Just a short review of the Sheraton Stonebriar where I stayed for one night a few weeks when I attended a friend's birthday party in Plano. This review will be posted on TripAdvisor.
I really like the direction Sheraton has taken in its decorative overhaul of its properties. Gone are the bland pastels and chintz and in their place, bold lines, rich colours and leather textures. Sheraton has now overtaken Westin in my estimation, since that brand has gone down a sorry path of washed out colours with no definitive accents that make their rooms completely dismal and depressing (Westin Luxury Collection excluded).
I stayed at the recently opened Sheraton Stonebriar a few weekends ago when I was attending a friend's party in Plano and did not want to drive all the way back into central Dallas. It's a petite hotel and the foyer, which opens onto the bar/restaurant has a boutique hotel feel. There are comfy low slung leather couches and cocktail tables, book cases with books, games tables with games, and a see through fireplace, and it's all illuminated by a myriad of tea lights. This would be a lovely place for pre dinner cocktails or after dinner drinks.
The room was not huge but was very comfortable and the bathroom boasted an attractive granite sink unit. My one problem with it was that it had a rather strong chemical odour - I am guessing from the new carpets and paint, but that should dissipate over time.
It is not in a pretty location. This is not a vacation hotel but if you are in the area on business or just passing through, competitive rates make this an attractive alternative to Fairfield Inn etc. It is adjacent to some restaurants and it looks like more are in the process of being built.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
If It Seems Too Good To Be True....
... it sometimes isn't! Today's blog examines three "amazing" travel offers to see which ones are genuine and which ones are so full of catches and clauses as to be useless.
Timeshare Promotions
Over the years I have visited Hilton, Starwood, Marriott and Hyatt properties on timeshare promotions and these have been incredible deals with no strings attached. Just one caveat - don't buy the timeshare!
The first time I went to Hawaii was because I had received an invitation to stay at the Sheraton Maui Resort And Spa. Hotels in Hawaii, and on Maui in particular, are ridiculously expensive and for a good 4 star like the Sheraton, you are looking at $300 to $500 a night for a room (not a suite, just a regular room). This promotion offered 5 nights, a week's free hire car from Avis and $200 of resort certificates all for $775. Seems too good to be true, right? Nope, it really was that good. The accommodation and car came with no obligations whatsoever and to receive the vouchers, I had to participate in a 90 minute tour of the nearby Westin timeshare resort.
The second time I went to Hawaii was because I had turned down the opportunity to purchase one of the aforementioned timeshare villas, but had instead bought a ridiculously cheap return look package. I went back the following year and stayed for 5 nights in an oceanfront room at The Westin Kaanapali.
Last year I stayed at Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort for $435 for four nights - rooms usually cost around that for just one night. In return for this great rate, I was obliged to go and visit the new Marriott Crystal Shores timeshare resort, which was then under construction. I did not buy a timeshare but I did purchase a return look package and this year, we and some friends stayed a week in a stunning two bedroom ocean front villa at the newly opened resort for just $1500. Just look at the view from this balcony!
Timeshare Promotions
Over the years I have visited Hilton, Starwood, Marriott and Hyatt properties on timeshare promotions and these have been incredible deals with no strings attached. Just one caveat - don't buy the timeshare!
The first time I went to Hawaii was because I had received an invitation to stay at the Sheraton Maui Resort And Spa. Hotels in Hawaii, and on Maui in particular, are ridiculously expensive and for a good 4 star like the Sheraton, you are looking at $300 to $500 a night for a room (not a suite, just a regular room). This promotion offered 5 nights, a week's free hire car from Avis and $200 of resort certificates all for $775. Seems too good to be true, right? Nope, it really was that good. The accommodation and car came with no obligations whatsoever and to receive the vouchers, I had to participate in a 90 minute tour of the nearby Westin timeshare resort.
The second time I went to Hawaii was because I had turned down the opportunity to purchase one of the aforementioned timeshare villas, but had instead bought a ridiculously cheap return look package. I went back the following year and stayed for 5 nights in an oceanfront room at The Westin Kaanapali.
Last year I stayed at Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort for $435 for four nights - rooms usually cost around that for just one night. In return for this great rate, I was obliged to go and visit the new Marriott Crystal Shores timeshare resort, which was then under construction. I did not buy a timeshare but I did purchase a return look package and this year, we and some friends stayed a week in a stunning two bedroom ocean front villa at the newly opened resort for just $1500. Just look at the view from this balcony!
Timeshare promotional trips with reputable hotel chains are a very good deal, as long as you don't buy a timeshare (more about timeshares in another blog). If you play the situation well, refuse to buy, but indicate you might be interested in the future, you may well land a return invite for another great deal.
Credit Card Promotions
The quality of these varies widely, but if you are careful, you can do very well. This year I received an invitation for an American Express Gold Card. The fee was waived for 1 year and I would be given 50,000 points after spending $1000 on the card within a 2 month period. I got the card, spent the money - which would have gone on another card anyway - and duly received my points. The points paid for two roundtrip tickets from Dallas to Indianapolis. I will cancel the card before the renewal date. Simple.
Companion Ticket Promotions
These have been popping up recently. World Market was offering a free companion airline ticket if you spent over $100 and I also received the offer from American Express Publishing for taking a looksee at one of their products. Apparently new Dish customers were being offered this as an incentive too. The program is run by a company called Promotions In Travel that specialises in giving other companies a cheap incentive to offer to their customers.
This offer IS too good to be true, and I wouldn't bother. The restrictions on this program are so prohibitive, that you will find it hard to take advantage of. The primary ticket has to be booked through this company. The prices are premium, there are blackout dates and flight times are limited and can involve inconvenient schedules or layovers. Most people are finding they are getting better deals booking two tickets online with their regular airline (and guaranteeing they earn their frequent flyer miles).
So, next time you receive an offer that is too good to be true, treat it with caution, but don't just dismiss it out of hand. Do some research and see what others have to say about it and maybe you will get yourself a great deal.
But just remember: DON"T BUY A TIMESHARE!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
