Four Israeli Sheratons Leaving Starwood Effective 6/30/09!

[Tzadik Nistar]

I've been waiting for years now for SPG to welcome more hotels in Jerusalem, but nothing is happening so far

And it serves us right, there is only so much abuse these hotels can take, take the SPG property at Ein Bokek Dead Sea for example (love this hotel), by some reports all its SPG award nights is being snatched up by some mental midget Israelis (whom I personally would love to punch in the face) for their own benefits

How long do you think they'll put up with this crap?!

SHAME ON THEM

+1 they buy out all available nights and then resell them

[A3]

+1 they buy out all available nights and then resell them

I've had no problem, finding last minute availability on several occasions this summer.

[chucksterace]

I've had no problem, finding last minute availability on several occasions this summer.

+1, Usually when I go on I am able to find nights that work for me and are available.

[Homeandl]

+1, Usually when I go on I am able to find nights that work for me and are available.

That's not the point here, and they still need to get punched in the face for doing what they do

[Drago]

I've been waiting for years now for SPG to welcome more hotels in Jerusalem, but nothing is happening so far

And it serves us right, there is only so much abuse these hotels can take, take the SPG property at Ein Bokek Dead Sea for example (love this hotel), by some reports all its SPG award nights is being snatched up by some mental midget Israelis (whom I personally would love to punch in the face) for their own benefits

How long do you think they'll put up with this crap?!

SHAME ON THEM

I don't think that punching them is strong enough

But in seriousness, if the hotel was raised to a Cat 3 or higher (which seems to be justified based on the rates), this stuff would stop imm.

[Homeandl]

if the hotel was raised to a Cat 3 or higher

Nu.. Al Tiftach Pah L'suton, but that's exactly what I meant when I said punch these Israeli mental midgets out... They are killing it for all of us, there is a reason why there is no SPG hotels left in Jerusalem, and now you suggest that the only other SPG left in Israel to raise from a cat1 to a category 3...

Hoiya Loi Siyah

[PlatinumGuy]

Nu.. Al Tiftach Pah L'suton, but that's exactly what I meant when I said punch these Israeli mental midgets out... They are killing it for all of us, there is a reason why there is no SPG hotels left in Jerusalem, and now you suggest that the only other SPG left in Israel to raise from a cat1 to a category 3...

Hoiya Loi Siyah

It would seem like LMDS is benefiting from it more than anyone else, and it's hard to believe they're clean here.

[Drago]

Nu.. Al Tiftach Pah L'suton, but that's exactly what I meant when I said punch these Israeli mental midgets out... They are killing it for all of us, there is a reason why there is no SPG hotels left in Jerusalem, and now you suggest that the only other SPG left in Israel to raise from a cat1 to a category 3...

Hoiya Loi Siyah

I don't think ppl overbooking will have an impact on the future Cat category.
I recall reading somewhere (Gary perhaps) that it's based on the average room income, or something of the sort.

[Dan]

If it's based on ADR on SPG then why are they not a category 6?

The hotel is definitely doing shady stuff with their ADR and occupancy rates.  It's a complete anomaly in the SPG system.

[Drago]

If it's based on ADR on SPG then why are they not a category 6?

The hotel is definitely doing shady stuff with their ADR and occupancy rates.  It's a complete anomaly in the SPG system.

Agree 100%.
Is it possible that negative customer reviews affect the final decision? There appears to be some element of subjective decision making, since hotels occasionally change categories mid-year.

[Dan]

My theory:

StarwoodLurker has said it is based on projected ADR.

Most hotels want more reimbursement so they project higher ADR to get a higher category.
LMDS wants a lower category so that more people use their points and they fill up 95% of the hotel-triggering full payment instead of the lower point reimbursement.

[Homeandl]

If it's based on ADR on SPG then why are they not a category 6?

The hotel is definitely doing shady stuff with their ADR and occupancy rates.  It's a complete anomaly in the SPG system.

Right? my first time there I was amazed that they were only a Cat1, just as I couldn't understand why there was so much negative reviews about that hotel

[Drago]

Right? my first time there I was amazed that they were only a Cat1, just as I couldn't understand why there was so much negative reviews about that hotel

Compared to the LM standard worldwide, they fall short.
Compared to Israel standards, they're on the upper end of the spectrum.

[Chaikel]

My theory:

StarwoodLurker has said it is based on projected ADR.

Most hotels want more reimbursement so they project higher ADR to get a higher category.
LMDS wants a lower category so that more people use their points and they fill up 95% of the hotel-triggering full payment instead of the lower point reimbursement.

And after being there a few times, it's very believable that they hit 95% most nights of the year

[SamKey]

My friend spoke to a rep who expressed her surprise a him finding availability at the LMDS

[Moishebatchy]

Right? my first time there I was amazed that they were only a Cat1, just as I couldn't understand why there was so much negative reviews about that hotel

Having stayed there several dozen times myself, I can assure you that unfortunately, many of those negative reviews are very well deserved.