Starwood Preferred Guest - W Sydney!

About to retire early cause of a long week... But what a nice hotel! Very friendly. The bi level loft feels so homey. Quite expensive but I would say worth it. Anyone share my opinion? What rooms are better than Bi Level? I did not see any better rooms when booking. Definatly worth getting the Two level rooms. I wish I wasn't too tired and it wasn't a Wed night, wouldn't mind bringing up a nice Aussie girl.

I wasn't impressed by the Marina Loft room that I stayed in. Shoddy construction, poor quality furnishings, sub-standard bath. More like a budget loft. Bed was nice, but loft was a bit small (no space to put luggage, and not even space for a real TV, they just had a small tv that pulled out from the closet). Living room was an awkward shape for entertaining and the furniture really was crummy (as a point of comparison, the W Newark -- maybe the worst W in the US -- has better furniture in its rooms and a nicer bath. You are right about the expensive part, though. I liked the hotel location and ambience (many would not, it is a bit of a walk to CBD or anywhere -- something that I personally liked a lot). And being next to Harry's Cafe de Wheels has its own special charm. Also the W Sydney has great service; they really can do anything, anytime!

Those pier lofts are great. For $225 AUD and effectively 10,000 SPG points (from the 50,000 Asia-Pacific promotion), it was almost too good to be true. And the hotel staff is friendly.

And bringing back a nice Aussie girl is most certainly not a bad idea. ;-)

I enjoyed my stay at the W in a Bi Level Loft room.

Only problem was that I was had over by a Porter.

As our room was not ready he assured me that if we went out he would look after our bags and place them in our room before we return. I gave him a very nice tip for doing this. When we returned a lot later, nd went straight up to our room, no sign of any bags , and the porter was off duty. Another guy bought our bags up. I could not say sorry mate but ****** had your tip, so tiped him as well.

Not very happy.

GUWonder, how did you get the A$225 rate? The best rate that I can get for a stay on July 22 is A$275.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jchand:
I enjoyed my stay at the W in a Bi Level Loft room.

Only problem was that I was had over by a Porter.

As our room was not ready he assured me that if we went out he would look after our bags and place them in our room before we return. I gave him a very nice tip for doing this. When we returned a lot later, nd went straight up to our room, no sign of any bags , and the porter was off duty. Another guy bought our bags up. I could not say sorry mate but ****** had your tip, so tiped him as well.

Not very happy.

</font>

Tipping is not expected in Australia...like in US or Europe! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



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kpc

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BoSoxinBkk:
GUWonder, how did you get the A$225 rate? The best rate that I can get for a stay on July 22 is A$275.</font>

On SPG.com back in March for a mid-week stay in April, if I remember correctly. I had booked a higher rate that had free cancellations (cannot remember the exact terms), but then one day low and behold it was my lucky day while double checking prices on SPG.com, and I just went ahead and booked it and then cancelled my older, higher rate reservation.

Edit: My date was $249 AUD. Just double checked. It billed out as $149.27 USD on my Citbank statement.

[This message has been edited by GUWonder (edited 06-18-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ryan754:
I wish I wasn't too tired and it wasn't a Wed night, wouldn't mind bringing up a nice Aussie girl.</font>

Would you not want to bring back a "bad" Aussie girl? Anyway, it is a great hotel in a great location. Never had the pleasure of a loft suite though.

I enjoyed my visit to this location as well. Good restaurants and bakery on premises. Nice setting, away from the rest of the city, with an aesthetic park walk to the Opera House.

Only downside, it took me awhile to figure out how those french press coffee containers worked! Don't see too many of these in the U.S.

I love this hotel. Only problem is my clothes aren't funky enough to fit in to the general decor and ambience. If only I were a little younger...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by shortfinals:
I love this hotel. Only problem is my clothes aren't funky enough to fit in to the general decor and ambience. If only I were a little younger...</font>My solution: only wear black. Intimidates the staff enough to stop the smirking. And if they do smirk, ask them for something that is difficult to do. Great fun watching them adjust their headsets.

You can get A$225 rate with SPG50 - that's what I did. I found these employees very friendly and helpful - unlike some Ws in US. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

The workout facility was dark and bit crappy, but restaurants were great (especially Otto). I did not get to stay there on weekend, but I was told it's the most popular bar in the city now.

My brief report...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/007112.html

W was the most popular bar in Sydney last year. I doubt it will be again this year. Too expensive for Sydney (of course they can easily fix that). The W could be a fabulous hotel -- it is in a gorgeous old building which was saved and renovated, but while the apartment part of the complex is quite nice (I was invited to tour said apartment by a friendly Australian girl) the hotel part appears to have run short of money and they cut a lot of corners in the construction. A pity as this will be hard to remedy later. Did it open in time for the Olympics? I forget, but that might account for the construction anomalies.

I can't make my mind up on the W at Sydney...

The one thing I really dislike is the constant sell...Everything is for sales, and don't you know it from check in to the room...within 10 mins, 3 people tried to get me to use points on crap...

Leave me alone....stop trying to sell the contents and it would be a nice Hotel...

Bad Location!

Internet TV is bad! The rest is fine.

BoSoxinBkk,

If you use SPG60, then the rate is A$200. Not a bad deal at all and after all, using this rate also counts towards you stay.

If you need the SPG60 certificate, let me know.

Cheers.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by oneworld Fan:
BoSoxinBkk,

If you use SPG60, then the rate is A$200. Not a bad deal at all and after all, using this rate also counts towards you stay.

If you need the SPG60 certificate, let me know.

Cheers.</font>


i thought it was SPG50, not 60. is australia different?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by oneworld Fan:
BoSoxinBkk,

If you use SPG60, then the rate is A$200. Not a bad deal at all and after all, using this rate also counts towards you stay.

If you need the SPG60 certificate, let me know.

Cheers.</font>

Actually, you can't use the SPG60 on the lowest rates. They only accept it for Pier rooms or hight, so that the cheapest room on an SPG60 would cost around $275. You can use an SPG50 on the Woolloomooloo rooms which then come to $225. You can't use SPG50s on the Z rooms (the lowest room category either).

That is not correct. As Oneworld Fan pointed out, you can use the SPG60 at W Sydney. Under this rate, you only pay A$200. I checked it with the Starwood Reservations in Australia and that's what they quoted.

If you are Starwood Platinum member, then you would be upgraded to the next best available room.

As part of Starwood Privilege membership bought from Australia, you receive various SPG50 certificates (good for 3 nights) and two SPG60 certificates (good for 1 night).

I am not sure what the rules are for other Starwood Privilege membership that are bought in other Asia Pacific countries. If anyone knows, it would be good to share this information.

In conclusion, you can book a W Hotel in Sydney for A$200 using the SPG60 certificate and at the same time receive StarPoints and stay credit.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
i thought it was SPG50, not 60. is australia different?</font>Australia is different, and this is a purchased discount plan (effectively prepaid benefits). I forget the details but it is not very lucrative, cost is something like AUD 200 which gets you a bunch of discount coupons and upgrades and trinkets (the SPG60 certificate mentioned is one of these, valid only at Australian starwood and a few other hotels). Anyone can purchase this package from starwood in Australia.

When I stayed at the W Sydney in late April, as a Plat I was upgraded to a marina loft suite, which I found too small for comfort. It's narrow and claustrophobic, and the bathroom is so small it only has room for a shower stall.

After discussion with the front desk, I was moved to a deluxe marina room, which, while not necessarily huge, was definitely an improvement over the lofts.

They explained to me that they will change the room category soon and make the deluxe marina rooms a higher category than the marina lofts (as of April it was the other way around). In the future, Plats will be upgraded to the marina rooms. Not sure if and when this change will be implemented.

Everyone so far has overlooked the major selling point of this property: it is the closest hotel to the legendary Harry's Café de Wheels! Classic Aussie cuisine of meat pie with peas, chips and gravy. Washed down with a pint of Coopers Sparkling Ale from one of the off-license bottle shops directly across from the W.

i can't think of a starwood hotel discussed on flyertalk that has such a mixed and varied review. i have no idea if i should stay here. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

it seems like the bottom line is that it is loud, out of the way, and hip with small rooms.

is that about it?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sfvoyage:
After discussion with the front desk, I was moved to a deluxe marina room, which, while not necessarily huge, was definitely an improvement over the lofts.

They explained to me that they will change the room category soon and make the deluxe marina rooms a higher category than the marina lofts (as of April it was the other way around). In the future, Plats will be upgraded to the marina rooms. Not sure if and when this change will be implemented.</font>

A little off topic, but this is not the only Starwood property with slightly wonky room 'rankings'. The 4pts Sydney
lists its' Mariner room as a speciality upgrade from a standard room. Whilst not particularly big, I feel it's probably a little bit more desirable (bigger balcony, nice cosy feel) than a Darling Harbour or Cockle Bay suite. I've asked for 'downgrades' before when they've preupgraded me to these suites.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Shareholder:
Everyone so far has overlooked the major selling point of this property: it is the closest hotel to the legendary Harry's Caf?de Wheels! Classic Aussie cuisine of meat pie with peas, chips and gravy. Washed down with a pint of Coopers Sparkling Ale from one of the off-license bottle shops directly across from the W.</font>Hmmmmmmmm.... Yum. I had that just last week. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
i can't think of a starwood hotel discussed on flyertalk that has such a mixed and varied review. i have no idea if i should stay here. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

it seems like the bottom line is that it is loud, out of the way, and hip with small rooms.

is that about it?</font>The hotel is good but not outstanding. Some other hotels in Sydney are better, but in most US cities this W would be the best hotel in town. The good features: excellent staff, great location on the wharf, great bar, free internet access (in the business center). The bad features: poor quality rooms (shoddy construction, bad layout, trashed furniture), noisy bar amplified by the building style, somewhat inconvenient location, high phone and in-room internet access charges, inadequate heat and air conditioning (at least for the dual-level loft rooms), poor swimming pool and gym. And one doorman who is completely incompetent (the others are excellent).



[This message has been edited by number_6 (edited 06-29-2003).]

Made it back from Bora Bora to Auckland. Update on hooking up with a Aussie... MEt a beautiful Kiwi here at Sheraton AKL. And lets just say I have delayed my travel plans back to BKK and USA http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Glad to read that EMPESS. Maybe we can have further grounds for reconciliation afterall. "The Amazing Race", Harry's meat pies...

Back on topic, this is a property that appeals to a very specific type of traveller. I enjoyed my stay there shortly after it opened, even though it was isolated from the main part of the city -- through a nice walk up to Kings Cross or Darlinghurst through an interesting resdential district. I enjoy exploring such neighbourhoods in the cities I visit, and try to walk or take public transit as much as possible to get a more accurate feel and knowledge about a place. But I know this is not what most travellers are looking for.

Ws are theatre in most cities, and this one is no exception. I dress the part -- basic black, movie producer/ad exec garb -- and play the role.

Meat pie and mushy peas! No wonder the Australian Navy docks there.

It's open all night and a hang-out for cabbies. There's a similar wagon, though less renowned, near the Hilton in Adelaide.

The quickest way to the city is to walk across the highway bridge (the elevator didn't work), across the park (with one section a steep incline....but good exercise, nevertheless), onto the street, pass the church and viola...Market Street. It's downhill on the return.

Would like the W's rates to be lower...but I'm sure a couple of cheerleaders and myself in that hotel is exactly what I'd look for. :-)

SHADO

had a very poor meal at Otto (W Sydney restaurant) last night. i had a 9 PM booking made by the Westin Sydney's concierge. wasn't seated until after 9:30 PM. this made for a very quick dinner as i was meeting friends at 11 PM fifteen minutes away by taxi. food was okay. service was lousy. the somelier (spelling?) sold me a A120 bottle of pinot. he decanted it, poured it, and left...never to return to see if i liked it (which i didn't). at the end of the meal, he breezed by the table to pick up the bottle but didn't say a word (he was a blur and i barely saw him reach for the bottle as i was talking to my friend).

neither he nor the waiter never said one word about why we left over a half bottle of wine completely untouched, especially considering its cost. not one word....

very poor experience.

[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited Dec 31, 2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
had a very poor meal at Otto (W Sydney restaurant) last night.</font>Classic Otto. The place is very busy, makes tons of money and you have to have "protection" to eat there and enjoy it. Next time try Rockpool instead.

Ditto the Rockpool. Its in the Rocks area.


Or a weekday night for a pre-dinner cocktails in the basement of the Westin.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
Next time try Rockpool instead.</font>

i did rockpool also. incredible!!

[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited Jan 03, 2004).]

Any recent stays here? I'll be there in March.