.

If you call the Design Hotel property to book or change a booking, it isn't necessarily a proper SPG booking--and the hotel doesn't have to pay SPG for that, most likely. If you book via SPG, the hotel pays SPG for that, most likely. That's almost certainly the reason for the discrepancy. That's also why you'd want to correct your reservation with SPG if you want the full credit.

SPG account never updated, but saw the points and nights for the full reservation post without issue.

I stayed at Hotel Americano last week and the points / stay credit haven't been posted yet - what is the typical timeline for Design Hotel stays to be posted to SPG accounts?

I imagine it is not brand specific but more likely due to the property. Mine in Maastricht posted within the usual 24-36 hours, just like a normal SPG property.

Did you book through SPG or through other channels?

Booked through SPG.

My apologies for any delay, but just like with any SPG participating property, if the stay is not credited to your account within 7 days of checking out, you can send your folio to Program Services as an attachment to [email protected] and ask them to credit it as a missing stay.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Anyone know if the El Otro Lado in Panama will come online?

When will award redemptions be available for Design Hotel properties?
 

Starwood announced that award access would be made available for Design Hotels in the early part of 2016. Does anyone or any Lurker know when that might be?

No, but when SPG is ready to make an announcement, I promise not to keep it in my back pocket. ;)

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

:p

Thanks, William!

Why introduce new brand/product and not give it the full range of SPG benefits...why no Plat UGs or breakfasts?

We'll ignore the offered concept to which you responded that the Design Hotels are somehow akin to Best Westerns. That's laughable. The Design Hotels all offer something very unique. Unlike far too many hotels.

I'm not sure what the problem is. Unique individual boutique hotels in the Design group have the choice to join SPG in a limited fashion or not join at all. I'd rather have more options.

If the lack of Plat upgrade or breakfast bothers you, then you're no worse off now than you were before.

Also, individual boutique hotels that ALREADY are in the marketing group Design Hotels are those that are invited to participate in SPG Design Hotels. So this paranoid fear that somehow other boutique hotels will want to join Design are ridiculous.

I'm so thankful that the naysayers aren't in the hotel strategy business. They wouldn't do anything but think in the same box as everyone else. Design Hotels and most boutique hotels are all about thinking outside the box...and for people who appreciate that.

Really looking forward to see the Roomers, Frankfurt and The Qvest, Cologne joining SPG.

Any additions in Germany would be great but I agree on those two! Roomer is just around the block from the LeM so unsure if it makes sense for them.