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I stayed at the St. Regis Chicago last night. It opened this past Monday. I wrote some of my initial thoughts here and will post a full review in the next few days. One of the most glaring omissions from this hotel is the Marriott Bonvoy® Elite welcome amenity choice of free breakfast. It’s not an option here.
Marriott Bonvoy® stipulates that Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members should be able to select breakfast as a welcome amenity. This varies by brand within the Marriott portfolio, but St. Regis is one that includes complimentary breakfast and I have enjoyed amazing breakfasts at St. Regis locations everywhere from Bal Harbour to Osaka.
When I checked in, I asked about a welcome amenity and was told that 1,000 points is the only option. The hotel’s restaurant, Miru, is owned and operated by Lettuce Entertain You and does not provide guests this benefit. Now this is surprising, because the restaurant does serve breakfast. The agent offered to make a reservation for me. I declined.
Anthony’s Take: This is a cheap move and totally unjustified. Is this a first-world problem? Absolutely. Will it turn off a lot of loyal Marriott guests? Yup. This is a cost-saving move and kind of sad. The hotel as a whole is rather lackluster and this is not going to help it.
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5 comments
You should have invoked the $100 compensation guarantee. Someone should sue the hotel and Marriott in small claims court. Or file a complaint with the consumer protection division of a state attorney general’s department.
Robbed of breakfast, then step outside the hotel and you’re robbed of everything else.
***UPDATE*** Anthony – St. Regis Chicago confirmed that they have just updated/clarified their policy on the breakfast benefit. The breakfast benefit will be offered for all elite guests. I just confirmed with the hotel manager. They are going to issue a formal press release on this. Thanks to this blog and others. You may want to call and confirm this yourself and update post! St. Regis Manager: (312) 787-3447.
Thanks! I just called the hotel and confirmed. I wrote a new post to inform others of the change.
Bonvoyed again.