Hotels

Category Archives for Hotels.

Cracking down on motel pricing

by Gary Leff on July 8, 2005

Jul 08 2005

David Rowell notes in his latest weekly email that Florida has settled with 23 hotels that were accused of price gouging during last year’s hurricane season. At One hotel in particular the daily rate for rooms at the motel increased from $55 per night to $75 and, in some instances, $100 per night. As a result the Airport Inn will provide restitution to guests affected by the price gouging practices, many of whom were over age 60. (I’m not sure why being 60 years old makes paying $75 for a hotel night especially problematic?) I addressed this issue when it came up last year: Via Chris Elliott, Florida’s attorney general filed complaints against two hotels for price gouging in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. The attorney general has issued a press release to let voters…

Where I’d like to Stay

by Gary Leff on July 3, 2005

Jul 03 2005

I’ve had fabulous oceanfront rooms and rooms with the neatest gadgets imaginable. I’ve stayed in suites at Ritz-Carltons. Though not the largest or most technologically advanced I’m probably happiest with my room at Bora Bora Nui, if only for the view from my deck (here’s the view to the right). The ability to feed fish from the tub isn’t bad, either. The sunset, the view from the spa, and the incredible colors of the water made this the most beautiful physical property I’ve ever seen, though service at the property was a bit lacking. Recently I’ve been musing over what properties are on my ‘must see’ list. While reserving the right to change the list at any time, the hotels I’m meaning to see in the near future include: Cala di Volpe on Sardinia’s Costa…

Spending so much on hotels, you should own the company

by Gary Leff on June 30, 2005

Jun 30 2005

Jameson Inns, which owns 123 economy properties in 13 states, is offering stock as a frequent guest perk. Three million shares have been registered with the SEC for this purpose. Guests who enroll in the program would have 10 percent of their room charges credited toward the purchase of Jameson stock, now trading near $2.50 a share. Shares will be provided through a designated broker or the company, based on the average closing price for the last five trading days of each month. Customers won’t pay commissions on shares they receive, but will pay fees on shares they sell. (Hat tip to the MilesLink newsletter.)

Bonus Points for Hilton Stays

by Gary Leff on May 21, 2005

May 21 2005

Register by May 31 to earn 1000 bonus points on each of your next three Hilton stays between June 13 and September 30. You need to be a National Car Rental Emerald Club member, you can join with the $50 fee waived here.

25% Off Starwood Award Redemption for Platinums

by Gary Leff on May 16, 2005

May 16 2005

Platinum members of Starwood Preferred Guest can redeem award nights for stays through August 31, 2005 for 25% off the usual points — but the offer is valid for bookings made this week only. Since these reservations are fully changeable/cancellable you’d be advised to make bookings you think you might need now. Note that if you have to change the reservation later, you’re likely to have to redeposit the award and book a new one at the usual point level.

Earn Points Towards Wyndham Stays, Just Not Via Wyndham’s ByRequest Program

by Gary Leff on April 16, 2005

Apr 16 2005

The La Quinta Returns Program is introducing redemption at Wyndham hotel and resort properties as a new option beginning this weekend. Ironically, Wyndham doesn’t offer points towards future stays in its own ByRequest program.

Instant Free Hilton Gold Status Now Online

by Gary Leff on April 9, 2005

Apr 09 2005

Last week I posted a promotion code to receive instant Gold status with Hilton just by calling them up. It turns out that there’s a website where you can enroll with HHonors Gold status online. No phone call required! If you’re an existing HHonors member you still have to call with the promotion code to get the status… or you could open a new account with Gold and then merge the two. Once you’ve created the new account, log in online, choose ‘member services,’ and select ‘combine multiple accounts.’ Add your existing account into your new Gold one.

Free Gold Status

by Gary Leff on April 5, 2005

Apr 05 2005

As discussed at Flyertalk.com, Hilton is offering complimentary Gold status (details of Hilton status here). Just dial 1-800-HHONORS, ask for a customer service representative, and tell them you are calling about promotion code CTCH. This seems to work for most folks, and provides or extends Gold status instantly. The promotion is apparently with Citibank, with elite HHonors membership offered to Citibank members with special Chairmans status of some kind. However, the promotion code is currently mentioned in the main recording on the Hilton 800 number so it really isn’t a secret. This is likely just a mistake on Hilton’s part to publicize it this way. Some folks report problems signing up for the promotion, with representatives saying you need a letter from Citibank or asking whether you have a Citibank credit card, so your mileage…

New Hilton Alarm Clocks

by Gary Leff on March 30, 2005

Mar 30 2005

Via Tripso.com, Hilton is introducing alarm clocks with an iPod plugin and related sweepstakes. The clocks are supposed to be especially easy to set. Unfortunately this probably won’t solve the need to make sure the alarm clock isn’t already set when you check in — there’s little worse than being woken up in the middle of the night because the last guest thought it would be funny to boobytrap you by setting the alarm to go off at 3am.

A Good Hotel Responds to Their Guests’ Needs

by Gary Leff on March 22, 2005

Mar 22 2005

Via Tripso.com, Mariah Carey is a pretty demanding hotel guest. When the singer’s aides arrived at a London hotel at 2am yesterday to check preparations for her imminent arrival, they were dismayed to find the red carpet had not been rolled out. They explained that, whatever time of day or night she arrives, Miss Carey is always welcomed by a thick-pile red carpet illuminated by large white candles. Her limo circled the block while the hotel prepared for her arrival.