Beaches and Mountains: Schloss Fuschl Hotel Salzburg

I hate that while you are asking for whatever their rule states, the agent acts like he is doing you a big favor. Come on, even if it was a pure "free" stay, if your rule says upgrade to best available, I am entitled for it. I am not begging you to just do your job

Seems like a constant issue with Starwood award stays..

The brat that shrieks the loudest gets the attention.

Nice report, Ben. Thoughts... I can easily appreciate the differences in taste. Personally, I'd prefer the old-school charm of the Saltzberg hotel. Clearly, the front desk staff need a little "Attitude Check," demographic differences or not. Lastly, your great pix from the Berchtesgaden hotel suggest a serious need for some grounds maintenance. Do they ever mow or cut the weeds? -C.

> "The rooms were nice. The service was okay at best. Everything was very formal." ....

that's Germany all over ... what were you expecting ?

I wonder if your reviews was tainted by the attitude/upgrade issue?

Overall, it looks like a nice hotel. Expensive? Maybe, but there is something about the architecture and decor I like...

But yeah, it was really lame of the second desk agent to say that. That's something you should never say, he should have just lied.

It's a pretty setting but we weren't all that impressed with our visit either. The upgrade attitude is very typical of small European hotels (not just Germany).

Do you think your position as a travel blogger helps get issues resolved when you send a tweet? I don't have a twitter account, but lets say I signed up for one and a week later found myself in the same situation as you...If I send a tweet as some random person with zero followers, would I get the same response? I'm just really curious...I mean, it sounds like it sure can't hurt, but I just wonder if they accommodate everyone that quickly?

You write that the "hotel food was way overpriced". The restaurant has won a great many awards and apparently does what it does very well. As you later acknowledge, this is simply a hotel aimed at a different kind of (preferably paying and at least moderately loaded) customer.

Worth remembering when redeeming points that ending up in a place where you can't afford or don't feel comfortable paying the going rate for "extras" isn't a good recipe for an enjoyable holiday.

@ robert -- True, it's definitely somewhat characteristic of Germany, but I didn't feel the same way at all in Berchtesgaden. I agree it's more common in Germany than the US, but by no means are all German hotels that way.

@ Andy Bluebear -- It certainly started my stay on a sour note and probably contributed to me feeling uncomfortable from the beginning (clear they don't care about SPG guests at this place). But more generally the place just isn't really my style. I prefer modern over classic.

@ Andrew -- Unfortunately I have no clue. I suspect they might respond to someone with lots of Twitter followers before they respond to someone with few, but I've had friends with only a dozen followers get great responses too. Keep in mind that all Tweets "at" them show when you search for them, so they want to be sure they have as "clean" of a timeline as possible. So I've always had good experiences and that might have to do with the fact that I'm fairly active on Twitter, but I've seen others get good responses too with hardly any followers.

@ IMH -- Your right, and that wasn't a fair statement by me. The food certainly isn't overpriced, it just fits in with everything else at the hotel. And that's a ridiculous statement by me, because it's the same as people complaining they have to pay for internet at a luxury hotel. I was willing to pay to eat there, but the whole setting was just too formal/uncomfortable after a two week trip with hardly any clothing left.

I get a laugh out of how effective tweeting SPG insider gets you premium treatment.

Like Andrew states, I can bet it works for you due to your position as a travel blogger with good following, and that is perfectly fine!

I actually thank you because you are making them follow thier own rules. I dont think it is unreasonable to ask for your platinum benefits.

You are giving them an exercise on social media, how to follow their frequent guest hotel program and how on-line reviews can significantly affect a hotel's reputation.

Next time, if I am in a similar situation, I will tweet, email, facebook and skype SPG and see if I have the same luck as you, I will let you know!

Starwood is not good in giving any promised benefits regarding upgrades to Platinums. Glad you forced them to do it via social media but it still leaves a sour taste.

Just one clarification here though, the hotel is not in Germany, it is in Austria.

So what cars were in the hotel parking lot? At least you showed up in a respectable car!!!

How the heck do you accumulate so many points and miles with those programs? It is like you never run out of miles or points.

Anyway, I know exactly what you mean. I worked for AA for many years and as a perk we used to get into the fanciest hotels inexpensebly (Crillon, George V, etc.)

But I felt out of place most of the time and opted to stay in the not so uber-posh places.

When you say: "God bless Twitter…"...do you mean "God bless the SPG agents on Twitter know I am a travel blogger and if they don't make me happy I will give a bad review"?

@ Mile Jorge - You say: "I actually thank you because you are making them follow thier own rules. I dont think it is unreasonable to ask for your platinum benefits." You are aware that Lucky isn't your run-of-the-mill Platinum SPG member. He is a travel blogger. Translation: That might impact treatment. Wink, wink.

Ben, Next time you're in the area try the Hotel Goldener Hirsch. It's right in the middle of Salzburg and every room is unique. It's also one of Starwood's Luxury Collection and the staff is extremely nice.

Realizing that this is a very old blog post, I still have to comment....

"Aw, hell no."

I'm guessing that the ensuing smackdown took place in German? Even as someone still learning the language, I would have LOVED to have been eine Fliege on the wall for that.