Time for me to start booking more vacations with my Marriott discount!
QuoteNEW 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
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.
Quote from: The_Choose_1 on November 16, 2015, 07:44:25 PM
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.
Quote from: ben says on November 16, 2015, 09:48:04 PM
Quote from: The_Choose_1 on November 16, 2015, 07:44:25 PM
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.
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.
I'm just impressed that people are actually mustering interest in this development.
It's been a long time coming. I think there was hope the buyer would be Chinese. Or that there would be no buyer.
Quote from: simms3 on November 17, 2015, 12:37:05 AM
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
Not my problem but I can understand the concern of those with elite programs that may be going away....
QuoteMust 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-
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. >:(
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).
Quote from: ben says on November 16, 2015, 09:48:04 PM
Quote from: The_Choose_1 on November 16, 2015, 07:44:25 PM
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!
Boo. SPG elite for years and the SPG AMEX is the best card I've ever had. Not interested in most Marriott brands.
Quote from: ben says on November 16, 2015, 09:48:04 PM
Quote from: The_Choose_1 on November 16, 2015, 07:44:25 PM
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?
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.
QuoteThe 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
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.
Quote from: jaxjags on November 17, 2015, 11:04:41 PM
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?
Quote from: TimmyB on November 18, 2015, 08:25:58 AMI'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.
Quote from: Steve on November 18, 2015, 08:35:14 AM
Quote from: TimmyB on November 18, 2015, 08:25:58 AMI'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.
QuoteGetting $35 per night rooms all over the country spoiled us quickly.
You can't beat this. I've been spoiled for 15 years now.
Quote from: thelakelander on November 18, 2015, 09:08:08 AM
QuoteGetting $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. :D :D :D
Quote from: TimmyB on November 18, 2015, 08:25:58 AM
Quote from: jaxjags on November 17, 2015, 11:04:41 PM
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.
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' :D
Quote from: ben says on November 19, 2015, 12:25:43 AM
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' :D
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. ::)