Hi All,
I just returned from a stay at PBH, club level, from 9/15/04 to 9/19/04. The stay was great. However, it is apparent to us that the hotel front desk people and management have absolutely no idea what Loews First Gold level is, let alone the benefits associated with it. Luckily, I had just received my gold card and never took it out of the letter that comes with it. I would suggest all who will be staying at PBH do the same. I am not sure if this applies to HR or RPR.
First, I did get the $35 per day upgrade to the kids suite. However, to get it I first had to tell the front desk clerk that I knew for certain they had availability because my TA confirmed it that morning. Second, the front desk clerk had to make a photocopy of my letter and get the manager to approve it. NEVER have I ever had to go through this to get an upgrade with Starwood or Marriott. It took an inordinately long amount of time to get the room, but the clerk was pleasant and very accomodating. It was just clear they had no idea about the benefit. (FYI, the $35 per day charge also never appeared on my final bill).
Second, we got a newspaper only half of the time. By the time I realized we should get one, we started receiving it.
Third, I had to actually call and ask for the welcome amenity. I got it.
Fourth, I had to argue with the front desk (I use "argue" loosely, since I was intentionally nice, but firm), and then involve the concierge, to get late check out on day of departure. The front desk and concierge both told me that only Platinum gets that benefit. Then they were going to give us until 1 pm, but I insisted on 2 pm. I finally logged on the computer in the club lounge to the Loews First web page and asked the concierge to read it. When she saw it did indeed guarantee me a check out of 3 hours past the normal time, she called the front desk and they honored it. Again, I should not have had to go through that at 7:30 am on the day of my departure. It was an inconvenience.
Based on the above, if staying at PBH, gold members should be sure to bring the following: 1. Their gold card together with the letter that comes with it spelling out the amenities; 2. a print out of the Loews First web site detailing the amenities. Also, I recommend that you familiarize yourself on the benefits, and make sure you are prepared to educate the staff on the amenities you are entitled to.
Good luck!
I just returned from a stay at PBH, club level, from 9/15/04 to 9/19/04. The stay was great. However, it is apparent to us that the hotel front desk people and management have absolutely no idea what Loews First Gold level is, let alone the benefits associated with it. Luckily, I had just received my gold card and never took it out of the letter that comes with it. I would suggest all who will be staying at PBH do the same. I am not sure if this applies to HR or RPR.
First, I did get the $35 per day upgrade to the kids suite. However, to get it I first had to tell the front desk clerk that I knew for certain they had availability because my TA confirmed it that morning. Second, the front desk clerk had to make a photocopy of my letter and get the manager to approve it. NEVER have I ever had to go through this to get an upgrade with Starwood or Marriott. It took an inordinately long amount of time to get the room, but the clerk was pleasant and very accomodating. It was just clear they had no idea about the benefit. (FYI, the $35 per day charge also never appeared on my final bill).
Second, we got a newspaper only half of the time. By the time I realized we should get one, we started receiving it.
Third, I had to actually call and ask for the welcome amenity. I got it.
Fourth, I had to argue with the front desk (I use "argue" loosely, since I was intentionally nice, but firm), and then involve the concierge, to get late check out on day of departure. The front desk and concierge both told me that only Platinum gets that benefit. Then they were going to give us until 1 pm, but I insisted on 2 pm. I finally logged on the computer in the club lounge to the Loews First web page and asked the concierge to read it. When she saw it did indeed guarantee me a check out of 3 hours past the normal time, she called the front desk and they honored it. Again, I should not have had to go through that at 7:30 am on the day of my departure. It was an inconvenience.
Based on the above, if staying at PBH, gold members should be sure to bring the following: 1. Their gold card together with the letter that comes with it spelling out the amenities; 2. a print out of the Loews First web site detailing the amenities. Also, I recommend that you familiarize yourself on the benefits, and make sure you are prepared to educate the staff on the amenities you are entitled to.
Good luck!
and showed the clerk the brochure. I was immediately granted a 2pm checkout time. The next morning was check-out day for us and I ran into housekeeping in the hallway and told her we had late checkout. She checked her list and said "Yes, 1:00" I told her they had changed it to 2pm, she marked it by our name on her list .......and we merrily went off to the parks. It is really nice to come back to your room and shower or whatever before you have to leave. Oh, and the paper we kept receiving was New York Times.....not USA Today I checked off on the Loew's profile, or the local paper that I ended up buying everyday..... tried to straighten that out a couple of times too and gave up! Milk and cookies arrived w/o a hassle though....and they were as good as the ones we had there last year.
