NO resort fee is you stay CL at Dolphin/Swan?

[Ashley's mom]

We stayed at the Dolphin Apr/2003. It seems to me that if you stayed CL you didn't pay the resort fee. We booked balcony - and were given CL privs since we are SPG Gold status...and did NOT have to pay the resort fee. However, this year I'm told that getting CL privs is out of the question.....and that they only upgrade people to CL if they are PLATINUM status.....

So....what's the scoop on this? Anyone know? Also, what do you suggest? If I book a standard room will I (upon availability) be upgraded to CL more likely or is balcony next? Or not at all? If I AM upgraded, will it show up on the reservation online? At some point if I"m not upgraded I really DO want to have CL privs...and suppose if my GOLD status is worth nothing that I"ll pay in points for the CL. When should I do that? Better sooner than later?

I've only been using Starwood hotels for a year now...and haven't used points before so I"m really a newbie. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Sincerely,

Freezing my bootie off in Indiana

 

[CarolA]

I have never heard of them waiving the fee for CL guests. Maybe for Platimums, but.... they seem very relucatant to waive it all now.

 

[robinb]

This was my experience over Christmas week.

My DH is Platinum and we booked a very, very low rate (avg $129 per night). We were upgraded to an executive suite which is a full 2 room suite with CL privileges. We didn't pay a resort fee.

None of the CL rooms have balconies at the Dolphin. They are in the main triangular section on the 12th floor. You *can* upgrade to CL for breakfast using points, but still ask for your balcony room. I personally wasn't all that thrilled with the Dolphin CL. It was nice since it was free to us, but I wouldn't pay extra for it with money or points. It was basically a continental breakfast in the morning and snacks in the evening. I don't know if they are upgrading Golds to the CL anymore. You might want to check-in at the Swan/Dolphin thread here: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=430335

 

[madge]

Originally posted by CarolA
I have never heard of them waiving the fee for CL guests. Maybe for Platimums, but.... they seem very relucatant to waive it all now.

this has been our experience as well.

In Sept/Oct 2003, we had CL priv. We are SPG Gold. We paid the resort fee. It was non-negotiable.