Marriott to be world's largest hotelier in $12.2 billion deal to buy Starwood

[thelakelander]

Time for me to start booking more vacations with my Marriott discount!

NEW YORK — Hotel behemoth Marriott International is becoming even larger, taking over rival chain Starwood in a $12.2 billion deal that will catapult it to become the world's largest hotelier by a wide margin.

The stock-and-cash deal, if completed, will add 50 percent more rooms to Marriott's portfolio and give it more unique, design-focused hotels that appeal to younger travelers.

The acquisition is likely to start another round of hotel mergers.

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/breaking-news/2015-11-16/story/marriott-becomes-worlds-largest-hotelier-buying-starwood

[The_Choose_1]

This is great news. I like the W hotels and Sheraton the old standard business hotel. And with Marriott in control they can only get better. 

[ben says]

This is great news. I like the W hotels and Sheraton the old standard business hotel. And with Marriott in control they can only get better.

Terrible news. Starwood was the better run of the two. Marriott is a black hole.

[fsquid]

This is great news. I like the W hotels and Sheraton the old standard business hotel. And with Marriott in control they can only get better.

Terrible news. Starwood was the better run of the two. Marriott is a black hole.

That was my first thought.

[simms3]

I don't know one person who thinks this is good news.  lol  In fact, my social media feed signaled the end of the world this morning.

[Tacachale]

I'm just impressed that people are actually mustering interest in this development.

[simms3]

It's been a long time coming.  I think there was hope the buyer would be Chinese.  Or that there would be no buyer.

[ben says]

It's been a long time coming.  I think there was hope the buyer would be Chinese.  Or that there would be no buyer.

Starwood junkies wanted Hyatt to buy them, if anyone. Investors/board wanted Chinese (I think). Marriott is a sign of the apocalypse for those who care about SPG.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-starwood-preferred-guest/1724741-marriott-buy-starwoood-merger-agreement-reached-master-discussion-thread.html

[thelakelander]

Not my problem but I can understand the concern of those with elite programs that may be going away....

Must Starwood elites give up the high life under Marriott?

NEW YORK — Somewhere between their Westin Heavenly Beds and the room's rainfall shower system, Starwood hotel loyalists were struck Monday morning by a new reality: their beloved loyalty program would soon be gobbled up by Marriott's less-generous reward system.

"It ruined my breakfast. I realized all the effort put into lifetime status with Starwood has been wasted," says Edward Pizzarello, a partner in a private venture capital firm who spends 130 nights a year on the road and writes the travel blog PizzaInMotion.com.

Marriott International announced plans Monday to buy Starwood Hotels and Resorts in $12.2 billion stock-and-cash deal. The transaction is expected to close in the middle of 2016. No details have been released yet on what it means for the loyalty programs but Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson says "we will take the best of both programs and make sure the bests are preserved."

Starwood's frequent guests are used to upgrades to oversized suites. They are guaranteed late checkouts. And forget calling a random 1-800 number. Those who spend 100 nights a year with the chain have personal "ambassadors" who are supposed to make "each trip special."

http://www.theledger.com/article/20151116/NEWS/151119593/1178?Title=Must-Starwood-elites-give-up-the-high-life-under-Marriott-

[ben says]

It's not just elite status either.

Right now my SPG points transfer to almost every major airline in the world. (Ex: I can turn SPG points into American Airline, Cathay Pacific, JAL, Emirates, Etihad points, etc).

Presumably that'll disappear under Marriott. 

[Steve]

I'm mixed on this - I usually have Gold or Platinum with Marriott each year (gold at present), but Starwood I can't usually accumulate enough stays to generate status - certain markets, Starwood coverage is terrible.

But...I generally prefer Starwood Hotels. I'll take an aloft, Westin, or W any day over Courtyard, Marriott, or (fill in the blank because nothing Marriott has lines up with a W.

To me, the one positive is that with my Marriott rewards account, I can take advantage at the Starwood properties.....unless they totally screw it up (not impossible).

[The_Choose_1]

This is great news. I like the W hotels and Sheraton the old standard business hotel. And with Marriott in control they can only get better.

Terrible news. Starwood was the better run of the two. Marriott is a black hole.

Well that black hole now owns Starwood!

[JaxNole]

Boo. SPG elite for years and the SPG AMEX is the best card I've ever had. Not interested in most Marriott brands.

[The_Choose_1]

This is great news. I like the W hotels and Sheraton the old standard business hotel. And with Marriott in control they can only get better.

Terrible news. Starwood was the better run of the two. Marriott is a black hole.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is the parent company to the luxury hotel chain, The Ritz-Carlton Hotels. Ritz-Carlton operates 87 luxury hotels and resorts in major cities and resorts in 29 countries and territories.

The current company was founded in 1983, when the previous owners sold the brand name to create The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., based in Boston, Massachusetts, which expanded the brand to other locations. The hotel company is today a subsidiary of Marriott International.[1] Hey ben says the Ritz-Carlton hotels are one of your bread & butter hotels you use for your travelers. So Marriott can't really be a black hole to you can it?

[fsquid]

Starwood's benefits are better than most but yes the number of hotels is less than Marriott or Hilton.  I've been platinum for a few years now and do enjoy the upgrades to suites and the such especially when I'm at a property for more than 10 days.