Starwood Preferred Guest - Best in Tucson: Westin La Paloma or Sheraton El Conquistador?

I'm planning a weekend getaway to Tucson over Mar 2-4, and am trying to decide between the Westin La Paloma or Sheraton El Conquistador for my stay. They both look very nice, but...

Checking both web sites, it looks like the Westin has a Deluxe room for $387 and the Sheraton has a Junior Suite (620 sq.ft.) for $389.

Anyone familiar with what a "deluxe" room is like at the Westin La Paloma? I'd love a fireplace, but that's not totally necessary, and I don't really care about golf (in case one resort is better than another in that category). Which of these properties is newer?

As an SPG Gold, I don't think I'll be getting any upgrades from either of these types of rooms at check-in...unless it's really my lucky day!

Thanks for your help!

WNLuvr

[This message has been edited by WNLuvr (edited 02-20-2001).]

Hello WNLuvr,

We had a stay at the Sheraton Conquistador last spring. Good overall property with the emphasis on golf, most rooms have great views. I think that the junior suite is a larger room with a sofa and a king size bed. We were "confirmed" in one with a FAX'd confirmation but did not get the room (stay was a Sheraton points award stay) supposedly due to availability.

The overall service was spotty at best. The regular room that we had was OK. We discovered a door lock problem immediately. It took three phone calls and three different employees to get it fixed. There is an excellent western theme dining room on the property that has saloon-type entertainment several nights a week.

I wrote a letter after the stay about the above problems. They called and left an apology on my answering machine and put 1,500 extra points in my account. We would probably stay there again.

No info on the Westin other than friends who have told that it is a good property.

Va.SquireFlyer

If you want a fireplace, go for the Sheraton. As a gold member, they will upgrade you to a casita suite from a regular room at check-in. This is the same upgrade platinums get. I was able to get the upgrade twice last year as a gold. The Sheraton El.C. has one of the best upgrades for gold members. The casitas have a firplace in the living room. Even if you reserve a suite at La Paloma, you won't get a fireplace.

The beds at the Sheraton are average, however. The Westin has the Heavenly Beds. As a gold, you would get upgraded to a deluxe room from a regular room. I don't think they upgrade higher then a dlx for golds. The only difference is the view.

Both have wonderful pools. If you have to be in Tucson for business, the Westin is closer to most things. The Westin is on the north end of Tucson, and the Sheraton is about 15 minutes north of the Westin.

Let us know which you choose and how your trip goes! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif If you need advice on what things to do in town, let me know. My email account is listed under my profile.

Here is a website for the local paper's Best of Tucson 2000 results: http://desert.net/tw/2000-09-29/frameset.html. It may be worth taking a look at that too. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by MarshKing (edited 02-21-2001).]

Thanks Va. and MarshKing!

It sounds like the El Conquistador is the route to go. I've booked the Junior Suite at $387, and hopefully can get an upgrade to full casita suite upon check-in. Plan on driving down to the Karchner Caverns (if possible...no reservations avail until May!) for a standby tour.

And, it actually turns out I may be visiting the La Paloma after all. I lived in Tucson back until 1994 and remember Janos Restaurant (used to be in a historic bldg near downtown). Wanted to go back, and noticed they have moved to the La Paloma. Definitely will check them out for a Sat. nite dinner.

Thanks again for the info, and I'll let you know how the weekend turns out!

WNLuvr

[This message has been edited by WNLuvr (edited 02-21-2001).]

[This message has been edited by WNLuvr (edited 02-21-2001).]

I have stayed at the La Paloma at least 3 times, and was generally unimpressed, although the facility is quite nice. I never received higher than a more deluxe room (SPG plat), and encountered a number of issues, including a terrible "fly" problem at the pool/bar area. (YOu didn't even want to order a drink/food out there). Although there were available suites, the only way they would upgrade me to one was with lots of additional starpoints. That said, my last stay there was summer of 1999. I wrote the hotel a nice letter regarding several things, and received a "standard apology". I'd have serious reservations about spending winter rates there.

I think that the El Con is the more charming property, the La Paloma is glitzier...Janos restaurant now at La Paloma may be the deciding factor for me as I looove their food. Also if memory serves La Paloma is located closer to town if that matters...I always stayed at Loews Ventana before there was a Starwood program and prefer it to either but now I would go with the points.

My preference is The Westin La Paloma - especially with all of the changes taking place at the resort. Was just out there and between Heavenly Beds, the new Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and an incredible meal at Janos it really makes Sheraton El Conquistador look and feel ordinary.

We've never stayed at the Westin but stay at the El Con quite often. I really like the Casita suites, and that's mostly what we got when I was gold in the old Sheraton program, and now plat in SPG. I have stayed in a junior suite before, and it was OK, but I really prefer to be down in the Casitas. I like the casitas at the back that just have a little desert hill behind them, toward the bottom where there is a small parking lot. If you get these casitas that just face the hillside in the back, you can sit on your little patio and enjoy an amazing amount of wildlife in the early mornings and evenings. These ones also feel most private to me.

The rate that you are quoting, WNLuvr, seems awfully high to me. I don't think I've ever paid more than $250 for the Conquistador, even in high season like now. I have gotten rooms there for less than $150 in lower season. I know the Westin is routinely over $300, part of why I have never gone there. I'd see if you could get anything better via UA 50% off certs, SPG50 awards, etc. I wouldn't worry too much about the room you're paying for--you're very likely to get an upgrade. I think maybe one night out of 10 I did not get one. Of course, you can call the hotel and see how full they are. Also, it's worth calling this hotel direct on the rates--sometimes they will give it to you lower if you call them, and they can definitely talk to you about your upgrade odds on particular days. They do have their own sizeable reservations department there.

Well, we returned from our jaunt to Tucson on Sunday, and wanted to thank you all for your suggestions! The Sheraton El Conquistador was great.

Got upgraded to a casita suite a couple days prior to our arrival thanks to help from the general manager's office (thanks, Ryan!) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Room had a great view of the Catalinas, and had a small hill that really kept the casita private. We even saw a few rabbits and heard an owl while sitting out on the patio!

Came back from a day touring southern Arizona on Saturday and found a great tray of multi-colored chips and fresh salsa from their restaurant in the room. A nice touch! We would definitely stay there again, and appreciate the great treatment.

Didn't make it to Janos, but did visit some of my favorite old restaurants. You see, I went to U of A back in the early ninties and one of my favorite restaurants was (don't laugh) Lucky Wishbone. Those of you living in Tucson will know what I am talking about http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif With all that grease, I think I'll be fasting for a few weeks.

WNLuvr

[This message has been edited by WNLuvr (edited 03-06-2001).]