Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Discontinued Programs/Partners > Starwood | Starwood Preferred Guest
Reload this Page >

Le Parker Méridien Palm Springs [Master Thread]

Le Parker Méridien Palm Springs [Master Thread]

 
Old Jun 1, 2011, 10:11 pm
  #91  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1P, Delta GM, SPG Platinum, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 118
Originally Posted by itsaboutthejourney
Platinum members: I hear that Parker Palm Springs will be offering 30 minutes of free tennis in exchange for the HSIA portion of their resort fee.

I encourage anyone to either take full advantage of this, or tell the GM your opinions of their property's participation (or lack of) in the SPG program.
I just returned from a 3 night award stay at the Parker. Beautiful property and I was very pleased with the service, but no Platinum recognition to speak of. I received no room upgrade, which I can understand as it was Memorial Day weekend, but when I checked in my status was not acknowledged and when I inquired about the alternative amenity for the resort fee the check-in agent didn't know what I was talking about. I also had to go through some hoops to get a late check out, though I was eventually granted one.

All the above being said, I really liked the property. Staff were generally very friendly and responsive, and the grounds are wonderful. Normas, though a tad overpriced, is excellent. I definitely plan to return at some point.
hardfour is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2011, 2:22 pm
  #92  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAX/JFK
Programs: UA Prem. Exec, DL Platinum, VA Gold, CO Gold, US Plat
Posts: 5
Would never stay at parker palm springs again

Just stayed there on business and my entire group had a TERRIBLE experience.

1) The rooms were 'fluffed' since the property was taken over by starwood/meridian. This meant new paint, carpet and furniture--but it's the same grime-ridden tile in the bathrooms and everything just still feels TIRED.

2) The TINY pool remains the same--seriously, why bother?

3) Room service is slow and doesn't check the accuracy of orders (they are quick to charge but seem to always 'forget' something). Similarly, there is only one restaurant--and the portions are grotesquely huge, the prices are high, and the quality is marginal. Also many in my group commented that if you aren't gay, female or painfully hip, prepare to be ignored.

4) But the real problem here is the TERRIBLE management and LOUSY front desk staff. Three people in our group were EXPLICITLY promised the day prior to check out that they would get late check out (we had a block of rooms including large suites). The following morning these people learned that they had been LIED to by front desk management, and were treated incredibly rudely (including our client who is the head of a major company). Another person in our group was PHYSICALLY GRABBED by another manager because they were walking past a wedding that was about to start--this was a main walkway to the front desk area and management failed to put up any signs indicating that a wedding was in progress. Management later stated that it is their policy to post staff rather than post signs and the manager in question totally LIED and said that the guest 'bumped into him'. Seriously, since when is it ok to manhandle a guest? Requests, large and small were totally DROPPED by management. And these are only a few of the many, many, examples Le Parker Palm Springs totally inept, very snobby, and decidedly amateur management and front desk staff. And any of you thinking that your gold or platinum status will actually matter to them...or the fact that you are spending A LOT of money....think again. When expressing displeasure at the situation, the front desk manager responded 'we have movie stars stay here'. Wow.....does anyone really care?

5) The only positives I can say are that the spa staff are great. So to is John at the concierge desk--HE should be running the joint. And the grounds at the property are really beautiful. But none of this is enough to make a repeat stay here remotely tempting.

Unless you feel like being ripped off, treated poorly and enjoy mediocre food served in a setting of posers, I'd take my business elsewhere.
liamlpa is offline  
Old Jun 23, 2011, 10:33 am
  #93  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Alberta, Canada
Programs: *wood gold, aeroplan
Posts: 60
I stayed at this property in March for 3 nights. Overall, I thought it was pretentious, tired and a bit trashy. I've heard the decor referred to as "crap from Grandma's attic" which is very fitting in this case.

Pros:
Upgraded to a larger room with the hammock.

Cons:
Old facility redecorated
The smell in the hall. Old and musty. Gross
No coffee in the room. To have coffee brought it was $12 for a pot.
This property did not qualify for the Q1 SPG promo.

I will pass on this property next time I'm in the area. I usually stay at the Westin Rancho Mirage and much prefer it.
AB2BC is offline  
Old Jun 23, 2011, 11:21 am
  #94  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 6,983
Originally Posted by AB2BC
Cons:
<snip>
No coffee in the room. To have coffee brought it was $12 for a pot.
Frustratingly, this seems to be a trend that I'm seeing more and more in properties that we are staying at; certainly not reserved to this property.

I don't like this trend, but I sure have experienced it a lot lately (not just at SPG properties either)

Regards
scubadu is offline  
Old Aug 30, 2011, 9:33 am
  #95  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1P, Delta GM, SPG Platinum, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 118
I just got back from a return visit to the Parker. This time they were much better with Platinum recognition - I was upgraded to a Jr Suite, and at check in they gave me a card to select my Platinum amenity.
hardfour is offline  
Old Aug 30, 2011, 10:19 am
  #96  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,393
Originally Posted by hardfour
I just got back from a return visit to the Parker. This time they were much better with Platinum recognition - I was upgraded to a Jr Suite, and at check in they gave me a card to select my Platinum amenity.
Good to hear they can do well sometimes. Did you ask for the alternate amenity since the resort fee includes internet? Did they give you the 'fab' bathroom amenities or just the basic Thomas Roth stuff?
itsaboutthejourney is offline  
Old Aug 30, 2011, 3:57 pm
  #97  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Marin County, CA
Programs: Marriott LT-TE, United Gold
Posts: 467
The responses about the lack of Platinum recognition seem strange...I've stayed at this property several times (I think I have a mini trip report somewhere in this thread) and have never had an issue with Plat status. They've always brought it up during check-in and made sure I received my amenity. They've also had no trouble upgrading us to one of the various suites (Hammock or ground floor facing the pool). I'm glad to see some of the people who had issues are seeing it get better but I'm surprised as over the past few years I've never had an issue there like that...
chrisdeaner is offline  
Old Sep 1, 2011, 7:33 am
  #98  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1P, Delta GM, SPG Platinum, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 118
Originally Posted by itsaboutthejourney
Good to hear they can do well sometimes. Did you ask for the alternate amenity since the resort fee includes internet? Did they give you the 'fab' bathroom amenities or just the basic Thomas Roth stuff?
No alternative amenity offered, and I didn't ask for it. I did indeed get the "fab" bathroom kit.
hardfour is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2011, 3:53 pm
  #99  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: msp
Programs: DL Plat, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 798
I spent a weekend at the Parker recently, on an award stay. We were treated VERY well - super-friendly front desk team and concierge, great (huge) room overlooking the pool, and friendly spa staff. The place definitely has character!

My past experience with award bookings is that the hotel will try to give you a less-than-great room (multiple times I've had disappointing rooms at Westins when on an award stay) - not the case here.

I also loved the bathroom products - all great brands, lovely products and large size. (Not Peter Thomas Roth though, as someone had asked, but Penhaligons, Molton Brown, Hermes, and L'Occitane) So nice I had to check my bag on the way home so that I could take all of the products with me!
curl is offline  
Old Sep 4, 2011, 4:37 pm
  #100  
Community Director Emerita
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,681
I just booked FRN here for late fall. The agent told me that I was booked into an "estate room". She had no idea what that was, nor does the Starwood website clarify. It sounds intriguing, right?

Le Parker Méridien Palm Springs has 144 rooms, with categories comprising standard, deluxe, pool view, lanai rooms, 6 junior suites, 12 villas and the luxurious two-bedroom Gene Autry residence.

A bit of sleuthing on the property specfic website reveals that they are indeed the entry level room.

Has anyone figured out the alternative platinum amenity?
SanDiego1K is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2011, 5:36 pm
  #101  
Company Representative - Starwood
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
...Has anyone figured out the alternative platinum amenity?
Someone left a strong suggestion that they had in post #90.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]
Starwood Lurker is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2011, 5:42 pm
  #102  
Community Director Emerita
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,681
Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
Has anyone figured out the alternative platinum amenity?
Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker
Someone left a strong suggestion that they had in post #90.

Best regards,

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

[email protected]
Originally Posted by itsaboutthejourney
Platinum members: I hear that Parker Palm Springs will be offering 30 minutes of free tennis in exchange for the HSIA portion of their resort fee.
I think I was so horrified that someone might want me on the tennis court that I put it from my mind.
SanDiego1K is offline  
Old Nov 15, 2011, 3:35 pm
  #103  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Marriott PLT, SPG GLD, DL PM, National EE
Posts: 347
Any recent feedback on this property? Not many options to use my FRN near LAX in December.
AFONTANEZ is offline  
Old Nov 16, 2011, 8:54 am
  #104  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SAN / CLD / SNA
Programs: 2mm+ UAL | Lifetime Titanium Marriott | Globalist Hyatt | SpireElite IHG
Posts: 262
Originally Posted by AFONTANEZ
Any recent feedback on this property? Not many options to use my FRN near LAX in December.
I stay here pretty regularly, particularly in Nov/Dec; I've spent 2 of the last 3 Christmas holidays there, and hit it a few times a year otherwise.
I had gotten to know the GM, and recently received an email that he had left and a new fellow had come in - either moving from a property in Australia or originally from Australia. Email wasn't clear.

I was out there in late Summer, and found it reliably lovely.
I'm probably heading out there next week, and will post any update.
KevinS is offline  
Old Nov 16, 2011, 12:31 pm
  #105  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: 100K
Posts: 444
Originally Posted by AFONTANEZ
Any recent feedback on this property? Not many options to use my FRN near LAX in December.
Just stayed there last weekend... didn't get an upgrade but overall the property is very nice.... nice facilities and spa. Very LAish decor... liked i overall. Bathroom amenities are nice as well.

They recognized my plat status and gave me a discount for the pet.
rumblefox is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.