HotelChatter

Aloft Hotel Prices

I concur with your hotel rates comment for aloft being out of the budget-y range.  No question there is a social and fun aspect to the hotel design, but $140 to $180 a night for a relatively small and basic hotel room is a budget buster for a lot of travelers.  

A blog article by Derek Gale from July 2008, http://www.hotelsmag.com/blog/1670000567/post/1930030593.html stated analysts believe average daily rate of $150 for aloft rooms is conservative pricing.  

That was a forecast from the different economic reality of four months ago.

I stayed in the aloft Portland Airport Cascade Station a few days ago.  Regular rates are $139 in Portland.  Rack rate is $159.  SPG members can use 1,000 Starpoints to redeem up to five nights at 50% off rack rate.  Do the math.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the aloft for $79.50 per night which I felt was good value.  The value quotient would drop quite a bit in my analysis if paying $150+ per night.  I at least want a comfortable second chair in the room in addition to the desk chair for that price.

The aloft lobby is a great social environment, but you don't have to book a $150+ room to enjoy a hotel lobby.

Ric Garrido, Loyalty Traveler  

Team Marriott

I live at Shops at Legacy and although it might not have the swanky modern vibe, the Marriott there is where my friends a family always opt to stay for the  convenience of all the walking distance activity. Just recently I had to book a client stay and decided on the Marriott of course and couldn't get a reservation. We're talking in the middle of the week, but I was told that in the last few months they've been at full capacity and likely might be through the holidays. I can see this in plain site from my apartment window as the hotel is always bustling. Well it makes sense... In all seriousness what better way to entertain clients or family then to have joints like Jasper's and Bobs within arms reach? The A loft and Nylo locations are bizarre and in the middle of nowhere, especially Nylo. If I hadn't ventured to the Container Store I never would have run into it as I rarely see advertisements for the establishment. Although I frequent Nylo for cocktails I happen to know the joint is not doing well and that its profits sadly come from the bar/restaurant, not hotel stayers. Not all people are into the industrial design that it's rooms exhibit, but I do give Nylo credit for being the pioneer hotel in executing the modern look in conservative Plano. There's rumor they are planning to build another in Las Colinas. Wise to hold off on that perhaps.

I guess I believe people prefer comfort still, but nothing can ever compete with convenience. As far as prices go, Nylo is definitely more reasonable with promotions round the clock as it's still a fairly new hotel. If those prices for A loft are accurate that is beyond INSANE. Why wouldn't I just hop down to the real W and stay there for the same price with way more accommodations and all that comes with Victory Park?

Bottom line: Don't negate the Marriott as a player in this competition and A Loft- lower your damn prices, have you read the papers lately?