Living The "Suite" Life Of Zack & Cody: BREAKING NEWS: The Four Seasons Kicks Ritz-Carlton Ass!

"Bad news for the Ritz-Carlton, it's no longer the top dog in luxury hotels. That's according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study. The study looked at overall hotel guest satisfaction across six hotel segments from luxury to budget. The Ritz-Carlton has been chosen the top luxury hotel in past years but this year the honor went to the Four Seasons even though the rooms at the luxury chain are more expensive. In the next tier down, the winner of the Upscale segment was Embassy Suites Hotels which took the honor for the third year running.

To determine overall satisfaction the study looked at seven key measures: reservations; check-in/check-out; guest room; food and beverage; hotel services; hotel facilities; and costs and fees. Over 66,000 people who stayed n a hotel between May 2008 and June 2009 were part of the study. The survey showed that guest satisfaction with luxury hotels has remained stable from 2008. The most-desired amenities include complimentary breakfast, wireless Internet access and pillow-top mattresses. In luxury hotels a high percentage of guests say they expect in-room high-definition flat-panel TVs. The study also found that guests are more aware of property-initiated "green" programs and 72 percent say they participated in their hotel's conservation programs."

Information Courtesy Of: Luxist.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: In spite of some of the good news that I have been hearing from uber conservative sharper-than-Steve-Harvey CNBC master market analyst Larry Kudlow, I still recognize that we remain in a highly recessionary market. That being the case, value (NOTE: Almost completely based on an individual's emotions) has taken on a deeper, more significant meaning. Now, many of us could not have afforded a stay @ either The Ritz-Carlton or The Four Seasons during even the best of financial times, however, for those not all together adversely affected by the economic downturn, price is NOT the ultimate consideration when booking a luxury suite. No, in fact, according to the latest J.D. Power and Associates 2009 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, well-heeled customers will gladly pay 10% more for a room @ The Four Seasons as opposed to @ The Ritz-Carlton for a greater overall experience.

Look, I get it - when I am paying well in excess of $500 per night I personally would drop an extra $250 for a better stay and guaranteed satisfaction. I mean, Y.O.U. get to a certain point and it's all the same anyway my nig. It's the little things that count to true connoiseurs and, as with a brand like The Four Seasons, engender the strongest customer loyalty - from continuous innovations and the highest of hospitality standards, to custom-made beds, oppulent spas and 24-hour service. Maaaaaaaan, after all of this talking, I've only got 1 question: Where do I sign up?