VCURamFan

Going with GF for 5 nights for NYE before 5 nights at the St. Regis Maldives. Was planning on staying at the W, but now with the opportunity to transfer to Marriott, I am highly considering the Ritz.

Room rate that week is nearly double at Ritz and it has slightly better reviews.

Which treats plats better? Is the Ritz a no brainer?

hhoope01

I guess it depends on what you mean by "better". You will most likely not get upgraded to a suite room at the RC (though it could happen.) You will not get free breakfast at the RC. But in general, RC rooms and service, to me, are normally above what you will get at a W hotel. An RC is considered in the luxury market where I wouldn't put W hotels in the true luxury market.

mahasamatman

The W demographic is pretty much diametrically opposed to the RC demographic, so (to me) the real question is which style you prefer.

cfischer

agreed. And w/o free breakfast and lounge access there are quite some drawbacks to the RC.

kkl

With the merger, it has made me rethink SPG6/7 redemptions. Max RC redemption is only 23K SPG per night for hk/tokyo/kyoto etc etc. good value comparatively

currently planning a trip to japan, the Prince Gallery tokyo vs RC Tokyo for roughly the same cost in spg.

i am reconsidering str osaka redemption and swapping it to marriott miyako. which would cost me less than half the points needed for str osaka.

lcpteck

You can also consider Sheraton Miyako Osaka, my usual hotel in Osaka.

VCURamFan

Gotta decide soon and still can't make up my mind. W is probably closer to my demographic, but Ritz looks nicer. SPG Plat may make it worth the W, but I am doing NYE party at O Zone Bar at Ritz.

OriginalName

Link your MR and SPG accounts, stay at the Ritz, earn points and transfer to SPG (assume NY party will rack up decent charges)!

bhrubin

We visited both in 2014...but stayed at The Upper House.

We thought both hotels were very dramatic and with very good service standards. The W design and atmosphere (and crowd) definitely is edgier and more energetic; the RC was more polished and formal (and with a more staid, older crowd).

We liked both...so go with your gut. If you feel like saving some money, you won't go wrong with the W...and the chance for a significant room or suite upgrade and free breakfast may make the W even more worthwhile. But if you feel like tasting the RC in a regular room, go for it.

Remember also that the W brand abroad is far more luxurious than in the USA. This RC is probably a bit more luxurious...but the margin isn't quite what some will say.

VCURamFan

Forgot to mention that I am staying on points and the two are pretty much the same cost pointswise.

abk

If the W is more of your demographic I would stay there and enjoy the free breakfast.

bhrubin

Assuming you have Platinum status and can get free breakfast at the W and a chance for a suite upgrade (or room with harbor view), it's worth considering the W.

Assuming you aren't Platinum, I'd go for the Ritz-Carlton since the entry level room is a spacious and beautiful 540 sq ft compared to the W entry level 431 sq ft. The RC breakfast and other amenities likely will cost a bit more...but hey, it's one of the best RC! If you have any status, maybe you'd get a category upgrade to a harbor view room.

MSPeconomist

The RC club lounge is extremely good with five food presentation per day. You get 24/7 access with a small set of beer and wine choices being available throughout the night and of course good stuff during happy hour times.

RC rooms seem to all be large. A good upgrade would a junior suite or a better view. At the W, I got the highest category non suite (cool corner?), which was large, the first time and after that the first or second category of regular suites every time.

Another difference is that the RC swimming pool is indoors versus the outdoor W pool, on about floor 80. RC is about floor 120.

Both locations are good for the airport express train and the attached Elements upscale modern shopping mall but not much else.

bhrubin

I didn't think RC Club rooms were available on award stays...unless given a very lucky upgrade. Is that in error?

MSPeconomist

It wasn't an error or an upgrade to a club room. I paid the FHR rate for a club room and then got an upgrade to a club junior suite. However, I did hear someone in the lounge talking about an amazing upgrade that they had received.

BTW, at this property club level mainly means club lounge access. Club rooms can be any room on any floor.