If there’s one thing Marriott Bonvoy members have made clear, it’s that Marriott doesn’t have enough hotel brands, and us consumers want more. Fortunately Marriott always listens to its Bonvoy members, so there’s some great news!
Continue reading: New St. Regis Estates Brand: Who Really Knows What’s Going On Anymore
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
St. Regis is now a conversion brand. The "Delta" or "Doubletree" of Marriott's luxury brands.
Yawn, more whining about marketing.
Imagine how triggered you must be if you ever see a TV commercial.
"Born from a rising desire for privacy, authenticity, and a deeper emotional connection to place..."
They forgot intentionality.
Believe me when I say in most serious manner, that I actually agree with your comment Eskimo.
You'll be so puzzled by this branding, but continue to stay at Marriott anyways.
My take? The owner of the first-ever St. Regis Estates property balked at having to provide upgrades, breakfast benefits, etc. So Marriott desperate to keep the property created this "brand expression" (what the f--k is a brand expression?) that will have virtually zero benefits or inclusions for Bonvoy elites. Then in the process of appeasing this owner Marriott found others who found this attractive. The announcement is the most snobbish thing I've ever read. Marriott also better hope they have a license to use the Astor name. The Astor family is very much still around.
The number of eclectic brands is just a consequence of how the industry is moving. Everyone is adding brands at the moment. Hyatt as a much smaller group than Marriott has 27 brands of hotels. No one complains about that being confusing.....
Doesn't feel all that different.
Wonder if this is the precursor to them selling St Regis Estates branded residences though...
Yawn, more whining from fake Eskimo.
Imagine how triggered you must be if you ever see a real eskimo.
They're not? Ok, I will. Why does Hyatt have so many all inclusive brands? And why is the venetian its own brand?
All the chains are doing it for the owners and it's stupid and annoying.
The St Regis has had Astor suites for as long as I can remember. I think that issue is long settled.
Be all this as it may, we do sometimes forget that Marriott is a business and will operate as such. They may have some snobby buggers that think they are important, but the reality is these people are totally inconsequential. Constant moaning and bit hung about points, an upgraded room, well I say YAHDAHYADAHYAHDAH. The shareholders are the ones who matter. Come the 5 year growth of Marriott compared to another other American publicly traded hotel corporation - guess who comes out on top? I am sick of hearing the complaining.
Upside COULD (yeah full caps) be that existing St. Regis up their game in order to rebrand into this “expression”. I feel currently they don’t have any motivation to provide a luxurious hospitality.
Not only will these properties deny the pretty much nonexistent Bonvoy benefits, they will charge higher rates. Do you feel the “brand expression” yet???
The average St. Regis is currently better than the average Ritz-Carlton. Ritz-Carlton today is basically what you used to get with a J.W. Marriott.
Well, they can’t lose, so…
What’s a ‘margin call’ anyway?
Eh, who cares… line. Go. UP.
Ah, a man of culture. Are you more interested in the Residences or the Lofts? I also like the ‘rustic charm’ of CtPa Town.
Yeah, one should wonder what's the difference between all of Hyatt's all inclusive brands. Or one can just accept that it does not really matter.
But the bloggosphere and frequent traveller fora just like to complain about Marriott. So each new Marriott brand gets a flogging, but each new Hyatt brand flies under the radar.
Came to complain about being confused... there are so many brands these days I don't know which ones I should associate with.
Like imagine an elderly couple showing up at the lobby of the W to check in for quiet relaxation and the DJ is playing loud music as people spill out of the club next door.
In order to allow you to deeper emotional connection to place, we will charge you a nightly 129.98 resort fee + a compulsory valet parking fee in the amount of 79.98
Sounds and feels like an elite (ultra rich money) gated community that Marriott wants a piece of.
I would surely hope the rooms are better than that photo.
@ CPH-Flyer -- "No one complains about that being confusing....."
I've "complained" many times about my confusion with the number of Hyatt brands, so I wouldn't say "no one." I think it's totally confusing.
One is confident that there are very few who post herein, who are capable of defining a “Luxury Brand” …. 🙂
Here is the lifecycle of a luxury brand these days (not just hotel, but fashion, etc):
1. Create a new brand. Initially keep it selective and high quality (pelican Bay is gorgeous), sacrificing profits to providing a good experience, until people associate this brand with quality and luxury.
2. Sell other property owners to convert by explaining that they can get a higher room rate because of the aura of the luxury brand.
3. Massively expand and dilute the brand with tons of properties that don't deserve it, make the requirements and brand standards "optional" in exchange for a higher franchise fee, etc., hoping that customers still have memories of the original brand quality and therefore are still willing to pay higher prices (for now).
4. Once the brand is thoroughly trashed and all monetary value has been fully extracted by both Marriott and the property owners, create a new brand. Rinse and repeat.
And for those who disagree that this is too cynical a take, I ask: do you remember when Sheraton used to be a luxury property?
This is why Ritz-Carlton Reserve exists. While some genuinely luxurious Ritz-Carlton properties remain, the consistent experience and overall standard that one once expected from a Ritz-Carlton is now typically found only at a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Ritz-Carlton and now St. Regis has expanded into so many markets that can't support a truly luxury hotel. Moreover, has anyone seen the current room decor at newly built or newly renovated Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties? They look like a nice Marriott or Westin.