Changes in Starwood Hotel Categories

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As they do on a yearly basis, Starwood has reassessed their properties and is changing the categories for 120 hotels. This is impacting about 20% of their hotels, with 56% of them moving down a category and 44% of them moving up a category. Fortunately, it will still require the same number of points to redeem a free night at each category lever. This is really neither good or bad news, just a shuffle in hotels. If a hotel you like to redeem at is going down a category, then this is great news, however, if a desired hotel is going up a category then not the best news.

This change will take place on March 4, 2014, and and hotels booked on or after this date will take on the new category. If a hotel you are looking to book is going UP a category, make sure to lock that reservation is now. You can typically book 364 days in advance, although point reservations booked on cash & points aren’t always available that far in advance. You can view a list of hotels changing here.

Some hotels that I am happy that are decreasing:

Le Méridien Angkor
St. Regis Beijing
Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran
The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali
The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali
Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort
Wildwood Snowmass

Some hotels that I am sad to see going up a category:

Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens
Arion, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Astir Palace, Athens
The Westin Athens Astir Palace Beach Resort
The St. Regis Rome
Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort
Sheraton Mountain Vista Villas, Avon / Vail Valley
The Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas, Beaver Creek Mountain
Sheraton Waikiki
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali
Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter

I am bummed to see SPG properties in Vail and Beaver Creek going up a category, however, I am glad to see Snowmass decreasing. And while Hawaii will require a slew more points, Bali is getting much more affordable! So there are definitely pro and cons to this change, just all depends on where you are looking to travel.

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