Hotels

Category Archives for Hotels.

Shangri-La Hotels Launches Brand New Loyalty Program, Shangri-La Circle

by Gary Leff

Apr 26 2022

The loyalty program for Shangri-La Hotels, the luxury Hong Kong-based chain with over 100 properties, is among the first of the major chains doing an across-the-board refresh as we emerge from the global pandemic.

I think the Shangri-La Circle program refresh gets a lot of things right. At the entry level, less frequent guests still get value out of the program by earning points that can be used in small amounts, and all spending (even online spend) earns. Even the first elite tier gets 11 a.m. check-in and breakfast while upper-tier elites get more special benefits. And the program’s treatment of the very top customers is just extraordinary.

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Review: Hyatt Grand Central, The Hotel Hyatt Didn’t Want To Re-Open

by Gary Leff

Apr 24 2022

The hotel is well-located. It is quiet, as they seem not to have the entire property open. My room was clean and comfortable. It used to be one of the best for elite treatment, but with the club closed no restaurant for breakfast it no longer is. Still, when this is where you need to be in the city and the price is right – it was less than 1/3 the cost of the nearby Andaz 5th Avenue for instance – it can be the right choice.

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Hilton Tries Convincing Guests That Buying $18 Drinks Is A Radical Act

by Gary Leff

che guevrea sticker
Apr 23 2022

Hilton’s Canopy by Hilton London City created controversy driving for authenticity, and food and beverage revenue, by branding its bar after European socialist anarchists. The socialists were outraged by using their history to sell $18 drinks to “wanky City types.”

Hilton was forced to remove the edgy socialist branding from its capitalist endeavor. Even their website description as “a gathering place for writers, radicals, entrepreneurs and artists – a breeding ground for concepts that would go on to change the world” has been removed.

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How Much Did Marriott’s Change To Dynamic Award Prices Devalue The Currency?

by Gary Leff

outside marriott hotel
Apr 17 2022

Marriott did what they said they would do – limit the carnage in the first year, in much the same way they over-indexed Bonvoy value when the program first launched (they waited to add a higher tier category and launch peak and off peak pricing, even though they announced it as their plan).

The playbook is ‘announce a negative change but wait to fully implement it’ so everyone looks at the new program and says “great!” or “not so bad!” before it gets worse. We should believe Marriott when they say next year will be worse!

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Hilton Offers Double Or Triple Points For Four Months

by Gary Leff

hotel
Apr 14 2022

Hilton is offering double points on one and two night stays, and triple points on stays of three or more nights, May 2 – September 5, 2022. Registration required and you should do that now.

There’s no minimum stay required and the bonus applies to your first stay, so there’s no nonsense like only bonusing you starting with your second or third stay.

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IHG Already Tweaking Rules, Improving On New Elite Program Announced Yesterday

by Gary Leff

skyscrapers in city
Apr 14 2022

IHG launched new elite benefits that include free breakfast for Diamonds, confirmed suite upgrades (as a choice benefit, starting at just 20 nights!), and club lounge access (another choice benefit).

There was just one problem I flagged. Not all benefits apply on award stays. The program changes are an improvement for everyone, to be sure, but not for everyone equally. And IHG One Rewards is addressing this.

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