sc flier

yapak2, it costs hotels money to participate in SPG. If they think that they can profit better without this expense, then they might be inclined to not participate. If Starwood mandates that a franchise participate in SPG, then they risk that hotel leaving Starwood for another brand or even going independent. Many of the non-participating LM properties didn't participate in LM Moments either, IIRC.

I'm not sure why the Sheraton Casino doesn't participate. I'd think that they'd benefit greatly if they did. However, I think that it does participate in Harrah's Total Rewards.

There are a couple non-participating properties that are missing from this list:
Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA
Tremont Hotel, Chicago, IL

Martineau Bay is still officially on the list, but it's closed now to become the W Vieques anyway.

christianj

To make matters more confusing, it was my understanding that the LM brand was purchased by Starwood Capital (http://www.starwoodcapital.com/mainpages/core.htm) and Lehman Bros. and not Starwood Hotels. They are two totally seperate entities! Starwood Capital is run by Barry Sternlicht who used to be the head of Starwood Hotels. Starwood Capital owns the LM assets and had an operating/franchise/management type of agreement with Starwood Hotels for the LM hotels. A quick Google search brings up this article which talks about the deal: (maybe someone will understand the terminology used in the article to clarify the deal a little better...or possibly Lurker could clarify the deal for us)

http://www.hotelinteractive.com/inde...rticle_id=5309

Starwood Capital also owns Societe du Louvre (http://www.societedulouvre.com/en/home.htm) which operates high-end and budget hotels that are not part of Starwood Hotels. They have also recently introduced various new hotel brands (Baccarat Hotels, "1" Hotel & Residences) that will "compete" with Starwood Hotels so I could possibly see the LM brand leaving Starwood Hotels and SPG in the future depending on the agreement.

yapak2Y...where exactly did you hear the news that LM Hotel were leaving SPG? It wouldn't be the first rumor that people got upset about on FT and later found out wasn't true.

itsaboutthejourney

Starwood Capital = Barry's company (Owns Barrarat, "1" & other hotels)
Starwood Hotels & Resorts = NYSE "HOT" (owns Westin, W, Sheraton, and runs the SPG program)

In terms of Le Meridien, Starwood Capital may own the real estate of many of the properties, but Starwood Hotels owns the Le Meridien Brand as well as a long-term contract with Starwood Capital to manage the Le Meridien properties.

Of course they could leave SPG, but if they did Barry would have to rename them something other than Le Meridien.

My guess is that a few properties here and there may leave (LM & SPG) as Barry expands his own brands, but I don't expect the LM name to dissapear.

brytpa

Why would it cost a hotel much to allow guests to earn SPG points on staying there? Why can't they just do partial participation (such as the all-suite properties at which you can still earn points, but that do not automatically upgrade and stuff like that because "everyone already has a suite" or whatever).

You'd think that so long as you can book a reservation at a property through SPG.com, you should be able to earn points in that stay. Whether or not you could redeem points for rooms/upgrades or expect upgrades as a Gold/Plat is something else entirely... or not?

gypsyinabigtown

Unfortunately this link has become obsolote. The newly arranged T&C at https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefe...spg_terms.html does not have such a section.

If anybody has a link to an up-to-date list, that would be great.

LovetoTravel83

The list is on the website that you have posted.

Life_Platinum

I am booked into the Tremont in November, as I thought that they finally decided to join. William, can you verify that they now are a member so that I can continue to look forward to trying the Tremont?

Pa Kettle

Seems like you are good to go:

"SPG Participating Hotels" are hotels, resorts, and other transient stay properties that are owned, managed or franchised by Starwood, except for:

The Lanesborough, A St. Regis Hotel
Le Méridien Dubai
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa
Le Méridien Fairway
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort


The Tremont Chicago Hotel at Magnificent Mile
100 East Chestnut
Chicago, Illinois 60611 United States
Phone: (312) 751-1900 Fax: (312) 751-8691
SPG Category 3
5.84 km / 3.63 miles from center of chicago.
Our timeless hotel in the heart of Magnificent Mile provides a picturesque canvas for Chicago’s rich history and contemporary culture.

silverforumsurf

They have to pay for the points, some might not feel that they'll get extra business to offset the point cost.

Kagehitokiri

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer...g_terms.html#1

not a complete list as mentioned before

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury...ropertyID=5652
phoenician residences no longer earns (decision by fractional owners?)

previously >
http://web.archive.org/web/201108111...spg_terms.html
starwood has handled rentals for st regis residence club in new york?