FlyinJK - 11/05/2008 15:03
As a Platinum [top tier] Starwood Preferred Guest, and frequent visitor to Dubai, I always look for a Starwood property to stay in. SPG.com lists several in Dubai, but the vast majority of them do not offer/recognise the SPG service levels and amenities. I don't want to book on points, but I do want to earn points, and receive credits for stays toward retaining Platinum.
More annoyingly - the only credible business option for me, which offers points, is the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach, and that is a real dump compared to the other Starwood properties there, like Grosvenor House, or Westin/Le Meridien Mina Seyahi.
What's up with that? Anyone have any ideas? I adore SPG for their no-blackout policy, but now it seems they are blacking out entire hotels!
BusinessTraveller - 13/05/2008 08:45
Business Traveller replies:
Under the terms of the deal when Starwood acquired Le Meridien hotels, participation in SPG is at the discretion of the individual properties. According to spg.com none of the six Le Meridien hotels in Dubai participates in the programme.
A similar question was posed to Ask Alex recently, and a full reply will be published in the July/August issue of Business Traveller.
FlyinJK - 18/05/2008 11:59
Thanks! However, please note - there are several hotels which are NOT Le Meridien's, like the Westin Mina Seyahi, which also don't participate in SPG... So it doesn't seem exclusive just to Le Merid's?
FlyinJK - 21/05/2008 07:56
Sorry - further to my earlier post, there are NOT 'several' properties which don't particpate, they are in fact all Le Meridiens. However, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina is not a Le Meridien, and does NOT particpate in the SPG program. Would be great if you could shed some colour on this, as I'd love to stay there!
BusinessTraveller - 22/05/2008 15:10
Business Traveller replies:
We are awaiting an official reply from Starwood on this, but it looks likely the reason for the Westin's non-particiaption in SPG is a result of its close relationship with the adjacent Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. The two properties share facilities including swimming pools, beachfront, etc, so it would be complicated to allow one hotel to offer SPG points and not the other.
All the Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton hotels in Dubai do participate in the programme, as do the Dar Al Sondos Hotels Apartments by Le Meridien, and the Dar Al Sondos Suites by Le Meridien.
Starwood also points out that SPG is an optional programme for all Starwood hotels - so each individual hotel can decide to opt in or out. For a full list of hotels that don't participate, click here.
Whilst we’re on the subject of the Westin, our features editor Felicity Cousins has just returned from Dubai, and has posted a news report on the opening of the Westin - click here to read it. We’ll be publishing a full review of the hotel in a future issue of Business Traveller…
BusinessTraveller - 23/05/2008 08:29
Business Traveller update:
We've just had a reply from Starwood, as follows:
"Participation in the SPG Program is at the discretion of Starwood's individual hotels and resorts. The owning company of the Westin Mina Seyahi is currently reviewing the implementation of the SPG programme at this property. We thank your reader for recognising the merits of Starwood Hotels & Resorts award-winning loyalty programme."
So it looks like it's a case of watch this space with the Westin, or if you really want to earn / redeem SPG points in Dubai, opt for the Sheraton properties.
