Often hotel chains like to retain their infrequent stayers bec

Marriott Rewards have sent out email offers to Silver elite members whom have not stayed with them for more than a year. It states: “Dear Valued Marriott Rewards® Member, earn a free night by staying. 2 times at a Marriott® brand hotel between July 1 and September 30, 2010. This offer is by invitation only.
I registered for a similar offer, open to everyone, by Starwood. It’s the SPG Free Weekends promotion. For every three stays at SPG properties. I can now use my Free Weekend Night stays through December 2010. I used one free night last weekend at the W-Dallas and thoroughly enjoyed the fun inducing hotel. The best use of the free night is to stay at a highly rated Hotel. The W is an SPG Category 5 (this is the highest Category in Texas) . I think that this is a great way to try a new hotel because I hate to shell out a few hundred $ a night and feel cheated. This way I will look forward to returning to the W fully prepared to pay for the hotel that I enjoyed staying at last weekend. A free night at a Cat 5 hotel (5 star) needs 12,000 - 16,000 points, and remember that you can redeem five nights and your fifth night is free at category 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 hotels.
W Dallas Victory has a milder funky W style than some of the W-hotels. I do hope that the Austin W, currently in construction will have a similar sophisticated style. I really enjoyed de-stressing in the menthol steam room at Bliss spa then ordered a DVD movie, a hamburger and Sushi delivered to my room courtesy of the Whatever/Whenever concierge button. A glass sided rooftop pool and bar on the 16th floor draws the beautiful people that also hang out at the W-Ghostbar on the 33rd floor.
The other glass sided pool up in the Dallas sky, is at The Joule SPG hotel. It also has a panoramic view of the city and a trendy recently opened urban oasis, pool bar. The roof top pool is suspended beyond the building’s edge! I’m a bit afraid of heights but it’s a thrill.12,000 points at SPG is a good deal! To get an idea of point costs at other chains:- Starting at 10,000 points, you can receive a Reward Night at Holiday Inns where, you can choose from more than 4,400 hotels worldwide to Use your Priority Club® points to reserve a free night. IHG InterContinental 5 star hotels start at 30,000 points for a free night with no blackout dates.