Starwood points and the Swan and Dolphin

[daannzzz]

Does anyone know how many Starwood points it takes per night at the Swan or Dolphin?
I may have a chance to transfer some other Credit card points to Starwood and it would help with the budget on the next trip.

 

[ImprovGal]

Does anyone know how many Starwood points it takes per night at the Swan or Dolphin?
I may have a chance to transfer some other Credit card points to Starwood and it would help with the budget on the next trip.

Swan/Dolphin are Category 4 properties and I've seen 10,000 points/night redemption values for them lately. I'm not well-versed enough in SPG to know whether that point value can fluctuate for different dates, though.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

10,000 per night is correct.

 

[sanibelover]

10,000/night BUT if you book 4 nights, the 5th night is FREE!!!!! So, 40,000 for 5 nights.

 

[duffy]

Or if you're lucky, you may find dates available for 4,000 points plus $60 per night. That's what I did, kept punching in different dates and am booked for 3 nights at the Dolphin in Feb. I'll pay $180 total and used only 12,000 points. We're going to be at the Wilderness Ledge for 5 nights and the Dolphin for 3: for only $180 + tax at the Dolphin!

Since I got 10,000 points for getting the spg amex card, it wasn't hard to get the points. I actually only had 11,000+ points and had to pay $30 to get the needed 12,000 points.

Be warned though, this "points + cash" option is not always available. I think I really just lucked out.

 

[TaraPA]

Wow I've never seen the points plus cash option! That's great! I just stayed at The Dolphin last month, 3 nights were on points, the 4th night I paid $199. The hotel & service were super & the location just can't be beat. There's nothing like strolling around The Boardwalk or even making the very quick boat trip over to Epcot to stroll around World Showcase at night. I've stayed in all categories of Disney Resorts but I have to say the location of Swan/Dolphin has me hooked! We stayed at The Swan 7 years ago & found it to be a little "stuffier" than the Dolphin, but you'll hear the exact opposite from some people. Good luck booking your trip & have fun!

 

[daannzzz]

Thanks so much for the info. I will have a bit over 30,000 points so could do 3 nights. Man I wish I had 40,000. I would love to pay $60 and 6000 per night. Do you get the limited/ standard view for the 10,000?

 

[TaraPA]

Thanks so much for the info. I will have a bit over 30,000 points so could do 3 nights. Man I wish I had 40,000. I would love to pay $60 and 6000 per night. Do you get the limited/ standard view for the 10,000?

This is the view you get with points at The Dolphin...

 

[CEDmom]

Thanks so much for the info. I will have a bit over 30,000 points so could do 3 nights. Man I wish I had 40,000. I would love to pay $60 and 6000 per night. Do you get the limited/ standard view for the 10,000?

We stayed at the Swan on points in early Dec and had a great view of the boat launch to Epcot/MGM. At night we could see the Epcot fireworks as well as the MGM ones.

 

[daannzzz]

This is the view you get with points at The Dolphin...

Ouch. I saw that on the worst view thread but didn't know it was with the points. I gues I could bring a couple of nice posters to tape on the window!

 

[TLSnell1981]

I have always been upgraded to the best room available at a Westin....even when staying on points. I have stayed at the Dolphin/Swan, on a cash ressie, and was upgraded there to a nice view of Epcot.

 

[duffy]

Any tips for getting upgraded? Does it happen automatically if I show my spg card, or do you have to sweet-talk the front desk clerk, or what?

I really thought I didn't care about our view will be like, but that one is pretty bad.

Thanks.

 

[daannzzz]

I have a Starwood Card (It doesn't seem to be recognized by the Starwood online site: perhaps because I havent used it in years) that I got specifically for a trip to WDW in 2001. We booked a standard room and I layed the card down on the counter when checking in, I didn't say anything. We got a king room with two windows overlooking the resort, the boarwalk and the Swan with a really large balconey!!!! But it was a slow week so it may depend on when you go and who checks you in.

 

[grinningghost]

Ouch. I saw that on the worst view thread but didn't know it was with the points. I gues I could bring a couple of nice posters to tape on the window!

Ewwww... bad view for sure. We had an even worse one at the Sheraton Meadowlands using Starwood points. The rooftop from the lower level, which, of course, was littered with trash. But the hotel was nice.

 

[TaraPA]

The hotel was full so no chance of an upgrade. I didn't complain, hey you get what you pay (or don't pay) for. I was thankful I had enough points to get 3 nights free. It was just DS7 & myself for 5 days so I didn't care about the view.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Of course, occupancy level makes a difference. I have always been lucky, I guess. At check in, I do make sure they have my SPG # on my ressie and ask if there is an available upgrade. The best one I have ever received was in Venice, Italy. It was my birthday....not only did they upgrade me to a lovely suite, but they sent up a huge bouquet of flowers and a bottle of prosecco! I know that isn't the norm and probably a one time occurance, but it was wonderful!

 

[grinningghost]

The view doesn't always mean alot to me once I'm there. Sure, it sounds awesome booking a park view or water view - but once you're at WDW, you're more into getting out and doing things - how often do you even care about the view? Unless you're into hanging out on a balcony - then it matters.

 

[uva185]

Any tips for getting upgraded? Does it happen automatically if I show my spg card, or do you have to sweet-talk the front desk clerk, or what?

I really thought I didn't care about our view will be like, but that one is pretty bad.

Thanks.

Do you have status or just want a feebie upgrade?

 

[TaraPA]

I'm the OP with the pic of the bad view of the service area, dumpsters & construction. I have Starwood status & that's still what I got. The hotel was full, so your status isn't going to make a difference in that case.

 

[uva185]

I'm the OP with the pic of the bad view of the service area, dumpsters & construction. I have Starwood status & that's still what I got. The hotel was full, so your status isn't going to make a difference in that case.

Thats really unbelievble. I would be pissed with a view like that, but you're right, there is nothing that can be done if the hotel is full. Do they give you 4pm checkout at the Swan and Dolphin?