Looks like it’s hotel re-valuation season. I posted earlier about the Starwood Cash and Points devaluation; now it seems Starwood regular points have been devalued, as well. Hurry before March 5th to redeem your points, as that’s when the rates will change.
To give a very brief summary: some hotels are moving down a category or two, and some more hotels are moving up a category or three.
Of the hotels being reduced in price, the interesting ones are the W Istanbul, the Sheraton Tokyo, the Meridien and the Twelve in Shanghai, and surprisingly, the Westin Aruba (“surprisingly” because I’m not used to seeing *any* resort locations *ever* get reduced in price, however crusty they might be). Also the Sheraton Tbilisi. 🙂
As for hotels going up in price, the list is, sadly, much longer. A number of US/Canadian hotels are going up (notably, several Hawaii all-suites properties); a number of Chinese hotels; Sheraton Denarau Villas and The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa in Fiji (doh!), Sheraton Guam (doh!) and several Latin American properties.
As Gary Leff of View from the Wing pointed out, “About 5% of properties are going down in category and about 20% are going up” – but clearly, the more desirable properties are going up, while the less desirable ones are going down.
Don’t forget that if you book right now and need to change dates later, the updated point levels will apply, so you can’t pre-book and “save” a spot.
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