Starwood Preferred Guest - Puerto Vallarta - Sheraton vs. Westin & Platinum

Hi - I am a newby...

Recent lurking paid off with the ORD-PVR for 2 for $301 in BUS class!!! (see United)- and THANKS!

I am a platinum member with SPG. I have stayed at the Westin in Cabo with a fantastic upgrade and club privilages (breakfast/evening cocktails & appetizers).

What can I expect from the Sheraton and Westin in terms of club lounge & upgraded room? What location is better for 2 gals in their mid 20's who want to hang by the pool with umbrella drinks and find some evening fun as well?

thanks for your help!

i think we already have a thread going on this hotel.

Where is the thread comparing the two Starwood properties? I've just done a search on Puerta Vallarta, and haven't found it. I also got the great rate to PVR, and want to find the best place to stay. My husband's and my interests are moderately different than those posted above. We'll be interested in searching out any cultural life locally, so distance and ease of transportation are of interest to us. Also, we are only Starwood Gold.

Westin Regina Resort - Puerto Vallarta (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/001277.html)
Any Recent Experiences with Westin PV? (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/002955.html)
Westin PV / Ixtapa (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/004383.html)

[This message has been edited by markbach (edited 08-09-2002).]

Mark, thank you very much. I had found those threads - and they were very helpful in learning about the properties individually. Now, I'm very interested as to whether someone has stayed at both and can contrast and compare them.

Sheraton
- Got upgraded to butler floor. The butler never really did anything for us, but he was there if needed. Nice Ocean View room with a very hard bed.
- Pools were cool. Lots of activities and very loud music playing in the afternoons. Beach looked nice but folks in PV normally don't use the beach unless they are outside the city.
- Location was good. You could walk to the "heart" of PV.
- Service was good. Had a massage, pedicure, and haircut at the spa for a good price. You have to dodge the timeshare sell folks after check-in.
- Food at restaurant was good, but nothing special.
- Overall nice and well kept.

Westin
- Upgraded to honeymoon suite with hot tub and balcony. Heavenly Bed and all the nice touches that come with Westins.
- Pools were beautiful dark blue tile with lots of palm trees everywhere. Beaches were under construction but no big deal b/c of reasons above.
- Location was by the airport and away from the city. But it was only a 3 buck cab ride to get to the centro.
- Service and staff were great. Did not try any of the activities though.
- Restaurants were average and pricey.
- A super nice property that I would stay at again. Definitely beats the Sheraton overall.

When in PV I reccomend:
- Dinner at Daquari Dicks. Wierd name but great food at a great price. Try the lobster tacos.
- The beach at las animas. You can see your feet no matter how deep you go.

Daytripper, thank you for your extremely helpful response. You gave me a very informative comparison of the properties, which will help me greatly with my decision.

A couple of follow up notes:

- Butler Suite at Sheraton included breakfast in the morning until noon and free beer, wine, and snacks in the afternoon. Breakfast was fresh fruit, pastries, juice, coffee, and cereal.

- Westin also hits you with the timeshare spiel. After you check in (at both hotels), they take you to an information desk. They give you a run down of where everything is at, and when activities are planned. They then offer you free meals or other stuff to listen to a two hour spiel on time shares.

For those of you taking the trip before October 15...

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See Mexico and Latin America at up to 50% off plus earn double
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What better way to explore Mexico and Latin America than with rates of up to 50% off! Plus, Starwood Preferred Guests will earn double Starpoints(SM) on all eligible charges. Travel by October 15, 2002 to take advantage of these great rates!

Book Now =&gt;
http://promo.starwood.com/50offlatinamerica/

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[This message has been edited by JohnnyP (edited 08-16-2002).]