W Brisbane choice

[Stevo.1702]

Hi all.

New to Marriott and first time at this hotel.

Mrs. and I have a two night stay at W Brisbane coming up mid Jan. I'm Titanium elite and trying to decide between the a room package vs basic room rate.

Package is $70 more a night and includes breakfast for two (daily) , 2 coughtails (per stay) and Valet parking (per day)

Parking is advertised as $60 a day and is something we will need.

Has anyone received a welcome amenity at W Brisbane before? If breakfast is included what other selections are there?

Regards,
Hope everyone is safe.

Stevo

 

[sudoer]

Has anyone received a welcome amenity at W Brisbane before? If breakfast is included what other selections are there?

Apologies if I'm missing something but wouldn't you receive breakfast anyway as a Titanium benefit?

If you are paying for parking anyway then I guess it's a question of whether you see $10 for 2 coughtails as good value.

I visited in March 2021 as a Platinum and don't recall being offered a choice of welcome amenity - just some donuts in the room. If you're interested I put a bit of detail in the how Marriott treats elites thread.

 

[jakeseven7]

I also didn’t rate the breakfast that highly but it is Brisbane and I’m a brunch snob spoiled by many brunches in Melbourne

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

3 Blue Ducks at W breakfast was amazing .. my wife still raves about it. I was given this as a Welcome Amenity .. also drinks and a little platter at the bar at night.

 

[Stevo.1702]

Thanks for the responses. We ended up booking the cheaper rate seeing as breakfast will be included already.

Not sure if I can provide a review as good as @sudoer 's but I'll add some notes to the how Marriott treats elites thread afterwards.

 

[Daver6]

Can you book via Amex Travel and use either FHR or the Hotel Collection?

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

As above, I'd book cheap rate. You can always park at Myer centre or elsewhere at a better rate.

I've received sparkling wine, beers, fruit, doughnuts and all sorts as welcome. I'm ambassador but platinum and above is basically all the same.

What day are you staying as the 2 hour happy hour at the lobby bar is usually only available during the week? Whenever I've stayed I've been the only party taking part so service is always pretty good and range of alcohol beats a standard lounge (i.e. Marriott or Westin in BNE when not quarantine).

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

As above, I'd book cheap rate. You can always park at Myer centre or elsewhere at a better rate.

I've received sparkling wine, beers, fruit, doughnuts and all sorts as welcome. I'm ambassador but platinum and above is basically all the same.

What day are you staying as the 2 hour happy hour at the lobby bar is usually only available during the week? Whenever I've stayed I've been the only party taking part so service is always pretty good and range of alcohol beats a standard lounge (i.e. Marriott or Westin in BNE when not quarantine).

Interesting .. I was there on a Sunday (12th May) in 2019 .. and they had the complimentary 2 hour happy hour in the bar on the ground floor that night.

 

[sudoer]

Interesting .. I was there on a Sunday (12th May) in 2019 .. and they had the complimentary 2 hour happy hour in the bar on the ground floor that night.

It's Sunday to Thursday. They gave me an invite card for some reason even though I was staying Friday and Saturday nights only...

 

[Stevo.1702]

Can you book via Amex Travel and use either FHR or the Hotel Collection?

I hadn't considered that.

Marriot status is still recognised when booked through FHR?? I've read recently that this is true for Hilton bookings.

 

[Daver6]

I hadn't considered that.

Marriot status is still recognised when booked through FHR?? I've read recently that this is true for Hilton bookings.

It is. As we speak I'm typing this from the Ritz in Perth booked via FHR. However, I'm only Marriot gold, so other than earning points and the 500 bonus points welcome, the FHR benefits trump the Marriot benefits.

Downside of booking via FHR rather than direct is you don't get the member rates. You need to decide for yourself which offers better value.

 

[fantastikforce]

It is. As we speak I'm typing this from the Ritz in Perth booked via FHR. However, I'm only Marriot gold, so other than earning points and the 500 bonus points welcome, the FHR benefits trump the Marriot benefits.

Where did you include your Marriott Bonvoy membership number in the FHR booking?

I've noticed in the past few months that the FHR booking page no longer has that section where you can add in your hotel loyalty membership details.

I'm torn between booking via FHR or booking directly with the Marriott app.

 

[Daver6]

Where did you include your Marriott Bonvoy membership number in the FHR booking?

I've noticed in the past few months that the FHR booking page no longer has that section where you can add in your hotel loyalty membership details.

I'm torn between booking via FHR or booking directly with the Marriott app.

You no longer can when booking. Once I receive the booking confirmation email from Amex Travel I just forward the email to [email protected] along with my Bonvoy number. They then work their magic and add it. I can then see the booking in my Marriot app.

Unless the direct price is significantly better, I can't see a reason not to use FHR. If the direct price is better and you're staying for several nights, then book the first or last night via FHR (depending if you prefer the potential midday check-in or guaranteed 4pm checkout) and the remainder book direct. When you check in, just let them know about both bookings.

Personally I'd probably go the first night via FHR for the more likely upgrade and then they let you stay in the better room. I'm only gold with Bonvoy and suspect the FHR carriers more upgrade wait than being gold.

 

[Gigi]

I booked the W through FHR last week as the price on the Marriott app was only $15 more.
I did not give Amex my Marriott Bonvoy number when I booked online but I received a message on my Marriott app (which I was surprised to see) to check in.
I waited and checked in in person and asked if I could add my Bonvoy number and they told me they had it already. I am Gold and have stayed previously and not had an upgrade, only when using FHR.

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

So you in no way communicated your Bonvoy Number in the Amex booking?

And it magically was assigned by Marriott during the process of Amex transmitting the booking in to Marriott’s booking system?

 

[Gigi]

So you in no way communicated your Bonvoy Number in the Amex booking?

And it magically was assigned by Marriott during the process of Amex transmitting the booking in to Marriott’s booking system?

No, I did not communicate Bonvoy member no.
I booked through Amex FHR online and I did not enter it.
I thought I would have to add it at check in - so that is the reason I checked in personally and checkin said they already had it.
I have not received the 1 night's credit yet on my Marriott account (it can take up to 10 days) and it does not show up as a 'past stay' on my app either.

 

[sudoer]

No, I did not communicate Bonvoy member no.

From what you've said it sounds like you may have attached it to previous FHR bookings though? Maybe Amex has recorded it as part of your Platinum Travel Services profile - from what I understand they operate much like a regular travel agency.

it does not show up as a 'past stay' on my app either.

That sounds normal, most of the major chain apps will only show direct bookings.

 

[fantastikforce]

You no longer can when booking. Once I receive the booking confirmation email from Amex Travel I just forward the email to [email protected] along with my Bonvoy number. They then work their magic and add it. I can then see the booking in my Marriot app.

Interesting that Amex seem to have quietly removed the section for us to add in our hotel loyalty membership details when booking through FHR.

I've done that recently with a THC stay in December and their response was that the hotel (Hilton Sydney) might not add it in as it will show as a third party booking.

So it's probably a hit or miss depending on who gets your email. But I do like your tip about looking at splitting the booking between FHR and direct.