It came as a surprise to me when I saw the sign pictured above in the parking lot of a Country Inn & Suites in Asheville, North Carolina this weekend.
I admit that I’ve never become intimately familiar with the Goldpoints frequent guest program from the Carlson family of hotels (Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, etc.), largely because I’ve never been a fan of their properties and rarely stay there. (Needless to say, I wasn’t pulling in to that spot…) There is also no reference to a parking benefit on the Goldpoints website, so I don’t know if this is a property-specific offer or a policy across the chain.
The spot itself was located next to the handicapped spaces, near the front of the lot. It’s not like it was a covered space with complimentary car wash and detailing. Frankly, it’s not a big deal.
And yes, “it,” not “they.” Singular. There was only one space labeled for elite members, so either the hotel doesn’t get much business from frequent guests, or the signage was purely symbolic.
So what say you? Nice perk, or superfluous? Obnoxious, or a nice recognition of repeat business? Hit the comments…
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May 4th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Seems to me to be a decent idea. What’s the total cost to the property? $50 bucks for the sign. No one’s going to start going to this hotel just because they have a nice parking spot. But it’s a very concrete way to say “Thanks for your business.” Sometimes it’s the little things
May 4th, 2009 at 10:56 am
I think two spots should have been reserved, just to even it out. Otherwise, I guess they have to do as much as they can on as little a budget as possible.
May 4th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Seems like a lousy attempt at marketing – “if you were elite you could park here!” – fine, except one spot? Seems chintzy.
May 17th, 2009 at 10:47 am
The Albuquerque Hilton has had some reserved spaces for HHONORS Diamond members for many years
May 18th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
[...] for free at many of their locations. And the free nights earn points! (Maybe enough to earn you the elite parking space…) From the release: From May 15 through Sept. 15, 2009, guests will receive a free Friday [...]