There are a relatively small number of hotels at 117 listings for this week’s SPG Hot Escapes list for 20% or greater discounts. These are prepaid and nonrefundable room discount rates for select dates over the next six weeks. Bookings through SPG Hot Escapes are available through Saturday, August 23.
This week I look at choosing SPG Hot Escapes by hotel recommendation score. A high Starwood Hotel recommendation score does not assure you will have a fantastic experience on your stay, but it is a good indicator when most guests rate a hotel highly favorably.
Starwood Hotels Thailand
Many tourists love Thailand with its extensive beaches and urban chaos of Bangkok. The low cost of luxury hotels in Bangkok is an attraction.
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel is a relaxing oasis and the hotel has an astounding 4.7 of 5 rating with 95% recommendation. The hotel rates are $140 to $156 for every date in September. The $137 rate is only available August 30.
I have been to the hotel and loved its opulence for an oasis from the outside reality of Bangkok, yet the street hawkers nearby outside selling hard core porn DVDs, and pimps pushing young prostitutes in my face totally turned me off. To each his own.
Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers has a 4.4 rating and 90% recommendation. I preferred the river location of the hotel and the large outdoor pools to the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. Royal Orchid is $107 to $112 per night for every date the next six weeks.
Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui is $368 for every date in September for the SPG category 6 Gulf of Thailand island beach resort. This is supposedly 47% off regular rates. The hotel receives a 4.7 rating with 93% recommendation.
Le Meridien Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia is $92 per night through September and the hotel receives a 4.5 with 94% recommendation.
Europe
The Gritti Palace, Venice is one of the premier Starwood Hotels of the world and this category 7 hotel is listed on this week’s SPG Hot Escapes at $707 per night. That rate is available for exactly two dates, September 28-29. The next best deal is $859 for Sep 9-10 and $889 September 1-4. Gritti Palace was recently renovated and the hotel rates 4.8 with 97% recommendation.
St. Regis Rome is under $400 per night for the first few days of September with rates at over $1,000 per night for several dates. The hotel has a 4.6 rating and 89% recommendation.
The Park Lane Hotel London is $290 or $340 for most dates in September. This is a hotel with a poor rating of 3.1 with only 51% recommendation. Looks like a hit or miss with guests. The hotel was described in one guest review as “shabby, not chic”. This Mayfair property will begin renovation September 22 through April 2016 while the hotel remains open. I suspect the rating will likely drop once renovation noise interferes with stays.
USA
Only 35 Starwood hotels this week for the USA and 21 of these hotels have a guest rating under 4.0.
Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside in Punta Gorda, Florida is rated 4.5 with 93% recommendation and the hotel is $68 per night in August and $75 for nearly every date in September.
The Equinox, a Luxury Collection Golf Resort & Spa, Vermont in Manchester Village, Vermont has a 4.4 rating and 89% recommendation. This hotel is a weekday bargain at $205 to $219 in September. The higher rate is for late September dates. Weekend rates are over $500 per night. This category 5 property is 12,000 points for some weekend dates with $700 room rates after tax if you really want good value from your Starpoints.
Equinox Hotel, Vermont
Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21
- $727 per night after tax and resort fee
- Standard Award = 12,000 points per night + $35 resort fee per night. (redemption value = $57 per 1,000 Starpoints).
- Cash & Points Award = 6,000 points + $156 per night (tax + $35 resort fee). Remarkable redemption value of $95 per 1,000 Starpoints.
Compare SPG Hot Escapes rate to Starpoints rate for midweek stay at Equinox Main Hotel.
September 7-11 Sunday to Wednesday SPG Hot Escapes rate = $235 or $293 after tax and resort fee. $1,465 for five nights.
SPG 5th night free award = 48,000 points + $175 resort fee for redemption value of $26.88
*****
Ric Garrido of Monterey, California is writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler.
Loyalty Traveler shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests. Check out current hotel loyalty program offers across all the major chains in Loyalty Traveler’s monthly hotel promotions guide.
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