I was considering a one night visit to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls for tonight. I was planning to stay at the Four Points across from the Fallsview Casino, where I have stayed several times before. Generally speaking, Niagara Falls hotels are either full or empty, there is no middle ground. I did a quick check on spg.com last night and found many rooms available for under $100 CAD, especially using discount rates. I tried to firm-up my plans today but when I went back to spg.com this afternoon the hotel was listed as no rates available. I had always thought this meant the hotel was sold out. I called the hotel directly and was told that they definitely had rooms available, but they started from $299 CAD. When I asked about my discount rates (government, CAA and a SET number) the reservations person said "Um, our discount rate is $275". I then called the general Starwood reservation number. After having severe problems trying to identify the hotel, the clerk there said there was nothing available.
A lot of hotels in Niagara Falls make money by selling rooms to people who only planned a daytrip but then decide to stay overnight. It appears that this property was intentionally holding back inventory from Starwood to control what rates they could charge.
Are they supposed to be able to do this? Please note that I would not have minded at all if the hotel simply filled up and sold out. What bothers me is that there were rooms available, but not through Starwood channels.
A lot of hotels in Niagara Falls make money by selling rooms to people who only planned a daytrip but then decide to stay overnight. It appears that this property was intentionally holding back inventory from Starwood to control what rates they could charge.
Are they supposed to be able to do this? Please note that I would not have minded at all if the hotel simply filled up and sold out. What bothers me is that there were rooms available, but not through Starwood channels.