Starwood Preferred Guest - Calgary - Sheraton Suite Eau Claire or Westin? [Master Thread]

Hi,

First time in Calgary and I need advice from people who have stayed at both these properties. I have found a rate for 139 CAD at the Westin that includes breakfast and as SPG Gold I can get upgraded to a better room. On the other hand, the best rate at the Sheraton is 149 CAD room only but it is a suite.

According to the trip advisor site, the Sheraton is the #1 property in YYC per customer satisfaction. These 2 locations are not that far from each other and I am aware of where they are in downtown. I would be interested to know which of these two is the better one in terms of comfort, service and overall experience.

I've stayed in both of these. I think the Westin is slightly better, but the Eau Claire location is nicer if the weather is good because there are some eateries and shopping right across the street from the hotel, and there is an island park on the river next to the hotel which is nice for walking about. There is also a nice restaurant in that park that serves wild game. Try the rabbit, it's great.

You can pick up good suits in Calgary. Caddy-corner from the Westin there is a shop called Supreme Men's Wear. The suits are well made and of good value. They also introduced me to some micro-fiber dress shirts when they first came out. It's a good store with excellent service, as the owners work there.

Everything in Calgary is in close proximity, so either hotel is suitable location wise. It's a very nice city.

M8

I much prefer the Eau Claire Suites hotel. From my experience, larger rooms, terrific Club level lounge with nice evening and morning fare, terrific management, trendier, small waterslide etc. The Westin, although decent, seems rather plain by comparison. Guaranteed Club level rooms can be had for quite reasonable rates and are very nice w/ amenities etc provided. Valet parking is @$20 CAD in both hotels. Suites at the Eau Claire are likely to be larger than anything you will be upgraded to at the Westin and the Eau Claire is a guaranteed suite.

If you need anything else, PM me.

and welcome to Calgary !

I stayed at the Westin a few months ago and I was not impressed.
The room and the public areas seemed a bit run down and in need of a good spring cleaning, if you get what I mean ;)

On the other hand, both dinner at their restaurant and breakfast were above average ^

Sheraton, hands down, status or not. If you are a plat, breakfast will be included in the lounge at the Sheraton anyway, so that is not a consideration.

Hand's down, Sheraton Suites! In my experience, the Westin doesn't even come CLOSE to the SS, and that's even considering that I was u/g to a large suite at the Westin. The SS is considerably newer, the rooms are just great (plus I like the 'separate bedroom' layout), nice gym & pool, the Club Lounge is awesome, but the hotel's real strength is it's staff. Without exception (at least in my experience) they are the most helpful, cheerful, efficient and welcoming I've encountered anywhere. They really do bend over backwards to ensure you have an excellent stay. I travel to Edmonton frequently, and I like the SS so much I'm considering spending at least the 1st and last night of my trips in Calgary at the SS, even with the drive.

Only downside is they are usually more expensive than the Westin. But it's worth it!

Hand's down, Sheraton Suites! In my experience, the Westin doesn't even come CLOSE to the SS, and that's even considering that I was u/g to a large suite at the Westin. The SS is considerably newer, the rooms are just great (plus I like the 'separate bedroom' layout), nice gym & pool, the Club Lounge is awesome, but the hotel's real strength is it's staff. Without exception (at least in my experience) they are the most helpful, cheerful, efficient and welcoming I've encountered anywhere. They really do bend over backwards to ensure you have an excellent stay. I travel to Edmonton frequently, and I like the SS so much I'm considering spending at least the 1st and last night of my trips in Calgary at the SS, even with the drive.

Only downside is they are usually more expensive than the Westin. But it's worth it!

Eau Claire all the way. It's not even close in my opinion.

I am grateful for all your replies and insightful advice. I reserved the Sheraton and will do a trip report afterwards.

This is disapointing, i have a reservation that i can't cancel at the westin and now i hear all this bad stuff. geez. i thought that with my lowly status of prefered plus i could receive an upgrade. I think this is mainly a business hotel and so i booked for the weekend so perhaps i still have a chance, anyways a rate of 87.5/ night for two nights isn't bad.

Any tips on who to deal with at the front desk????

I live in Calgary but took Mrs Cattle to the Westin 2 weeks ago so we could try ou the Heavenly Bed as we seriously considered getting one. As a plat I was upgraded to a corner Jr Suite with opening patio door overlooking Eau Claire. The Bed was great and that was about it.

The hotel feels dated but dont despair scanvenger. For that price you get the Heavenly Bed and you will be fine :) It is two blocks walk (less than 5 minutes) to Eua Claire.

In the future I would say in the future if the difference is only $10 per night and you can swing it go for it but for the $60 spread between your's and OP's rates I wouldn't worry :)