aloft...new hotel brand from Starwood

[QF WP]

I recently received the following email from Starwood:

We trust that you received our first email but perhaps have been too busy to reply or have been traveling.

We would appreciate if you would spend 10 minutes to give us your feedback on the aloft concept. Your responses will be kept confidential.

aloft is a new hotel brand that will soon be launched globally by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the firm that owns and manages world renowned hotel brands St. Regis, Le Meridien, Sheraton, Westin, W and Four Points by Sheraton.

Many thanks from the aloft team in Asia Pacific

There was a password embedded link for a survey that I completed, which gave pictures of what their decor would look like (and wanted my opinion as to how I felt about the ambiance), as well as ideas on check-in/out, dining and gym options. Would appear hat they are looking to position consoles to speed up check-in and -out (similar to airline ones that give seat assignment and those in some USA-based Sheratons). The overall vibe that I got was it is to be positioned as a mid (cost) resort style, family friendly.

Has anybody else heard of aloft and participated in their market research (knowing that it's more likely that they will appear in USA first and then into Asia/Pacific).

 

[snufl]

I haven't received anything about this from Starwood. But you do seem to get a lot of emails I don't. That's why I rely on you to keep me up to date.

 

[BiziBB]

I recently received the following email from Starwood:
...Has anybody else heard of aloft and participated in their market research (knowing that it's more likely that they will appear in USA first and then into Asia/Pacific).

Do you think you were randomly e-mailed or is it a result of some flagging of recent stays in one of the *W brands?
Did you get some points or miles for participating?

 

[mileagemax]

Do you think you were randomly e-mailed or is it a result of some flagging of recent stays in one of the *W brands?
Did you get some points or miles for participating?

I got the survey email too, but no points or miles for doing it.

Anyway I was a bit disappointed with the aLoft concept... seems to look a bit cheap and economy style... probably 3 star to compete with Holiday Inn Express or Accor Ibis hotels I think... they would have to price it pretty keen to get me as a customer.

 

[BiziBB]

I got the survey email too, but no points or miles for doing it.

Anyway I was a bit disappointed with the aLoft concept... seems to look a bit cheap and economy style... probably 3 star to compete with Holiday Inn Express or Accor Ibis hotels I think... they would have to price it pretty keen to get me as a customer.

Notwithstanding your points, it would enable *W members to get points when on leisure or non-corporate stays. Plus keen pricing.

Given the 7,000 rooms needed for APEC next Spetember in Sydney, I'd hope that there are some new hotel options in Sydney, when virtually ALL of the 4-5* rooms could be booked!

Must go on hols that week

 

[Mal]

Yeah I received what I believe is the same survey a while ago (3 weeks?)

My understanding is that they are launching in Asia Pacific fairly soon. Indeed some interesting options were being mooted for places where they could be located. Interesting in that Starwood doesn't have a *Wood hotel there at the moment, or that *Wood has exited that location in recent years.

An interesting concept. Not sure how good it is, but I'm willing to give them a try if the cost is right.

 

[QF WP]

snufl, they must know that if they send it to me, I'll post it here and they'll get good publicity

BiziBB, I think it was random, as I have only had 2 stays this year (Sheraton PER & Sheraton YVR) and I haven't stayed in a W for 3 or 4 year. No points.

 

[CDS1959]

Lindsay, I received the same email, and participated in the survey. Check USA Today website (USATODAY.com - News & Information Homepage) Travel section, and do a search; I'm almost certain they're profiled Loft recently.

It looks to me like a low-cost, no-frills, downmarket version of "W".

 

[Mal]

Some details about the new hotel brand are available here:

Starwood Hotels & Resorts

According to one press release, the first Aloft hotel is set to open in 2008.

 

[QF WP]

Just received another survey email from them:

aloha!


aloft is a new hotel brand that will soon be launched globally by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the firm that owns and manages world renowned hotel brands St. Regis, Le Meridien, Sheraton, Westin, W and Four Points by Sheraton.

We would appreciate if you would spend 10 minutes to give us your feedback on the aloft concept. Your responses will be kept confidential.

To access the survey, simply click on the password embedded link below.
http://www.gmi-mr.com/survey/s.phtml?E_53754_04b06831158ec7a60740a1cf07a65283

Many thanks from the aloft team in Asia Pacific Privacy policy of this survey
Terms and conditions of this survey

What may look easy enough, certainly wasn't :evil: ...... so my email reply -

Well I can certainly say I'm confused after getting this email.

I click on the link within 60 seconds of receiving the email to get a page that reads:

[FONT=Verdana, Verdana][SIZE=+1]The study's been closed. Thank you for your visit. We look forward to your future participation.
[/SIZE][/FONT]

Well, make up your mind - do you want my opinion or not?? You'd better get you act together a little better than this next time...

Certainly must have been a bloody quick survey for it to close so quickly

They forgot that I'll also post bad experiences here as well...