We have always done vacations that involved touring, walking, being on the go. We have never stayed at a resort or 5 star place. So many people have written in about staying in nice places. I'm wondering if it's worth it to do a vacation where the focus is relaxing at the place? Any experiences? What do you really get for your money?

A true 5 diamond resort is a wonderful luxury and is worth every penny. In these establishments, everything is perfect from the service to the location. Keep in mind, there aren't that many of them around.

When I am paying my own money I reserve the 5* for special occaisions like my honeymoon, special anniverseries. It is definitely worth it. I travel alot on business and get to stay mostly at nice Hyatts, Marriots, Westins. Every now for work I get to go to a Ritz, 4S or specialty types like La Quinta, Orchid, Pierre. So I really get to sample the differences. The service, amenities, quality and attention to detail are noticeable and can make a great vacation into a once in lifetime or once in decade type of experience. You just budget the money- (add at least 25%) and realized that it is spent once you arrive there the first day- then you can relax, enjoy yourself and truly get your moneys worth I prefer some of the more exclusive non chain 5* resorts but really research the whole package and get input from this board before you decide where you will stay.

Since discovering priceline, I am really enjoying my 4* hotels. Could only afford 2* before but w/priceline have been getting 4* for 2* prices. AM quite spolied now and expect nothing but the best. Its great fun and very posh.

jan, a 4* can't hold a candle to a 5*, and 5* don't stoop to Priceline. There are only about 20 5* in the entire country and they are fabulous for a special occasion. Be choosey, aaa, and enjoy it just once some place wonderful.

I realized I probably should not have posted in this thread about my 4* experience. Sorry.But couldn't resist as I thought it was very impressive. Think I best save up and try a 5 */ on second thought better not cause then I wouldn't be happy with my 4*'s anymore.
I wonder why there aren't more 5* around. Are they that Pricey?
Thanks
Jan

All of this sounds very nice. XXX, what 5 star place(s) have you enjoyed? And Jan, what does a 4 star go for on Priceline? Very good tips. Both 4 and 5 star sound great. I didn't think about there being a difference in these. Thanks.

Jan-I guess you already answered my question about 4*price. Should I admit I've never used priceline? But you give me good reason to try. Thanks

It really depends on so many factors. First if the resort IS the destination, or, what price you got it for and which property you're talking about. I've stayed in many 5 Stars (usually on the company), and I can tell you, I would never, ever pay the rack rates at most of them because they just aren't worth the money. Especially if you will be out and about during your stay and won't spend your whole vacation there. There are exceptions (Arizona Biltmore, Regent Chiang Mai in Thailand), but for the most part, you have to ask yourself, is it worth $1,000 a night (Little Palm Island for instance)? To some people it is, and to some it isn't.

What you get, or should get, is impeccable service, beautiful and elegant surroundings, very high quality furnishings and a higher class clientele, the latter isn't necessarily true, as some people either are not paying guests (that would be me on many occasions), or, they may have more money than class, which is becoming more and more common.

It couldn't hurt to try it, since only you will know if it's worth it for you.

We've stayed at Ritz Carlton Naples and the Mansion in Dallas. Of the two the Mansion was the most elegant, but RC Naples was lovely as well.

Good point xxx. I stayed at the Ritz in Naples as well, and I think it's worth the money, as it's very often discounted less than $300/night. The service there is amazing. My husband forgot a dress shirt for dinner, he picked up the phone and they answer it not with a hello but with "How may we help you Mr. Smith"(Your name appears on the phone). He told them he didn't have a shirt and we needed to leave in half an hour. They got his size, what color and style he wanted and in less than half an hour had a shirt delivered (and pressed) to the room! You won't get that kind of service at a 4 Star hotel!

The shirt incident is a perfect example of 5* service, Nina. You'll often find yourself greeted by name, even aside from encounters on the phone, and how they know, I have no idea. You are absolutely pampered. The Mansion has a 2 to 1 staff to guest ratio!

xxx,I'm sure. I remember reading an article in T&L a few years back where the writer went to many top hotels to test the service. She had all kinds of difficult requests to put to the staff, like finding odd specialty foods, or arranging for hard to get tickets, rare wines, etc. I remember the Mansion on Turtle creek came away with flying colors for obtaining every thing on her list with a smile and in a hurry!

Just so everyone is clear, here is a list of the REAL five star winners, according to Mobil travel.

http://www.exxonmobiltravel.com/index.jsp?menu=rating_criteria&module=fivestar

And here are the five diamond listings, from AAA.

http://www.aaa.com/news12/Diamonds/025drelease.htm

Just for the record, there are 58 five DIAMOND properties and only 25 five STAR properties in the US. (Not including restaurants).

I do not believe that anything that show up on Priceline is a TRUE five star property, according to Mobil.

And for the record, The Pierre, the Arizona Biltmore, and the Little Palm Island Resort are all 4-star properties. The Ritz in Naples and the Mansion on Turtle Creek are true 5-star lodgings.

Here are the current star ratings for lodgings:

http://www.exxonmobiltravel.com/index.jsp?menu=lodging

P.S. I have never stayed in any of these five star/diamond properties and never will. I am not a hotel snob and do not care about star ratings, except for trivia purposes. Just giving you the info for interest's sake.

Enjoy

aaa In the summer stayed at the Park Hyatt in San Francisco for $60 a night. There reg rate for that room was $320 a night.It was very posh/ solid marble/views/great staff etc
In Dec will try the Elliot Grand Hyatt in Seattle got it for $40. for 3 night. Their rates seem to start @200 and go way up from there.
It is nice now w/priceline as we can stay longer and in very fine places.

James, Priceline has no 5* properties. Their star categories in no way correlate to Mobil categories. Priceline 4* can be Mobil 4* or just as easily, a Mobil 3*. As long as everyone understands, it's fine. The problem is, everyone does NOT understand, nor do they understand that Mobil rates the hotels they cover, whereas Priceline lets the hotels rate themselves. Pretty good deal for the hotels!

Are you serious, xyz? Priceline lets the hotels determine their own rating? That does explain why so many people mention they got the four star "Le Dump" or whatever from Priceline at such a good deal. At last I think I understand.

James, you're under the mistaken impression that Mobil rates ALL hotels - They do not. They only dole out Star ratings to hotels which belong to their organization, so there are some very fine hotels that aren't even listed by Mobil.

Same goes for AAA.

James never said they rate all hotels. They rate the majority. A few opt out, but the majority are rated by one or the other and usually both.

I'm one of the suckers that got a 4* Dump on Priceline and that experienced spelled the end of using them. The rated themselves a 4*, when they are a Mobil 3 star. Hyatt Coral Gables to save anyone else who might fall prey to them.