Often hotel chains like to retain their infrequent stayers bec
ause they don’t have to offer special services that the elite frequent stayers get but savvy travelers serve their bottom line the best.Marriott Rewards have sent out email offers to Silver elite members whom have not stayed with them for more than a year. It states: “Dear Valued Marriott Rewards® Member, earn a free night by staying. 2 times at a Marriott® brand hotel between July 1 and September 30, 2010. This offer is by invitation only.
I registered for a similar offer, open to everyone, by Starwood. It’s the SPG Free Weekends promotion. For every three stays at SPG properties. I can now use my Free Weekend Night stays through December 2010. I used one free night last weekend at the W-Dallas and thoroughly enjoyed the fun inducing hotel. The best use of the free night is to stay at a highly rated Hotel. The W is an SPG Category 5 (this is the highest Category in Texas) . I think that this is a great way to try a new hotel because I hate to shell out a few hundred $ a night and feel cheated. This way I will look forward to returning to the W fully prepared to pay for the hotel that I enjoyed staying at last weekend. A free night at a Cat 5 hotel (5 star) needs 12,000 - 16,000 points, and remember that you can redeem five nights and your fifth night is free at category 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 hotels.
W Dallas Victory has a milder funky W style than some of the W-hotels. I do hope that the Austin W, currently in construction will have a similar sophisticated style. I really enjoyed de-stressing in the menthol steam room at Bliss spa then ordered a DVD movie, a hamburger and Sushi delivered to my room courtesy of the Whatever/Whenever concierge button. A glass sided rooftop pool and bar on the 16th floor draws the beautiful people that also hang out at the W-Ghostbar on the 33rd floor.
The other glass sided pool up in the Dallas sky, is at The Joule SPG hotel. It also has a panoramic view of the city and a trendy recently opened urban oasis, pool bar. The roof top pool is suspended beyond the building’s edge! I’m a bit afraid of heights but it’s a thrill.12,000 points at SPG is a good deal! To get an idea of point costs at other chains:- Starting at 10,000 points, you can receive a Reward Night at Holiday Inns where, you can choose from more than 4,400 hotels worldwide to Use your Priority Club® points to reserve a free night. IHG InterContinental 5 star hotels start at 30,000 points for a free night with no blackout dates.
