HKG W and SQ J or QF F

[sr81]

I am in a pickle. I just can't decide what sort of hedonistic experience I want. I am in HKG for one night only and haven't stayed at the W yet. It is currently about AUD360 a night which is to high so I can only afford to stay with points.

I currently have 19000 SPG points that would easily give me my one night.

BUT I could also turn these SPG points into 25,000 AA miles and then buy miles for $400 and have just enough for an F flight on QF back to MEL.

Adding to the confusion is that I have 18,750 BMI points waiting to be used and there is availability in J HKG-SIN-MEL with SQ. The down side of BMI is the cash co-pay and taxes that will make this option about GBP250.

So, I could stay at the W and get an SQ flight home for about $400 or fly QF F home direct for about $400 plus pay for a night (prob Langham Place).

What do you value spg points at? Is 12,000 SPG points good value for the HKG W? Does the W do last minutes rates?

I

 

[Alanslegal]

From just a SPG points to redemption perspection, 12,000 points for a night is good value however, when comparing points to dollars etc then things start to change alot.

Redeeming one night:
$360 = 12,000 thus $0.03 per SPG point.

Converting to AA + $400 = one way F flight, which I'll give a nominal cost of $2,500 all inclusive:-
$2,500 = $2,100 + $400 = 19,000 + $400
$2,100 = 19,000 thus $0.11 per SPG point.

I'm not familiar with BMI points and redemptions, so can't compare with the above.

I usually value my points around the $0.05 mark so converting to AA looks twice as good in this scenario.

 

[burrco]

As a leisure traveller I struggle to make my 50 nights to re-qualify as SPG platinum so normally find AA points the best value.

I often stay at the W Hong Kong and rarely find prices get any lower as a stay date approaches - of course this doesn't mean that they won't.

Two things you have most likely considered - sometimes this hotel will have cash and points availability - even if it isn't showing on the website. Also they often have SPG50 availability (50% of rack rate for 1000 points) which can drop the rate to mid $200s

Also 19000 spg equals = 19000 AA are you going to buy another 1000 spg points? You need to transfer 20,000 to get the 5,000 bonus.

 

[Alanslegal]

As a leisure traveller I struggle to make my 50 nights to re-qualify as SPG platinum so normally find AA points the best value.

I often stay at the W Hong Kong and rarely find prices get any lower as a stay date approaches - of course this doesn't mean that they won't.

I'm in the same leisure type category and after hoarding SPG points for a couple of years now, this year's big trip will involve alot of C&P and points booking which means I am very unlikely to requal. for platinum for the 4th year.

My next big leisure trip is close to 8 weeks which if I paid using cash, could push me over ..... but I can't justify the cost (especially for my 6 weeks in Europe), when I can use a combination of C&P and points in this instance.

I heavily rely on Best Rate Guarantee's, not only to earn 2,000 points (or 10% off) per successful claim to hasten my points accumulation, but also so that I get a very good rate. My next stay will be at a BRG rate of HK$1650 per night so maybe sr81 could try his luck on finding a cheaper rate and making a claim. My successful claim came through www.travelrepublic.co.uk but I always use www.hotelpricefinder.com as a starting point.

 

[Flying Fox]

Personally I would go QF F.

I dont value a hotel room upgrade as much as an airline seat upgrade. As long as the hotel is comfortable, clean & safe, I'm generally happy. I would prefer to be spoilt on a plane.

But that's just me.

 

[sr81]

Thanks all for your responses.

I am still wondering the best way to go but placing some maths behind it makes it all the more interesting. I like QF F but have done it few times before whereas the W is a new proposition.

I think I will take QF F and hope that the W becomes a little cheaper or I can swing a BRG.

Cheers.

 

[sr81]

Some follow up.

Found a BRG for the night I wanted at HKD1900. Not quite as good as Alanslegal but I am happy enough.

Going to go with QF F an do a FASA anyway. Best of both worlds!

 

[k3nnis]

So how was your stay at the W HKG? Was the location easy to get around etc? Child friendly hotel?

Some follow up.

Found a BRG for the night I wanted at HKD1900. Not quite as good as Alanslegal but I am happy enough.

Going to go with QF F an do a FASA anyway. Best of both worlds!

 

[sr81]

Haven't stayed yet. That's in December.
As to question 1. Been to HKG many times and the location is great. Don't worry about that.

Maybe would think about a short stay apartment if you taking kids. W would be very expensive with little extras. I have had great luck with priceline for good value Honkers accom.

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks. I was looking at either the sheraton towers or the W HKG or even the Conrad HKG if I can get a good rate. I stayed at the langham place and IC Grand Stamford previouly when I was in HKG about a year and a half ago...

Haven't stayed yet. That's in DecemberAs to question 1. Been to HKG many times and the location is great. Don't worry about that. Maybe would think about a short stay apartment if you taking kids. W would be very expensive with little extras. I have had great luck with priceline for good value Honkers accom.

 

[Febs]

Is 12,000 SPG points good value for the HKG W?

I think it's excellent value. I recently booked 5 nights there for 48,000 (5th night free). For those dates, our corporate rate was ~$350 and the regular rate was (from memory) over $400.

The same 48,000pts would have only gotten me 3 nights at the Westin Langkawi where we're also heading, but for those dates it's only ~$250/night.

So in the HK example I got about $2k worth of value from the points, instead of $750.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[MrJetset]

After several stays at Ws including Koh Samui, Times Square and only last week in Barcelona I find them all style and no substance. I've chosen Le Meridian as my preferred chain in Asia (where no Park Hyatt exists, of course).

 

[k3nnis]

Does this apply to the w hkg as well?

 

[Alanslegal]

The reviews and rating on TripAdvisor has the W Hong Kong rated at #11 (of 308 Hotels in Hong Kong).

This rating is consistent with my view on the property, where I have received nothing short of very good experience.

Just a note, on a Friday / Saturday night, the W Living Room turns into all night drinking venue, and once a month the rooftops transfer into a private pool party - where guests actually have complimentary entry - whilst other folks pay in the order of around 250HKD to get in. Soooo if you are into those parties, which I am, then Friday and Saturday nights are good stay nights.

Also W is aimed at and attracts a younger type crowd, well younger types with deep pockets, (sadly right now I fail in the dep pockets category), who are generally more trendy, cool, and just want to be seen type. So I guess if you are over 40 yrs old, you might ... feel out of place.

 

[MrJetset]

The reviews and rating on TripAdvisor has the W Hong Kong rated at #11 (of 308 Hotels in Hong Kong).

This rating is consistent with my view on the property, where I have received nothing short of very good experience.

Just a note, on a Friday / Saturday night, the W Living Room turns into all night drinking venue, and once a month the rooftops transfer into a private pool party - where guests actually have complimentary entry - whilst other folks pay in the order of around 250HKD to get in. Soooo if you are into those parties, which I am, then Friday and Saturday nights are good stay nights.

Also W is aimed at and attracts a younger type crowd, well younger types with deep pockets, (sadly right now I fail in the dep pockets category), who are generally more trendy, cool, and just want to be seen type. So I guess if you are over 40 yrs old, you might ... feel out of place.

Take alanslegal advice. I have no experience with the W HKG, but I consider myself young (30) and fashion forward. I've found Ws in the US to attract desperate wanna be types. Asia has a different market, but the service levels I have seen at this chain are the worst I have experienced, and are further offensive when I pay for good suites rather than rely on an upgrade at check in. I don't just like the property to look nice (glitzy, contemporary, or neoclassical) but I expect a certain level of service.

 

[Alanslegal]

Fair point you made Jock28

I've stayed in NYC W's (Union Square and New York) and both failed in my service expectation, just like your W Times Square experience. And yes those places are definitely all show - no substance, guys (bankers,lawyers etcs) trying to see who is bigger,better, DYWIA types. I am surprised about the Koh Samui experience though, but then again I have heard hits and misses with that property in its opening few months. (W Barcelona was too far from Las Ramblas, so I stayed at the Le Meridien instead and was upgraded to the Presidential Suite).

 

[Hawkeye]

So I guess if you are over 40 yrs old, you might ... feel out of place.

Man, that really hurts, you know!

The W Hong Kong is a completely different kettle of fish altogether to the average American W - right balance of funky chic, ultra-coolness, and the things a hotel should do well i.e. service. It's won the Asian-Pacific Business Traveller magazine "best Business Hotel award" for the last couple of years, so clearly has substance as well as style.

 

[MrJetset]

Fair point you made Jock28

I've stayed in NYC W's (Union Square and New York) and both failed in my service expectation, just like your W Times Square experience. And yes those places are definitely all show - no substance, guys (bankers,lawyers etcs) trying to see who is bigger,better, DYWIA types. I am surprised about the Koh Samui experience though, but then again I have heard hits and misses with that property in its opening few months. (W Barcelona was too far from Las Ramblas, so I stayed at the Le Meridien instead and was upgraded to the Presidential Suite).

The W Koh Samui had just opened and it wasn't fully operational but the rates were $900+ per night for a "villa" that was more of a studio. Having arrived from the Westin Siray Bay in a real One Bedroom Salla Villa using SPG50, I simply couldn't justify the price. My partner and I were treated like Kings and because they have no club lounge, they offer 'coughtail Hour' - two hours of any coughtails you wish off the menu, on a rooftop terrace with a live acoustic two piece band who even played Kylie's All the Lovers for us

The Le Meridian Bangkok was exceptional as well. A private area for Platinums to have breakfast, including Champagne, and again a coughtail Hour at the bar. Amazing, contemporary property too.

I would have chosen the Le Meridian Barcelona, but we went for Circuit and wanted to laze by the pool and on the beach. We took a day trip to Sitges, and burnt a free night at the Le Meridian Ra Beach hotel. A simply stunning, overlooked SPG resort.

(Sorry for hijacking the thread)

 

[Isochronous]

Haven't stayed yet. That's in December.
As to question 1. Been to HKG many times and the location is great. Don't worry about that.

Maybe would think about a short stay apartment if you taking kids. W would be very expensive with little extras. I have had great luck with priceline for good value Honkers accom.

Where have you found these short stay apartments? I'll be interested for a trip planned next year.

 

[skywalkerLAX]

@ OP: Have you stayed at the W during this journey yet?

After being disappointed 4 times at various W locations this year (Union Square NY, Miami Beach, Hollywood CA, Barcelona) I would incline to not stay at another one except it's really good service and actually nice.

As for the redemption value, it's a tough choice but I would say 12.000 points or above for a hotel night is rarely good value especially when you consider various corporate rates. In HKG for example I stay at the Hyatt TST for 1300 HKD a night on our Corporate Plan.

Cheers
S