Comments on: Downgrades wanted?! Hotels hoping to shed a star http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/06/23/downgrades-wanted-hotels-hoping-to-shed-a-star/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:54 -0700 hourly 1 By: Musings & Miscellany » Blog Archive » Odds & Ends http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/06/23/downgrades-wanted-hotels-hoping-to-shed-a-star/#comment-30681 Musings & Miscellany » Blog Archive » Odds & Ends Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:44:29 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/06/23/downgrades-wanted-hotels-hoping-to-shed-a-star/#comment-30681 [...] apparently it hurts business in Germany for a hotel to be regarded too highly. Some 5-stars are ditching amenities in an effort to drop their star ratings to appeal to suddenly cost-conscious business travelers. If [...] [...] apparently it hurts business in Germany for a hotel to be regarded too highly. Some 5-stars are ditching amenities in an effort to drop their star ratings to appeal to suddenly cost-conscious business travelers. If [...]

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/06/23/downgrades-wanted-hotels-hoping-to-shed-a-star/#comment-22321 Mark Ashley Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:01:24 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/06/23/downgrades-wanted-hotels-hoping-to-shed-a-star/#comment-22321 Michael, that's interesting. If business is good, why mess with it? And, notably, they're declining a move <em>up</em>, not requesting a move down. Dr. Vino, thanks for that. But it's a little different, still. Alain Senderens sent the stars back when he changed his format, to create a simpler dining experience. 3 Michelin stars would have been a misrepresentation of what he was doing, going forward. The Berlin hotels I reference are NOT changing their product, just wanting fewer stars to save their bookings. Michael, that’s interesting. If business is good, why mess with it? And, notably, they’re declining a move up, not requesting a move down.

Dr. Vino, thanks for that. But it’s a little different, still. Alain Senderens sent the stars back when he changed his format, to create a simpler dining experience. 3 Michelin stars would have been a misrepresentation of what he was doing, going forward. The Berlin hotels I reference are NOT changing their product, just wanting fewer stars to save their bookings.

]]> By: Dr. Vino http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/06/23/downgrades-wanted-hotels-hoping-to-shed-a-star/#comment-22319 Dr. Vino Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:55:51 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/06/23/downgrades-wanted-hotels-hoping-to-shed-a-star/#comment-22319 Sorry to blow your lede but Alain Senderens of Lucas Carton "sent back" his three stars saying fine dining was too expensive. http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/features/alainsenderens.html (doesn't Gayot believe in putting a dateline on their web content?) Sorry to blow your lede but Alain Senderens of Lucas Carton “sent back” his three stars saying fine dining was too expensive.

http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/features/alainsenderens.html

(doesn’t Gayot believe in putting a dateline on their web content?)

]]> By: Michael C. Berch http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/06/23/downgrades-wanted-hotels-hoping-to-shed-a-star/#comment-22313 Michael C. Berch Tue, 24 Jun 2008 05:06:35 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/06/23/downgrades-wanted-hotels-hoping-to-shed-a-star/#comment-22313 There has been a similar phenomenon in France for quite a while - hotels are taxed by the number of stars, and established 3-star hotels whose reputation is secure often decline a 4th star. There has been a similar phenomenon in France for quite a while – hotels are taxed by the number of stars, and established 3-star hotels whose reputation is secure often decline a 4th star.

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