SPG just launched a 35% off redemption promotion for stays at seven “specialty” properties for stays until March 1, 2014. You ca access SPG’s web page for this promotion here.
This offer is only valid at the following seven properties and you can make it by PHONE only:
- Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort, Portugual
- W Retreat Koh Samui, Thailand
- W Retreat and Spa Maldives
- Le Meridien Bora Bora
- Mystique, a Luxury Collection Resort, Santorini, Greece
- Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, a Luxury Collection Resort, Dubai, UAE
- Vana Belle, Koh Samui, Thailand
This offer is combinable with the 5th night free offer, but not with other redemption discounts
Does it make sense to redeem these at 35% off?
My answer is absolutely not. SPG has way overpriced these “specialty” properties point requirement wise and I wrote about a piece about it late last year that is still valid. You can read it here.
If you are seriously planning to stay at these properties, look for a good discount rate and save your Starpoints elsewhere. There are no deals here even at 35% off.
Conclusion
SPG has seriously overpriced most of their high end awards and especially these “non-standard room” properties. You shouldn’t even consider using Starpoins for them.
Here are the terms and conditions of this offer:
- Offer only applies to the participating property’s most basic room category that can be booked using a Free Night Award redemption (which in some cases may include suites) and is subject to the participating properties existing SPG redemption policies.
- This offer cannot be reserved online and must be booked by calling the SPG Customer Contact center. Discounted Starpoints will be deducted from Member’s account at time of booking.
- 5th Night Free offer may be used in combination with this offer.
- Rooms reserved using Cash & Points, 50% off Awards, and Nights & Flights are not eligible.
- Award stays under this promotion will count towards the SPG Member reaching the Eligible Night and Eligible Stay milestones needed to earn elite membership status.
- Offer cannot be combined with other redemption promotions unless specifically permitted according to these terms and conditions.
- There is no limit on the number of times or nights a member may reserve using this special offer during the Promotion Period within the guidelines of SPG Free Night Award redemption.
- All promotions are subject to the Starwood Preferred Guest program terms and conditions, which are subject to change without notice and can be found at spg.com.
- Offer is applicable to single members only and not to groups.
- Not responsible for omissions or typographical errors.
- Starwood reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time.
- To update your communication preferences or learn about our privacy practices, view our Privacy Statement on spg.com/privacy, or access our privacy information line by calling 1-877-782-0071 in the U.S. and Canada or +353-21-4930474 in all other countries.
- Starpoints, SPG, Preferred Guest, Sheraton, Four Points, W, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, Element, Sheraton, St. Regis and their respective logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates.
- Void where prohibited by law.
I stayed in a town house in the pine cliffs. I must say I was impressed by the location and I thought it was worth the money (off season). High season summertime it is extremely expensive but still the location is fantastic.
Even at 35%, these are terrible redemptions. For equivalent properties, you still pay 75%-100% more than if you churned via Hilton or Hyatt. SPG is a joke.
And the same applies for paid stays as well taking into account the number of points you earn per USD spend. These are terrible value.