Last week I presented #10-#6 of my top 10 SPG Complimentary Upgrades on Award Stays. One of the greatest differentiators of the Starwood Preferred Guest Program is that “Upgrades to best available room at check-in, including Standard Suites.†is a stated benefit as a Platinum member including award stays.

This week we move in to the Top 5. Each of these SPG complimentary room upgrades remain the topics of many a reminisced story amongst my family and friends. A nice room upgrade does not make a trip alone, but can most definitely enhance the experience. Without further ado….The Top 5.

5. The St Regis Bangkok – Metropolitan Suite

The Metropolitan Suite at The St Regis Bangkok is the cheapest suite to make the top 10 list. This suite goes for ~$400.00 per night at this category 6 property. Though prices clearly do not justify the category, this one bedroom suite is spacious, modern and classy. As expected, your money (or complimentary upgrade) goes quite a bit further in Bangkok than it does in say, New York.

Sitting Area with views over Bangkok

The Tub off the Master Bedroom

4. The St Regis San Francisco – Astor Suite

I’ve had some nice room upgrades in The City by the Bay, but none of them can match the beauty of the Astor Suite at The St Regis San Francisco. This odd-shaped one bedroom suite with dark stained hardwoods offers great views of downtown and feels like a privileged residence. During the Summer, this suite goes for ~$900.00 per night at this category 6 property.

3. W Boston – WOW Suite

I have only stayed at the W Boston twice, and both times I received an upgrade to the WOW Suite! This stunning floor to ceiling window one-bedroom, two bathroom suite is perched atop downtown Boston. At 900 square feet, this suite is very spacious and modern including a large incredibly useless but cool looking couch that resembles a wave. Prices for the WOW suite at the W Boston are not online but I’d estimate ~$1000.00 per night at this category 5 property. Shaq lives in this building.

The Wave

2. The St Regis Washington DC – Caroline Astor Suite

I have received an upgrade to this very blue suite on three separate occasions. This suite is all class. As the White House’s neighbor, you can just sense the history in the walls of this room. Since President Coolidge cut the ceremonial grand opening ribbon, every American president has visited the The St Regis Washington DC. During the Summer, this suite goes for around ~$700.00 per night at this category 6 property. The sense of history that resonates in this room allows it to jump some larger rooms to make #2 on my list.

Blue Accent Bed

Classy Sitting Area Overlooking 16th and K

1. W Union Square – WOW Suite

WOW is the only word to describe this suite. The views over Manhattan will literally take your breath away. On the very top floor of the landmark 1911 beaux arts Guardian Life building overlooking Union Square, (And seemingly all of Manhattan) this one bedroom, two bathroom suite doesn’t play around. I was able to share this experience with 6 of my friends, and we definitely made good use of the space (OK, maybe the music was a little too loud). On an average summer weekend, this suite goes for around ~$2000.00 per night at this category 6 property. The size (for Manhattan), the unobstructed views, and the unmatched historic location make this the best SPG complimentary upgrade I have ever received on an award stay.

Party on top of Manhattan

Want more detailed photos from this list?

#5 – St Regis Bangkok Metropolitan Suite

#4 – St Regis San Francisco Astor Suite

#3 – W Boston WOW Suite

#2 – The St Regis Washington DC Caroline Astor Suite

#1 – W Union Square WOW Suite

Honorable Mention

The following room upgrades I received were very memorable but didn’t quite make the top 10.

• W Hong Kong – Fantastic Suite
• W Atlanta – Midtown – Fantastic Suite
• St Regis Bahia Beach – St Regis Suite
• St Regis Atlanta – Metropolitan Suite
• Le Meridien Munich – Corner Room Suite
• W Minneapolis WOW Suite