Second to last night and stay, that will close out my 4 year Ambassador run.
I expect I’ll hit Ambassador again later this year with projected work travel and the increased cost of room rates. In looking at, and booking future work travel through the year, I don’t forsee the new 23K requirement to be **too** much of a stretch for the business traveler like myself, that has been able to hit 20K in past years … But back to the room.
I booked a one night stay, using a rate from the website that included valet parking. For me, rates like this are a no brainier if you’ll be valeting (or parking). The rate is cheaper than the member room rate + valet, and by choosing the special rate the spend is higher. I was able to take advantage of a rate like this last night at the Newport Beach Renaissance too.
I booked a standard king room with the rate and before I arrived, after checking in on the app earlier in the day, I saw I was upgraded to a 1 bedroom suite. I did not reach out to the hotel for an upgrade.
The room is at the end of the hallway, it’s a nice sized, corner room – far from the elevator. The only closet in the room is a large 2 door closet as you walk in. The living room has a good sized couch, table with 2 chairs, small fridge, storage and a large tv that swivels into the bedroom.
Some traditionalists would not call this a 1 bedroom suite, as the bedroom isn’t closed off with a door – I think the lack of the door and closed in wall keeps the space feeling larger.
The standout space in the suite is the bathroom with a toilet closet, dual sinks, floor to ceiling mirrors and a fantastic shower / tub room that I’m looking forward to trying out 
I’ll be having breakfast in the morning, heading to the job site and then onto the LAX Marriott for my last Ambassador stay before dropping to Titanium. I think it will be interesting to see, personally, how my past 4 years as Ambassador will relate to most of my travel this year that I’ll spend as Titanium.
I do believe that #ambassdorstatusmatters and I will see fewer upgrades as Titanium … But only time will tell.
