Auckland Hotel Changes

[bossreggie]

Hey All.

I am not sure if anyone is interested but there is about to be a shake-up in the 5* Hotel scene in Auckland which will be of interest to SPG and A-Club members.

Firstly... Accor is about to begin renovation of an existing building in AKL CBD and open the first Pullman hotel in New Zealand.

Secondly... The Westin Hotel in AKL will be Re-Branded as a Sofitel. This is great news for regular travelers to AKL who currently have NO 5* option with A-Club.

The Westin takeover will occur imminently and a new hotel GM has already been appointed.

I am looking forward to my first stay in Sofitel Auckland!

Shaun

 

[Grooba]

... Secondly... The Westin Hotel in AKL will be Re-Branded as a Sofitel. This is great news for regular travelers to AKL who currently have NO 5* option with A-Club.

The Westin takeover will occur imminently and a new hotel GM has already been appointed.

I am looking forward to my first stay in Sofitel Auckland!

Shaun

Is that confirmed? I've heard rumours about Accor taking it over but nothing in concrete.

 

[pauly7]

Ugh another Accor property. Off to the Hilton!

 

[ric_melb]

Very disappointing to a Starwood fan. Had a great stay at Westin Auckland a year ago. The complex has been having issues due to the rooms being individually owned, and some issues with the management company for the owners, but I did not think this had anything to do with Westin management.

Have been very disappointed with Accor hotels, although the Sofitels are the pick of the bunch. And A Club is a joke.

Happy for those that will enjoy a Sofitel Auckland however.

So now Westin Auckland joins Sheraton Perth to leave the Starwood group.

 

[markis10]

Secondly... The Westin Hotel in AKL will be Re-Branded as a Sofitel. This is great news for regular travelers to AKL who currently have NO 5* option with A-Club.

Just because it becomes a Sofitel does not mean it becomes a 5* option with A-Club, the hotel may choose not to participate as both Sofitels have in SE QLD, a bone of contention with A Club as far as I am concerned! SPG really are losing their grip locally, the rot started in 2004 and continues!

 

[Alanslegal]

Very disappointing to a Starwood fan. Had a great stay at Westin Auckland a year ago.

Definitely a BIG loss for Starwood esp. for the Asia Pacific region. Have stayed there as a Platinum SPG'er and had very nice corner suite upgrades overlooking the quay. Oh well, guess I'll look elsewhere on my next visit very soon.

 

[Grooba]

Just because it becomes a Sofitel does not mean it becomes a 5* option with A-Club, the hotel may choose not to participate as both Sofitels have in SE QLD, a bone of contention with A Club as far as I am concerned! SPG really are losing their grip locally, the rot started in 2004 and continues!

That's because the Sofitel Gold Coast and Sofitel Brisbane are both just Sofitel franchises and not managed/owned by Accor. If they were, they would be part of the program.

 

[markis10]

That's because the Sofitel Gold Coast and Sofitel Brisbane are both just Sofitel franchises and not managed/owned by Accor. If they were, they would be part of the program.

Does not change the fact that they have a program that does not work across all brands and hotels, unlike SPG/Priority Club etc, as an A-Club Plat based in BNE I find the situation laughable, especially since most are Aussie based exceptions:

Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach Broadbeach Australia
Novotel Melbourne on Collins Melbourne Australia

Novotel Wollongong Northbeach Wollongong Australia​

Novotel Sydney Brighton beach Brighton le sands Australia

The Menzies Sydney Australia​

Novotel Coffs Harbour Pacific Bay Resort Coffs harbour Australia
Sofitel Brisbane Grand Central Brisbane Australia

All ibis hotels in China China​

 

[pauly7]

That's because the Sofitel Gold Coast and Sofitel Brisbane are both just Sofitel franchises and not managed/owned by Accor. If they were, they would be part of the program.

That is a technical explanation but means absolutely nothing to a consumer except frustration.

I steer clear of Accor as well, they are a PITA especially in this region.

 

[drron]

There are SPG properties that dont participate in the SPG loyalty program.Until recently the Palmer in NYC was one.

 

[markis10]

There are SPG properties that dont participate in the SPG loyalty program.Until recently the Palmer in NYC was one.

Good thing all the SPG properties do in Oz, the SPG numbers are dwindling regardless, for that reason I left SPG as a plat, and have no interest in diverting any of my 100 odd stays away from ICHG to either A club or SPG.

 

[Grooba]

Does anyone have a confirmation that Accor will be taking over the Westin Auckland?

 

[Starwood Lurker AP]

Secondly... The Westin Hotel in AKL will be Re-Branded as a Sofitel. This is great news for regular travelers to AKL who currently have NO 5* option with A-Club.

The Westin takeover will occur imminently and a new hotel GM has already been appointed.

I am looking forward to my first stay in Sofitel Auckland!

Shaun

Well, this isn't true and I will be very keen to know where you have heard this from. Westin is still managing the property.


Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

 

[markis10]

Recycled old rumour perhaps, after all the thread on FT stating this does date back to 2006!

RUMOR: Westin Auckland, New Zealand to be Sofitel? [Master Thread] - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[oz_mark]

It is in receivership though...

 

[markis10]

It is in receivership though...

Does not look like any changes can be made for at least a month (apart from reducing capacity and sacking 100 staff): http://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/cases/low-v-body-corporate-384911/at_download/fileDecision

 

[bossreggie]

Hi All

I heard about this on Friday morning whilst staying at a Sofitel Hotel.

The person who told me was privy to the proceedings and was to travel to New Zealand this week to assist the new GM for the hotel.

Maybe it is NOT common knowledge within the SPG community yet. However I am confident the person informing me was cofident this will be happening.

I guess time will tell.

 

[Peter Tavare]

I think the change to Sofitel can't come soon enough. Not quite sure what's happening with the hotel, but the very good rooms were spoilt by very poor service during my last stay - in complete contrast to my stays at Sofitel London St James and Sofitel Heathrow recently. They were not only good looking hotels but brilliant service. I've had great service at Sofitel Melbourne as well. Plus - after taking some time, admittedly - I've finally (I think) worked out AClub and am beginning to like it. I've had too many troubles recently getting redemption nights with Starwood...not sure if they are changing their programme, but at least with the Accor club you can use the reward anytime, anyplace. My two preferred hotels in Auckland are the Hotel DeBrett, but difficult to get in, and the Westin, so a change to Sofitel would really lift the standards.

 

[ejb]

I have a SPG points stay booked for next Feb. I wonder what will happen?

ejb

 

[straitman]

I think the change to Sofitel can't come soon enough. Not quite sure what's happening with the hotel, but the very good rooms were spoilt by very poor service during my last stay - in complete contrast to my stays at Sofitel London St James and Sofitel Heathrow recently. They were not only good looking hotels but brilliant service. I've had great service at Sofitel Melbourne as well. Plus - after taking some time, admittedly - I've finally (I think) worked out AClub and am beginning to like it. I've had too many troubles recently getting redemption nights with Starwood...not sure if they are changing their programme, but at least with the Accor club you can use the reward anytime, anyplace. My two preferred hotels in Auckland are the Hotel DeBrett, but difficult to get in, and the Westin, so a change to Sofitel would really lift the standards.

Peter Tavare,

Welcome to AFF and thanks for the input.