Hi all! I was surprised to see that an AP discount is now available for our GF dates next month. We are, as usual, bouncing around the World with a multi-split stay among 4 hotels, but are staying two nights at GF in a non-CL room before we move over to the BC CL for the end of our trip.
It's an extra $250 a night for us. My husband has ALWAYS wanted to stay RPC, and I was thinking of surprising him. I have the money, but this trip is before Christmas and we could certainly use $500 for gifts, so I don't want to just carelessly spend $500 without really thinking it through, especially because we usually only stay CL if it's an extra $150 or so. I usually can justify that with the cost of drinks, breakfast, snacks, etc. for all 5 of us. Do you think the extra $100 for RPC is worth it? Is it far and above the best thing on property? We LOVE the GF and have stayed CL in Sugarloaf before, and loved that experience, but I'm wondering if an extra $100 is worth it for you seasoned CL go-ers. (We have done CL at all of the hotels so far except AKL and WL.)
Just wanted to add that we are exactly in the same position for our January stay. It's a split between AKL CL/GF CL/Poly CL. We initially planned to stay RPC at GF. Then when the "real numbers" came out via Visa and then AP discounts, I had to make a final decision. We've stayed at all the deluxe resorts except for GF, so we have no personal experience to rely upon. And the difference in cost between RPC and SL is approx $150/night for two nights. I feel the same way you do - yes, that's within budget, but do I want to spend it? And will I feel like it's a good value?
Here's why we switched to SL:
1. Honestly, as great as the RPC lounge sounds, we have three boys and we're not going to spend much time there. I have these visions of sitting in the RPC lounge peacefully overlooking the lagoon, but that's not really going to happen. The only club lounge where all three of my kids actually stay put for long is Poly. Otherwise, it's good for a few minutes and convenient access to breakfast and snacks.
2. I like smaller buildings with fewer levels. That's one of the reasons we enjoy Poly. Just not as much a fan of resorts with big main buildings, which makes me think SL might be a better fit.
3. I'm not sure I'd be crazy about the band and the main lobby action. I understand why many really love it there, but I like that SL is a bit more removed from the action. I'm also not a fan of the smell in the main lobby, but maybe that's in all the buildings. I understand it can get crowded in the SL lounge, but we're going during value season, so hopefully it's not too bad.
4. I like the fact that SL is near the pool. I'm not planning on swimming in January, but at least our youngest son will be! So easy pool access is a benefit for us.
5. This is even more subjective than all the other reasons, but based on my reading, I think we'll prefer the vibe at SL. The whole concept of RPC exclusivity is more of a negative for me. We travel a lot, one might call me super picky about where we stay and eat, and I love a good upscale resort that, for lack of a better phrase, doesn't try too hard. Example: a resort in Mexico that was fabulous, but the words "premium" and "luxury" were so prevalent that it was comical.
That's part of the reason that I'll always choose Four Seasons, Kimpton or a fun boutique hotel over Ritz Carlton. Anyway, I could be completely wrong, but just based on what I've read about RPC, it might bug me. But it might not.
Still considering RPC for a night sometime, but just feeling like SL is the way to go for this trip . . . at least right now. Maybe others will chime in and I'll change my mind!
Good luck with your decision!!!
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) It was wonderful. It was amazing. I couldn't wait to go back. 
