A Hotel Loyalty Program for College Towns

The New York Times reports about a loyalty program for independent hotels. With Stash Hotel Rewards, you can earn and redeem points for a free nights at over 180 independent hotels across the United States.  

The article notes that Stash Hotel Rewards is actively trying to sign-up hotels near colleges. According to their press release:

"More than 75 independent hotels located either on or near major U.S. university campuses are part of the Stash Hotel Rewards program – making it possible for incoming families to get an up-close look at campus life, while also earning and redeeming rewards points at some of the country's most unique hotels."

Most parents of college student visit their kids' campus at least twice a year for drop-offs and pick-ups. When my grandfather dropped me off or picked me up from college, he always stayed at the Holiday Inn. However, in Washington, DC there is at least one hotel every other block. In smaller college towns, that isn't the case. Typically, there is one or two hotels near the campus and at least one is independent. 

Overall, Stash Hotel Rewards has a smart strategy. I don't know how many points you earn per stay or how many it takes to get a free night. However, I can only assume by the time that your student walks across the stage in their cap and gown that you will have at least a free night. One free night at a hotel should help the sting of 4 years worth of tuition bills.

Here a list of colleges with hotel participating in Stash's loyalty program:

Amherst College - The Lord Jeffrey Inn

Anaheim University- Ayres Hotel Anaheim

Auburn University - The Hotel at Auburn University

Binghamton University - Traditions at the Glen

Boise State University - Hotel 43

Boston University - Seaport Hotel, The Hotel Veritas, The Lenox Hotel

Brown University - Hotel Providence

California State University Long Beach - Ayres Hotel Seal Beach

California State University Sacramento - Larkspur Landing Sacramento

Catholic University of America - Capitol Hill Hotel, The Liaison Capitol Hill, 

                                            Washington Court Hotel 

Clark University - Beechwood Hotel

Coastland University - Ayres Hotel & Spa Mission Viejo

College of the Holy Cross - Beechwood Hotel

Colorado State University - Armstrong Hotel

Columbia University - Affinia 50 Hotel, Affinia Gardens, The Benjamin, The Mansfield, 

                               YOTEL New York

Dartmouth College -The Norwich Inn

DePaul University - Hotel Felix, The James Chicago, The Talbott Hotel

Drexel University - The Independent

Georgetown University - The Liaison Capitol Hill, Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill

Georgia State University - Artmore Hotel, Stonehurst Place

Georgia Institute of Technology - Artmore Hotel, Stonehurst Place

Harvard University - The Hotel Veritas, The Lenox Hotel

Howard University - Capitol Hill Hotel, The Liaison Capitol Hill, Washington Court Hotel 

La Sierra University - Ayres Inn Corona East

Loyola University Chicago - Hotel Felix, The James Chicago, The Talbott Hotel

Loyola University New Orleans - Bourbon Orleans Hotel, Dauphine Orleans Hotel, 

                                                Hotel Le Marais, Hotel Mazarin

Lubbock Christian University - Arbor Inn & Suites

Marquette University - Ambassador Hotel

MIT - The Hotel Veritas, The Lenox Hotel

Northeastern University Seaport Hotel, The Lenox, The Hotel Veritas

NYU - Affinia 50, Affinia Dumont, Affinia Gardens, Affinia Manhattan, Affinia Shelburne,

           Duane Street Hotel, NU Hotel, Shoreham Hotel, The Benjamin, The James New York, 

           The Mansfield, The MAve, The Strand Hotel, YOTEL New York

Old Dominion University - Craddock Terry Hotel

Our Lady of the Lake University - Menger Hotel

Penn State University - The Nittany Lion Inn, The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel

Portland State University - Hotel deLuxe, Hotel Lucia, The Governor Hotel

Providence College - Hotel Providence

Regent University - The Founders Inn and Spa

Roosevelt University - Hotel Felix, The James Chicago, The Talbott Hotel

Santa Clara University - The Plaza Suites

St. Mary's College - Inn at Saint Mary's Hotel & Suites

Stanford University - Creekside Inn

State University of New York, Old Westbury - Viana Hotel & Spa

Syracuse University - Genesee Grande Hotel,  Hotel Skyler,  Parkview Hotel

Temple University - The Independent

Texas Tech University - Overton Hotel

Tulane University - Bourbon Orleans Hotel, Dauphine Orleans Hotel, Hotel Le Marais,

                     Hotel Mazarin

Tufts University - The Hotel Veritas

University of Arizona - Lodge on the Desert

University of California - Ayres Hotel & Spa Moreno Valley

University of Colorado - Hotel Boulderado

University of Colorado at Denver - Hotel Teatro

University of Louisville - The Brown Hotel

University of Massachusetts - The Lord Jeffrey Inn

University of Michigan - Weber's Boutique Hotel

University of Minnesota - The Commons Hotel

University of Nevada, Reno - John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort

University of Notre Dame - Inn at Saint Mary's Hotel & Suites

University of Pennsylvania - The Independent

University of Southern California - O Hotel

University of Southern Maine - Portland Regency Hotel & Spa

University of Washington - Edgewater Hotel, Hotel Ändra, Hotel Max

Vanguard University of Southern California - Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa-Newport Beach

Washington University in St. Louis - Moonrise Hotel

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Beechwood Hotel

Xavier University of Louisiana - Bourbon Orleans Hotel, Dauphine Orleans Hotel, 

                                              Hotel Le Marais,Hotel Mazarin

"On average, we see parents visiting Texas Tech between 4 and 10 times a year," said Kurt Metcalf, General Manager of Overton Hotel & Conference Center in Lubbock, TX. "By partnering with Stash, we are able to reward these frequent guests, as well as offer them a way to save throughout their child's college career."

you earn and redeem points for free nights at authentic, independent hotels across the U.S
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Hotel Chain for Coffee Lovers???

New York Times is reporting that Starwood's  Le Méridien otels are aiming themselves to be the hotel of choice for Java Lovers.

To achieve the goal of being the hotel of choice for java lovers,  Le Méridien plans on having a dedicated coffee expert at each of its 100+ hotels.

"The lobby-based baristas will be responsible for encouraging social interaction and connecting guests to what’s happening locally, with recommendations on things to do around town.

“It’s a bit of a twist on a concierge, but more integrated into the food and beverage scene,” said Brian Povinelli, global brand leader for Le Méridien.

While hotels increasingly try to get guests to spend more time and money in their lobbies, Le Méridien’s coffee program seems to aim primarily at sociability. Guests will receive a voucher, making their first cup in the lobby free."

The concept is an interesting one. However, by striving to be the hotel of choice for java lovers, does Le Méridien alienate non-coffee drinks. For instance, I don't drink coffee, so this "barista" does nothing for me. The "baristas" sounds like a concierge that serves coffee. Ummm...no thanks!

I stayed at the  Le Méridien in Arlington, VA earlier this year. Overall, I enjoyed the hotel a lot, but I don't know how this new baristas will add to the experience. Le Meridian is this upscale hotel at a reasonable price. I didn't feel like it need a gimick like a coffee barista to make me want to stay there more.

Maybe this is Starwood's master plan? Will each of its hotel brand have something distinct about it. The W hotel is the party hotel. The Alfot's have the XYZ Bars. Now coffee baristas at Le Méridien?

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