New Listing of "Preferred Hotels"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LL_Travelfan

I like having breakfast included. Breakfast can run up quite a tab, especially in the 5 star establishments. Breakfast in the 5 star establishments, as a rule, are superb, much better than what you can get in a side walk cafe. At times, we have done both, especially in Paris. Sharing of philosophical and political dissections can just as well be done over lunch.... a meal you would go out for, and pay for, normally anyway. We recently stayed 5 nights at Marenas Resort and Spa a Preferred Property in Sunny Isles/Miami, FL with a LL package, where breakfast was not included, but we were given 10 vouchers for continental breakfast by the concierge when we checked in. Another Preferred Resort we recently stayed at was Costa Estefan in Vero Beach, FL, were breakfast was not included. However, there was an early morning coffee station for early risers and we made use of it, often just adding fresh fruit from a nearby grocery store after our early morning beach walk. We stayed there without a LL package, but the LL $30 breakfast allowance would have barely covered breakfast for two since every item was individually priced.

---

LL_Travelfan....are you referencing Costa d' Este in Vero Beach?

Vero Beach Hotels: Gloria Estefan's Costa d'Este Resort Vero Beach Central Florida FL Luxury Oceanfront Hotel Rooms Packages Spas Suites Specials Romantic Getaways Family Vacations Discounts Weddings Meetings Events

Don't think they are affiliated with thePreferred Hotel Group. We stayed there on a Luxury Link package and received the breakfast credits, which was adequate for us, but maybe we don't eat as much as some folks.

btw.....we did pick up a coffee from the service bar one morning and walked a few hundred yards south of the parking lot to join some friends for breakfast at:

The Lemon Tree
3125 Ocean Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963

On your next visit to the area, you might consider stopping there, It has been a popular place for years with locals and visitors alike (OK, you will probably have to wait a few minutes to get seated).

Omegaet,
Yes, I was referring to Costa d'Este at Vero Beach. I think they must have just recently moved over to Benchmark Management from Preferred Hotels. We did walk by at Lemon Tree, and as you said it was busy. The food at the Wave Restaurant, a 3 course fixed price menu was good and the price was reasonable. We also had a very nice meal at the Beach Bar and Grill next door. The place was quite rustic, reminiscent more of New England with a blazing wood fire in the fireplace, it was relatively cold that evening. Would recommend the place.
We had made reservations at the Costa d'Este Resort on your advice of the 25% discount if booked before Dec. 31, and the room rate was excellent. We had booked an ocean view room and were initially upgraded to Ocean Front, Room 416 on the 4th floor. After a bad housekeeping incident in the bathroom, we were hurriedly upgraded and moved to the Penthouse suite, Room 510, which was ok. I found the spa rather small and the hours not very conducive to use it. They were only open till 5:00 pm and without the LL package, we were not allowed to use the steam room without a treatment and a daily $10 surcharge was leveled, which was waved when we were upgraded to the Penthouse suite. While checking out, we found that our bill contained an added surcharge for the Penthouse suite, but was removed after pointing out that this was a complimentary upgrade.
All in all, we enjoyed walking on the beach, checking out the galleries where we found very pricey, but lovely 6-figure dollar price pictures that gave my husband twitches to his valet.... but I was able to persuade him to leave them there...
We found the beach very quiet, almost deserted. But if all is said and done, I preferred the more lively Marenas Resort and Spa at Sunny Isles/Miami where we stayed the week before Christmas with a LL package. To see the ocean on one side and the lights of the city on the other was really nice. Furthermore, their spa was great and free. Two exercise areas, a gender separates steam room and a sauna, as well as a small, 3-person jacuzzi were all on the Mezzanine deck, away from the crowd of the regular pool and jacuzzi. It was great to sit in the jacuzzi, a little wine on the side, warming our bones and looking at the stars and the lights and the occasional planes crossing overhead. I would return to the Marenas Resort and Spa in a heartbeat. About the Coste d'Este, I am not so sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LL_Travelfan

I like having breakfast included. Breakfast can run up quite a tab, especially in the 5 star establishments. Breakfast in the 5 star establishments, as a rule, are superb, much better than what you can get in a side walk cafe. At times, we have done both, especially in Paris. Sharing of philosophical and political dissections can just as well be done over lunch.... a meal you would go out for, and pay for, normally anyway. We recently stayed 5 nights at Marenas Resort and Spa a Preferred Property in Sunny Isles/Miami, FL with a LL package, where breakfast was not included, but we were given 10 vouchers for continental breakfast by the concierge when we checked in. Another Preferred Resort we recently stayed at was Costa Estefan in Vero Beach, FL, were breakfast was not included. However, there was an early morning coffee station for early risers and we made use of it, often just adding fresh fruit from a nearby grocery store after our early morning beach walk. We stayed there without a LL package, but the LL $30 breakfast allowance would have barely covered breakfast for two since every item was individually priced.

---

Personal choice. We'll take uncluttered and laid back Vero Beach to the high rise overcrowded conditions of Sunny Isles...any day of the week......just our choice.

btw....we think suite 114 at Costa d' Este is perfect, since we can walk directly out and across the cabana right on to the beach or make a right turn and slip into the Jacuzzi!

Sounds good. Location 114 is probably the best in regard to the beach and the jacuzzi. Perhaps, for us it had something to do with the weather. It was quite cold when we were there, and very quickly, the pool and jacuzzi were in the shade, shaded by the hotel. However, as you say, to each its own!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bonniejoy03

Noticed a lot of new properties from "Preferred Property" group. I am seeing some options for the East Coast. I did notice in the print that some fees are not included. For example, the Kingsmill in Williamsburg lists hotel taxes only covered. All other costs are to be paid to the hotel directly. Has anyone used any of this group's properties? Any experience with the fees and other costs? Just checking before I call the hotel directly. Thanks.

---

bj, I just booked a Preferred Property in Antigua - Porta Hotel, a PP hotel not available on LL. Found much better rates on the PP site than on Elizabeth's site, the individual hotel site, or any of the other internet sites like Expedia, Travelocity, etc. The PP site also offered different kinds of promo packages that the specific hotel site did not offer.

It may be best to sign up for their IPrefer hotel program prior to booking because of their member benefits, like a room upgrade. We shall see! I would recommend you sign up - couldn't hurt. From their site:

Exclusive I Prefer Benefits Every Time You Stay

Experience the ease of I Prefer Membership. No points to count. No waiting for hotel rewards. You'll automatically receive these exclusive rewards from I Prefer every time you stay at over 600 distinctive Preferred Hotel Group hotels and resorts worldwide:

- Room upgrades. Receive a complimentary room upgrade (based on availability at check-in)
- Complimentary Internet access
- Priority early check-in and late check-out
- Hotel amenities. An I Prefer member amenity, unique to each hotel
- Exclusive offers. Access to special offers and promotions throughout the year

For more info:

I Prefer Free Hotel Rewards Program - Book Online for Member Rewards from Preferred Hotel Group

HI J...WOW...thank you for the great tip. I am going to try it also! ps-when are you going to Guatemala???

Sure, I love getting breakfast included and some of the other perks, but most important to me are taxes and other fees. If the price is low enough, I'm happy to buy my own breakfast and skip a massage included in the price. In that respect, I have purchased and enjoyed several Preferred Properties at darn low prices!

Listen, Luxury Link, you guys list everything and I'll sort through and buy the ones I like.

jbmklj,
Thanks for reminding us of the I Preferred Member Rewards Program. I have signed up with the Preferred Hotel Rewards Program so long ago, that I had forgotten all about it. Yes, they have some pretty good perks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bonniejoy03

HI J...WOW...thank you for the great tip. I am going to try it also! ps-when are you going to Guatemala???

---

We're going to Guatemala in early March.

I think most of the O-E properties have the best little extras. To be honest, that's what drew me to the LuxuryLink site. Anyone can look up the hotel's web page and see what deals they have going on but LuxuryLink includes the extras that you might not try unless it's included (ex. spa, excursions). I've never regretted any of the extras that I've gotten on LL deals. It's a great way to know what is popular for that hotel or what they recommend in that area (excursion-wise.)