Review: The US Grant Hotel, San Diego

Nice report. Unfortunate that you had an extra 'guest' in your room. The true colors of an establishment are displayed when a shortcoming occurs, and it looks like The US Grant did a textbook job of trying to make things right for you.

When you book through a non-spg.com channel, I was under the impression that you do not receive spg credit. Did you receive spg credit? Curious...

Thanks.

Did you receive SPG credit?

@ mark @ MT -- I did receive credit and points for my stay. I believe that "Fine Hotels & Resorts" stays qualify for points and credit for almost every chain, since it's more or less the published rate plus some benefits. I've always received credit with InterContinental as well on FHR stays.

Is it just me or does your friend seem a bit *too* neurotic about the bug? Perhaps the window was open and it crawled in? It seems too large for a bedbug.

@MS - Well OBVIOUSLY you have never been viciously ATTACKED by the little monsters. They are out to get you, and if your safety has never been compromised by the blood sucking demons, I'm sure you'd have the opinion I'm *neurotic*. Bite me (no pun intended).

Your trip reports are so accessible yet thorough, informative, and entertaining. This one was outstanding... impressive that the hotel stepped up to help with an undesirable situation.

My unsolicited opinion is that you're obviously a points/miles/tricks of the trade expert and you're very generous in sharing your knowledge and experience.

While your blog is well balanced... for me the gems are your trip reports and your stories concerning the behavior of both passengers/guests and employees. Keep them coming

I need to look into AmEx Fine Hotels & Resorts offers. Looks like you got a great deal.

FYI That was nothing but a little baby roach. Bedbugs are VERY tiny and don't have little antennae like that. Still...... at least they came to the room and removed your extra visitor. 🙂

Lucky, did they know who you were? Am I the only one who thinks the treatment & upgrade was a bit fishy, like they knew they were being reviewed? Especially for someone who doesn't have elite spg status (correct if I'm wrong)

What status level are you with SPG?

Also, look at Lucky, letting potential blog content influence hotel selection...

@ Ken

It's not that fishy... FHR benefits vary from hotel to hotel. While only a single level upgrade is usually offered, when staying at relatively empty hotels for one night (which the US Grant appeared to be when Lucky stayed there) I have been upgraded all the way to one of their largest suites despite only booking a standard room and having low status. It all depends on what is available and how long you are staying. It's in hotels' best interest to treat FHR guests well as they are usually relatively wealthy (benefits reserved for Amex Platinum/Centurion cardholders) and could potentially spend more at your hotel if treated well. Lucky has to be at least a SPG Gold as the cards that offer FHR also bestow SPG Gold on their holders, but I bet the treatment was more due to the FHR benefits than SPG.

@ Floyd -- Thanks!

@ Ken -- I booked four hours before I arrived, so I can't imagine so. The hotel just has a lot of suites, and as chasgoose says, some hotels do seem to take good care of guests on FHR stays. I am an SPG Gold, though only added my number at check-in, since I didn't have time to do so beforehand.

@ David -- What can I say, I really care about you guys. 😉

so what was that ghost picture you posted the other day?

Looks like a small cockroach. Extra crunchy when heated.

I stayed at the Grant last week, and then the Westin San Diego where I had a similar bug incident. They couldn't have been more professional. Although they didn't get me a suite, they had us in a new room immediately (with a much better view), and credited me 2000 starpoints for the inconvenience.