Starwood Preferred Guest - Rome: St Regis or Westin Excelsior? 2008 on [Master Thread]

Which hotel is better? Where can I expect as a platinum member better recognation? Do I also get suite upgrades at st. regis? Which benefits can I expect?

thx

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Earlier reports can be found at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/1070825-rome-st-regis-westin-excelsior-pre-2008-master-thread.html

/mod

I can't address the St. Regis, but the Excelsior is a "Grande Dame" of a hotel which has been totally renovated. We were give a wonderful suite upgrade to a the top floor with a balcony overlooking Rome.

The heath club/spa is terrific. Service is very good. Location (which I think is close to the SR) is amazing.

The only negative is that breakfast is expensive, but very good.

I loved the excelsior. we were upgraded to a huge suite. I did not, however, like the area. it's a bit too snooty. I preferred our first hotel which was right next to piazza navona/campo di fiori because most of the restaurants we wanted to hit were in that area.

We Loved the St. Regis, stayed there this October-but again, depends what you're looking for. Suite upgrades are never assured, all depends on loading and the usual criteria. The recommended threads above are very comprehensive, check them out...

I just stayed at the Eden after spending a week in an apartment in the Campo di fiori area. I liked the hotel for its service and amenties, but I felt like it was a sterile part of Rome. TH said it would be worth taking the 116 bus back to the centro just to get coffee and pizza a taglio, the stuff around the villa Ludovisi, Spanish steps and via veneto area is awful.

When we walked up towards the via veneto and saw the Westin Excelsior location, we were happy we were at least at the Eden.

Oh, the windows opened, that was also a plus.

I just stayed at the Eden after spending a week in an apartment in the Campo di fiori area. I liked the hotel for its service and amenties, but I felt like it was a sterile part of Rome. TH said it would be worth taking the 116 bus back to the centro just to get coffee and pizza a taglio, the stuff around the villa Ludovisi, Spanish steps and via veneto area is awful.

When we walked up towards the via veneto and saw the Westin Excelsior location, we were happy we were at least at the Eden.

Oh, the windows opened, that was also a plus.

any thoughts on the st regis?

FCTSTY will shoot me, but here goes...

Going to Italy for my honeymoon and I using my points and I have a choice between the Eden, the Excelsior or the St. Regis.

The St. Regis looks closer to the Metro (I know Rome Metro stinks, but it's nice to have a short walk as a transport option), but it doesn't have a pool.

The excelsior HAS a pool but a little farther away from the metro, but from reading it seems there is a lot of choice for dinner options in the evening (or breakfast if we want to leave the hotel). Also Cat 6 over Cat 7 so lower point redemption.

The eden I haven't looked in to closely, but I am not counting it out.

I am a Plat so I hope to score an upgrade and we plan to stay 5 nights to take advantage of the 5th night free reward.

So, basically, my concerns are upgrade, proximity to outside hotel food, metro, pool and then point redemption (I have a ton of AMEX pts to xfer if I need to but want to save them).

Since this is my honeymoon, I want to make it special. I have not been to Rome since 1989 (when I was 18) and this my first trip back and my soon to be wife's first (and her dream). So, any advice of any recent or longtime users of these hotels would be appreciated!

- HobokenFlyer

Eden is a special hotel.

FCTSTY will shoot me, but here goes...

Going to Italy for my honeymoon and I using my points and I have a choice between the Eden, the Excelsior or the St. Regis.

The St. Regis looks closer to the Metro (I know Rome Metro stinks, but it's nice to have a short walk as a transport option), but it doesn't have a pool.

The excelsior HAS a pool but a little farther away from the metro, but from reading it seems there is a lot of choice for dinner options in the evening (or breakfast if we want to leave the hotel). Also Cat 6 over Cat 7 so lower point redemption.

The eden I haven't looked in to closely, but I am not counting it out.

I am a Plat so I hope to score an upgrade and we plan to stay 5 nights to take advantage of the 5th night free reward.

So, basically, my concerns are upgrade, proximity to outside hotel food, metro, pool and then point redemption (I have a ton of AMEX pts to xfer if I need to but want to save them).

Since this is my honeymoon, I want to make it special. I have not been to Rome since 1989 (when I was 18) and this my first trip back and my soon to be wife's first (and her dream). So, any advice of any recent or longtime users of these hotels would be appreciated!

- HobokenFlyer

Hi HobokenFlyer, fellow Hobokenite here GoCanes...

My fiance and I just went through this same process for our honeymoon coming in November. We decided on the Eden. It came highly recommended from some local friends we have and also I found the location to be the best of the three. It really came down to the Eden and St. Regis for me. The St. Regis looked amazing and just on a whole other level. However, the strong critiques about it were the area and its proximity to the Termini Stazione... which to me says Penn Station or the PA Bus Terminal and frightened me slightly. So we chose the Eden with the 3rd night free promotion. Had to call the hotel to pre-pay the pre-paid booking, but they did and got a very favorable exchange rate with AMEX SPG card. Overall, I am happy we are staying at the Eden... now just hope we are staying at different times... I am only a gold and don't want you to steal my chances at a suite. :D Also, stating at the Grand Hotel in Florence which we are very excited about and found to be similar to the St. Regis and made chosing the Eden easier as well.

i stayed at the st regis in january and took the time to look at the other hotels. the st regis is spectacular. i am a casual guy so it was a little formal for me but the woman i was travelling with likes that sort of thing and she was really impressed. there is actually a book on the artwork in the rooms.

as to the area, the walk towards the train station could get a little dicey however there is actually no reason to walk that way unless you are taking a train. if you are heading to the spainish steps, or towards the trevi fountain and pantheon, then you will not encounter any problem whatsoever.there are plenty of normal places to get a "reasonable" meal close to the hotel becasue it is not that much of a tourist area.

if you stay at the eden or the westin you are up the hill which i do not find that interesting. it is touristy and expensive and other than the fact that you are at the top of the spainsh steps the location is not any better than the st regis for most of the really interesting places to go.

i guess my point is that for a honeymoon go for the top and don't try and save on the points.

We've stayed a week at the St. Regis and a week at the Eden and I think the Eden is much preferable.

The St. Regis facilities are very special, but the location makes the Eden a clear winner for us. The Eden is as luxurious, but not as glitzy IMHO.

The Excelsior is nice, but has the advantage of neither the St. Regis nor the Eden.

Am staying at the Excelsior Rome as I type having mulled over the St Regis. One reason for choosing it was the pool area, which I have to say is a real disappointment - small, untidy, water leaking from the air-con in the roof panels, jacuzzi malfunctioning (cold) and generally sub standard. The hotel itself is beautiful though and no complaints there. Surrounding area is very expensive for what it offers, food-wise.

Think I'll shift to the St Regis for the next trip.

I've slogged through most of the Rome threads and am looking for the 'latest' information. Near as I can tell most people think that either the St. Regis, Excelsior or Eden would be excellent choices and so then it really comes down to cost and location.

I will be staying using a 5 night award on points. I am trying to figure out if there is anything I can use to justify the extra 40,000 points for the the CAT 7 properties.

So please go ahead and give it your best shot :) ... tell me how I can justify staying somewhere else than the Westin? To help with the decision making ... this will be vacation and while I will go sightseeing that is not the only reason I travel. I like to absorb as much of the culture and local flavor where possible.

Thanks!

PS - I was originally planning to stay at the Cavalieri but with the recent re-branding and that it gets low marks for location, I am going with Starwood in Rome.

Stayed at the St. Regis for my honeymoon for 5 nights on a pay 4/5th free award. Plat so got a pretty large room.

Bed was amazingly comfortable, but we had just come from a Italian "4 star" hotel near Cortona where the bed was a metal cot with a 8 inch mattress (and they had the gall to say it was "orthopedic"). So we are not sure if the bed was simply amazing or after the horrrible bed we had in Tuscany that this was "heaven". The sheets were absolutely amazing.

The concierge service is attentive and reasonably priced...they can get you ANY ticket to any attraction beforehand with enough notice.

Never had the breakfast because it was 40 euro a person (there is a little cafe down the street, 2 coffees, yogurt and danish, 8 euro). There is a McDonald's not too far away but they didn't serve breakfast.

The products in the bathroom were pretty awesome too, the best hotel shampoo I have ever used.

We went to the signature chef restaurant there for one night of splurging and did the chef's choice menu with wine tasting. It was really a fantastic meal. We even treated ourselves two nights in the bar for after dinner drinks and dessert...however this is not cheap, 2 drinks each and 2 desserts was about 80 euro but we had such a good time talking to the staff and other Americans at the hotel and room is gorgeous that we just did it.

Used the spa for massages for both of us, pretty decent price and massage.

Also the "stars" like staying at the St. Regis...Madonna and entourage was there the week before we were and Ben Stiller was doing promotions for Tropical Thunder there when we were there (even though we missed him).

Walked passed the Eden and the Excelsior walking back from the Spanish Steps one night and the neighborhood IS better around those 2 properties, but the neighboorhood around the St. Regis is not as awful as everyone makes it sound. The St. Regis is also 5 mins walk from a metro stop.

Used the St. Regis' cab service to FCO, only 30 euro or so more than a regular cab and nice Mercedes E Class.

Hope this helps.

- HF

Stayed at the St Regis in May. It is the definition of European opulence. Feels like James Bond might be having a drink in the lobby. Plat, so was upgraded to a very nice 2-room corner suite. Felt the neighborhood was fine, but have nothing to compare it to as I haven't been to the other properties in Rome...Also, took the car service to FCO -- very reasonable...

My wife and I wil be traveling to Rome to celebrate our anniversary in a few months. Due to award opportunities, we have the choice of staying in either the St. Regis Grand or the Westin Excelsior. The room type provided would be a Superior at St. Regis or a Deluxe at Excelsior. We have never stayed in either hotel.

Our two prime considerations regarding this choice are:

1. Quiet Room...in other words, facing an inner courtyard not the street. Both of us are light sleepers. A streetside room would mean no sleep at all.
2. AC that keeps the room cold, not warm.

Since the Excelsior is a much larger property with over twice as many rooms, my gut tells me that it will be easier to secure a courtyard room there than at the St. Regis. However, I can tell from past posts that the large majority of FlyerTalk guests prefer the St. Regis. As do most past guests posting comments online.

Please share your thoughts about the quiet room and the AC choice. We both would appreciate as much input as possible since we would love this to be a wonderful anniversary.

By the way, we must make our decision prior to Sunday afternoon, March 8.

Thanks much.

You won't have a problem with St Regis granting your request for a courtyard room. Stayed there for 7 nights over NYE. VERY quiet rooms overlooking the courtyard. Service has been impeccable throughout 3 of our stays in the past 5 years. The only advantage to Excelsior is location (right on Via Veneto). But if you really get down to it, St Regis is only a 5 minute walk from there.

Also, they're very good with upgrades.

St. Regis would be my first choice. The rooms are much more luxurious and the rooms are all very quiet, even those with views of the busy but beautiful Piazza della Republica.

My vote is for the Excelsior. My husband and I were just there in February and it was lovely. The location is great - we had a balconey overlooking the Via Veneto, but I wouldn't think there would be a problem getting an interior room. Also, we like our room chilled too and there was no problem with that at the Excelsior. Look online at the Starwood site for specail deals. We had an upgraded room and breakfast was included.

I am heading to Rome for the first time at the end of April and booked at the Westin, but just through very quick, brief read on Frommers online, sounds like the St. Regis might be a better choice? However, looks like the Westin just did a large reno. Anyone know? or does it matter? Thanks!

My parents recently stayed at the Westin for a couple days then switched to the Intercontinental De La Ville. They much preferred the location of the Intercontinental which was right at the Spanish steps, next door to the Hassler Hotel (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=intercontinental+rome,+italy&sll=42.068169,12.406296&sspn=0.005862,0.282898&g=de+la+villa+rome,+italy&ie=UTF8&ll=41.905599,12.483902&spn=0,359.717102&t=h&z=12&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=41.905805,12.483824&panoid=fsBagYkbazbGBLiyFtFqMw&cbp=12,302.2743615160606,,0,4.235436893203884). I guess better for sight seeing. The rate was also much cheaper, $160 / nt on PL. The room was pretty small, but they're use to American hotels with huge rooms. They said they were out and about all the time so it didn't matter.

For some reason, anytime I do searches on Flyertalk, I get random results. Any pointers? Thanks again.

That's a question for cheapelite!

BTW, I think there is little to choose between both those hotels in Rome. I would go for the St Regis on location alone, or, if you have children with you, the Westin as the upgrades are quite forthcoming.

Have a lovely trip!

I am heading to Rome for the first time at the end of April for one week. I am Platinum and am using my points. The Westin and the St. Regis are both Category 6 now and the same number of points. I did not look at the Eden, but looks like some people prefer that? I have read through the thread backwards based on more recent posts, but still can't really figure out where I should book.

-I usually like taking in a city's metro to explore a city - does being close to the metro in Rome really matter? I heard it was a "walking" city.
-I also like to use the gym, is one better than the other?
-I like being immersed in the local culture, so is the Westin location better? I'd like to be able to walk and find a nice plaza to sit and drink and read, people-watch; go find a little place where I can get a simple breakfast or snack; go to a little grocery store or meat shop, bread shop, etc.
-Upgrading easier at one than the other?
-Does one have better air conditioning than the other? (I like very cool rooms as well)
-Is the St. Regis that much nicer than the Westin for accommodation? I have never stayed at a St. Regis/Luxury Collection - should I try it?
-Will one offer free breakfast? (that's why I don't like Westins, no Concierge Lounge!)

Thanks for the suggestions! (BTW, I tried getting into the Marriott and I am Platinum with them as well and just want to get rid of my points, and even though they say there are no blackouts, they tell me this is their ONLY property where I couldn't book)

Thank you! - I agree, sounds like there isn't going to be that much of a difference and I won't really go wrong with either. I am just such a planner and like getting into EVERY detail, and just want the best when I am on vacation! I want to be pampered and spoiled! Happy Travels! Any Starwood properties you just absolutely LOVED?

I am heading to Rome for the first time at the end of April for one week. I am Platinum and am using my points. The Westin and the St. Regis are both Category 6 now and the same number of points. I did not look at the Eden, but looks like some people prefer that? I have read through the thread backwards based on more recent posts, but still can't really figure out where I should book.

-I usually like taking in a city's metro to explore a city - does being close to the metro in Rome really matter? I heard it was a "walking" city.
-I also like to use the gym, is one better than the other?
-I like being immersed in the local culture, so is the Westin location better? I'd like to be able to walk and find a nice plaza to sit and drink and read, people-watch; go find a little place where I can get a simple breakfast or snack; go to a little grocery store or meat shop, bread shop, etc.
-Upgrading easier at one than the other?
-Does one have better air conditioning than the other? (I like very cool rooms as well)
-Is the St. Regis that much nicer than the Westin for accommodation? I have never stayed at a St. Regis/Luxury Collection - should I try it?
-Will one offer free breakfast? (that's why I don't like Westins, no Concierge Lounge!)

Thanks for the suggestions! (BTW, I tried getting into the Marriott and I am Platinum with them as well and just want to get rid of my points, and even though they say there are no blackouts, they tell me this is their ONLY property where I couldn't book)

I think now that both properties are CAT6, this is a very good question to revisit. BOTH hotels used to be "Luxury Collection" properties. I stayed at the Excelsior when it was a CAT5 (and when CAT6 was the top category). I can't comment on the SR, although there are numerous good comments here. I was very impressed by the Excelsior, so I can only comment on that hotel, except my understanding is that the hotels are close to each other (I think), so the general answers to your location question should be similar. The Excelsior is in a great location. And, yes, Rome is a great walking city. You will have numerous options for for nearby plazas, restaurants, and a beautiful, mega-park. While there is a subway stop close by, we only used the subway once: to go from the hotel to the Colosseum, and from the Colosseum to the Vatican. For restaurants and other sight-seeing, we walked or took taxis.

* As for UGs, my suspicion is that the Excelsior has more many rooms, and more upgrade opportunities, and possibly a more liberal upgrade attitude; we got a wonderful penthouse suite upgrade with a balcony and great city view.

* Breakfasts: neither hotel comes with breakfast, and while the breakfast at the Excelsior was exceptional (one of the best), it was also extremely expensive for the buffet (30-35 Euros) and a la carte was very expensive too. But there are numerous cafes close by, including across the street.

* The Excelsior has a nice fitness, spa.

My guess is that the hotels have very different feelings. Excelsior is a very large, grande dame, palatial hotel. The public areas are beautiful. Service is very good for a big hotel.

I am sure the SR will be much more intimate.

It is important to note that BOTH hotels are "Luxury Collection" properties.

While they both may be luxury hotels, they are NOT Luxury Collection properties.

While they both may be luxury hotels, they are NOT Luxury Collection properties.

Interesting. Neither are now Luxury Collection properties? I think they both used to be (4-5 years ago?). I stayed there as part of the SPG Platinum Luxury Collection 3 property promotion. For our 3 Luxury Collection properties, we stayed at the Park Tower in London, Europa and Regina in Venice, and Excelsior in Rome. Now, it looks like many of the Luxury Collection properties have been deleted from the Luxury Collection. Wonder what happened?

Mr. Wine1K is taking me to Rome for romantic NYE. Using points - Excelsior, St. R and Eden LM all same - 20k/night. Husband is Plat *wood and Diamond HH. WA Cavalieri sold out even to Diamonds for points on 12/30 and 31. Leaning towards Excelsior or LM. Maybe 2 nights Eden and 3 nights Cavalieri? Any suggestions? Thanks.

OK, with Excelsior's drop in category, I now have a delimma. :)

I currently have a 5 night stay over Christmas for 2 rooms at the St. Regis (using C&P awards). But with the Excelsior dropping to a Cat. 5, it could get 2 rooms there for 15K points and $600 less for those same 5 days. I assume there is a reason why the Excelsior has dropped. But when I look at both of their rates over my stay dates, the rates aren't that different.

Based on reviews I had decided that the St. Regis would probably provide a bit more of a memorable stay, but I'm not sure it would be worth the extra points and cash for it.

Note I'm traveling with my family (wife and two teenagers) and none of us have been to Rome before (and the rest of the family has never been to Europe before either.)

OK, with Excelsior's drop in category, I now have a delimma. :)

I currently have a 5 night stay over Christmas for 2 rooms at the St. Regis (using C&P awards). But with the Excelsior dropping to a Cat. 5, it could get 2 rooms there for 15K points and $600 less for those same 5 days. I assume there is a reason why the Excelsior has dropped. But when I look at both of their rates over my stay dates, the rates aren't that different.

Based on reviews I had decided that the St. Regis would probably provide a bit more of a memorable stay, but I'm not sure it would be worth the extra points and cash for it.

Note I'm traveling with my family (wife and two teenagers) and none of us have been to Rome before (and the rest of the family has never been to Europe before either.)

I'm facing the same dilemma for my stay in May. I decided to keep my reservation with the St Regis since this is a romantic vacation with my husband for our anniversary, so I want to have as much luxury as possible during our trip, and I have plenty of points to use for the whole stay.

If you're saving up for another vacation in the next year, or if cost is enough of an issue, I would suggest that you change to the Westin Excelsior. I've read they have bigger rooms there, the rooms are still luxurious, and I've heard the location is better. If they were 12,000 points when I was initially making the reservation, I would have booked it and not looked back. Just be careful you don't get a smoking room (or floor), if you're not a smoker. And also definitely ask for an upgrade if you're an elite member.

Interesting. Neither are now Luxury Collection properties? I think they both used to be (4-5 years ago?). I stayed there as part of the SPG Platinum Luxury Collection 3 property promotion. For our 3 Luxury Collection properties, we stayed at the Park Tower in London, Europa and Regina in Venice, and Excelsior in Rome. Now, it looks like many of the Luxury Collection properties have been deleted from the Luxury Collection. Wonder what happened?


I do find it strange as well that it's no longer Luxury. The Westin Excelsior in Naples is still Luxury, and the room rates are half the price of the St Regis Rome and Westin Excelsior Rome hotels. Also just FYI, the ones in Rome are not both Category 6 right now, the Westin Excelsior is a Category 5 (12,000 pts per stay). This is definitely a recent development (within the past two months), as I was looking up the rates in February and they were both Category 6 at the time.

I prefer the Westin because the less pts needed for an award stay (12K vs 20K).

For the second time in a row, I have selected the Excelsior of the SR. While I have not stayed at the SR, I felt my last stay at the Excelsior was exactly what I was looking for in a Rome property, so why play around with success?

Next visit is 5 nights in September. Will post a trip report.

Cheers,

Hi -

What would you recommend for the following visit:

- Staying just 1 Saturday night in October
- On weekend free night stay (so no issue on number of points)
- Would like easy transport to FCO, likely train to Termini (wife will be very pregnant at the time!)
- Platinum status, so any lounge/upgrade/other benefits should be considered.


Thanks for any opinions, tons of threads here, so still sifting through it ...

What would you recommend for the following visit:

- Staying just 1 Saturday night in October
- On weekend free night stay (so no issue on number of points)
- Would like easy transport to FCO, likely train to Termini (wife will be very pregnant at the time!)
- Platinum status, so any lounge/upgrade/other benefits should be considered.

YMMV, but I'd choose the Excelsior over the Eden b/c it is marginally better located and you are more likely to get a good upgrade as Plat. And, I would choose Excelsior over StR b/c I don't like the StR's location nearly as well. For me, Rome is location, location, location. Surely others will disagree.

Dave

For me, Rome is location, location, location. Surely others will disagree.For a one night stay, I have to agree. If you were staying for more nights, then the room, service, luxury standards, etc. might play a bigger part in the decision. But for one night, the difference between the 3 is fairly small and I would want to see and do as much as possible for the short time there. So location becomes the more important deciding factor.

Great, sounds like the Excelsior is the way to go... thanks!

For a one night stay, I have to agree. If you were staying for more nights, then the room, service, luxury standards, etc. might play a bigger part in the decision. But for one night, the difference between the 3 is fairly small and I would want to see and do as much as possible for the short time there. So location becomes the more important deciding factor.

Some good advice here.

FCO to termini by train, walk through termini Station and get taxi to your hotel are not difficult for healthy people even with luggage, however, if your wife is very pregnant at that time, I will recommend to hire the shuttle service(Excelsior site here had several recommendations of shuttle companies).

agree with redlancer... I stayed in the Excelsior a week ago on an award night. 12k vs 20k points did it for me.

Also, if I'd paid for the night (last minute booking), the Excelsior was actually higher priced. SR & Eden looked smaller & more personable, though... Excelsior was huge. Would definitely stay there again, though :-)

At this point, both the SR and the Excelsior are CAT6, requiring 20,000 points/night in August.

What would you recommend for my parents, who are Gold, and other relatives who have no status?

I am leaning towards the SR as with no expectation of an upgrade, I am thinking there is no bad room at the SR, whereas there may be a larger range of not so good and "better" rooms at the Excelsior.

I stayed at the Excelsior as a Platinum and got a great suite upgrade, and have a feeling they have more suites, but as a Gold or less without suite UG potential, I think the SR might be better.

My brother will be traveling with two children (boys, 13 and 15), and they might like the pool at the Excelsior, but they'd probably only use it once...?

At this point, both the SR and the Excelsior are CAT6, requiring 20,000 points/night in August.

What would you recommend for my parents, who are Gold, and other relatives who have no status?

I am leaning towards the SR as with no expectation of an upgrade, I am thinking there is no bad room at the SR, whereas there may be a larger range of not so good and "better" rooms at the Excelsior.

I stayed at the Excelsior as a Platinum and got a great suite upgrade, and have a feeling they have more suites, but as a Gold or less without suite UG potential, I think the SR might be better.

My brother will be traveling with two children (boys, 13 and 15), and they might like the pool at the Excelsior, but they'd probably only use it once...?

This question could also be posed in the "Rome: Which Hotel is Best" thread...but the question is best for what given what assumptions...so, I guess my question is which is best for Golds and below on award stays?

bump up

When do they load the rooms for the St. Regis and Westin into the SPG reservation system? I am trying to book a room for April 2012 and the calendar at spg.com does not seem to extend beyond March 31.

Strange, as there is no problem making a reservation at the other lesser SPG properties in Rome. :(

When do they load the rooms for the St. Regis and Westin into the SPG reservation system? I am trying to book a room for April 2012 and the calendar at spg.com does not seem to extend beyond March 31.

Strange, as there is no problem making a reservation at the other lesser SPG properties in Rome. :(

I've noticed this in the past when trying to book the Excelsior a year in advance. And I've also noticed, and mentioned in one of the Excelsior's threads that once at first load in they'd have crazy rates (prepaid rates that were much more than the BAR, etc). But eventually they would load in correct rates, and of course since they use a dynamic reservation system the best BARs were available initially, and then as the hotel received bookings and the arrival time approached, the BARs would get steeper and steeper.

If you're using points I imagine an SPG phone rep could book it now. And it's always recommended to make your points booking as soon as you have the points - so you're protected if they then raise the requirement. Also, in the past there were some years when I booked a year in advance, that they wouldn't have loaded in the low/high peak season dates so I was able to get the low season rate, which would later require the high season points to subsequent travelers. (And I'm not talking about when SPG temporarily stopped their low/high seasons). I eventually mentioned these anomalies to the hotel and they said it was due to different computer systems used by them and SPG and that they, of course, had done everything correctly.

So yes, my experience with the Excelsior atleast is that their efficiency with updating SPG.com sometimes was lacking, but then again, I ended up benefitting from this on several occasions. (Because whatever I booked thru SPG.com would always be honored).

Looks like the rates have finally been loaded for my dates, alas no cash + points but the St. Regis @ E352/nt and Westin @ E333/nt - both cheaper than the Marriott @ E359/nt. At those prices I don't feel the need to act immediately.

I have 3 nights in Rome (first time). Leaning towards SR, as the reviews are much better. Am gold and almost Platinum and the possibility of getting a suite would be wonderful. The stay over Christmas. Thoughts?

I have 3 nights in Rome (first time). Leaning towards SR, as the reviews are much better. Am gold and almost Platinum and the possibility of getting a suite would be wonderful. The stay over Christmas. Thoughts?

I vote for the Excelsior - and recently gave my reasons in the thread linked below (post #216, currently on the last page):

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/563478-rome-general-discussion-thread-where-should-i-stay-hotel-better-etc.html

Would love some insight on whether to book the St Regis vs the Excelsior for an upcoming stay. Both are offering C+P option at $150+8000 pts, so price is non-factor. Wondering which is the better choice for us given that we have two young children (ages 2 & 5) and therefore having a nice SPG Plat suite upgrade is the most important thing for a comfortable stay. Seems like people generally prefer the St Regis overall, but that Plat upgrades to suites are more likely at the Excelsior. I've read about a lot of Plats being upgraded to Imperial room at the St Regis but with two little ones, that isn't an ideal situation for us no matter how nice of a room that might be. Any advice is welcome.

I was trying to make the same decision: I spent a bunch of time reading up on the forums. Here's what I concluded:

1) St Regis is an older, more historic property. Slight experiential edge on brand / luxury.
2) Yes, Westin has better Platinum upgrades, but STR has upgrades too.
3) My guess is that Westin is better fit with two kids.
4) That being said, I booked STR for three nights over Christmas.

...1) St Regis is an older, more historic property....

Well, not by much. The Grand hotel opened in 1894. The Excelsior opened in 1906.

Here are some articles on the two properties containing some interesting trivia - if anyone's interested:

The Grand: http://www.famoushotels.org/article/746

The Excelsior: http://famoushotels.org/article/981 (this is actually an article about a book on the Excelsior)

Stayed at the Excelsior in 2011 - found the heating was up too high and made the rooms very stuffy.

Stayed at the Excelsior in 2011 - found the heating was up too high and made the rooms very stuffy.

Then adjust the thermostat to your liking.

:confused:

Wound up booking the Westin for 5 nights starting tomorrow. Got a rate of 199€ which was hard to beat and the Westin pre-upgraded me to the Grand Luxe Suite, so that will make it a much better experience with the family in-tow. I'll report back on how the stay goes.

Wound up booking the Westin for 5 nights starting tomorrow. Got a rate of 199€ which was hard to beat and the Westin pre-upgraded me to the Grand Luxe Suite, so that will make it a much better experience with the family in-tow. I'll report back on how the stay goes.

I predict it will go just fine...you'll have a great time in Rome!

As a platinum using SNA, was upgraded from from a superior room to a junior suite, no higher upgrade possible according to the FD. I hear you have better upgrades at the Westin. Both locations are within a few blocks of each other, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Tip: if you stay at the Westin, there's a BNL/BNP paribas group bank west across the street from the US Embassy which is directly south of the Westin. If you have Bank of America, BNL is a part of their Global Alliance ATM where you can withdraw euros at market rate fee free I believe.

Oh man, these properties were showing at 20K each in June until yesterday. I was contemplating booking it, but sure enough as I finally made up my mind and ready to book it is back to 25K for the same dates. :( I thnk the 20K lasted for like a week, now they are back to the high season again.

Torn between Westin and St Regis. Good problem to have I guess

Oh man, these properties were showing at 20K each in June until yesterday. I was contemplating booking it, but sure enough as I finally made up my mind and ready to book it is back to 25K for the same dates. :( I thnk the 20K lasted for like a week, now they are back to the high season again.

I wonder if Award Wallet was trying to tell me. I have 2 nights in june booked , at 25,000 each. Earlier this week I got a automatic looking email, showing "new reservations". It confirmed my upcoming stay, and other stays , but had 50,000 struck thru, followed by 40,000 . I guess I should have responded by rebooking at 40,000. this morning I got another email confirming "New reservation at 50,000 pts" I'll pay more attention to award wallet in the future. Is this a service they provide , or just a fluke?

Torn between Westin and St Regis. Good problem to have I guess

Well, we have not stayed at the St. Regis - but did stay at the Westin Excelsior 2 years ago. We were upgraded to a 2nd floor corner suite overlooking Via Veneto! The suite was fabulous - the overall staffing was super good and the bar was wonderful and always packed. We also liked the location - you can certainly walk to all the "tourist" spots.......we loved it!^

I have stayed several times at Excelsior and always got good upgrades since I have been SPG Platinum member and also used AMEX FHR booking for my family room.
Now, I plan to take some friends and considering to stay at Eden first time in mid September.

Eden is located inch closer to the tourist areas, and nice view from the room and restaurante if upgraded .
I personally do not like the lobby at Excelsior.
Also, I do not know why, but Excelsior used to have breakfast at Cafe Doney before, but last year we had breakfast at huge room(very boring looking) at back of the lobby.

However, I worry about the Eden because of the tiny room(about 250sq vs Excelsior 380 sq) at Eden if not upgraded,
Also, the Eden bathroom has only tub with shower.
Excelsior has tub and separate shower booth, right?

If we get spacious/better rooms at Eden, we might try there, but if it is not easy to be upgraded, I guess we should still stay at Excelsior .

St. Regis is nice, but I do not like the location.