You can make the same argument, Op, about anything high-end - watches/jewelry, cars, clothing, shoes, hand bags, private schools, etc

Anonymous wrote:It all depends on where and for what reason I'm using the hotel. I don't use room service, hardly ever use the spa, and don't hang out in the hotel room for very long. We rarely do luxury hotels in the city because we don't use or need any of the luxuries. For beach vacations abroad, the luxury hotels are more likely to come with amenities and locations we want, so it is more worth it. That said, I've rarely found Ritz etc level actually worth it for what we use. I definitely see other people getting more use out of what they have to offer!

This makes sense.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pre-covid, I guess they kind of made sense. But these days, with limited housekeeping, spas still closed, limited room service, etc. - I don't understand. You're paying, say $800 for a room with a bed at the Ritz Amelia Island when you could paying $180 up the road at the Residence Inn. What am I missing?

Didn’t read the whole thread, but Residence Inn in Amelia Island isn’t going for $180. Mid-Range Marriott and Hilton Properties in Ocean City, MD are 5
$400 - $700 in season.

As for luxury properties, they are, of course, nicer. Typically they are out of our price range. Not only are the rooms more expensive, but usually the nicer the hotel, the less you get- ex. Hampton Inn has complimentary coffee all day. At the Four Seasons a cup of coffee is $5.

But the coffee with be illy or another higher end brand not some cheap generic coffee.

Anonymous wrote:It all depends on where and for what reason I'm using the hotel. I don't use room service, hardly ever use the spa, and don't hang out in the hotel room for very long. We rarely do luxury hotels in the city because we don't use or need any of the luxuries. For beach vacations abroad, the luxury hotels are more likely to come with amenities and locations we want, so it is more worth it. That said, I've rarely found Ritz etc level actually worth it for what we use. I definitely see other people getting more use out of what they have to offer!

+1.. In addition, I use Marriott and Hyatt resorts (not luxury but mid priced) as quick driving getaways over the weekend . Never leave the resort, maybe check in for a day or two less than 3-4hrs driving time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always wondered why La Quinta gives free continental breakfast, free coffee, and free internet. But Ritz Carlton charges for all of that, plus makes you pay a $15-20 resort fee. Why?! You're already paying 4x more for the room, why isn't internet free?

$15-$20 resort feee? Do you have any idea what you are talking about? They are $40-$50 per night. Internet is free. If you think the food and service an amenities at La Quinta or another 2 star are the same as a Ritz, then La Quinta is for you. I can barley stand a 3 star. I like a resort pool with as many free towels as I can carry, activities for my kids and multiple restaurants including servers who will bring me ridiculously overpriced drinks at the pool.

Even Hyatt resorts (4 star) charge $40 a night resort fees. We cannot afford true luxury hotels, but at Hyatt resorts there is so much to do especially with young kids .. smores, movies under the stars, games, activities, pool with slides, lazy river. Free bikes to go around the resort etc.. Nothing which a La Quinta will or can offer

Anonymous wrote:Pre-covid, I guess they kind of made sense. But these days, with limited housekeeping, spas still closed, limited room service, etc. - I don't understand. You're paying, say $800 for a room with a bed at the Ritz Amelia Island when you could paying $180 up the road at the Residence Inn. What am I missing?

Didn’t read the whole thread, but Residence Inn in Amelia Island isn’t going for $180. Mid-Range Marriott and Hilton Properties in Ocean City, MD are 5
$400 - $700 in season.

As for luxury properties, they are, of course, nicer. Typically they are out of our price range. Not only are the rooms more expensive, but usually the nicer the hotel, the less you get- ex. Hampton Inn has complimentary coffee all day. At the Four Seasons a cup of coffee is $5.

It all depends on where and for what reason I'm using the hotel. I don't use room service, hardly ever use the spa, and don't hang out in the hotel room for very long. We rarely do luxury hotels in the city because we don't use or need any of the luxuries. For beach vacations abroad, the luxury hotels are more likely to come with amenities and locations we want, so it is more worth it. That said, I've rarely found Ritz etc level actually worth it for what we use. I definitely see other people getting more use out of what they have to offer!

Anonymous wrote:Luxury housekeeping was never shut off during the pandemic.

It is every three days if you have a long day, or at check out for the other hotel tiers.

This is the same with all luxury products; why would you buy a Maserati when you can get a Ford focus that takes you to the same place. Why would I buy a Louis Vuitton or Chanel handbag when I can get an H&M bag that is just as functional.

DP. I’d just as soon drive the Ford Focus and have a $200 handbag I’ve had for 5 years. I don’t care about these things.

I don’t care about hotels and prefer old B&B types with charm, usually around $100/night in Europe.

But I splurge on restaurants and have 3 $8k horse saddles….people just have different preferences.

I don’t get people who don’t get liking luxury hotels. If I’m taking precious time off I want a great experience, not a utilitarian one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the things you are saying are true in terms of reduced services and haven't been for a while.

Weird post.

Really? I haven't looked at high-end hotels since last summer. Assumed nothing had changed, since I couldn't even get room service at a Marriott last week.

But I guess the question still remains. I don't much time in a hotel room (and prefer a VRBO so I have space, quiet, and the ability to cook dinner or spread out and eat takeout), so I'm curious what people in these luxury hotels.

Attractive, spacious rooms
Luxurious bedding
Spotless (hopefully)
Excellent personalized service
Nice touches like towel warmers, turn down service etc
Anyway this is a dumb question. If you have ever spent time in a crummy hotel like I have the difference is far and wide…

I've spent time in both, which is why I'm wondering. I dislike hotels as a rule and see them as a place to sleep. The idea of a resort where you never leave the property seems restrictive, like I said.

NP but sometimes it depends. I've been to the Ritz Biscayne Bay (which I know some people here complain about) and it was nice to spend 3 days there just chilling. You can sit on the beach and get lunch delivered, and take a SUP or kayak out. You can sit by the pool (adult and family pools). You can take a bike out and ride down to the state park. Play tennis. We went off the island for dinner a couple of times but otherwise stayed on site. I wouldn't spend a week there, but it's nice for a weekend.

Same with ski resorts - we stayed at a nice hotel in Aspen. They picked us up at the airport. They drove or shuttled us to whichever of the 4 ski areas we wanted. They took our skis at the end of the day and stored them. Full breakfast was included. Super nice bar/lounge area. Helpful staff.

We often stay in airbnb's but sometimes it's nice to have a vacation where you don't have to worry about any of the details.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's wrong with the Ritz Amelia Island? I have to go there for work in a few weeks. Is it that bad?

Overall I agree with you - I stay in a lot of high end hotels and don't mind a nice Hampton Inn with the free breakfast on occasion. They aren't that different. The only hotels that are worth it are ones that provide something in addition to the room. I stay in ski resort hotels that have breakfast buffets, car service to town or skiing, ski storage or ski valets, cookies and hot chocolate at the end of the day, etc. That is worth paying extra for.

Random, what do you do for work?

Consulting. Clients seem to like to have meetings in nice places. Sounds great except that I am there to work, and often these resorts are not exactly near a major airport. At least the Amelia Island one is.

Anonymous wrote:I've always wondered why La Quinta gives free continental breakfast, free coffee, and free internet. But Ritz Carlton charges for all of that, plus makes you pay a $15-20 resort fee. Why?! You're already paying 4x more for the room, why isn't internet free?

$15-$20 resort feee? Do you have any idea what you are talking about? They are $40-$50 per night. Internet is free. If you think the food and service an amenities at La Quinta or another 2 star are the same as a Ritz, then La Quinta is for you. I can barley stand a 3 star. I like a resort pool with as many free towels as I can carry, activities for my kids and multiple restaurants including servers who will bring me ridiculously overpriced drinks at the pool.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Luxury housekeeping was never shut off during the pandemic.

It is every three days if you have a long day, or at check out for the other hotel tiers.

This is the same with all luxury products; why would you buy a Maserati when you can get a Ford focus that takes you to the same place. Why would I buy a Louis Vuitton or Chanel handbag when I can get an H&M bag that is just as functional.

I am sorry, but every three days is not regular housekeeping. Even a Motel 6 did more pre-pandemic.

I have not found this in luxury hotels. They clean daily.

Housekeeping comes 1-2x a day spas are open. What are you talking about? It’s not 2020.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the focus on room service. Before doordash and the like, sure, but now you have far better choices available to you faster and cheaper than whatever the hotel would serve you.

Doordash and Uber won’t deliver to your room and set everything up with real plates, real silverware, cloth napkins and glasses for your wine.

That all seems unnecessary...

People who are not me value things that are different from what I value. News at 11.