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RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 3:40 pm
by syncmaster
As long as I earn my Hilton HHonors points I'm happy. So I guess that pretty much sums up my preferred "group".
-Charlie
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 3:50 pm
by 787
Marriott? NO! Too incosistent.
Overall my picks are (in no order)
Ritz Carlton
Four Seasons
W
Mandarin
Kimpton
Lungarno
It all depends on where in the world you are. Sometimes one companies' property is not as good in another city.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 4:17 pm
by TUNisia
in this order:
1)
Mövenpick
-Best food of any hotel chain hands down! Service and Swiss efficiency can't be beat...even by Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton. Always consistent!
-The Mövenpick resorts in El Quseir (Egypt) and Dead Sea (Jordan) have to be among the best resorts in the world (for my taste anyways...). The Mövenpick in Berlin is also awesome!
2)
Le Meridien
-Outstanding locations around the world. Luxury abounds.
-My favorite locations are Chia Laguna (Italy), Barbarons (Seychelles), Livingston Beach (Malawi)
3)
Hilton
-My favorites have to be the Rye Town Hilton (Westchester NY), Logan Airport Hilton (Boston
MA), The London Hilton on Park Lane (London UK), and the Waldorf Astoria (New York NY)
4)
Westin / W/ Sheraton (Starwood)
-Sheraton Miramar Resort (El Gouna Egypt), Westin Regina Reosrt (Los Cabos Mexico), W Union Square (New York NY), Westin Mission Hills Resort (Rancho Mirage
CA)
5)
Oberoi
6)
Sofitel / Novotel
P.S. I hate Marriotts
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:16 pm
by WindowSeat
Quoting TUNisia (Reply 52): 2) Le Meridien
-Outstanding locations around the world. Luxury abounds.
-My favorite locations are Chia Laguna (Italy), Barbarons (Seychelles), Livingston Beach (Malawi) |
I was wondering when Le Meridien would be mentioned.... Soon to be part of Starwood!!!
Next time try the Sheraton Park Tower, The Park Lane Hotel or The Lanesborough.
If you like exotic resorts, Starwood has some very nice ones in the Middle East and Europe.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 2:35 am
by TUNisia
I'm sure they'll all be Category 4, except for those in the Middle East/North Africa. It's amazing that with Starwood you can stay at a 5 star resort like the Sheraton Miramar and the Sheraton Soma Bay in Egypt for 2-3K pts a night (Category 1). When will the change happen?
Quoting WindowSeat (Reply 53): If you like exotic resorts, Starwood has some very nice ones in the Middle East and Europe. |
The Sheraton Miramar in El Gouna Egypt is unreal. When I go to Cairo this summer for a few nights I'm still unsure if we're going to stay at the Mövenpick Cairo Pyramids or the Four Seasons Residence. I think my mom is leaning towards the Mövenpick simply because you can relax there and the food will be simple and good.
I do love exotic resorts, but I haven't been to enough. Le Meridien and other hotel chains have some nice ones that I'd love to go to in:
Le Meriedien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
http://www.lemeridien.com/united_ara...irates/fujairah/hotel_ae1782.shtml
Le Meriedien Ile des Pins in New Caledonia
http://www.lemeridien.com/new_caledo...ia/ile_des_pins/hotel_nc1655.shtml
Le Meriedien Pointe aux Piments in Mauritius
http://www.lemeridien.com/mauritius/...nte_aux_piments/hotel_mu1805.shtml
Le Meridien Ku Chawe in Malawi
http://www.lemeridien.com/malawi/zomba/hotel_mw1719.shtml
There's also a new Mövenpick opening in Yemen this year. It looks like it'll be a nice place to stay if I ever go there....
[Edited 2005-06-18 19:37:10]
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 4:19 am
by WindowSeat
The way the category is decided is based on the Average Daily Rate (ADR) for the past year. It is calculated in USD and hotels outside the US mostly fall short of the required ADR to bump them up a category. Mostly because of the exchange rate. The converse is also true. Hotels in London get an unfair advantage because of the strong Pound Sterling. We are hoping to change that soon enough.
As for Le Meridien, they will also fall under the same scale based on the ADR.
Quoting TUNisia (Reply 54): The Sheraton Miramar in El Gouna Egypt is unreal. |
Indeed it is! I just did a check for our employee rate on random dates and you don't even wanna know how much I can get rooms for. It's too good to tell in public
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 4:46 am
by fbgdavidson
Feeling flush:
MO
Four Seasons
Less flush:
W
Westin
Intercontinental
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 11:51 am
by sleekjet
Fairmont...can't afford them very much, tho.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 12:05 pm
by flpuck6
I agree with UTA ...
I discovered the Sofitel 4-star hotel chain (4-star on the European scale, but 5-star on the American scale) last year and just fell in love with it. I especially prefer the newer more modern Sofitel hotels (Washington, New York, Paris Bercy, Paris La Defense) than the more "classic" styles (Paris Marignan Elysees, Le Parc).
Sofitel also opened a "concept" hotel called "Madero" by Sofitel in Buenos Aires ... while the reception staff needed work, the hotel was beautiful. The other regular brand Sofitel hotel in Buenos Aires is also one of the best I have ever stayed in and is amongst the Leading Hotels of the World.
Madero by Sofitel (the bed is behind the shelf and the
TV swivels)
Sofitel Buenos Aires
Sofitel Buenos Aires
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 1:40 pm
by TUNisia
Quoting WindowSeat (Reply 55): Indeed it is! I just did a check for our employee rate on random dates and you don't even wanna know how much I can get rooms for. It's too good to tell in publi |
We're using
SPG points for the entire stay for both rooms. I think if we were to pay it would be around 60-80 USD per night w/ half-board. You're lucky if you can get the Motel 6 in Hoboken for that price.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 1:43 pm
by MD11junkie
Quoting Flpuck6 (Reply 58): Sofitel also opened a "concept" hotel called "Madero" by Sofitel in Buenos Aires ... while the reception staff needed work, the hotel was beautiful. The other regular brand Sofitel hotel in Buenos Aires is also one of the best I have ever stayed in and is amongst the Leading Hotels of the World. |
Agreed. Sofitel Buenos Aires is
BE-A-UTIFUL. Just a few steps from my dad's
.
As for the leading hotels in the world, you should try the
ALVEAR PALACE HOTEL here in Buenos Aires. Guaranteed that your jaw will drop.
Cheers!
Gastón - The
MD-11 Junkie
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 1:46 pm
by UAalltheway
Sheraton, "W" hotels, and embassy suites.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 1:51 pm
by Espion007
Hilton or Sheraton. I stayed at a few including the one in De Gualle a few years back and its was awsome. As long as a hotel room has a
TV(with cable in the US),a full bathroom,full size beds and a mini bar Ive got everything i need.
I used to like Holiday Inn until last thanksgiving. Why? Well I stayed at the Days inn (I think) and the Holiday Inn next to us at
JFK has strike. It was a cool strike too,complete with giant blowup rat
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 1:55 pm
by ANCFlyer
Here's why Marriott gets my vote. Consistency.
Consitent quality every where I went . . .
Indulge me in a short Marriott story. Back in the mid-1990s I had the duty of monitoring a government contract at Redstone Arsenal Alabama. The Marriott at the Space Center there took me in - for 221 days that year. I was already a Platinum member, and was immediately directed to the Concierge level. I was put in room 501. Nice room, on the end, balcony, etc.
After about two months, I went back to DC for a week. The manager allowed me to leave all my "things" in room 501 - no charge - as he knew I was returning for many moons. When I returned in a week, the room number (501) on the door had been replaced by a placard with my name on it. Said Mr. XXXX Room. XXX of course had my last name on it.
Just but a single example of how an already excellent hotel exceeded the standard yet again.
One of my favorite Marriotts is in downtown Atlanta . . . the Marriott Marquis. The lobby is an open atrium some 60 floors high. Absolutely awesome. The Maui Marriott is another beautiful property that spares no effort in making a guest comfortable.
I've never, ever had a bad stay at a Marriott . . . hard standard to beat.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:48 am
by hawaiian717
Since I'm cheap, I often look at budget hotels. I've found Choice Hotels (Comfort, Quality, Sleep, Clarion, etc) are usually pretty good. Surprisingly, it seems like the "high-end" Clarion brand has some of the worst properties of the group. Though overall I find them to be consistently better than Cendant's properties (Days Inn, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge, etc). Though I've found in general for this class of hotel, newer = better. I recently spent a night at a Quality Inn in Barstow, California and while it was clean, it definitely was showing its age and could use some renovation.
While all that service stuff you can get from the higher end places is nice (and I do like those Westin beds), when it comes down to it, when you're asleep the Ritz-Carlton and the Comfort Inn look the same.
And when I'm awake, I get to take advantage of free high speed Internet becoming more common, and free breakfast, which Ritz customers certainly will have to pay for.
Usually though, like with airlines, brand loyalty often takes precedence to price, though because amenities vary much more than domestic airline coach seats, I don't go solely on price -- I'll pay a bit more for a Comfort Inn or Four Points over an Econo Lodge or Super 8.
David / MRY
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:03 am
by Zone1
I have stayed at two Clarions in the last year and found them extremely good values. They have very nice rooms and have great prices. I stayed at the one in New Orleans and the one near
SFO. It is a little too close to the airport, but everyone in my group seemed to sleep fine. If you have an American Express card you get a pretty good discount when you book online. I think it is either 10 or 15%. Very nice.
For luxury hotels I like The Fairmont. I've spent a couple of nights at the one in Chicago and been in the one in San Jose for a confrence. I've never had a complaint.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:40 am
by squared
Fairmont for me! If only I could afford them more often
Some of the greatest historic hotels in North America are owned by Fairmont.
-The Plaza (Turning into a Condominium I hear
)
-Chateau Frontenac in Quebec
-The Royal York in Toronto
-Chateau Laurier in Ottawa
-The Queen Elizabeth in Montreal
-The Empress in Victoria
-Banff Springs in Alberta
-And of course the original Fairmont in San Francisco
These are all landmarks in their own right, and give the city/area a lot of character.
I suppose I have thing for old hotels.
SQuared
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:37 pm
by WindowSeat
Quoting SQuared (Reply 66): And of course the original Fairmont in San Francisco |
What do you mean "
original" Fairmont?
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:58 pm
by desertjets
I have never particularly understood why higher end hotels do not offer a complimentary continental breakfast, when most pedestrian hotels (like Hampton Inn) cost less and give you a free bagel in the morning. Now if I stay on business I am living off of a per diem and can get my Marriott breakfast delivered to my room in the morning, but still... not all of us there are on the companies dime. Some of us are cheap bastards who got a room at a Marriott for 50 bucks a night through Priceline.
With the lesuire and moreso with the budget oriented chains the quality and consistency is simply not there. It varies from property to property and depends heavily upon the ownership and more often than not the age fo the property. The Choice hotels chain, Days Inn, and Best Western all suffer from this. Which is a shame b/c they have some very nice properties out there.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:08 pm
by WindowSeat
Quoting DesertJets (Reply 68): With the lesuire and moreso with the budget oriented chains the quality and consistency is simply not there. It varies from property to property and depends heavily upon the ownership and more often than not the age fo the property. The Choice hotels chain, Days Inn, and Best Western all suffer from this. Which is a shame b/c they have some very nice properties out there. |
The biggest challenge for hotel companies to get consistency in their hotels, especially in the budget and economy chains, is because majority of their hotels are franchised. The owners of these hotels own and run them, they need only follow some 'brand' standards. Inspite of these standards, the owners have a big role to play in the service offered in their hotels.
As you go higher in the luxury ladder, less and less hotels are franchised and thus the owning hotel chain has more control over consistency and quality.
cheers
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:57 pm
by Shawn Patrick
Quoting Diamond (Reply 37): Every time I stay in a Ritz-Carlton I am afraid to go to sleep because I feel I will somehow awaken as a Republican. WAY too traditional for me. |
ROFL! Never get a massage there... the "conservativeness" will undoubtedly take control of your mind, body, and spirit!
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 1:41 am
by andersjt
As someone who has been in and consults for the hospitality industry, I am most impressed by the "Little America" group based in Salt Lake City.
The original "Little America" started as a road stop oasis off of I-80 in Southwest Wyoming, about 40 miles west of my home town. While in college, twenty + years ago, I worked at what was then their flagship property in Salt Lake City (850 rooms). An amazing property. While other hotels in the city fought for guests, the Little America enjoyed occupancies greater than 90% consistently. They offer huge suite like rooms at or below the rates charged by Marriott and other competitors for standard size rooms. I just stayed there for an overnight over Memorial Day weekend and was surprised to see someone I worked with still at the Front Desk (Hi Liz). I paid $159.00 for my 16th floor suite.
The new jewel in the chain is the Grand America in Salt Lake City. It is just across the street from the Little America - WOW! It rivals any Four Seasons property. It was built at a cost of $850 million in time for the 2002 Winter Olympic games. Large, beautiful suites and impeccable service. I stayed there last year, but as my stay in
SLC this last time was short, I could not justify the $350.00 rate.
The properties are owned by Sinclair Oil, and run by a man named Earl Holding. They have no debt, and do not try to imitate the larger chains - they set the standard. They still have the original Wyoming property, as well as other mid-priced properties in Cheyenne, Wyoming and Flagstaff, Arizona. They also have ski resorts in Utah and Sun Valley, Idaho, and a luxury property in San Diego (the Westgate). Much of what I learned while working for them I have taken with me in my consulting work.
I encourage everyone who might have the opportunity to try out the Grand America or Little America hotels. You will be pleasantly surprised.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 4:58 am
by hawaiian717
Quoting DesertJets (Reply 68): I have never particularly understood why higher end hotels do not offer a complimentary continental breakfast, when most pedestrian hotels (like Hampton Inn) cost less and give you a free bagel in the morning. Now if I stay on business I am living off of a per diem and can get my Marriott breakfast delivered to my room in the morning, but still... |
This is pretty much the reason that was explained to me. People paying more for the room are more price-tolerant, and thus willing to pay for amenities like phone calls, high speed Internet, and breakfast. Especially business travelers on an expense account.
You do have to be careful if you go for the higher-rated properties on Priceline or Hotwire (I single them out since you don't know exactly what you're getting until your committed -- if you book a Hyatt through a conventional site, you know exactly what is free and what costs extra). You just have to realize that you might have to pay for some of these extras, which may not seem like very optional extras, like the $13 I had to pay for one night parking at the Sheraton Gateway
SFO I got a Hotwire deal on.
David / MRY
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 5:20 am
by saslover
Well iam not that rich so i get a nice hotel then i will just go for the Days Inn/Suites
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 5:22 am
by squared
The Fairmont San Francisco is the original hotel, under which all subsequent hotels are now named. "Fairmont" as a brand was acquired by
CP Hotels, shortly after it was spun-off from the Canadian Pacific conglomerate. The company is based in Toronto.
The Fairmont
SF is not the oldest among the collection of hotels, the Chateau Frontenac precedes the Fairmont San Francisco by a few years.
SQuared
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:45 am
by corocks
I travel most weeks out of the year, and have to say that Starwood is my favorite. I used to be a Marriott guy but I think their product has started to go down hill over the years. I am all about the points and I think their program has gotten pretty lax. Following the airlines into the "anytime" rewards for 50% more kind of turned me off. In addition they just don't have as nice hotels overseas as Starwood does. For example, in '99 when I went to Italy for my honeymoon, there was only 1 Marriott in the whole country and it was in a city I was not even visiting! It just seems that they are letting a lot of their hotels go. The last few Marriotts I have stayed in have been dumps - across all of thier brands.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:56 am
by Basas
I find this kind of a difficult question seeing as I like different chains for different times. (Aka: interstate stop versus a 1-week stay at a resort).
I agree with anyone that has mentioned Marriot though. I've always had great experiences at Fairfield’s, Residence Inn's, and the other branches they own- don’t think I’ve actually been disappointed with one of their hotels.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 5:05 pm
by ejmmsu
I'm generally always on a budget, but with the magic of
www.priceline.com, I've managed to stay at some really nice hotels for a really nice price.
For instance, i've staed at Westins, Marriotts, Hyatts, Crowne Plaza's, etc. all for bids of $50 or less. If I drove down to my local Comfort Inn right now to get a room, I'd pay more than $50.
www.pricline.com is awesome!!!!!
But, for my money on a normal rate, these are my favorites.
Budget:
ExtendedStay Hotels
(This includes StudioPlus, ExtendedStay America, Crossland, and Homestead)
I've always found the rates for these hotels very competative, and they come with full kitchens!!!!! Can't beat that with a stick!
Microtel
The rooms are always very nice for the price.
Mid-Range:
Choice Hotels
(Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Sleep, Roadway, EconoLodge, Mainstay)
No matter where you are you will find at least one verson of this company's hotels. Their rates are usually competative and the rooms are always clean and nice. The quality within each chain is also very consistent.
High Range:
Has to be Westin!!! So I guess this would be another vote for Starwood.
I absolutely love the Westin. I have a really hard time getting out of bed in the morning with them, the bed is simply the best in the industry.
And thanks to priceline, I can actually stay in one every once in a while!!
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 5:22 pm
by nycflyer
Quoting JetBlue190 (Reply 14): Those three and the Four Seasons make up my favourite chains. And if I ever get to stay at the Burj-al-Arab, I may just change my mind. |
Four Seasons is the best! Unsurpassable! But only when someone else is paying for it.
Starwood is good, but I've had some hit-and-miss experiences with Sheraton in the Middle East (the Sana'a Sheraton is a hole).
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 9:51 pm
by AA777
Hilton....esp when you're staying on the executive floor
.
The best hilton's Ive stayed at are the:
-Hilton Buenos Aires (Most modern, very nice location). Bathroom to die for; separate 'toilet' from rest of bathroom & separate HUGE shower....and tub if you like baths.
-Cavalieri Hilton, Rome (On a hilltop overlooking the entire city, GORGEOUS). The services, bedroom materials (Sheets, furniture, bath fittings) were all up to par with the Ritz and Four Seasons. Absolutely a fantastic place to stay.... A FULL marble bathroom, from top to bottom, with Bulgari soaps, and each bathroom has its own mosaic in the center of the floor.....
-Langham Hilton, London (Best location, historical building).
Overall I think for the money the Hilton provides the best services. They are expensive, but, they provide serivces basically at the same level of pricier hotels like the ritz and four-seasons...
-AA777
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 1:27 am
by JBLUA320
Based on the places I've stayed, I'd say that I am definately a Ritz-Carlton and a Starwood person!
The Ritz was nice, as are all of the Starwood properties I've been to. Have to say though... a room is a room no matter how nice the pictures make the lobby look.
JBLU
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 4:40 am
by LOT767-300ER
Cant believe no one has said it yet!
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 6:28 am
by Basas
I can.
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:22 pm
by WindowSeat
Quoting Ejmmsu (Reply 77): I absolutely love the Westin. I have a really hard time getting out of bed in the morning with them, the bed is simply the best in the industry. |
The Westin Heavenly Beds are indeed Heavenly. They are available for sale through the website at
westin.com. The Heavenly Shower is also sought after with its double shower heads. Truly a unique experience. I bought one for my apartment.
Amazing stuff I tell ya.
cheers
RE: Your Favourite Hotel Chain?
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 5:29 pm
by 707CMF
Formule 1 ? A bit too expensive in my opinion.
We tend to go to Novotel and Mercures. Much cheaper, and much more comfortable.
Cheers,
707