Earn 2,500 bonus Lufthansa Miles & More miles in addition to 500 miles per stay, beginning with your 2nd stay at Marriott brand hotels from August 15 through November 15, 2009.

Registration required.

You must also change earning preference in your Marriott Rewards account to earn miles instead of earning points.

5 stays during promotion period earns total 12,500 miles with Miles & More.

 

Miles & More is the frequent flyer program for Lufthansa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, SWISS, LOT Polish, Air One, Adria Airways, Croatia Airlines, and Brussels Airlines.

Stay 1 = 500 miles

Stay 2 = 500 miles + 2,500 miles bonus

Stay 3 = 500 miles + 2,500 miles bonus

Stay 4 = 500 miles + 2,500 miles bonus

Stay 5 = 500 miles + 2,500 miles bonus

Total Miles and More earning is 12,500 miles for 5 stays.

 

Special offer rates are the hotel guest’s best rate friend, but also are the traveler’s biggest challenge for quickly finding the lowest rate for your hotel stay.

Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research published a new report on hotel revenue management last week. The report reiterates one of the hotel industry’s primary strategies for getting more money from the hotel guest:

“Bundle services into packages that disguise room rates.”

Loyalty Traveler goes into HD (hotel detail) mode with today’s rate analysis by concentrating on the myriad of special offer rates available at one hotel, The Nines, Portland, Oregon, over one Labor Day weekend.

Here is my Loyalty Traveler detailed room rate analysis to illustrate how hotel revenue management rate strategies are a time-consuming endeavor for the guest seeking the best value for a hotel stay at a particular upscale or luxury hotel. It is difficult to know which special offer will truly be a good value until you plug in some dates and give the hotel rate slot machine a spin.

To save readers from needing to read the entire analysis I will tell you the results up front for The Nines this Labor Day.

The Nines Hotel, a Starwood Luxury Collection property is available for $126 per night for a 3-night stay over Labor Day weekend with the 3rd night free special offer rate.

The Nines has been open for less than a year in downtown Portland, Oregon. I stayed last November a few weeks after the hotel opened for $199 per night and that was a discounted rate. Rates this past winter fell to as low as $99 per night. Here is my Loyalty Traveler hotel review from last year with several photos. http://boardingarea.com/blogs/loyaltytraveler/2008/11/12/the-nines-starwood-luxury-collection-portland-oregon/

The 3^rd night free offer from Starwood Hotels reduces the nightly room rate from the default rate of $189 per night to $126 per night for a 3-night stay over Labor Day weekend. The hotel has a true 3^rd night free offer of 33% off the lowest rate. The Ivy Hotel , Minneapolis (yesterday’s rate analysis) also has a 3^rd night free offer that was not the best deal for the lowest rate rooms over Labor Day weekend.

 

Loyalty Traveler’s Comparative Rate Analysis for

The Nines, Starwood Luxury Collection, Portland, Oregon

September 4-7, 2009 for 3 nights.

 

Searching Rates for Online Travel Agencies

I start hotel rate searches with an initial search of online travel agency rates for comparative purposes to Starwood Hotels. Rate discrepancies may be applicable to a Best Rate Guarantee claim with Starwood Hotels for 10% off the total nightly rate or 2,000 bonus Starpoints ($70 value).

In 14 Starwood hotel stays in May 2009 I received Best Rate Guarantee adjustments to a lower rate found on an online travel agency website for 8 stays resulting in 16,000 bonus Starpoints in addition to the lower hotel room rate found with the online travel agency. Loyalty traveler post on Best Rate Guarantees. 

The default rate on the hotel chain website is typically the same rate shown on websites for Online Travel Agencies (OTA) such as Expedia.com, Kayak.com, Travelocity.com, and Orbitz.com.

An interesting result for a search of The Nines for a 3-night stay, September 4-7, 2009, is a different rate was found for each of the three major OTA sites of Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity. I do not see this occur often.

Expedia.com = $139 rate for Friday (Superior room eligible for Best Rate Guarantee claim with Starwood Hotels? Only Deluxe rooms are shown on Starwood website. This may qualify for a BRG claim. Starwood will notify you within 24 hours if the $139 rate will be matched by The Nines.)

$189 for Friday and Saturday, but no availability is shown Sunday night on Expedia.

Travelocity.com = $189 per night

Orbitz.com = $215.67 per night (Club Floor Deluxe) No availability shown for regular Deluxe room without Club Floor access.

Kayak.com = $189 per night.

GTAHotels = $255 per night (I have had good luck in the past finding BRG rates with GTA Hotels.) 

 

Starwood Hotels Basic Rate Searches: Default rate, AAA rate, and senior rate

Rate Search #1 – Default rates  

Look on Starwood Hotels main website for Portland, Oregon and “from $189” is the rate shown for The Nines Hotel.

 

 

Click on the $189 rate and  Starwood’s “recommended” rooms and rates are shown.  These are all rooms with 2 queen beds with or without Club Floor access. The only room with a King bed is shown as a Club Executive Suite with a rate of $950 per night for Friday September 4 for a 3-night Labor Day weekend stay. I’d just like the bed please. No dining room table is necessary.

Deluxe Room $189 (2 queen beds)

Club Floor $219 (2 queen beds)

Club Executive Suite $950 (King bed)

 

 

 

Rate Search # 2: AAA rate, if a member

Deluxe Room $180 (2 queen beds)  This rate is 5% less than initial search.

Club Floor $197.10 (2 queen beds) This rate is 10% less than initial search.

Club Executive Suite $855 (King Bed). This rate is 10% less than initial search.

 

Rate Search # 3: AARP rate, if a member

Senior discounts vary by hotel and program. Some hotel chains require guest to be 62, but this rate is based on AARP membership. Persons 50 and older can join AARP.

Deluxe Room $159 (2 queen beds) . This rate is 16% less than initial rate of $189.

 

Hotel Special Offer Rates

Typically hidden in the special offer rates is the best value – if you have the time to search through all the offers for your hotel dates. Loyalty traveler took the time to analyze 10 special offer rates from The Nines for a Labor Day weekend hotel stay.

Click on the hotel name “The Nines” for the link to go to the hotel website.

This is where the potential guest can view special offer rates from The Nines. Click the link on the far right “Offers” to view webpage of special offer hotel rates.

 

The Nines has 10 different special rate offers on this page. That is 10 different rates which potentially could offer a better deal than the $189 shown in the initial Nines hotel rate search. Two of the special offers are Starwood Preferred Guest bonuses. The first offer is for 1,000 bonus points per Starwood Hotel stay. Sign up for this.

 

SPG 1,000 bonus points per stay promotion

 

Rate Search #4: Third Night Free Special Offer Rate (This is the best deal Loyalty Traveler found)

Labor Day weekend rates: Friday, Sep  4; Saturday, Sep 5; Sunday, Sep 6.

Deluxe Room = $126 per night (33% savings over initial $189 rate)

Friday @$189 + Saturday @$189 + Sunday free = $378 for 3 nights.

Club Floor = $146 per night (33% savings over initial $189 rate)

Friday @$219 + Saturday @$219 + Sunday free = $438 for 3 nights.

Club Executive Suite = $1,900 for 3 nights = $634/night.

The unusual aspect of this 3^rd night free offer is the rate used for 3^rd night free is not inflated. Typically these offers use a nightly rate for the first two nights significantly higher than the lowest rate otherwise available. The Nines is offering a true 3^rd night free offer since there are few discount rates for one or two night stays.

Yesterday’s analysis of 3^rd free night rates at Hotel Ivy, Minneapolis, another Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel, was not the lowest rate for lower category rooms.

Remember: 3^rd Night Free rates are fully prepaid and nonrefundable. This rate is a significant savings, but also has significant risk of losing your entire deposit if you do not complete the hotel stay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rate Search #5: 50% off 2^nd night for a 2-night stay September 4-6.

Deluxe Room = $141.50 per night (25% savings over initial $189 rate).

Friday, Sep 4 $189 Saturday, Sep 5 $94 = $283 for 2-night stay

 

Club Floor Deluxe Room = $164 per night (25% savings over initial $219 rate)

Friday, Sep 4 $219; Saturday, Sep 5 $109 = $328 for 2-night stay

 

Loyalty traveler comment: I have stayed at the Nines with Club Floor privileges and the Club Lounge daily food and evening alcohol service is definitely worth the extra $22.50 per night.

 

 

 

Rate Search #5 – Live Life to the Nines Special Offer Rate includes two value-added amenities from the following list:

1. Complimentary Valet Parking 
2. Breakfast for two in Urban Farmer or from In-Room Dining
3. Welcome Amenity that includes chocolate dipped strawberries and your choice of a bottle of Champagne, Cabernet or Chardonnay
4. Dinner and a Movie (one on-demand movie of your choice and a $25 In-Room Dining credit)
5. 4:00pm Late Check-Out
6. Complimentary Room Upgrade (based upon availability)
7. 1,000 Starwood Preferred Guest® Starpoints 
8. Complimentary Morning Coffee Service
9. Signature Gift from the Nines (choose one): Bracelet, Cuff Links or Bathrobe 

The list includes some items that are one time and some items are daily. Since the rate being paid is higher on a daily basis, the guest should choose items with daily added value like complimentary parking and breakfast. I recall the Nines having the most luxurious towels of any hotel I stayed at this past year. I would definitely check out the bathrobe offer to determine if it is a nice quality robe.

$229 Deluxe Room (King Bed) for Friday Sep 4 on a one-night stay.

$309 Club Floor Deluxe King

Loyalty Traveler analysis of Live Life to the Nines Special Offer Rate:

The room rate is significantly higher than the 2 or 3 night special offers. This could be a good deal for a one-night stay. And the Deluxe King is available for Friday night.

Most of the value-added amenities are one time offers so this rate has the best value on a one night stay. There is diminishing value for this offer on consecutive night stays due to the much higher nightly room rate.

Club Lounge privileges come at a hefty $80 per night premium. There is only a $30 per night add-on fee for Club lounge privileges using Best Available Rate. This is a poor value special offer for the Club Lounge.

$229 Deluxe Room + Valet Parking ($25 value) + Breakfast for two in Urban Farmer ($30 value).

Or

$229 rate + 1,000 Starpoints ($35 value) + bathrobe ($50 value?) could be a decent deal for the extra $50 cost over the AAA rate for a one-night stay.

Remember: Sign up for the SPG offer for 1,000 bonus points per stay. The $229 rate could earn 2,000 bonus points with these two 1,000 point offers + 458 base points for hotel rate = 2,458 points ($86 value).

 

 

Rate Search # 6: Over the Moon 40^th anniversary of moon landing rate advertises a free space theme in-room movie , chocolates, and rates from $159.

$209 Deluxe room

$239 Club Floor Deluxe

The rates are much higher than $159 so this is a poor value for these dates.

 

Rate Search #7: Linger Longer with Complimentary Nights and Luxury Collection makes a UNICEF donation.

This rate is unavailable for Labor Day weekend.

 

Rate Search #8 – Better Tomorrows 50% off second night.

This special offer rate uses the same promotion code as Rate Search #5 and shows same rate.

 

 

Rate Search #9 – Taste of Luxury (rate code TASTE)

includes daily breakfast for two and deluxe room. For stays in October, November, and December a 4^th night is free. Rates start at $299 and minimum 3-night stay required.

$339 per night Deluxe Room

$399 per night Club Floor Deluxe room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rate Search #10 – Lavish in Love (rate code LUXROM)

Rate includes daily full breakfast room service, one bottle of champagne, and flowers.

$339 per night Deluxe Room

$399 per night Club Floor Deluxe room

 

This is a huge rate premium for breakfast and champagne. A poor value for Labor Day weekend.

 

 

Conclusion: Loyalty Traveler is waiting for a website which includes special offer rates. Until then, rate analysis is a plug and chug endeavor for the frequent guest seeking the best room rate value.

 

 

Offer: 3^rd Night Free rates at 70 Luxury Collection Hotels around the globe.

Starwood Hotels Luxury Collection Promotion Link.

 

Starwood Hotels has offered a 3^rd night free deal for several years.  The primary disadvantage of the 3^rd night free is the condition of prepaid and nonrefundable rate. Whether the 3rd night free deal is a good value will depend on the specific hotel dates of stay. My findings over the past couple of years has shown 3rd night free is often a great deal for paid hotel suites compared to other available published rates.

 

The 3^rd night free offer used to be a hit or miss reasonable deal. Usually I find a better AAA rate or lower rate special offer.

 

In continuing my week-long survey of hotel rates around the USA for Labor Day weekend, Loyalty Travler takes a closer look at the Starwood Hotels Luxury Collection Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis. The 3rd night free offers some good rate savings, but not the best deal unless you book a higher category room.

 

Hotel Ivy – Minneapolis  (Hotel webpage link)

(SPG Category 4 hotel also available using points for 10,000 points  or $60 + 4,000 points per night)

 

Hotel Ivy is a downtown Minneapolis luxury hotel associated with the historic Ivy Tower and offers 136 guest rooms including 21 suites. The rooms are larger than your average hotel room.  Grande Deluxe and Junior Suite rooms are sizeable at over 500 square feet. A Starwood Platinum member can expect a room upgrade and will get a significant elite value bump if placed in a one room suite or Executive Suite category room.

 

Hotel Ivy is an example where the 3^rd night free rate is not the best deal for lowest category rooms at the Superior and Grand Deluxe room types.

 

Hotel Ivy has an even better value rate for these low category, high style rooms with the Holiday Package special offer including:

1.       free valet parking,

2.      4pm late checkout, and  

3.      day before arrival cancellation policy.

 

Once you get to the Junior Suite and higher categories there are savings with the 3^rd Night free offer, but remember these rates are prepaid and nonrefundable.

 

Hotel Ivy, Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 4-7, Labor Day weekend
Room Category	Room Size	3rd Night free rate	Other Rates
Superior Room,	380 sq ft	$166/night $498/3-night rate	Holiday Package (Best Deal) $139/night or $417/3-night rate
Grand Deluxe,	550 sq ft	$199/night $598/3-night rate	Holiday Package $189/night $567/3-night rate
Junior Suite	538 sq. ft.	$698/3-night rate	Holiday Package $239/night $717/3-night rate
One Bedroom Suite	733 Sq. Ft.	Not shown	$613/2-nights Better Tomorrows
Executive Suite	920 sq. ft	$1,598/3-night rate Best deal	$1,138 (2-nights) Better Tomorrows (SPG 50 = $775/night)
Grand Suite	1,173 sq. ft.	$3,600/3-night rate	$2,700 (2-nights) Better Tomorrows
Penthouse	Bi-level suite, 1,900 sq ft with city view balcony	$6,000/3-night rate	$4,500 (2-nights) Better Tomorrows

 

Superior King $498 for 3 nights = $166/night with the 3^rd Night Free rate.

Room Features: 380 square feet, Deep Sunken Tub/sep Shower, Down/feather Pillows, Armoire Closet, High Ceiling

 

The Holiday Package special rate is a better deal and saves $30 per night for this room category. The Holiday Package can be booked for less than 3 nights.

$139 per night for Superior King or $417 for 3 nights using Holiday Package rate includes valet parking.

 

$189 Grand Deluxe (Holiday Package)

Room Features: 550 square feet. Contemporary Decor with Art Deco. Hardwood Floors Lead Into Bedroom, Deep Soaking Tub With Separate Shower.

LT comment: 550 Sq Ft. is a large hotel room and will feel spacious.  This is fine urban living.

 

$239 Junior Suite King Holiday Package rate

Room features: Contemporary Decor With Art Deco, Hardwood Floors In Foyer. Separate Working Area With Chaise Lounge. 538 Sq Ft.

LT comment: The Grande Deluxe is $50 lower rate than junior suite for a smaller room?

 

Loyalty Traveler called SPG and checked 50% rack rates for Hotel Ivy available for 1,000 Starpoints. There were no savings found using 50% rack rate offer.

 

Other Starwood hotels in Minneapolis also have some really low rates if a city getaway is more your style than an outdoor living Labor Day weekend.

 

Minneapolis Starwood Hotels for Labor Day Weekend
W Minneapolis-The Foshay	Cheapest room $90/night Prepaid, nonrefundable	Suite Deal: Fantastic One Bedroom Suite 575 sq. ft. $230/night Prepaid, nonrefundable
Westin Minneapolis	Lowest Published rate: $96.75 /night Executive Room (AAA)   $111.75 (AAA) Grand Deluxe	Pay rates = Birth Year   $139 Grand Deluxe 1st night; if born 1950 then pay $50 for night 2 and $50 for night 3.
Aloft Minneapolis	$76/night

You still have until September 15 to book one of the best hotel rate bargains of the year. I don’t know how I missed analyzing this terrific deal from Radisson Hotels until now. San Francisco area hotels had very limited availability, but a city like Minneapolis had several hotel offers for a free Friday night on a two-night stay.  This is a great deal if you can locate a participating Radisson Hotel.

Free Night Offer: Stay at least two nights at a participating Radisson Hotel including a Friday and the rate for Friday will be reimbursed for stays between May 15 and September 15, 2009. Offer includes free internet access.  Radisson Friday Freeday hotel stays in the US will also earn a T.G.I. Fridays 2-for-1 entrée dining coupon.

Participating Hotels: North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, and Radisson Edwardian Hotels in London. A 7-day advance reservation is required.

 

Radisson Hotels Friday Freeday Promotion Link

 

Loyalty Traveler rate analysis:

 

Every hotel where I found this offer was a great deal.

 

London, England near the British Museum only 85GBP for two nights is an incredible deal.

 

Downtown Minneapolis for under $60 per night while earning Carlson Hotels GoldPoints loyalty points is a cheap vacation.

 

Forget Priceline and Hotwire. Search out a Radisson for your hotel stays over the next month.

 

Radisson Edwardian Kenilworth Hotel, London, UK  55GBP (US$93) per night for two night stay

Friday-Saturday, September 4-6, 2009 

Friday Freeday Rate = 85GBP per night (US$142 per night).

After rebate, your nightly rate is only US$71 + about $22 tax.

A brand name hotel room in London for under US$100 per night. What a deal!

 

Radisson Suites Tucson, Arizona  $49.50 per night for two night stay

Friday-Saturday, September 4-6, 2009 

Friday Freeday Rate = $99 per night.

After rebate your nightly rate is only $49.50 + tax.

 

 

Radisson Hotel Dublin-Pleasanton, California  $41/night for two night stay

Friday-Saturday, September 4-6, 2009 

Friday Freeday Rate = $81.97 per night + $6.56 tax.

After Friday rebate your nightly room rate is only $45 per night for a two night stay.

 

 Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis, Minnesota   $57.50/night for two night stay

Friday-Saturday, September 4-6, 2009 

Friday Freeday Rate = $115 per night.

After rebate your nightly rate is only $57.50 + tax.

 

 

Loyalty Traveler Promotion Offer Key Rank = 5 Keys (one of year’s best deals)

Friday is Freeday Radisson Hotels Promotion

Got your Labor Day plans on spontaneous mode?

Loyalty Traveler is highlighting some good deals at individual hotel properties around the country this week. And there are some good deals. Hotel loyalty program bonuses make low rates even better deals.

Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter

Priority Club Offer: Earn 8,000 Priority Club bonus points for a 2-night or longer stay at the new Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter from August 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 when paying Best Flexible Rate.

 

 

Registration is required. Priority Club 8,000 bonus points Link.

Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter webpage link

Be sure to register for two other Hotel Indigo and Priority Club promotions if planning a Hotel Indigo stay in the next six months or a multi-night stay in an IHG hotel brand including Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, or Holiday Inn Express between August 15 and September 15.

1.       2,000 points per Hotel Indigo stay to February 28, 2010. Priority Club Promotion link.

2.       Priority Club triple points for 3-night stay between August 15-September 15.

Priority Club 3x Promotion link.

 

Loyalty traveler post on 3x Points: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/loyaltytraveler/2009/08/05/ihg-priority-club-triple-points-for-3-night-stays-aug-15-sep-15/

 

 

Loyalty Traveler Analysis:

Hotel Indigo options and points earning for Labor Day Weekend, Friday-Monday, 3 night stay

September 4-7, 2009. A guest’s points will vary depending on rate paid and hotel spending, applicable bonuses, elite status. The sample points earnings shown below are estimates. Your actual earning may differ.

 

Friday, Sep 4-5, 2009

$120 per night advance purchase rate

1-night stay = 3,200 points for $120

Points Calculation: Priority Club points earned = 2,000 points Hotel Indigo bonus + 1,200 base points = 3,200 points.

 

Sep 4-6, 2009

$120 per night advance purchase rate – King Bed

2-night stay = 4,400 points for $240

Points Calculation: The lowest rate does not qualify for the 8,000 points bonus. The base points earned = $240 x 10 points =2,400 points + 2,000 Hotel Indigo stay bonus.

 

Sep 4-6, 2009 = $159 per night Best Flexible Rate – King Bed

2-night stay = 13,180 points for $318

Points Calculation: The lowest rate eligible for 8,000 points is Best Flexible Rate is $159 per night. The base points earned = $318 x 10 points = 3,180 points. 2,000 points Hotel Indigo stay bonus.

 

Sep 4-7, 2009 = $159 per night Best Flexible Rate – King Bed

3-night stay = 24,310 points for $477

Points Calculation: 8,000 Hotel Indigo San Diego Bonus; Triple Points for 3-night stay ($477×30 points per US$1) = 14,310 points; 2,000 points Hotel Indigo stay.

 

Rates searched for weekdays and weekends before Labor Day showed higher rates. The Labor Day weekend is a good deal for this hotel. Perhaps there is even a Padres ball game. Hotel reviews mention the ability to see the ball park from rooms, but you might need to upgrade to a higher priced category room for the good views.

Yelp Hotel Reviews for Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. Link

 

About Hotel Indigo

Hotel Indigo is the boutique brand introduced by InterContinental Hotels Group with a mathematical design concept. The first Hotel Indigo opened in Atlanta in late 2004. Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter opened July 2009 and is the 29th Hotel Indigo property to open in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and London, England. Next month the 30^th Hotel Indigo will open in Athens, Georgia.

Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is the only new hotel scheduled to open in downtown San Diego this year. The hotel is only one of 19 in the USA to have LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

[The following is a press release from July 13 from IHG.]

InterContinental Hotels Group Press Release for Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

http://www.ihgplc.com/index.asp?PageID=116&NewsID=2319

 

Hotel Indigo Opens First LEED Certified Property in San Diego

 

Eco-savvy property boasts first green roof in San Diego, meditation deck and herb garden

 

ATLANTA, GA  – Hotel Indigo today announces the opening of Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, the brand’s first LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified hotel and the first LEED certified hotel in San Diego – one of only 19 in the U.S.  Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is also the only new hotel scheduled to open in downtown San Diego in 2009.

 

A flagship property, Hotel Indigo San Diego is owned and managed by IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms.  The hotel is also the first in IHG’s portfolio to achieve LEED certification.  The second Hotel Indigo property to achieve LEED certification will open in Athens, Ga., at the University of Georgia this September.

 

In keeping with the Hotel Indigo brand’s commitment to the environment, sustainable green building and development practices were incorporated into the design, construction and operation of the new 12-story Hotel Indigo San Diego.  The hotel is located at 509 9th Ave., in downtown San Diego just one block from PETCO Park and only steps away from the Gaslamp Quarter, the city’s exciting dining and entertainment district. Convenient for business travelers, the hotel is also less than a mile from the bayside San Diego Convention Center.

 

“From the rooftop down, Hotel Indigo is a model of sustainability and we’re delighted to debut the brand’s first green hotel in San Diego,” said Janis Cannon, vice president, Global Brand Management, Hotel Indigo.  “As our flagship property, Hotel Indigo San Diego will showcase the brand’s upscale boutique positioning through its locally-inspired fresh design and inviting service culture, which promises to deliver an engaging and intimate guest experience.”

 

Another first for the brand and the city, Hotel Indigo San Diego is topped with a green roof on the ninth and 12th floors.  The green roof, which is covered with drought-tolerant plants, will reduce energy consumption by cutting the need for heating and air conditioning and will contribute to lowering the urban heat island effect.  Taking recycling to a new level, the hotel’s Phi Terrace Bar and ninth floor meditation deck is also the world’s first installation of MoistureShield composite decking, which is made from recycled polyethylene plastic and recycled wood fibers (i.e., grocery bags, milk jugs, byproduct from furniture/cabinetry making, etc.).

 

Additional green elements found throughout the hotel, include:

·         Herb garden on ninth floor terrace with basil, spearmint, rosemary, and tarragon; herbs will be used in gourmet menu items at the hotel’s Phi Bar and Bistro;

·         Operable floor-to-ceiling windows in Phi Bar and Bistro and ninth floor Phi Terrace Bar, which provide ample natural daylighting and ventilation;

·         On-site recycling program with recycling containers in guest rooms and operations areas;

·         Pantry and kitchen composting of organic matter from Phi Bar and Bistro; and

·         Reserved parking spaces and parking discounts for guests who drive low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles.

 

“Hotel Indigo San Diego has already been incredibly well-received by the local San Diego community, and we look forward to further engaging with the neighborhood now that we are officially welcoming guests and visitors,” said Chris Jones, general manager, Hotel Indigo San Diego.

 

Working with a talented team of local artists, photographers and designers, Hotel Indigo San Diego has captured the sun-kissed character and inviting coastal culture of the San Diego region by using locally-inspired artwork throughout the hotel.  Adding architectural detail to the San Diego skyline, a 40-foot glass sculpture aptly named “Indigo Waters” is affixed to the western facade of the hotel between the ninth and 12th floors.  Inside the hotel, large-scale photographic murals of native plants and water-driven images, such as agaves and the Pacific Ocean, are incorporated in the guest rooms and public areas

 

A refreshing take on boutique design and décor, Hotel Indigo San Diego “counts” math as its muse.  The hotel’s stylish, inviting design is inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, a universal design constant found throughout nature, art and architecture.  Adopting this mathematical ratio as a design principle creates a perfectly-balanced urban oasis of effortless beauty in the heart of downtown San Diego.

 

Hotel Indigo San Diego features 210 airy and inviting guestrooms, including five suites, with oversized beds, plush bedding, hard-surface flooring for a fresh residential feel, and spa-inspired showers with Aveda products.  Each guestroom includes a 37-inch high-definition flat screen TV with complimentary movies, an iHome/MP3 alarm clock radio, and a Keurig coffee maker.  Additionally, the hotel provides guests complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the entire hotel and access to the 24-hour business center, meeting space, 24-hour fitness studio and meditation deck on the ninth floor.

 

Dining and entertainment options include Phi Bar and Bistro, which serves gourmet dishes based on fresh, local seasonal ingredients, and a spectacular ninth floor rooftop bar.  Phi Terrace Bar features a reflection pool, fire pits, lounge seating and panoramic views of the cityscape and baseball games at PETCO Park – sure to become a hot spot for guests to mix and mingle over cocktails.

 

About Hotel Indigo

 

Meeting the desires of today’s business and leisure traveler, Hotel Indigo is an upscale boutique brand that delivers a refreshing and inviting guest experience that is truly reflective of the local community.  There are currently 29 Hotel Indigo properties open worldwide and more than 60 hotels under development, either in the pipeline or in final negotiation.  By the end of 2009, Hotel Indigo will almost double its footprint in the America with opening properties in New York City, Miami Beach, and Baltimore.  For more information on Hotel Indigo, or to make reservations, please visit http://www.hotelindigo.com/.

 

Hotel Indigo participates in IHG’s guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards.  With 43 million members worldwide, Priority Club Rewards is the industry’s first and largest guest loyalty program. Guests can enroll for free by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of this hotel or any of IHG’s more than 4,200 hotels worldwide.

This is a reminder to register for the Hyatt Gold Passport “Enjoy Elite Membership” instant Platinum elite offer and fast-track to Diamond offer by August 31. Promotion Link.

The promotion was discussed in detail in this June 23 Loyalty Traveler post.

New Gold Passport members receive instant Platinum elite which normally requires 5 stays in a calendar year or 15 nights. Stay just 5 nights in the 120 days after registering for the promotion and your Platinum elite status will be extended through February 2011.

One of the benefits of Hyatt Platinum elite is Platinum Extra certificates after every 3^rd stay with offers such as bonus points and free Regency Club upgrades. Platinum members are also eligible for room upgrades within the room category booked.

Gold Passport Platinum members receive a 15% bonus on 5 base points per US$1 in hotel spending.

$100 room rate (before tax) earns 500 base points and 75 platinum elite points. Free room nights using points start at 5,000 points for Gold Passport Category 1 hotels. Category 2 = 8,000 points; Category 3 = 12,000 points; Category 4 = 15,000 points, and Category 5 = 18,000 points for a free night.

Diamond elite membership can be earned and maintained through February 2011 with 15 nights in 120 days after promotion registration. Diamond benefits include complimentary guaranteed upgrades, bonus points, and complimentary Regency Club access.

Diamond elite members earn a 30% bonus on base points and have the option to receive 1,000 points as a diamond amenity for each hotel stay at a full-service Hyatt or 500 points at Hyatt Place and Summerfield Suites. Other amenity choices may be a free movie, mini-bar credit or other hotel specific offer.  I received a delicious appetizer tray and a bottle of wine at the Hyatt Regency Denver as a Diamond amenity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is no harm in asking for instant Diamond elite membership. Reports on FlyerTalk indicate some new members have been granted instant Diamond elite membership with the benefit of four confirmed e-upgrade certificates.

For leisure travelers there is an advantage of waiting until late August for promotion registration if your travel in late December will place you in a position to complete more Hyatt stays. Many major city hotels have some of their lowest rates of the year during the latter half of December when business and leisure travel slows.

I find many of the lowest rates of the year in San Francisco during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday weeks. Resorts tend to have higher rates at these times.

This is one of the most generous hotel loyalty program offers in years. Take advantage of Hyatt Gold Passport’s generosity if this promotion fits with your travel plans.

Loyalty Traveler Promotion Rank = 5 Keys (One of the best hotel loyalty promotions of 2009)

Shangri-La is an Asian luxury hotel chain with 64 hotels, primarily in China and Southeast Asia. The hotel chain is growing with hotels scheduled to open in London, Paris, Vienna, Toronto, and Macau over the next couple of years. There are hotels in Sydney and Cairns, Australia. I have been to the Rasa Sentosa Resort in Singapore. There are no US properties.

Golden Circle is the Shangri-La hotel loyalty program.

www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com

 

Golden Circle 2009 Free Night Summer Promotion

 

Registration is required. No retroactive credit for hotel nights prior to promotion registration.

Golden Circle members must register for this promotion online between 1 July and 30 September 2009 by logging onto www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com and clicking “Summer Promotion 2009”.

 

Offer: One free night will be awarded for every four accumulative qualifying nights stayed between July 1 and September 30, 2009. The qualifying nights do not have to be consecutive nights. Any  published rack, corporate, or package room rates qualify.

Free Night Redemption: Free nights earned can be redeemed online and used for stays at any Shangri-La hotel and resort between 1 October 2009 and 31 March 2010, except at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives; Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo; and Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver.

Free nights can be redeemed as of September 15, 2009 after free night credit is posted online. Redemption must be made three days in advance.

Redemption reservations cancelled less than 24 hours and 7 days for City and Resort hotels respectively prior to 4 pm on day of arrival (local hotel time) or NO SHOW will subject to a deduction of one free night.  For NO SHOW, the entire booking will be cancelled automatically. Members will have to rebook again.

The following black-out dates, in addition to existing Golden Circle black-out dates, apply:
For all Hotels: 31 December 2009 and 1 January 2010
For all Resorts: 22 December 2009 to 1 January 2010 and 13 to 17 February 2010 (both dates inclusive)

Free night is not transferable.

Promotion Terms and Conditions link.

 

Shangri-La Hotel Properties link.

 

Shangri-La Golden Circle Hotel Loyalty Program

Golden Circle Member Benefits link.

 

Shangri-La Golden Circle Elite Status

Classic membership is free to registered members.

Executive membership requires 20 nights in a calendar year in at least two different Shangri-La properties.

Elite membership requires 60 nights in a calendar year in at least three different Shangri-La properties.

Golden Circle Terms & Conditions

 

Loyalty Traveler Promotion Analysis

Golden Sands Resort, Penang, Malaysia

September 7-11, 2009

400 MYR/night (US$114.20/night) Superior Hill view Room 36sqm/368sq.ft.; free internet

1,840 MYR (US$525.34) after tax for 4 nights

 

630MYR/night (US$180.00) Executive Sea view room 30 sqm/328sq.ft.

Total rate = 2,898MYR (US$827.41) after tax for 4 nights.

 

Sample Free night redemption:

Dubai Shangri-La, United Arab Emirates (Hotel webpage link)

January 13 Deluxe Room. Room rate: 1,350 AED/night ($US368.00)

 

 

Deluxe Room Description for Dubai Shangri-La:

-Deluxe Rooms offer stylish comfort with an inviting earthtone design based on warm sycamore veneers, and are decorated with original local artworks.

-The rooms, located on floors 29 through 39, feature panoramic views of Sheikh Zayed Road or the Arabian Sea.

-Dual line telephones (with dataport connection), complimentary broadband Internet access, in-room safe, satellite television, coffee/tea making facilities, and a comfortable writing desk are standard in all Deluxe Rooms.

-The spacious bathroom, featuring Aigner bath amenities, contains a deep soaking tub and a walk-in shower with a rainforest showerhead.

-The room dimensions are 45 sqm/484 sqft.

 

For this example earning and redemption scenario a Golden Circle guest could stay at a beach resort in Malaysia for four nights at a cost of US$525 and redeem the free night earned in Dubai for a room that would cost US$368.

 

That is a 70% rebate on a four night Malaysia beach getaway.

Loyalty Traveler promotion rating = 4 keys (high value).

Starwood Preferred Guest’s latest hotel loyalty promotion offer is 1,000 points per hotel stay in North America, Caribbean, Central America, and South America. There are 26 of 478 participating properties offering only 500 points per stay. After stating in yesterday’s post Priority Club’s combinable promotions is its competitive advantage in hotel loyalty programs, SPG appears to have entered the ring as another contender.

Starwood Lurker, the primary FlyerTalk representative for Starwood Hotels, states the ‘Get Closer to Paradise’ bonus points offer per stay is the first in a series of promotions SPG will roll out in August and September.  The FlyerTalk thread is here, but be warned it is loads of pages with babble. I filtered out the pertinent info for this post.

Great news for loyalty guests. Looking at the terms and conditions for ‘Get Closer to Paradise’ I see one notable term usually found in the fine print missing from this offer. There is no condition listed in the terms & conditions fine print stating this promotion is not to be combined with other promotions.

SPG ‘Get Closer to Paradise’ Offer: Earn 500 bonus points or 1,000 bonus points for each stay at a participating property from August 4 through November 30, 2009.

Get Closer to Paradise Registration Link. Participants must register by November 30 and bonus points will be applied retroactively for all eligible stays.

Participating Hotels Link: Nearly 500 hotels in North America, Caribbean, Central America, South America. This link also shows 26 hotels earning only 500 points per stay. Most, but not all Starwood hotels in the USA are participating.

Important Note: Hotel stays booked prior to August 4 are eligible for this promotion. There is no need to rebook your hotel stays. Any eligible stay including an overnight on August 4 or November 30 will earn the bonus for these dates.

Loyalty Traveler analysis:

I expected the 500 points per stay to apply exclusively to Four Points, Aloft, and Element Hotel brands since these Starwood brands earn only 250 points for a Platinum amenity for hotel stays. In fact, there are just 26 hotels of the 478 participating properties awarding only 500 bonus points.

Some Four Points properties earn 500 bonus points per stay, but most earn 1,000 bonus points. Most Aloft brand hotels and all the Element brand hotels earn 1,000 bonus points.

Starwood Lurker has hinted there will be an Asia/Pacific region promotion announced soon and a Europe/Middle East/Africa region promotion within the next month.

1,000 points per stay favors one-night stays as a points accumulation strategy. This is an adequate bonus worth about $35 in rebate value. As a stand alone promotion this offer ranks as a Loyalty traveler 2 key promotion. Nice bonus, but no need to go out of your way to earn. As a combinable bonus offer this is a Loyalty Traveler 3-key good value offer from Starwood Preferred Guest. Time will tell as SPG keeps on rolling with the hotel loyalty promotions.

SPG ‘Get Closer to Paradise’

Loyalty Traveler Promotion Key = 3 Keys

 

An exclusive bonus points offer was received by Priority Club Rewards Visa online community members last week. The email states the offer may be shared with friends and family. Anyone involved in social networking on FlyerTalk, Facebook, or Twitter knows some people have thousands of friends.

Priority Club Offer: Triple points for a three night stay at any IHG branded property, except the offer is not valid for stays at InterContinental Hotels brand.

Triple Points     

Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, or Hotel Indigo  = 30 points/US$1

Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites = 15 points /US$1

Loyalty Traveler Key Ranking = 4 Key High value promotion

 

Triple Points Promotion Codes

Your personal code: 1444
www.priorityclubrewards.com/triplepoints

Your personal code: 1447
www.priorityclubrewards.com/triplepoints

FlyerTalk has two different links using 1444 or 1447 as the code for this offer, depending on who is “your friend”. Either link works.

Priority Club Insider has 1444 personal code link.

The offer will request where you heard about this promotion. The email states friends should reply “Referred by a friend” using the drop down menu when prompted.

I actually responded truthfully and selected “From a blog”. I do not have a Priority Club Rewards Visa card.

This promotion has high value, but only if you need a 3-night hotel stay during the August 15-September 15 period. Think Labor Day weekend. Otherwise, this is a 3-Key promotion with good value even for the occasional traveler.  Priority Club offers free nights at only 5,000 points at select properties during most months of the year. Virtually any 3 night hotel stay in Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express with a base rate of $56 per night will earn at least 5,000 points with the triple points promotion.

There are around 4,000 Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, and Hotel Indigo properties globally for earning the triple points for three night or longer stays over the next month from August 15 to September 15. The exclusion of InterContinental Hotels blocks fewer than 200 hotels from the triple points offer.

Priority Club’s double points promotion was analyzed on Loyalty Traveler last week and starts September 15.

Loyalty Traveler analysis:

Holiday Inn San Francisco Golden Gateway Hotel

August 17-20, 2009

3-night stay

 

$139.30 Advance Purchase Rate (prepaid, nonrefundable)

1 King Bed with View

$476.70 after tax for 3 nights.

 

Triple points for this sample stay are only awarded on base points.

$417.90 x 10 points/US$1 = 4,179 points x 3 = 12,537 points.

 

Basic Priority Club member = 12,537 points

Gold Elite (10% bonus points) = 12,954 points

Platinum elite (50% bonus points) = 14,626 points

 

Earning points at this level is nearly sufficient for a free hotel night at lower points IHG Hotel brands like Candlewood Suites (15,000 points) or Staybridge Suites (20,000 points) and low level Holiday Inn and HI Express. 25,000 points earns a free night reward with Crowne Plaza or Hotel Indigo, and upper end Holiday Inns and Holiday Inn Express.

 

 

Marriott Hotels in Hawaii have come up with a charitable promotion for tourists and locals staying in their five Hawaii resorts. A minimum 5-night stay is required. The last night of your stay will be donated to charity. Enter Promotion Code P74 in Corporate/Promotional Code box on reservations page.

Marriott Hawaii “Giving With Aloha” Press Release

The promotional code P74 is the same code used for Marriott’s Hawaii Paradise Plus promotion. Paradise Plus rates give you the choice between free breakfast for two daily or a Hertz rental car.

The primary difference between these special offers is a 5-night minimum requirement for the “Giving with Aloha” charity package. If your stay will be four nights or less you can still get the Paradise Plus package.

Charity donations are down significantly in 2009. The room rate for your last night’s Marriott stay will be donated to one of three charities of your choice:

1.       American Heart Association, Hawaii chapter;

2.       Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network; or

3.       American Red Cross, Hawaii chapter.

 

Marriott Hotels in Hawaii participating in Giving with Aloha charity promotion

1.       JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa – Oahu

2.       Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa – Oahu

3.       Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club – Kauai

4.       Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa – Maui

5.       Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa – Island of Hawaii.

 

This offer is an altruistic gesture as long as Marriott is not adjusting the nightly rate to mean the hotel is passing the total cost of the donation directly to the hotel guest in the form of higher room rates.

Total Rate Comparisons after tax:

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort, November 7-12, 2009; 5-night stay

$1,688.80 Escape Package Ocean View Room with $50 daily resort credit for food and services.

$2,089.80 AAA rate Ocean View room. No additional amenities.

$2,084.15 Giving with Aloha package Mountain View room (lower room category). Breakfast for two daily and one night’s room charges will be donated to Hawaii charity.

$2,366.55 Paradise Plus package Ocean View room.

Rate offers choice of daily breakfast for two or Hertz rental car. (This would be comparable “Giving with Aloha” rate if that rate were available for ocean view rooms. $677.75 extra than the lowest available rate with more flexible resort credit.)

 

Loyalty Traveler Conclusion: Marriott has a charitable offer, but the charitable portion is being fully funded, or perhaps over-funded by the resort guest.

 

Loyalty Traveler Advice to Marriott – add higher category rooms to the Giving with Aloha offer. Every participating Marriott resort only shows “Giving with Aloha” rate for the lowest category hotel rooms. No ocean view rooms were found in a check of all 5 particpating Marriott Resorts for November 7-12, 2009.

 

Reluctantly, Loyalty Traveler gives the “Giving with Aloha” promotion 3 keys out of 5 keys and that is only for charity.

 

Loyalty Traveler Marriott “Giving with Aloha” room rate analysis in hotel detail.

Out-of-state guest package includes 5 nights in deluxe accommodations with daily breakfast

Hawaii Residents package includes 4 nights in deluxe accommodations; no breakfast.

 

Sample Hotel Rates at JW Ihilani Resort & Spa, 5-night stay

November 7-12, 2009

P74 Giving with Aloha Package (Room rate for 5^th night is donated to charity)

$369 per night Mountain View (640 Square feet, sofa, chair, flat screen tv)

$416.83 per night after tax

“Giving with Aloha” package was not shown for higher category room types on these dates. The following rooms were available as “Paradise Plus” package in website search.

Paradise Plus package with either breakfast for two or Hertz rental car.

$419 per night Ocean view (640 Square feet, sofa, chair, flat screen tv)

$473.31 per night after tax.

 

$469 Deluxe Ocean View (640 Square feet, sofa, chair, flat screen tv)

Cancellation rules: Cancel at no charge up to 3 days before arrival.

 

AAA rate 5-night stay, Nov. 7-12, 2009 No breakfast.

$322 per night Mountain View

$370 per night Ocean view Final Price $417.96 per night

$417 Deluxe Ocean View

 

Setting search parameters to show all rates revealed the best deal for this 5-night stay.

Escape $50 Resort credit per night was lowest available rate Loyalty Traveler found for 5-night stay Nov 7-12.

$299 per night Ocean View (rate includes $50 daily resort credit valid for resort restaurants, resort market, room service, internet, parking, spa, gift shops.)

$337.76 per night after tax with $50 in added-value daily credit for meals, market, gifts, etc.

 

Hawaii hotels are a rate comparison nightmare. Most resorts have a dozen or more special offer rates. Fortunately Marriott is a fairly user-friendly site for searching rate types.

 

Preliminary analysis indicated this was a reasonable deal for the hotel consumer who could get a nice hotel room including daily breakfast while contributing to a worthy cause. Upon closer examination, I was surprised to find the availability of the “Giving with Aloha” package restricted to the lowest category hotel rooms while the comparably priced Paradise Plus package that offers the hotel guest the same benefits for the same price includes higher category rooms – but Paradise Plus rates do not include a charitable donation from Marriott to a Hawaiian non-profit.

 

It seems odd that the Giving with Aloha rate is not available for higher category rooms when the identically priced Paradise Plus rate is offered for better room types.

Marriott is to be congratulated for making a charitable gesture by teaming up with Hawaii non-profits. Too bad my sample rate analysis using Nov 7-12 dates for the JW Ihilani shows the “Giving with Aloha” offer will cost the guest $400 more for a lower category mountain view room than another rate offer charges for an ocean view room.

The lowest available rate found for the November 7-12 dates offers the guest a better category ocean view room at a lower price with more flexible resort credit in $250 to spend at restaurants, gift shops, parking, and in-room services rather than just the complimentary breakfast offer of “Giving with Aloha”.