A most pressing Moral Dilemma

[Keith009]

A most pressing Moral Dilemma requiring urgent advice and possible intervention...

Well, I have long decided that none of the Starwood properties in London suit me. They're either old school featuring rooms with rather stodgy traditional Old English decor (Le Meridien), hostile to honouring SPG benefits (the Sheraton Park Tower), faded (Sheraton Belgravia), or simply deserving of a quick implosion (the Park Lane). At least till the W Piccadilly is ready in late 2011/early 2012, London has joined the likes of Bali, Singapore and Tokyo on my "SPG no way" list of cities despite being an extremely loyal SPG elite customer 99% of the time.

So for my upcoming visit in November I was thinking about going back to one of my favourite design hotels (I was practically part of the furniture, pre SPG points whoring days) the St Martin's Lane or checking out another ultra trendy Morgan Group gem the Sanderson. So sure I was of trying something different that I had my heart set on the surprisingly good offers the Sanderson had put out for my dates at GBP180/night - of course being an advance purchase rate I was holding out till later, or at least till the new billing cycle of the AMEX and before the expiry of the promo.

But then Starwood has an extremely cunning way of ruining it all for me, moving me back to the no man's land of indecision by announcing the rather clever Nights Advance promo (http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/starwood-spg/starwood-2009-promos-16497-2.html#post261574), which allows Platinum members to credit any SPG stays at the end of the 2009 calendar year to both the 2009 and 2010 calendar years, ie a great head start for requalifying Platinum status for the 2011 year.

Do I make a bold move and stay somewhere exciting, funky and fresh, ie the Sanderson - but give up a 3 night head start for next year's requal for 2011 ? Or stay somewhere thoroughly dull and unexciting, and relatively unappealing ie either any of the Starwoods but take advantage of a v neat promo?

This is given I'm not actually certain of requalifying next year as asking about my new employer's preferred chain of hotels obviously didn't cross my mind during the recruitment process. I mean, I should really think of making it easier to requalify for PLT as a strategic investment to ensure I'd be well taken care of during those 90% of the time when I'd stay with Starwood on my own dime right.....?! And I'd save myself 3 nights' hotel stay in 2010 and spend the money on some amazing clothes or shoes. A great investment to secure my future needs, just like my recent purchase of Issey Miyake's limited edition 2009 summer release in its L'eau d'Issey line to add to an entire cabinet's row of unfinished cologne bottles - a strategic move to hedge my future position in the fragrance market, I mean they might never make it again and I will try to promise not to buy colognes for the next 10 years.

OTOH surely it's not too hard to make up those 3 nights elsewhere. Worse comes to worst I'll simply find an excuse to head over to Geelong (wine), Sydney (shopping, get pissed) or Auckland (Cassius Eyewear) for a weekend trip, or do a 3 night staycation at the Westin Melbourne - really, it should really be that easy right? Apparently not... given I've spent the better part of the past 20 mins typing this up rather than working on my thesis.

(I qualify on nights rather than stays as I really cannot be stuffed with stay runs given i don't exactly travel light as many of you know. Especially given that this is London I can sum up what I want to do there in 2 words - Harvey Nicks'.)

In conclusion, loyalty programs have ruined my life... I really should go speak to Matt White or Tracy Grimshaw.

:-|

 

[Hawkeye]

he he - I can see the tumultuous debate in your mind spilling over on to the computer screen! You've given me a lot of help over the last couple of years (particularly with the W HK conversion), so let's see if I can crystallize a few ideas for you.

The main selling point of the London SPG properties is location, location, and very little else. All 4 of the ones you list are right in the heart of where you'd like to be. You're in London, so just use the room as a bed & shower, and nothing more, and just soak up the convenience of the location. I think that's what you would normally do anyway. And ... use the positive reinforcement of the money you've saved for next year to ease the guilty pangs when you buy the L'eau d'Issey (which unfortunately my wife seems to be allergic to).

My experience is with 5 stays at the LM, & I confess it is a hotel that really annoys me, because you never know what you're gonna get. Reception and concierge vary between excellent and hopeless, and the rooms range from the drab old-fashioned style that you mention, thru to the renovated contemporary (but not W league) style which is quite nice. Upgrades to suites are more common than not, and the suites are very large. They have a nice-enough lounge which platinum status gains you access to (despite the debate raging on FT about the T&C's). But I can forgive all the foibles when I step outside the front door, and you are on the verge of Picadilly circus, with Waterstones directly over the road.

So my 2 pence worth: go SPG!

 

[docjames]

Agree with Hawkeye. Unlike when you stay at any of the W's, just use the hotel for the bare minimum (ie. 4-8hrs horizonatal time/nt) and spend the rest out and about. Drinks in the hotel bar etc can be drinks out somewhere.

SPG really know how to get you sucked back in, dont they

 

[drron]

If there were no problem with requalification it would be easy-give SPG the flick.
However as you say that may be a problem then I guess you just have to lump it and go back with your tail firmly between your legs.
Now lets see-you find hotel lounges dull and boring.Never alive enough to have breakfast.Drinking until the early hours therefore what in the heck does a rooms appearance matter.By the time you wake the shops are open.By the time you drop your numerous parcels back to the room surely there is only time to have a shower and decide which pair of shoes goes best with the chosen outfit before its time to go out to whichever bar is to be favoured by your prescence that evening.So hotel choice in London shouldn't matter diddly squat-go for SPG.

 

[Keith009]

Normally what's been suggested all makes sense. I didn't mind the Sheraton Park Tower despite the snooty service as the rooms are modern and it's right next door to Harvey Nicks' and Sloane St, that's until they started denying any knowledge of SPG benefits. So if I had to pick a Starwood prop I'd stay at the LM, as hideously old school as it looks. But I am still drooling over the pics of Sanderson.

I do need a nice hotel room to relax in after a hard day's shopping (those carrier bags get heavy after a while), as well as atmospheric hotel bars with a great crowd to hang out in prior to hitting Soho, Fitzrovia, Camden or Hoxton at midnight. Not to mention I'd feel all weird sleeping in (or more accurately, passing out in) and waking up to that frightfully old school decor. Now if only all LMs have converted into the new Art+Tech scheme like the LM Wien (http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...es-and-reviews/starwood-in-austria-14892.html). Besides, the Sanderson hosts Purple Bar and Long Bar, and the St Martin's Lane has the hot Light Bar - destinations even the 1st, 2nd and 5th in line to the throne of the UK and 16 Commonwealth realms have been spotted queueing up to get into, but a guest at either hotel gets VIP access to all 3. In the absence of a W I think that's the next best option, as the vibes of both hotels are very W - well, they're owned by the Morgan's Group which also owns the Royalton in NYC which in turn inspired the W brand itself.

The Sanderson would also save me GBP30/night - that's GBP90 in total, enough for a nice wallet at Oliver Sweeney.

Still... the stay credits....:shock: Or maybe I should leave the Sanderson for when there's no SPG promos on (but before the W is ready).

I thought it'd be easy to talk myself out of Starwood in London as there are so many fab and funky hotels around, but I guess SPG is like crack...

 

[Hawkeye]

Now QF009, you've had 3 doctors give their opinions & all agreed. So Starwood it is: doctor's orders!

 

[Keith009]

LOL was that a coincidence or what. Anyway I'll ponder this some more after I've handed in the first draft of my thesis come Monday week...:shock:

 

[drron]

Now QF009, you've had 3 doctors give their opinions & all agreed. So Starwood it is: doctor's orders!

But we are all from queensland so does it count
Besides with QF009's new evidence that the bars he craves are at the alternatives then maybe it should be the Sanderson and a dirty/wine weekend in Geelong.:shock:

 

[medhead]

Normally what's been suggested all makes sense. I didn't mind the Sheraton Park Tower despite the snooty service as the rooms are modern and it's right next door to Harvey Nicks' and Sloane St, that's until they started denying any knowledge of SPG benefits. So if I had to pick a Starwood prop I'd stay at the LM, as hideously old school as it looks. But I am still drooling over the pics of Sanderson.

Sounds like you need a multiprong approach to this dilemma. The key question seems to arise because of lack of recognition at the Park Tower. Why not write to SPG program and outline the problem - good customer, lack of recognition at Park tower, ppreference to stay at these other sites over other SPG properties in london. That might get some action.

Otherwise, you need to ask yourself is the kick start to requal worth more then the lost Plat benefits. I would recommend staying at your preferred SPG property, rather then a lesser property, if you stay with SPG. No point being unhappy or uincomfortable.

Besides, the Sanderson hosts Purple Bar and Long Bar, and the St Martin's Lane has the hot Light Bar - destinations even the 1st, 2nd and 5th in line to the throne of the UK and 16 Commonwealth realms have been spotted queueing up to get into, but a guest at either hotel gets VIP access to all 3.

Umm, 1, 2 and 5 in line to the throne don't line up. They might slowly walk in but they don't line up.

Anyway, 1 Charlie :shock: Doesn't seem like the sort of person you would want to party with. I had a cup of tea with him 15 years ago and he was old then.
2 William, also a rather serious. I would have thought Harry was more of the party animal.
5 Eugenie, probably pretty hot based on Beatrice (but in general I don't read womens mags, so my recollection is fuzzy). But again, I wouldn't have thought that be a draw card for you.

 

[Keith009]

Yes I have actually written to SPG Corporate Customer Service who assured me that "appropriate steps have been taken" to bring the Park Tower into line on SPG benefits. I also got an apologetic email from the Front Desk Manager at the Park Tower, whom asked me to book my stays through him in future. However, the service is so systemically bad even when they did take notice of SPG benefits anyway (inefficient, slow, and v haughty staff) - I simply put up with it for all this while because they are the only property featuring modern rooms (the dreary "old world charm" ends at the lobby unlike at the LM) and they're right outside all the shopping. So the denial of SPG benefits on my last stay was really the last straw and until the W is open none of the London Starwoods appeal to me. At all.

Umm, 1, 2 and 5 in line to the throne don't line up. They might slowly walk in but they don't line up.

Anyway, 1 Charlie :shock: Doesn't seem like the sort of person you would want to party with. I had a cup of tea with him 15 years ago and he was old then.
2 William, also a rather serious. I would have thought Harry was more of the party animal.
5 Eugenie, probably pretty hot based on Beatrice (but in general I don't read womens mags, so my recollection is fuzzy). But again, I wouldn't have thought that be a draw card for you.

Oops sorry got the line of succession wrong. For some reason I kept thinking Charles is already King. It's 2nd, 3rd and 5th - I'm fairly sure Beatrice is 5th (and Eugenie 6th)? And yes, if Hello! spotted them queueing up to get into the Sanderson bars it must be true. Kate Middleton too...

I was simply pointing out the calibre of the clientele at all 3 bars. The Light Bar is "residents only" but I'd have gone to hang out at the Sanderson even if not staying there anyway - just gotta brave the queues if I'm not a guest.

 

[medhead]

That is hard, if you don't like any of the properties. I guess it still comes back to a question of how much the head start on next years requal is worth, compared to your enjoyment during the stay.

Oops sorry got the line of succession wrong. For some reason I kept thinking Charles is already King. It's 2nd, 3rd and 5th - I'm fairly sure Beatrice is 5th (and Eugenie 6th)? And yes, if Hello! spotted them queueing up to get into the Sanderson bars it must be true. Kate Middleton too...

Doh! I forgot to count Andy. I would love to be in a bar with Beatrice.

 

[Keith009]

Starpoints, stay credits, and consequences be damned! Sanderson here i come! Prepaid, non-refundable offer booked. I figured I might as well check it out whilst the W isn't ready yet.

Whew, glad to get that out of my head.

I am SO looking forward to my stay as this hotel looks sensational from the pics. I promise a full review with lots of pics of what looks to be a truly interesting and sleek hotel!

Thanks to all for bouncing around ideas and opinions and thus helping to consolidate a few thoughts of mine.

 

[simongr]

Oh so my advice to ditch the SPG stays is probably a little late then?

 

[Keith009]

I'm just glad to get it out of the way as it's been seriously bugging me for days.

I figured I'm on vacation so might as well have fun and stay in a property I really want to stay at, rather than torturing myself and spending a few days in misery for the sake of Starpoints.

Current "SPG no way" list of cities:
London (until W Piccadilly opens )
Singapore (until W Sentosa opens , unless doing C+P at St Regis)
Tokyo
Bali (until W Seminyak opens )

I'm thinking of a Circle Asia and SWP ticket to hit all the Ws in one go when all the new ones in Asia open - there's also Koh Samui, Bangkok, Yokohama and Guangzhou (can easily pop over from Honkers?).

 

[Ric]

....... and Guangzhou (can easily pop over from Honkers?).

Just get the train from Hung Hom Station, Kowloon and its a relaxing 2 hr journey. Get off at Guangzhou EAST Station rather than the main station....much safer!!:shock:

Immigration at both ends.