Hotels

Category Archives for Hotels.

Report: Hyatt Gutting Cash and Points Awards, Adding Premium Suite Redemption

by Gary Leff on October 19, 2018

Oct 19 2018

Members are going to have different views of these reported changes, which have not been confirmed by Hyatt.

My own view is that while I like the value cash and points offers now at the category 2-6 level, now that full points redemptions earn elite night credit cash and points is no longer as crucial a part of my arsenal.

Meanwhile premium suites is huge — the major constraint on my travel is time rather than points. Since I’m not working hard to stretch each point I’d rather use them for the best experience possible.

Earn Hyatt Points and American Miles at the Same Time on Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Stays

by Gary Leff on October 15, 2018

Oct 15 2018

Just as they did late February through June, Hyatt is offering its own double dip with American AAdvantage through January 31. And it stacks with the current bonus promotion that gives bonus points for progressively more stays through November 30.

As Marriott Workers Strike, Guests Stuck With the Full Bill But Less Service

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2018

Oct 12 2018

8,000 Marriott employees are on strike in 8 cities. That encompasses 23 hotels in Boston, Detroit, Oakland, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, and Hawaii out of about 6500 Marriott properties worldwide and includes housekeeping, bartenders and others represented by union UNITE Here.

Marriott’s position has been that hotels are open and they’re ready to welcome guests. Guest reports suggest otherwise. And Marriott won’t waive cancellation rules or notify guests in advance about the ways in which stays will be disrupted.

Marriott Adds Bonus For Staying at Different Brands to New MegaBonus Promotion

by Gary Leff on October 11, 2018

Oct 11 2018

Last month Marriott launched their first promotion of the ‘new’ program. There was a companion game 29 Ways to Stay for each of Marriott Rewards’ 29 participating brands. It was supposed to launch October 4. It finally launched today.

And Marriott has added on to their MegaBonus promotion, bonus points for staying at their different brands.

Radisson Hotel Being Used as Refugee Camp While Continuing to Sell Rooms to Guests

by Gary Leff on October 11, 2018

Oct 11 2018

Several years ago I wrote about the Radisson JFK being used as a homeless shelter.

I was torn over this. Customers don’t like staying in hotels where the largest in-house group are homeless, but I do think they have a right to stay on property if the going rate is being paid for their accommodations….

Confirmed: Hyatt Buying Two Roads Hospitality, Picks up ~ 85 Hotels

by Gary Leff on October 8, 2018

Oct 08 2018

On Friday I wrote that Hyatt would be acquiring Two Roads Hospitality.

The deal has now been publicly confirmed. The deal announcement cites 85 properties, 10% fewer than are listed on the Two Roads website. Acquiring the group will grow Hyatt’s footprint by about 13%.

Bizarre: US Virgin Islands Plans to Increase Hotel Taxes, Give the Extra Money Back to Hotels

by Gary Leff on October 6, 2018

Oct 06 2018

The Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands announced a plan to re-open the Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort and along with it a government plan to increase hotel taxes from 12.5% to 17.5% — the highest in the United States and the highest in the Caribbean.

The governor describes higher taxes as an “economic recovery fee.” And the extra 5% will be given back to the hotels, plus interest.

Hyatt Selling Explorist Status for ~ $175/month

by Gary Leff on October 6, 2018

Oct 06 2018

This week Hyatt launched a new points-earning, redemption and new elite status benefits for members at Exhale Spas, a brand they’ve acquired.

There’s a new promotion offering Explorist status with annual Exhale membership.

Hyatt Likely to Acquire Two Roads Hospitality: Destination Hotels, Alila, Joie de Vivre, and More

by Gary Leff on October 5, 2018

Oct 05 2018

Two well-placed sources tell me that Hyatt is a finalist to acquire Two Roads Hospitality which manages and operates Alila Hotels & Resorts, Destination Hotels, Joie de Vivre Hotels, Thompson Hotels, and tommie Hotels.

Now Marriott Hotel Workers in San Francisco Are On Strike, Too

by Gary Leff on October 4, 2018

Oct 04 2018

Yesterday I wrote about Marriott hotel employees in Boston walking out.

Now 2300 employees have walked out at several San Francisco properties.