GONE : Le Meridien Khao Lak, Thailand (leaving Starwood 31 Oct 2014) [Master Thread]
Oct 8, 2014, 6:01 am
#1396
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SE Asia
Posts: 1,274
So this thread be closed or moved if this hotel is no longer part of SPG?
Oct 9, 2014, 2:54 am
#1397
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,034
Oct 9, 2014, 6:16 am
#1398
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LUX
Programs: LH SEN, BA Silver, HH SILVER, Bonvoy PLAT, A/club PLAT, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 838
Oct 9, 2014, 11:14 am
#1399
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,019
I'm toying with the idea of one....last....stay....
Oct 10, 2014, 8:27 am
#1400
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LUX
Programs: LH SEN, BA Silver, HH SILVER, Bonvoy PLAT, A/club PLAT, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 838
Oct 10, 2014, 2:29 pm
#1401
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,918
I did just that a few weeks ago, and had one last fairly mixed stay. I have a ~10-year history with this place, was part of the Ugandan Shilling mistake, met the long parade of GMs, and witnessed the ever changing policies (2 free drinks/day for Plats, no free drinks for Plats, room service breakfast ok, room service breakfast not ok, villa breakfast in Baan Thai, villa breakfast with the masses, etc etc).
In my recent (September) stay, I had a BRG for a pool villa, and was pleased (and a bit shocked) to receive an upgrade to an oceanfront residential pool villa. I had asked for my favorite oceanfront villa (089), so this was a great upgrade, far beyond my expectations. Hand-written note from the GM, huge plate of fruit, some chocolates, nuts, and cookies. The (unannounced) pool closure was a bit annoying, and the restaurant openings seemed even more limited than in prior summers, but the food quality was better than last year. Platinum/villa breakfast in Cafe Lilawadee only, not room service or Baan Thai. Very low occupancy, and mixed weather, but Rim Lay was open on some days.
I certainly enjoyed the stay and was sad to say goodbye. It'll be a loss for SPG, although I'm not sure that it's a huge deal for those of us who booked villas anyway -- on most of my stays, I got exactly what I booked (villa, breakfast, 2 drinks/day). Sure, the stay credit will be missed, along with occasional above-average upgrades, but I'm pretty sure I'll be back here at some point, SPG or not.
In my recent (September) stay, I had a BRG for a pool villa, and was pleased (and a bit shocked) to receive an upgrade to an oceanfront residential pool villa. I had asked for my favorite oceanfront villa (089), so this was a great upgrade, far beyond my expectations. Hand-written note from the GM, huge plate of fruit, some chocolates, nuts, and cookies. The (unannounced) pool closure was a bit annoying, and the restaurant openings seemed even more limited than in prior summers, but the food quality was better than last year. Platinum/villa breakfast in Cafe Lilawadee only, not room service or Baan Thai. Very low occupancy, and mixed weather, but Rim Lay was open on some days.
I certainly enjoyed the stay and was sad to say goodbye. It'll be a loss for SPG, although I'm not sure that it's a huge deal for those of us who booked villas anyway -- on most of my stays, I got exactly what I booked (villa, breakfast, 2 drinks/day). Sure, the stay credit will be missed, along with occasional above-average upgrades, but I'm pretty sure I'll be back here at some point, SPG or not.
Oct 30, 2014, 7:55 am
#1402
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SE Asia
Posts: 1,274
as of today this property still allows me to book a reservation for Jan on SPG.com without any notification that the property will no longer be a LM?
Oct 30, 2014, 8:06 am
#1403
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
With regard to earning Starpoints and stay/night credit after they leave, it says this on their landing page:
"Please note:
Currency Fluctuations
Seasonal Dining Information
Leaving Starwood on October 31, 2014
Compulsory New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner: December 31, 2014"
If you click on "More Information", it leads you to their Announcements page, where it says this:
"Leaving Starwood on October 31, 2014
Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort will be leaving the Starwood system on October 31, 2014. Reservations for dates on or after October 31, 2014 will not be eligible for Starwood Preferred Guest membership benefits, award redemption or accrual. For accommodation arrangements at the hotel after October 31, 2014 , please contact the hotel directly."
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jun 18, 2015, 10:03 pm
#1404
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 760
If anyone has missed this property and wants to return, Travelzoo has a promo $499 -- Thailand: 6-Nt Luxe Pullman Family Break w/Extras