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

[thelakelander]

The news Monday morning that Marriott International Inc. would acquire one of its largest competitors, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., comes after months of speculation on what direction Starwood would go as it examined its strategic alternatives.

1. Arne Sorenson originally passed on the deal
2. Breaking up will be hard to do
3. Asset-light or bust
4. Sheraton will have to shape up

for more details: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2015/11/4-takeaways-from-marriott-and-starwood-s-12-2.html

[jaxjags]

Being lifetime Marriott Platinum (1500 + nights total) and a Hilton Diamond, just be thankful Hilton hotels did not buy them. Hilton benefits are terrible (2 to 3 X normal points for a room) and it is not a well run chain of hotels. Marriott may be a big chain but their big hotels (Ritz, Marriott Resorts, Gaylords, etc) are well managed properties.

[TimmyB]

Being lifetime Marriott Platinum (1500 + nights total) and a Hilton Diamond, just be thankful Hilton hotels did not buy them. Hilton benefits are terrible (2 to 3 X normal points for a room) and it is not a well run chain of hotels. Marriott may be a big chain but their big hotels (Ritz, Marriott Resorts, Gaylords, etc) are well managed properties.

I am on the more "budget-traveler" end of the spectrum, and I find that part of Hilton more than meets my needs.  I don't need (or even desire) my hotels to be full-service, with restaurants and room service, etc.  Hamptons and some of the newer brands (Homewood Suites, etc.) are just fine, and I can usually find great deals with my points.  I especially like that many times, I can get a room with a very small amount of cash and a few points. 

I'm not trying to be a smart-*** with my question, here.  What is it you don't like about Hilton?  Is it the full-service hotels (which I NEVER see) or just the HHonors program?

[Steve]

I'm not trying to be a smart-*** with my question, here.  What is it you don't like about Hilton?  Is it the full-service hotels (which I NEVER see) or just the HHonors program?

I realize you didn't ask me, but I'd say both of them. The HHonors program isn't great (I'm not lifetime Platinum, but bounce between gold and platinum Marriott depending on the year). and I'd rather a full service Marriott over the Hilton any day. But...a Westin or a W over both of them.

If Marriott leaves W (including aloft, their little brother), Le Meridien, and Westin alone and doesn't hose the combined rewards program, I'm okay with this. They hose up any of those brands and they'll piss off a lot of people.

[TimmyB]

I'm not trying to be a smart-*** with my question, here.  What is it you don't like about Hilton?  Is it the full-service hotels (which I NEVER see) or just the HHonors program?

I realize you didn't ask me, but I'd say both of them. The HHonors program isn't great (I'm not lifetime Platinum, but bounce between gold and platinum Marriott depending on the year). and I'd rather a full service Marriott over the Hilton any day. But...a Westin or a W over both of them.

If Marriott leaves W (including aloft, their little brother), Le Meridien, and Westin alone and doesn't hose the combined rewards program, I'm okay with this. They hose up any of those brands and they'll piss off a lot of people.

I don't mind others answering, Steve!  I appreciate the feedback.

I used to have it made in the shade, as my daughter worked for a few years in a Marriott property.  Getting $35 per night rooms all over the country spoiled us quickly.  When she left there, we went through a year or so of heavy withdrawals!!!  Since then, we have pretty much used Hilton, but like I said, not the "business-traveler" end of the spectrum of properties.

[thelakelander]

Getting $35 per night rooms all over the country spoiled us quickly.

You can't beat this. I've been spoiled for 15 years now.

[TimmyB]

Getting $35 per night rooms all over the country spoiled us quickly.

You can't beat this. I've been spoiled for 15 years now.

When we  move to Jax in '17, my wife keeps saying she is going to get a part-time job at one of the Marriott properties just so we can have this benefit for all of our travels!  That will be fine with me.   

[jaxjags]

Being lifetime Marriott Platinum (1500 + nights total) and a Hilton Diamond, just be thankful Hilton hotels did not buy them. Hilton benefits are terrible (2 to 3 X normal points for a room) and it is not a well run chain of hotels. Marriott may be a big chain but their big hotels (Ritz, Marriott Resorts, Gaylords, etc) are well managed properties.

I am on the more "budget-traveler" end of the spectrum, and I find that part of Hilton more than meets my needs.  I don't need (or even desire) my hotels to be full-service, with restaurants and room service, etc.  Hamptons and some of the newer brands (Homewood Suites, etc.) are just fine, and I can usually find great deals with my points.  I especially like that many times, I can get a room with a very small amount of cash and a few points. 

I'm not trying to be a smart-*** with my question, here.  What is it you don't like about Hilton?  Is it the full-service hotels (which I NEVER see) or just the HHonors program?

Both, the HHonors usually require many more points for a free stay at a Hilton versus a Marriott. Also, many of my stays have been limited service hotels (CY, Hampton, Etc. ) and as general statement the Marriott properties are just better managed than the Hilton properties. Most properties for Marriott remember whom I am when I visit and give personal attention. Of course there are examples both ways, just my opinion. Based on Marriott's Gaylords, Autograph's, Ritz's, etc they will allow the Starwood properties to maintain their character. Also, the Marriott rewards program is actually not as bad as others make it sound.

[ben says]

I don't like Hilton because of HHonors. Their 10-tier system for point redemptions is absurd...going upwards of 95k points per night at a level 10 property...and that only gets you in the entry level room.

Furthermore, just like Marriott, their 'typical' product (i.e., 95% of their rooms) is as blasé as blasé gets....

Both Hilton and Marriott have a poor "5 star" product as well. Looking at Waldorf + Ritz-Carlton, I can probably name 10 of each my clients *truly* prefer... the others being poor attempts at mimicking substandard products.

I used to be a Starwood fanatic. Now I'm glad I dropped that phase. Now I'm 'loyalty agnostic' 

[The_Choose_1]

I don't like Hilton because of HHonors. Their 10-tier system for point redemptions is absurd...going upwards of 95k points per night at a level 10 property...and that only gets you in the entry level room.

Furthermore, just like Marriott, their 'typical' product (i.e., 95% of their rooms) is as blasé as blasé gets....

Both Hilton and Marriott have a poor "5 star" product as well. Looking at Waldorf + Ritz-Carlton, I can probably name 10 of each my clients *truly* prefer... the others being poor attempts at mimicking substandard products.

I used to be a Starwood fanatic. Now I'm glad I dropped that phase. Now I'm 'loyalty agnostic' 

ben says you cater to high end Snobs sorry Clients. I have seen your travel agency online but what you still can't seem to understand Marriott is your Bread & Butter when it comes to the Ritz-Carlton. But you have no problem giving Marriott & Hilton a Golden Shower just because to you both companies don't reach your idea of prefect service.