Starwood recently announced their Take 2 promotion, which will run between October 1, 2013 and December 15, 2013.
Register now to earn double Starpoints® on all eligible stays from September 1 through December 15, 2013 — with no limits.
To top it off, you’ll get 2,500 bonus Starpoints for every five eligible nights you stay — up to 10,000 bonus Starpoints and 20 nights.
And keep in mind: Nights will accrue across multiple stays.
Before I had my poor experience at the Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Gateway I had an incredible experience at the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas in Maui. Usually, near the end of a holiday part of me is looking forward to getting back home but not this trip. We spent five nights at this resort and it was incredible (rooms usually go for above $400 to $500 a night).
The resort had this fun pirates ship that I took my 15 month old daughter (at the time).
We went down that slide so many times and she loved hanging out with the other kids and the water.
Next to the pirate’s pool (shared by the north and south villa), was a nice little playground for the kids.
We stayed in a Ocean View Studio Villa room that was spacious for the three of us. It had a separate lounge and an enclosed bathroom that made the room feel very spacious.
Our room including a breakfast bar, full-sized kitchen appliances, flat-screen TV, DVD player, and a Bose® AM/FM Wave® radio. The tv was high-quality and had high-definition signals.
The resort was so clean and perfect. The Ka’anapali beach was walking distance in front of us and we enjoyed the easy access (also had plenty of showers to clean off the sand before entering the resort).
The beach was close enough so that when we wanted to bring her inside for a nap it was really easy to.
What makes this particular resort stand out for us was the large pool (always lots of room) and the amenities like the big water wheel!
Another bonus for staying here are the large koi ponds
We had an incredible time and would love to return to this amazing resort (I could not find any issues with the resort except one major thing my wife noticed). Starwood is really eco-conscious and provides recycling containers in each room but we noticed the maid simply throwing everything into the garbage.
One of the benefits of staying at any of the Starwood properties in Ka’anapali is the use of the free shuttle.
Guests of The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, The Westin Maui Resort and Spa and Sheraton Maui Resort now have access to a complimentary shuttle that will travel between Ka’anapali and three locations in Lahaina. All guests will be asked to show their room key prior to boarding the shuttle, whose stops include the Lahaina Cannery Mall, Lahaina Gateway Mall, and Hilo Hattie’s! You don’t really need a car once you get there because the car takes you into town to get groceries and you can pick up supplies.
I recently had the chance to stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Gateway (located in the suburbs in Langford, BC).
Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Gateway is located well outside the core of Victoria off of the Trans Canada Highway, with shopping and recreation nearby.
According to the website, they claim it takes 10 minutes to downtown Victoria (even if you hit all traffic lights this is not possible from Langford, BC).
Using Google Maps, I get a distance of 14 km and a time estimate of 15 – 23 minutes.
The area (Langford) only has two hotels (both owner by Starwood). The other is a Westin that is more expensive (and charges a resort fee of $15 daily).
The hotel has 117 comfortable, contemporary guest rooms have nice features like a 42” flat screen TV and free High Speed Internet Access.
[styled_box title=”Disclosure Statement” color=”black”]I booked my hotel room using Expedia and am an SPG Preferred Plus member. [/styled_box]
We stayed in a connecting room with a nice king-sized bed (although we were booked into a room with two queen sized beds).
The bathroom was very clean and sparkled (I was impressed with the brightness).
Our room did not have a bathtub (which was OK).
They had a nice sitting area in our room and had good local literature (business magazine).
We had access to a coffee machine and teas (although the hotel has coffee and many more teas in the lobby). One part I didn’t like is the bottled water (since Starwood is all about cutting down on waste). I like the gesture but this doesn’t do anything for me (I refuse to buy bottled water because of the waste involved).
We had a nice 42″ tv in our room but I was disappointed with the quality. At our last Westin stay we had a high definition signal for the channels and if a hotel tv doesn’t have that (where available) it shouldn’t bother with a fancy new tv!
The Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Gateway had a nice pool and hot tub (steam and sauna were also available). The pool area was starting to show wear and tear but it was a nice area to swim in (long hours available as well).
As part of my rate I was entitled to a free breakfast (which can make or break a property for me). We received a continental breakfast that consisted of:
That was it! It was the most disappointing breakfast served at a Starwood property ever.
Sheraton should improve on this breakfast because this was unappetizing and inedible (we ended up eating elsewhere).
I suggest saving your money and dining elsewhere in Langford or Victoria (I am sure this pub must have decent food but do not go for breakfast)!
You can earn free SPG miles for answering trivia questions from Audience Rewards. Two miles each.
SPG is a great loyalty program as you can transfer to other frequent flyer programs to prevent your miles in your account from being expired.
Here are some of the updated answers for July 2013.
Answers are: 1. Seattle 2. 1 3. Cabaret 4. False 5. 1975 5. Masha.
Source: http://thefreebieblogger.com/113710/12-free-best-buydeltaus-airwaysstarwood-reward-points/
You can earn free SPG miles for answering trivia questions from Audience Rewards. Two miles each.
Here are the answers for July 2013.
Answers are: 1. Cinderella 2. December 1963 (Oh, What a Night) 3.Falling Slowly 4. The Cosby Show 5. 1992 6. Rainfall.
Source: http://thefreebieblogger.com/113710/12-free-best-buydeltaus-airwaysstarwood-reward-points/
You can earn free SPG miles for answering trivia questions from Audience Rewards. Two miles each.
Here are the answers for June 2013.
Answers are: 1. Matilda, 2. Scotland, 3. Doubt, 4. Minneapolis, 5. False, 6. Pippin.
Source: http://thefreebieblogger.com/113710/12-free-best-buydeltaus-airwaysstarwood-reward-points/
Here’s a way to earn a 15% coupon code off Air Canada flex fares by staying at a Four Points hotel this summer:
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourp…oupId=FPGROUP6
Terms and Conditions:
•Offer is valid at all Four Points by Sheraton Hotels in Canada.
•Offer is valid for online bookings made through Starwood Hotels & Resorts websites or by calling 866-716-8133 and mentioning the FPAIRCA rate plan.
•Rooms booked under this rate plan include the following: (1) full American breakfast for one (1) person from the property restaurant per room per eligible night; (2) complimentary in-room internet access per room per eligible night, and (3) complimentary water, and (4) and a discount code for 15% off an Air Canada Flex Fare code.
•Offer is valid for eligible stays booked between May 1, 2013 and July 31, 2013. All eligible stays must be completed by August 31, 2013.
•An eligible stay is defined as one or more consecutive nights booked using the defined rate plan (FPAIRCA) in the same hotel regardless of the number of check-ins or check-outs that occur.
•Rates are per room, per night, based on single/double occupancy and availabilityat the time of booking and do not include additional per room, per night charges that may be imposed including but not limited to state and local taxes.
•A limited number of rooms may be available at this rate.
•Offer is limited to one (1) 15% off Air Canada flex fares code per reservation. Guests must provide a valid email address when booking in order to receive the Air Canada Flex Fare code. Codes will be emailed approximately 2-4 weeks after a completed eligible stay. Must be 18 years of age or older to be eligible for this promotion.
•By booking rate plan FPAIRCA, you consent to the transfer of your email address to Air Canada and opt-in to receiving emails from Air Canada containing your Flex Fare code. Use of your email address will be subject to Air Canada’s privacy policy available athttp://www.aircanada.com/en/about/le…cy/policy.html.
•Offer not applicable to groups.
•Starwood reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time.
•Void where prohibited.
Save an additional 15% on Air Canada Flex Fares with the personal promo code you receive for staying at Four Points hotels this summer.
Book at aircanada.com by August 31, 2013 using the personal promo code provided, for your next Air Canada anywhere within Canada or between Canada and the USA.
Air Canada Flex Fare offers economy value with added flexibility to make same-day changes for a small fee, advance seat selection plus 100% Aeroplan® and Altitude Qualifying Miles.
Whether you’re flying on business or for leisure, Air Canada has fare options for every style and budget. Whether you are looking for the lowest price or need the flexibility to change flights on the go, Air Canada has a fare option that’s right for your needs.
When you fly with Air Canada, great fares are just the beginning. you’ll enjoy a touch-screen TV at your seat, plus power outlets within easy reach. Discover why we were named the only four-star international network carrier in North America by Skytrax.
Book at now at aircanada.com
ABOUT THIS OFFER
The discount is available using the personal promotion code provided. This promotion code offer is available only on new bookings made, entirely online at aircanada.com and cannot be combined with any other offer. The discount is applied only on published Air Canada Flex fares (before taxes, fees and surcharges) and is displayed when you choose your flight. A maximum of nine (9) passengers per booking is permitted. Offer valid for travel to destinations served by Air Canada within Canada and between Canada and the USA, for travel from May 1 to November 30, 2013. The promotional code will be available for one-way and round-trip itineraries and will not apply to multi-city itineraries, for travel on Air Canada operated flights (includes Air Canada Express) and cannot be combined with any other offer. Codeshare flights are not applicable. Details at aircanada.com/fourpoints