neildibiase

Hello all,

My company is sending me to DC for 2 months in September/October. Rather than stay in an extended stay property (AKA Hotel, for example) I figure I'll rack up some SPG points and stay at a hotel. Each property has offered the same price (my company's per diem), so here are the options:

Westin Grand
-Junior Suite (didn't know they had these)
-Free Internet Access

W Washington
-Wonderful Room

Westin City Center
-Standard Room

Fairfax at Embassy Row
-deluxe room


The Grand seems like the hands-down winner, plus the sales rep there is a joy to work with. However, I'm tempted by the W - it'll be brand new and so shiny - but no idea on room size which will be important over 60 days. Just wanted to get your thoughts - I've never stayed in any of these hotels.

Which would you like to stay in for an extended period of time? Thanks in advance!

DFWFlier

Do you currently have status with SPG? If not, this would be a good opportunity to rack up a lot of stays by changing hotels every day or 2, if you don't mind the hassle. Whether it's worth it depends on how much you'll use Starwood in the future after this assignment.

neildibiase

I don't have status currently - but figure I'll still hit Platinum because I'll be staying more than 50 nights in a Starwood hotel during one year - happens to be all at the same time.

As far as I can tell, it's 25 stays or 50 nights. Good thinking though!

magiciansampras

Where is your work?

neildibiase

Thought about that - I'll be working with a few clients in the city and one major client just outside in Falls Church, so I just need to be Metro accessible.

magiciansampras

Westin Grand

neildibiase

Thanks. Any idea of what they mean by junior suite? Nothing on their website.

magiciansampras

My buddy stayed at the Westin Grand every week for about 6 months and saw every room (with the exception of the presidential suite) that was available. I can ask him. I think I recall the junior suites having a little separate sitting area. Not a true suite in that you have multiple rooms, but something of a separate section with a couch/desk/etc.

allset2travel

Western Grand gets another vote.

KENNECTED

This isn't meant to be rude, but there is a lot of information on DC properties, in the SPG Forum FAQ & Hotel Master Thread List. I hope both of these threads help.
Washington D.C. General Discussion (Where should I stay? Which hotel is better? etc.)

The westin grand questions can be answered in this thread. If they are showing one available, book it, do not count on an upgrade to it.
Westin Grand - Washington D.C. [Master Thread]

KENNECTED

That is pretty much what those rooms are and "extended" king room.

nyc1978

Make sure you check out SPG policy regarding receiving points/credit for long-term (30+ day) stays. There was a long back and forth about this a few weeks ago, and the upshot was no points/stay credit can be accumulated because it is more like a short-term lease than a hotel stay, and it was suggested the OP spend 20 nights in one hotel, leave for a day or two, then come back. Don't remember the details but the policy seemed to clearly disallow this.

craz

I also thought of switching, but then realized the OP will get enough nights to qualify that way.

OP I would divide it up so that you will beable to earn an extra pt per $, which Golds and Plats get. so maybe for 1 night after you stayed enough nights to be a Gold stay elsewhere and come back to The Westin the night after that.So hopefully you'll get the extra pt that way

If you have status with another Chain call SPG and see if they will comp you at least gold, dont tell them you will be staying for 2 months , then they may not,as they might feel they already got you why give you anything for nothing. If they comp you even Gold then you will earn 3 pts from day 1 and need not switch Hotels

also there was something about no credit for stays over 30 days, so do make sure you do something not to get caught up by that

also if you dont have a SPG Amex get it thats another 2 pts per $ charged on it at SPG props.

You must pay the bill and I believe if its a Master Bill you wont get any credit, make sure you get it all Right before staying otherwise you may Not get what you are counting on

craz

I took it from the OPs post that the Jr suite was a Given,done deal if they chose the Westin Grand, something the Hotel offered as a way to get the biz, so the OP wouldnt have to do anything to get it but simply call back the person they spoke to and take them up on the offer of a Jr Suite at whatever rate was given

magiciansampras

+1

I had an annoying experience with another chain (Priority Club) regarding an extended stay. Cross the t's and dot the i's before you make the reservation and begin your stay. @:-)