Articles tagged “starwood”

Most Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest members enjoyed a seamless integration earlier this year when the two programs merged. For some, however, latent issues are still hampering the experience. We asked five Starwood members about their journeys.

Sheraton is now Marriott’s third largest brand, coming after only Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott, and the largest outside of North America. As a result, getting this turnaround right is critically important for the company in the eyes of investors, owners, consumers, and other stakeholders.

The planned integration of Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards did not go entirely smoothly this weekend. Some members were not shy about expressing their unhappiness.

Mobile check-in isn't new for a hotel to roll out, but the Starwood Preferred Guest promotion could help it go more mainstream.

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Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest: "Hold my beer"

Everyone suspected the efficiency and consistency of the Marriott "machine" would be a perfect match up for Starwood's creative and innovative lifestyle brands. While it appears to be working for Aloft and Element, the true measure of success will be what Marriott can do with a brand like Sheraton.

Business travelers will lament the end of the Uber-Starwood partnership, but much more may be on the horizon for Uber's loyalty plans.

Despite the challenges facing the industry, Sorenson remains optimistic and determined to make sure Marriott's $13.3 billion bet on loyalty pays off.

We'll definitely be keeping our eye on what develops as far as Marriott's decisions for its reservations and loyalty platforms going forward. But we're still not so convinced they're keeping all 30 of those brands over the long term.

Everyone, including Starwood founder Barry Sternlicht, it seems, is seeing the tremendous value of investing in the extended stay space.