Starwood Preferred Guest - Westin Philippine Plaza: Recent Experience

I will be visiting Manila a few times in the next couple of months and being Platinum I thought I'd stay at the Westin Philippine Plaza to rack up some stay credits, even though the hotel's location is not central. I thought I was an expert on this hotel since I stayed there many times in the late 90's. So I was looking at SPG.com rates and saw that there are basically two rates: $72 (which is in line with my expectation of this hotel based on past experience) and $135 for a "newly renovated" room with the Heavenly Bed.

Has anyone stayed at this hotel recently, as in the last year or since renovation? More specifically, has anyone booked the lower $72 rate and as a Platinum or Gold got a newly renovated room or even better a newly renovated suite? Or is the situation like that at Sheraton Hong Kong where in terms of upgrade there's a wall between the "hotel" wing and the "tower wing" that even a Plat can't penetrate?

After having had many lengthy discussions, a few months ago, about this very topic with various levels of management at the hotel, including the director of rooms, I have to say that your chances of getting a renovated room as an upgrade are slim to none. They will, however, happily upgrade Platinums to a suite, which actually sells for more than a renovated room. Go figure. You will also be given valuable Lounge access which has great food and beverage selections as well as free internet.

From what I saw, the renovated rooms are more tastefull and look as though they belong in the 21st century, whereas the regular rooms have a 70's tropical motif that is a little tired and worn around the edges. I was also told that the renovated rooms still have the original bathrooms.

Oddly enough, the photo tour on the Westin website depicts only the renovated room, even though they comprise a small fraction of the hotel's total capacity. Truth in advertising? I mentioned this to the management, and their response was that they didn't have enough photo slots on their webpage. Funny, when I look at "Rooms and Amenities" they only have 3 photos and a blank spot. We all know they can show a few more than that, now don't we? ;)

I checked in as a Gold on a cash and miles stay last month, and was given a room on the SPG preferred floor....and it wasn't the Heavenly Bed! It was an older, though large enough, room with an older bed and bath. Perfectly serviceable, but nothing special.
That said, the reason to stay at the Westin isn't location (walking distance to absolutely nowhere), or beds, or any of that.
It's the gorgeous pool--you really can just about forget you're in the middle of one of the most chaotic cities in the world. It feels like a resort. The health club is also amazing--excellent gym, also tennis courts, trainer on hand to help with weightlifting, also whirlpool, massage, and steam. Quite nice, and free for guests. Book spa treatments ahead of time, especially on weekends.
Have fun!

I'll echo kyushuman's comments. I stayed there for a night in late June, and while it was an excellent Category 1 value at 2,000 Starpoints for a weekend night, the bedroom and bathroom are certainly getting dated. The pool is indeed one of the property's best features.

My stay in April 2003 was quite a bit better, but I think I had simply been lucky to be upgraded to a suite as a Gold, which of course set my expectations higher for the future. ;) I didn't notice any changes to the hotel in the past year, so it seems like any renovations must not have been hotel-wide.

On another note, I still have unresolved billing issues with this hotel. I gave them an Amex at checkin when they asked for a card for incidental expenses, but upon checkout, I instead gave them my MBNA Visa (for a better currency exchange rate!). When I got my statements recently, however, I was billed the full amount on both cards!

SPG customer service says I have to take it up directly with the hotel, but according to them, the hotel doesn't have an email address. :td: I sent a fax to the hotel nearly 3 weeks ago, but haven't gotten a reply, and I'm reluctant to call the hotel directly, as it's not that cheap to call Manila (and this is only a $20 charge in question!). I may have to dispute the charge with Amex, but I'm giving them a few more days to respond...

SPG customer service says I have to take it up directly with the hotel, but according to them, the hotel doesn't have an email address.

Try:

Westin Philippine Plaza (bscenter@westinmanila.com)

Try:

Westin Philippine Plaza (bscenter@westinmanila.com)

Thanks both to Mr. Roboto and Starwood Lurker for hooking me up with better contact info for the hotel! I'm sure my billing snafu will be resolved quickly! ^

I will be staying there next Tuesday night, so can give a further update then. Luckily, even though I'm staying only one night, I arrive in the early afternoon from KUL so I'll be able to fully enjoy the pool and gym. :cool: And avoid the slightly tatty room as long as possible.

Thanks all for your replies. I really appreciate it. I guess I'll have to contend myself at best with a nonrenovated suite :(

Kyushuman, I'm looking forward to your update next week.