Starwood upgrade thread.

[MrJetset]

Westin Melbourne: Booked deluxe room (entry level room) upgraded to Regent Suite (not in the standard upgrade pool) so pretty happy with that.

That's incredible. I've booked and paid for the Regent Suite of which there are only 2. Beautiful rooms with amazing views.

 

[perthtraveller]

Westin Melbourne: Booked deluxe room (entry level room) upgraded to Regent Suite (not in the standard upgrade pool) so pretty happy with that.

Hi burrco

I was wondering how you find out what is in the standard upgrade pool? I've just been made Platinum for the first time so very excited!

Thanks

 

[burrco]

Hi burrco

I was wondering how you find out what is in the standard upgrade pool? I've just been made Platinum for the first time so very excited!

Thanks

That's the $64 question. The rules state that speciality suites are excluded, so generally anything with a "name" is out eg Presidential, Regent, etc. So typically things like junior suites, deluxe suites, executive suites etc will be in the pool.

So Westin Melbourne has no mid level suites they have the 2 Regent Suites and the next level is the spa studio room which is as high as the standard upgrade pool goes. Westin Sydney has executive suites which are in the standard upgrade pool.

If you stay at a hotel semi regularly just ask them what they do and don't upgrade to, if you've got a bit of a relationship with the hotel they'll often be quite open about it. For example one hotel I stay at overseas will upgrade to the deluxe suite as the highest upgrade, however they have a handful of deluxe suites with balconies which are not in the standard upgrade pool.

If you've earned your platinum by 50 nights and have been issued with SNA you can also do a dummy booking at a hotel and see what SNA rooms are available which gives a good overview as well.

 

[burrco]

Recent stays

Dubai Sheraton Mall of The Emirates (1 night, classic room, prepaid rate) upgraded to Deluxe Suite
Amsterdam: Hotel Pulitzer (Deluxe Room on Z3H rate) upgraded to Executive Canal View Room
Hamburg: Le Meridien Munich (5 nights prepaid on cheapest rate) upgraded to Duplex Lake View Suite

 

[boomy]

Summary of recent stays (last 30 days).

Status: Platinum

Property: Westin Sydney
Booked: Tower Deluxe Room
Received: Executive Suite

Property: Sheraton Sydney
Booked: King CitySide
Received: Executive Suite

Property: Sheraton Noosa
Booked: Noosa Studio
Received: Noosa Suite

Property: Sheraton Gold Coast
Booked: Mirage Resort Room
Received: Mirage Resort Suite

Property: Hotel Grande Bretagne Athens
Booked: Classic Room
Received: Deluxe Suite

Scored "full house" this month with 5 suite upgrades out of 5 stays!
With complementary breakfast, 4pm guaranteed checkout and suite upgrades, SPG Platinum offered fantastic value compared to other programs.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Summary of recent stays (last 30 days).

Scored "full house" this month with 5 suite upgrades out of 5 stays!
With complementary breakfast, 4pm guaranteed checkout and suite upgrades, SPG Platinum offered fantastic value compared to other programs.

Very well done.

Best value hotel loyalty IMHO, I've recently stayed in Sydney (Four Points and Sheraton), Melbourne (Westin), Bali (W), Singapore (Towers and Westin), KL (Westin and Sheraton), Chennai (Westin), San Jose (Four Points), Montreal (Sheraton), Hong Kong (Sheraton) and Pattaya (Sheraton).

Mix of upgrade success, one of which was to an Ocean view at the W, on a points redemption, for five nights.

Cheers
BF

 

[Isochronous]

Doing Le Meridien Cyberport Hong Kong soon, so looking forward to finding out what they do.

 

[puppysparkes]

Doing Le Meridien Cyberport Hong Kong soon, so looking forward to finding out what they do.

I was there a few years back for 3 days. The restaurant food was absolutely sensational. Especially the suvee salmon on couscous; I recall the executive chef was French. Hopefully the breakfast and lunch buffet hasn't changed. The hotel was fairly chic but I noticed a few of the fittings in my room had fallen off and appeared to have been stuck back on with double sided tape. Excellent 24hr service. They have a bus service that meets the MTR which is handy. Wander up to repulse bay if you have the time. Enjoy!

 

[Isochronous]

I was there a few years back for 3 days. The restaurant food was absolutely sensational. Especially the suvee salmon on couscous; I recall the executive chef was French. Hopefully the breakfast and lunch buffet hasn't changed. The hotel was fairly chic but I noticed a few of the fittings in my room had fallen off and appeared to have been stuck back on with double sided tape. Excellent 24hr service. They have a bus service that meets the MTR which is handy. Wander up to repulse bay if you have the time. Enjoy!

Apparently on weekends they do a dessert tea buffet. Did you try that by any chance?

 

[puppysparkes]

No unfortunately.

 

[Peter78]

Late last year, I activated Gold membership using the World Mastercard (in this case Westpac Altitude Black) with a stay at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney, with the status ticking over quite quickly. Earlier this month, we stayed in three different Starwood hotels and I hope that the following few comments might be interesting to some:

The Andaman Langkawi - four nights
Booked: Deluxe Rainforest Room
Received: Jacuzzi Studio Suite.

Great hotel in a wonderful location. Some issues with SPG discounts in restaurants, in terms of not being applicable in all outlets and/ or staff not knowing of them. Gorgeous beach and pool area nice, too. We hired a car for approx. A$80 upon arrival, haggling the price down - that only got us an old Proton with more than 100K on the clock but for the little driving we did, no problem. Langkawi itself was nice with some great spots, we thoroughly enjoyed the night markets.

As to the room, we didn't use the jacuzzi as the climate on Langkawi makes me wonder why you'd need one. The upgrade, however, definitely was nice and maybe we received it due to an earlier email to the hotel, advising them of our wedding anniversary.

Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur - one night
Booked: Deluxe King
Received: Deluxe King with Twin Towers view and high floor.

Not an exciting upgrade as such but a great view of the Towers - and lots of construction sites!

Le Meridien Xiamen - two nights
Booked: Deluxe King
Received: King Club room - without club benefits.

I personally found it a bit weird to be granted an upgrade to the club level without being granted club benefits, too. We ended up paying for club access for a surcharge of about $35 and we are glad we did. Relatively new hotel and we met two Russian engineers who were sent to Xiamen to supervise a C check on one of Transaero's B767: apparently, there is lots of aircraft maintenance done in Xiamen and I can only hope that their pilots don't drink as much as these guys did.

Overall very happy with SPG: late check-out was offered everywhere (but not needed) and there was a real sense of recognition, even though we are "only" gold and that after one stay due to the credit card promotion. Let's see what they can do for us in the US and Canada later this year!

 

[KitKat]

Late last year, I activated Gold membership using the World Mastercard (in this case Westpac Altitude Black) with a stay at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney, with the status ticking over quite quickly. Earlier this month, we stayed in three different Starwood hotels and I hope that the following few comments might be interesting to some:

The Andaman Langkawi - four nights
Booked: Deluxe Rainforest Room
Received: Jacuzzi Studio Suite.

Great hotel in a wonderful location. Some issues with SPG discounts in restaurants, in terms of not being applicable in all outlets and/ or staff not knowing of them. Gorgeous beach and pool area nice, too. We hired a car for approx. A$80 upon arrival, haggling the price down - that only got us an old Proton with more than 100K on the clock but for the little driving we did, no problem. Langkawi itself was nice with some great spots, we thoroughly enjoyed the night markets.

As to the room, we didn't use the jacuzzi as the climate on Langkawi makes me wonder why you'd need one. The upgrade, however, definitely was nice and maybe we received it due to an earlier email to the hotel, advising them of our wedding anniversary.

Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur - one night
Booked: Deluxe King
Received: Deluxe King with Twin Towers view and high floor.

Not an exciting upgrade as such but a great view of the Towers - and lots of construction sites!

Le Meridien Xiamen - two nights
Booked: Deluxe King
Received: King Club room - without club benefits.

I personally found it a bit weird to be granted an upgrade to the club level without being granted club benefits, too. We ended up paying for club access for a surcharge of about $35 and we are glad we did. Relatively new hotel and we met two Russian engineers who were sent to Xiamen to supervise a C check on one of Transaero's B767: apparently, there is lots of aircraft maintenance done in Xiamen and I can only hope that their pilots don't drink as much as these guys did.

Overall very happy with SPG: late check-out was offered everywhere (but not needed) and there was a real sense of recognition, even though we are "only" gold and that after one stay due to the credit card promotion. Let's see what they can do for us in the US and Canada later this year!

Unfortunately there are many Gold SPG members, especially in the US, so any extra recognition would be poor. Even platinum recognition is generally poor IME in USA (or the places I unfortunately end up at).
Too many "unfortunates" in my post, sorry.
If possible, look at trying to do a platinum challenge while in the US and Canada later this year....
Also have no expectations, so you will have no disappointments!

(If I get an upgrade, that's a bonus, otherwise, I'll just use the internet and brekky platinum benefit)

 

[caltan82]

Booked the Suite for a room $399 deal Federation Terrace Suite. Got upgraded to the next class of Suite higher up.

Spg status preferred guest.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Currently at the new Westin Singapore, used my SNA (Suite night Awards) awards, upgraded to Seaview Suite.
Good sized suite, separate living area.

Hotel area: For someone like myself that has been to Singapore alot (I lived in HKG for a few years, was here every 2 weeks), its a cool area. Very close to Satay Street and hawker stalls, new MRT across the street (DT17), with MBS and Gardens by the Bay within walking distance. For new visitors, might see very business like, its the new financial district. No shopping (Im not here to buy anything, just consuming) nearby, grocery is a bit of a walk, but again, if u know where to go, its not a big deal. If u want Orchard Road, dont come here.

Staff: Very good

Lounge: Breakfast was good, cook to order eggs. Evening is 4-6 dishes including drinks, kicks off at 6p, goes until 8p. I tend to use the lounge during the day for meetings and well as use the food court next door for the lunch with mates, heaps of hawker style selections.

Price: Expensive. Price including all ++ is SG$400 per night, so have a good client to bill it to or your own deep pockets or whatever.

Views: 35th floor lounge, good for now, but lots of construction, views will disappear soon.

Cheers
BF

 

[drron]

Thanks BF.Booked in there next January.Only a slightly cheaper $S350 all up.
So should give results of our last trip though not a lot of SPG properties.

Equinox Resort,manchester,VT.
SNA didn't work.No upgrade.Took points instead of brekkie.

Four points,Manchester,NH.
No suites.Only good point is that it is very cheap.Didn't even bother with the free brekkie the second day it was so bad.

Sheraton Harbourside,Portsmouth,NH.
Upgrade to Harbour View room.Place was full as it was Labor Day weekend.

Sheraton JFK.
Upgrade to Club Floor.Was much better than I expected.

Sheraton Grand hotel,Edinburgh.
SNA failed.Upgrade to castle view room.
good exec lounge.

Sheraton Skyline LHR.
Upgrade to club floor.Again much better than expected after reading the FT reviews.

SGS Bangkok.
No suite upgrade as still undergoing renovations.Did get a renovated room.
However the regular plat benefits stiil great value.

LM,Kuala lumpur.
Upgrade to corner room.Problem now is no view with the new constructions.
food options at restaurant for brekkie and in lounge a little strange.? for Ramadan.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Well done drron. How did u spend your SPG Platinum gift this year? I camped at the W Seminyak for 5 days. Thinking of Koh Samui next year if the gift is as generous as last year.

I'll might hit 75 nights this year, just got over 50 and requal platinum.

More travel to go this year, but few hotels. Doing 3 weeks in India, so that will be rough and ready as usual. Two weeks in California but only one night in San Diego in a hotel. Odd trips to Singapore, Tokyo, Auckland and the standard visits to Sydney and Melbourne will add to the tally. Week in Thailand, that typically means SPG as their Thai properties are good and plenty of selection.

Cheers
BF

Thanks BF.Booked in there next January.Only a slightly cheaper $S350 all up.
So should give results of our last trip though not a lot of SPG properties.

Equinox Resort,manchester,VT.
SNA didn't work.No upgrade.Took points instead of brekkie.

Four points,Manchester,NH.
No suites.Only good point is that it is very cheap.Didn't even bother with the free brekkie the second day it was so bad.

Sheraton Harbourside,Portsmouth,NH.
Upgrade to Harbour View room.Place was full as it was Labor Day weekend.

Sheraton JFK.
Upgrade to Club Floor.Was much better than I expected.

Sheraton Grand hotel,Edinburgh.
SNA failed.Upgrade to castle view room.
good exec lounge.

Sheraton Skyline LHR.
Upgrade to club floor.Again much better than expected after reading the FT reviews.

SGS Bangkok.
No suite upgrade as still undergoing renovations.Did get a renovated room.
However the regular plat benefits stiil great value.

LM,Kuala lumpur.
Upgrade to corner room.Problem now is no view with the new constructions.
food options at restaurant for brekkie and in lounge a little strange.? for Ramadan.

 

[drron]

I missed out.Was having my knee replacement done when the email came out and by the time I looked it had been withdrawn.
Wasn't happy.

 

[mranwa]

Currently in Sheraton Fiji Resort. Bought 2 nights on a 24hr sale on 29 May. Fjd 330/night with free breakfast, ocean breeze room. That time I was still just a preferred guest. Recently got my Gold upgrade via the World MasterCard promo, showed app on check in, immediately upgraded to ocean front room and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Pretty nice resort connected to The Westin and Denarau Villa, can use facilities in all there.
Had the buffet dinner tonight as all guest get 50% off on their first night, so fjd 45/pax. Real good value for a decent spread.
So far very happy and looking forward to the breakfast and activities tomorrow. Have to say, fijian people are very friendly.

 

[mlob]

Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas.
SPG Gold
Booked. Deluxe Garden View.
Upon arrival we were shown to a Superior Lagoon View. We found the room which was a ground level balcony lagoon room as not very private and asked if we could have another room. We were then given a Mirage Garden View room which we very much liked. We enjoyed the slightly larger size and definitely the larger outdoor patio. We were on the second level and looked over one of the smaller lagoons. I would book this room again. Despite all the negative reviews Id read we really enjoyed our stay. We have two young children and we really enjoyed the huge pools, beautiful gardens and easy bike ride into town. The hotel was pretty full due to school holidays. Only wished the hotel policed the holding of sun lounges by anonymous beach towels and empty beach bags a little better.

 

[drron]

Results for current trip-
SOTP Sydney.
Booked city side king on C&P rate.
Received Park view king.
The hotel was extremely full as when I checked 4 weeks out only top 2 suites were for sale.As a result we got full breakfast in restaurant.

Sheraton Pattaya resort.
Booked standard garden view room.
Received garden view Pavilion.
Full breakfast + points routine here for plats.

SGS Bangkok.
Booked standard king.
Applied 6 SNAs for the stay-got denied email 24 hours before arriving.
But received renovated Grande suite.
Again breakfast + points are routine here.