Lounge Access no longer available for platinums at RESORTS starting in August
Jul 6, 2018, 3:22 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
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There's the special lobby at which elites (including Marriott Plats) can check-in off of the main lobby. That may be what they call the "lounge," though the offerings are minimal. Just coffee pretty much.
Jul 14, 2018, 11:58 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Dubai
Programs: SPG 100 Ambassador, LH M&M Senator, Skywards Silver
Posts: 250
Which states that “Lounge Access is not offered at the following brands: The Ritz-Carlton®, St. Regis®, EDITION®, The Luxury Collection®, W® Hotels, (...)”
Can you please clarify if we’ll still have lounge access at LC and W properties that are currently offering it (The Prince Gallery, Grosvenor House, W Doha etc.)?
Jul 15, 2018, 5:06 am
#33
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Cosmo opened with a lounge for Plat+ members of its Identity loyalty program, but there was no 'automatic' way for MR elites to get in there. This lounge was closed not that long after opening and replaced with the current Talon Club high-limit room.
Jul 15, 2018, 5:17 am
#34
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This seems to be contradictory to this document: https://members.marriott.com/wp-cont...cess_Final.pdf
Which states that “Lounge Access is not offered at the following brands: The Ritz-Carlton®, St. Regis®, EDITION®, The Luxury Collection®, W® Hotels, (...)”
Can you please clarify if we’ll still have lounge access at LC and W properties that are currently offering it (The Prince Gallery, Grosvenor House, W Doha etc.)?
Jul 15, 2018, 12:26 pm
#35
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Probably referring to the Autograph Lounge by the main check-in desks, but it's not really a lounge (think there is tea and coffee in the mornings; otherwise it's primarily a check-in facility).
Cosmo opened with a lounge for Plat+ members of its Identity loyalty program, but there was no 'automatic' way for MR elites to get in there. This lounge was closed not that long after opening and replaced with the current Talon Club high-limit room.
Cosmo opened with a lounge for Plat+ members of its Identity loyalty program, but there was no 'automatic' way for MR elites to get in there. This lounge was closed not that long after opening and replaced with the current Talon Club high-limit room.
This reminds me of the special lounge near the concierge desk on the lobby level that the Westin Chosun in Seoul has. The regular executive lounge on the top floor is offered to Plats, but then there's this smaller and AFAIK windowless more exclusive lounge for special guests, however they're defined. Being confirmed in a one bedroom suite as a Plat isn't enough. I believe there's real champagne in the special lounge, but otherwise I don't know how it differs.
BTW, at this property, executive club includes more than half of the hotel according to the floor designation. I suspect that the majority of Korean guests pay extra for rooms with lounge access, and the crowds in the lounge reflect this. On weekends, there's sometimes an alternative breakfast buffet in one of the restaurants. Moreover, those with lounge access who have small children are sent to the big buffet in the downstairs Italian restaurant, which then has a day care atmosphere and would be unattractive to other (paying) guests IMO, who then would be forced to go outside of the hotel for breakfast or order from room service.
BTW, at this property, executive club includes more than half of the hotel according to the floor designation. I suspect that the majority of Korean guests pay extra for rooms with lounge access, and the crowds in the lounge reflect this. On weekends, there's sometimes an alternative breakfast buffet in one of the restaurants. Moreover, those with lounge access who have small children are sent to the big buffet in the downstairs Italian restaurant, which then has a day care atmosphere and would be unattractive to other (paying) guests IMO, who then would be forced to go outside of the hotel for breakfast or order from room service.
Jul 16, 2018, 9:48 am
#36
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
This seems to be contradictory to this document: https://members.marriott.com/wp-cont...cess_Final.pdf
Which states that “Lounge Access is not offered at the following brands: The Ritz-Carlton®, St. Regis®, EDITION®, The Luxury Collection®, W® Hotels, (...)”
Can you please clarify if we’ll still have lounge access at LC and W properties that are currently offering it (The Prince Gallery, Grosvenor House, W Doha etc.)?
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Dec 8, 2018, 12:22 am
#37
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New York
Programs: Bonvoy LifetimeTitanium, UA Plat 2MM, LHW LeadersClub, IHGPlat, HiltonDiamnd, ASMVPG100K, WyndDiamnd
Posts: 1,227
Sorry, but I've already said what was told to me by the loyalty team, so there is no one else to consult when it comes to any further clarification. I guess we are all going to have to wait and see how it eventually pans out after August.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Dec 8, 2018, 7:06 am
#38
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Sorry, but I've already said what was told to me by the loyalty team, so there is no one else to consult when it comes to any further clarification. I guess we are all going to have to wait and see how it eventually pans out after August.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
Dec 8, 2018, 8:47 am
#39
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New York
Programs: Bonvoy LifetimeTitanium, UA Plat 2MM, LHW LeadersClub, IHGPlat, HiltonDiamnd, ASMVPG100K, WyndDiamnd
Posts: 1,227
Issue is my understanding is that the hotel says they are required NOT to give the benefit. Fine if they want to remove it, but to say they are required not to give a benefit and to blame Marriott just does not seem correct.
Dec 8, 2018, 9:57 am
#40
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Ultimately, what you get from a hotel is what the hotel decides to give -- that is unless and until you can get Marriott to make the affiliated hotel property to pay for it in one way or another despite the property's immediate wish to do its own thing when convenient to the property.
I've seen sort of the same kind of thing happen with regard to late check-out at hotels using the resort/convention center exception even when the various corporate contact center personnel claimed the exception wasn't applicable, but I've never heard of hotel brand owner telling affiliated hotels to disallow complimentary late check-out for reasons of "consistency" or "setting/managing customer expectations".
Last edited by GUWonder; Dec 8, 2018 at 10:05 am
Dec 8, 2018, 1:06 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
This has probably been answered elsewhere, but I cannot find the answer. I have heard that some resorts, such as the Marriott Weligama, that offered a lounge or a lounge-type benefit (such as afternoon tea/evening cocktails and hors d'oeuvres) for golds/platinums have stopped offering this benefit as they say they are not allowed to by Marriott. Is this the case? I thought that Marriott does not require it, but does not prohibit a property from going above and beyond.
Dec 8, 2018, 6:39 pm
#42
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