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Back in May, I broke the news that the St. Regis Chicago was not offering Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members their rightful choice of breakfast as a welcome amenity (more here). Now, Travel on Points is reporting that the St. Regis New York is playing games with the offering while the restaurant is being renovated.
While the restaurant is under renovation, it is possible to order in-room dining. This means that the hotel has a means of preparing food, but is opting out of allowing members to order room service. Posters on FlyerTalk have been buzzing about the lack of breakfast as this popular redemption hotel.
One guest spoke to the general manager and asked her about being able to use a breakfast credit for in-room dining. She denied this option. This is especially surprising since the hotel has allowed guests complimentary room service in the past (you can find reviews on TripAdvisor happily enjoying this benefit).
All guests are not currently paying the $50 daily resort fee that is usually charged to everyone regardless of elite status. This is a nice gesture in lieu of the restaurant not being open, but it is not a substitute for the benefit members were not receiving. I guess enough members complained because the hotel has now added an “alternate breakfast restaurant offering.” Elite guests are now getting some sort of breakfast on the 20th floor. This is something and I’m glad that guests made enough noise about a benefit that they’re guaranteed (especially at a hotel that normally costs $1,000 or 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points (or more) per night.
Anthony’s Take: I hate when hotels play games with guaranteed benefits. Upgrades, late checkouts, and amenities like breakfast are earned through continued loyalty to a brand. Hotels should not try to cheap out on these offerings as the backlash is generally greater than the savings.
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