Thanks for the update, SFVoyager; glad your stay went well.
What I always found interesting was that before Starwood lost the Principe Di Savoia (right across the street from the Westin Palace), the Palace was always right in the middle (in terms of service, style and rates) between the Sheraton Diana Majestic and the Principe.
It's still a VERY ornate Italian hotel (and a member of The Luxury Collection in addition to its Westin moniker).