Starwood Preferred Guest - Pasadena: Sheraton or Westin? [Master Thread]

I've lost my gold status at SPG, so I am now a low life. However, can anyone reccomend either the Westin or Sheraton over that of maybe the Hilton.

I've read the other posts out there, and I just wanted to know if there was any new info out there.

Welllll,since it is my current home.
The Westin started out as a Doubletree,it is very nice,2 blocks to "old town"(colorado blvd)and 3 to the convention center.
The Sheraton and Hilton are older properties-both ok,nothing special.
We do have a brand new courtyard on Fair Oaks that is pretty nice.
The only thing about the Westin is they have plantation shutters-so if you are a light sleeper that can be a bother,other than that-it is the nicest-but only by a bit.
If you don't mind not getting points you can priceline pasadena-4 star will get you the Westin,2 1/2 will get you the courtyard usually.
We also have a very grand Ritz Carlton here(the Huntington)

I've stayed in both and the Westin is a nicer hotel, plus its better located to the downtown resturants and the highway. However the Sheraton is normally $30-50 less expensive, plus less expensive parking. The Club lounge in the Sheraton is also nice, with a quick nice easy breakfast.

So I guess you get what you pay for. Is a better bed and a better location worth $40 - $50 - only you can answer that.

Just avoid the Four Points in Monrovia. Its less than $100 a night but sooooo noisy. The rush hour begins at 4am and ends at 3am . The hotel is less than 30 yards from the highway and is positioned so all rooms have a highway view!

Just avoid the Four Points in Monrovia. Its less than $100 a night but sooooo noisy. The rush hour begins at 4am and ends at 3am . The hotel is less than 30 yards from the highway and is positioned so all rooms have a highway view!


I second that opinion about the 4 Pts Monrovia...

I also stayed at the Westin and Sheraton for the past few months, and niether was anything special... (Westin rooms are small, and not much of a upgrade if you are PLT...better luck at the Sheraton and nicer lounge from my experiences). If you want to drive about 20-30 minutes...stay at the Westin Bonniventure in LA. I got a rate of $99 a night and got upgraded to a decent 2 room suite with 2 bathrooms, etc...

All in all though, the Westin Pasadena isn't bad...just small rooms in my opinion. (PS...don't bother with Room Service.. took over 2 hours on multiple occasions...food was free afterward but I starved) I would eat somewhere in Pasadena, there are a million places to go.

Hope this helps...

Planning to be in Pasadena for one evening in January.

Looked at the pictures and Westin looks better. Price difference appears to be marginal.

I am not planning on doing anything specific, just to walk around, have a dinner and snap a few photos of old Pasadena.

Which one would you chose?

Stayed at the Pasadena Westin in June-July this year, great hotel, great service, great location. The only thing was the rooms are on the smaller side. There is a nice seafood place adjoint to the facility. Really enjoyed my stay, highly recommended.
Cheers,
GRR_Flier

Thanks very much! ^

That was my feeling.

I won't claim that the Sheraton is 'as good as' the Westin Pasadena, but it's not bad. I used to stay there and commute by bus to Downtown LA. (The implication here is that I preferred it to the Westin Bonaventure.) The Sheraton does have a pleasant lounge and a workable gym. The location is good, if not excellent. Staff was competent.

Westin Pasadena is nicer hotel, but the hotel is not platinum-friendly. They don't upgrade platinum that often. I had 5 stays in this year and I didn't receive any upgrade on my stays. It is always like what you would get is what you paid for. They didn't even honor 4pm late check-out sometimes. I was turned down 3 of 5. The hotel doesn't have club lounge. So I felt like there was no benefit for a platinum with this hotel except for amenity points. On the other hand, Sheraton Pasadena has club lounge and they tried to give upgrade all the time and I didn't have trouble with late check-out even once, which is very nice.

I would go with Westin. Rooms are smaller, but accomadations are a little more modern and upscale. I thought there was a lounge when I stayed at this property a year ago :confused:

The Sheraton is decent...lower level rooms are bigger than higher level rooms. When you see the building from the outside you can see why. Lounge is also decent. Every room I have had has had a refrigerator. Parking is only $7 for self.

It depends on what you want. The Westin is by far the nicer of the two. They regularly upgrade to Executive Rooms which are fairly spacious. The regular rooms are on the smaller side. Forget about a suite upgrade though. The hotel only has a few (it used to be a DoubleTree) which are almost always booked for cash. I would say that the Westin Pasadena is the 2nd nicest hotel in the area, surpassed only by the Ritz-Carlton.

The Sheraton always felt gritty to me. The chances of of upgrade are much better and there is a lounge. It used to be a Holiday Inn. The regular rooms are tiny, but unless the hotel is sold out they will usually try to give you a reasonable sized room.

Westin! Great place ^ and close to BUR for a quick exit.

M8

Westin! Great place ^ and close to BUR for a quick exit.

M8
Location-wise, both the Sheraton and Westin are about equal. In fact, they are very close to each other, just a few blocks apart. So the "quick exit" to BUR would not give one hotel an advantage over the other.

The Westin is definitely nicer, but when I stayed there last December (2005), it had NO club lounge (even though the in-room compendium said there was one). :( I suspect they used to have one, but converted it to guest room(s) to increase their revenue. That's understandable, but still a disappointment if you're an elite SPG member hoping for perks. If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive, quick, convenient breakfast, the gift shop sells coffee, pastry, etc. (Yeah, not the same as having the lounge, but faster than room service or the restaurant.) As an SPG Plat, I had a spacious corner room.

Location-wise, both the Sheraton and Westin are about equal. In fact, they are very close to each other, just a few blocks apart. So the "quick exit" to BUR would not give one hotel an advantage over the other.

The Westin is definitely nicer, but when I stayed there last December (2005), it had NO club lounge (even though the in-room compendium said there was one). :( I suspect they used to have one, but converted it to guest room(s) to increase their revenue. That's understandable, but still a disappointment if you're an elite SPG member hoping for perks. If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive, quick, convenient breakfast, the gift shop sells coffee, pastry, etc. (Yeah, not the same as having the lounge, but faster than room service or the restaurant.) As an SPG Plat, I had a spacious corner room.

You are of course correct location-wise. I must have just missed you as I was there in Dec last year (I think), and will be there again in Dec this year. The absent lounge doesn't really bother me. I find the hotel's entire ambience to be very nice, which is why I recommend it, and I especially like the patio outside. In fact I prefer the whole setup, and have ditched the LAX-Westin LAX for my L.A. stopovers, now in favor of the BUR-Westin Pasadena setup instead. I have wondered about the Hilton at BUR, but it's not as close to the very trendy Pasadena.

Cheers,

M8

Heading to the Westin Pasadena tomorrow-- we have tickets to Fences at the Pasadena Playhouse.

For some reason, we've been staying in a lot of Westins lately.

While they all have great beds and typically nice showers-- some seem a little "tired."

Loved the Chicago Westins (both airport & River North) and was pleasantly surprised by the Vegas Westin. Just returned from the Copley Place in Boston Westin-- and while it had a lot of positives-- awesome river view, great location, nice facilities-- the decor needs an upgrade.

Reading here it sounds as if Pasadena has nice interiors. I'll cross my fingers for a plat upgrade.

Just returned from a 1 night stay at the Westin Pasadena.

We had booked an executive room on SPG50. The room was fine-- very basic, but what I expected after reading this thread. I'm glad we booked executive because we wouldn't have liked a smaller room.
Asked about suites at check-in and was told that because of weddings all the suites were booked. (I did see several wedding parties staying at the hotel)

At first the desk clerk told me that any checkout after 3 pm would cost an extra 1/2 day, but then quickly corrected himself when and said-- "oh, of course you can have later because you're platinum-- how about 3:30?" I didn't argue because 3:30 was the time we needed.

The location was great for us since it is very close to the Pasadena Playhouse. The free shuttle service to any location within a 3 mile radius is awesome-- I wish more hotels had that. They took us to the play, then to the restaurant and then back to the hotel. The shuttle alone would bring me back to the hotel if I had an event in Pasadena. There are several top rated Zagat restaurants in the area and we loved our first visit to the Playhouse.

It's the last week and I think most tickets are sold out but if you have a chance to catch Laurence Fishburn and Angela Bassett in Fences it is worth making a special trip. They are amazing. We are avid theater goers and it was truly one of the finest plays we've ever seen.

There's the Paseo (outdoor mall with movie theater) a block from the pasadena westin on colorado. I work a block from the Westin. For food places, there's McCormick and Schmidt's (great happy hour deals), CPK, and Ruth Chris. A few blocks west on colorado, there's the old town pasadena. The westin used to be a doubletree.

First, I live in Pasadena, practically next door to the Westin. So, this is from a local's perspective.

McCormick and Schmick's happy hours is crap. Bad food, bad drinks. $1.95 menu consists of only a couple of items. There are many other wonderful places in old town that has great happy hours, I would skip it. It is, however, adjacent to the Westin.

Westin is in a much preferable area. Sheraton is on Cordova and you do not want to be South of Cordova. The "golden rectangle" of Pasadena is bounded by Walnut St, Lake, Pasadena Ave, and Cordova. Try staying within the rectangle and you will be fine. The areas outside of this rectangle is a lot less desirable (I'll leave it at that). Sheraton is right on the border. On the positive side, Sheraton is next L&L bbq and Houston's ;)

The Hat off Lake above the freeway would be my only exception leaving the golden rectangle :cool:




First, I live in Pasadena, practically next door to the Westin. So, this is from a local's perspective.

McCormick and Schmick's happy hours is crap. Bad food, bad drinks. $1.95 menu consists of only a couple of items. There are many other wonderful places in old town that has great happy hours, I would skip it. It is, however, adjacent to the Westin.

Westin is in a much preferable area. Sheraton is on Cordova and you do not want to be South of Cordova. The "golden rectangle" of Pasadena is bounded by Walnut St, Lake, Pasadena Ave, and Cordova. Try staying within the rectangle and you will be fine. The areas outside of this rectangle is a lot less desirable (I'll leave it at that). Sheraton is right on the border. On the positive side, Sheraton is next L&L bbq and Houston's ;)

The Hat off Lake above the freeway would be my only exception leaving the golden rectangle :cool: :eek: I didn't even know there's The Hat there. That tells you I never leave the golden rectangle....except for some cobbler from cobbler factory :D

Btw, how rude of me to forget.....Welcome to Flyertalk dlew308!

Hands down chosse that hotel. I agree with the previous post. Nice restaurant, outdoor seating, freiendly staff etc. Great Equinox Fitness Club close by. Fabulous trainer/GM there, Keli Lane.

The Westin is a much nicer hotel, the Sheraton is very tired IMHO. The only thing the Sheraton has going for it is the crews from Virgin Atlantic and other airlines stay there so the scenery by the pool is awesome.

BTW, there are other flight crews that stay at other area hotels (the Hilton) and they all hang out at bar on the 2nd floor of the paseo near the PF Changs. Maybe BlissWorld can assist with the name?

The Westin is a much nicer hotel, the Sheraton is very tired IMHO. The only thing the Sheraton has going for it is the crews from Virgin Atlantic and other airlines stay there so the scenery by the pool is awesome.
Doesn't the Sheraton still have a club lounge that serves breakfast and evening drinks? The Westin doesn't. :td: That could be another advantage of the Sheraton, if you're an SPG Plat. But otherwise, the Westin is certainly more handsome and stylish. ^

Doesn't the Sheraton still have a club lounge that serves breakfast and evening drinks? The Westin doesn't. :td: That could be another advantage of the Sheraton, if you're an SPG Plat. But otherwise, the Westin is certainly more handsome and stylish. ^

Yes, when I was there last there was a lounge, nothing spectacular, just the usual cold sodas, water, etc. and some hors devours.

Not sure if this is the best place for me to post this, but there didn't seem to be a designated Westin Pasadena thread. Mods, please feel free to move if there's a better place.

Mrs. Goodman and I just completed a nice weekend stay at the Westin Pasadena and I can honestly say it was one of my best hotel experiences ever. Every aspect of our stay was excellent. Valets were helpful in helping us figure out self-park (no attitude for not utilizing the valet). Front desk staff were extremely cordial and upgraded us to a huge corner executive room on the 11th floor (we're Gold and had booked a traditional room). The room had 3 banks of windows on two sides, all three of which opened (one of my favorite features at a hotel). In addition to the King bed, we had a nice couch and chair set with three ottomans, large desk, 27" tube tv. Decent sized bathroom with tub/shower combo and single sink. Nice dressing area outside of the bathroom with two small closets and coffee station (new one up brewer) between. We had a late flight and were granted 4pm checkout without having to haggle (I usually have to negotiate and end up with 1 or 2pm). They also have a couple of computers in the lobby that allow free online flight check-in, which came in handy since we were flying Southwest.

This was our first stay at this prop, but we would definitely return if staying anywhere near Pasadena. Top notch!

BTW, there are other flight crews that stay at other area hotels (the Hilton) and they all hang out at bar on the 2nd floor of the paseo near the PF Changs. Maybe BlissWorld can assist with the name?
I didn't see your post until just now... an year later :p Oops.

Acutally, I don't go anywhere near Paseo Colorado (the mall itself unless to see a movie at the Pacific). Are you speaking about the Yard House? In any case, most of the establishments they have at Paseo are all chains with next to no personality. There are many wonderful places in Pasadena that are unique. Okay, there is one exception :D I do go to the Gordon Biersch because I love their hefeweizen :D and garlic fries :drool:

But, for bars, Barney's is always a safe bet. There is also a lovely wine bar at union and raymond.

iapetus also lives in Pasadena and he knows a few bars that I don't, maybe you can ask him.

:eek: I didn't even know there's The Hat there. That tells you I never leave the golden rectangle....except for some cobbler from cobbler factory :D

Btw, how rude of me to forget.....Welcome to Flyertalk dlew308!
I do hope you have ventured north of Holly by now ;)
The hat is good-and there is a great soul food place(Big Mamma's)further up Lake.
Great(non-trendy)Japanese place-Masa's which has relocated east of the "GT" on Colorado very very good sushi and excellent staff.

BTW, there are other flight crews that stay at other area hotels (the Hilton) and they all hang out at bar on the 2nd floor of the paseo near the PF Changs. Maybe BlissWorld can assist with the name?

There used to be a Border Grill next to the PF Changs, but that closed over a year ago; it's supposed to be another Mexican place, but it hasn't opened yet.

The only other place on that floor/side of the Paseo is that Brazilian BBQ place.

SInce this thread has drifted to discussions of food in Pasadena, I'll add that we had great dinners at Vertical Wine Bar and Saladang Song this weekend.

Not sure if this is the best place for me to post this, but there didn't seem to be a designated Westin Pasadena thread. Mods, please feel free to move if there's a better place.

Mrs. Goodman and I just completed a nice weekend stay at the Westin Pasadena and I can honestly say it was one of my best hotel experiences ever. Every aspect of our stay was excellent. Valets were helpful in helping us figure out self-park (no attitude for not utilizing the valet). Front desk staff were extremely cordial and upgraded us to a huge corner executive room on the 11th floor (we're Gold and had booked a traditional room). The room had 3 banks of windows on two sides, all three of which opened (one of my favorite features at a hotel). In addition to the King bed, we had a nice couch and chair set with three ottomans, large desk, 27" tube tv. Decent sized bathroom with tub/shower combo and single sink. Nice dressing area outside of the bathroom with two small closets and coffee station (new one up brewer) between. We had a late flight and were granted 4pm checkout without having to haggle (I usually have to negotiate and end up with 1 or 2pm). They also have a couple of computers in the lobby that allow free online flight check-in, which came in handy since we were flying Southwest.

This was our first stay at this prop, but we would definitely return if staying anywhere near Pasadena. Top notch!

I'm glad you had a great stay. I have stayed at the Westin 2-3 times a year for quite a few years. My most recent stay was end of Sept. Only once was I upgraded to a large corner room that resembles the one you described. I usually get what seems to be a standard room. I do like the hotel, but I am very unimpressed with Platinum benefits. I usually just split my stays between the Westin and the Sheraton.

Looks like a common theme that plats don't get much royal treatment at the Westin Pasadena. Since we're not getting the upgrades there, WHO IS?

I often stay at the Sheraton Universal as an alternative to both Westin and Sheraton Pasadena. The Universal has a great lounge with hot foods, and I am consistently upgraded to suites (or at the very least and oversized room).

But if I had to choose between the Sheraton and the Westin in Pasadena, I'd have to opt for the Westin. The gym and pool are much nicer, and if I show my face enough they may finally give me a bigger room.

I read somewhere that sheraton pasadena is undergoing renovation. Is this correct? Did any platinum member has recent stay at the Sheraton pasadena? What upgrade do you get?

I read somewhere that sheraton pasadena is undergoing renovation. Is this correct? Did any platinum member has recent stay at the Sheraton pasadena? What upgrade do you get?
Normally I get club room. All club rooms' renovation seemed to be done. It is not remodel, not like W Westwood type of renovation. They changed carpet, TV and TV furnishing. So they are very clean though, they still look same as rooms before renovation. There is club lounge too.

Normally I get club room. All club rooms' renovation seemed to be done. It is not remodel, not like W Westwood type of renovation. They changed carpet, TV and TV furnishing. So they are very clean though, they still look same as rooms before renovation. There is club lounge too.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Westin - former doubletree
Sheraton - former holiday inn

nuff said.

Still waiting for the return of Brenda's rib crib - man, I miss that place!

One great benefit of the Westin Pasadena is a free shuttle service where the valets will drop you off right in front of your restaurant and even pick you up (cuts off at about 10pm, though, check with them).
Agreed, no Plat upgrades/benefits to speak of. Ask at the front desk and they will comp you water. One in 10 stays I got an upgrade to a room with a really great view that was oversized but otherwise nothing special. Confirmed that the lounge was axed in during a renovation leading to many people showing up expecting one based on outdated list information.
So many good restaurants in Pasadena. I had great cuban at Xiomina (check the spelling?). If you like good beer (great Belgians on tap) but don't mind a really grungy atmosphere (ugh) and scary food (seriously, people, even the British pubs have better food), check out Lucky Baldwin's. Yeah, I know, not much of an endorsement, but if you like good beer you'll put up with the drawbacks.
Cheers.

I've stayed at the Westing Pasadena many times in the last couple years, and have always had a good stay. The staff are very friendly and helpful, though sometimes a little slow with requests.

An upcoming trip I've been put in the Sheraton Pasadena, does anyone know how the parking works? And the cost?

many thanks!

An upcoming trip I've been put in the Sheraton Pasadena, does anyone know how the parking works? And the cost?
Over night including in and out cost around $13 or $14 for hotel guests.

Over night including in and out cost around $13 or $14 for hotel guests.

Just stayed there a couple weeks ago and parking was $7. :confused:

Stayed at the Sheraton Pasadena last night using points, and would recommend it. As an SPG Gold, I was upgraded without requesting it, upon checking in. The room was nice, and the club room was literally next door where I enjoyed breakfast. Service from everyone I encountered in the hotel was good, and performed with a smile.

The one mistake I made was parking on the street. Since I came in late Sunday and was leaving early Monday, I figured the "2 hour limit: 9am-6pm" signs wouldn't be a problem. Lo and behold, Pasadena has an unposted ordinance prohibiting overnight parking. Doh! $37 ticket.

It is posted-just not very much.
Entrences to the city via major streets and at city limits.
Sorry you had to discover that,you could fight it I guess.

Just stayed there a couple weeks ago and parking was $7. :confused:

I knew Westin Pasadena charged something like $7. We talk about Sheraton, right? If you talk about Sheraton, then they changed parking fee again.
They used to charge $6 or $7 for over night parking and once huge construction started, they started charging around $13 or $14. Which was explained by front desk to avoid miscommunication regarding parking charge last time I stayed there. So if it is back to $7 now, it's good news to us.

I stayed in Sheraton Pasadena during the last week of May and the parking was $13 per night.

The customer service there was excellent and we were upgraded to a nice suite.

I am now at the Westin--are there any Platinum pluses? I can't tell.

I stayed at both the Westin and Sheraton last week.


With people, Westin is best, but alone I don't need the better appointments. At the Sheraton you save a few dollars, you get a club room with pretty decent snacks and wine or beer.



What I really didn't like about the Westin (I've stayed several times before) is that there's a new parking policy. Stay the night, pay one rate, but drive out for a few minutes and it starts all over, so you could pay multiply.

I've stayed at both and the Westin was much nicer, but we seem to have received a fluke of an upgrade to a corner executive room that was stellar (about a year and a half ago as Gold). Our stay at the Sheraton in December was not nearly as nice. We have a stay booked at the Sheraton this weekend (better rate, wedding party issues), but are still contemplating defecting to the Westin for a few more bucks. The consistently poor Plat treatment reported by others has me questioning the merits of our thinking. I'll report back regardless of what we decide.

As for parking, Sheraton was $13 in December. I just called the Westin and it's $8 self park with in and out priveleges so they must have brought that back after all the complaints.

Upgrades wise, Sheraton.

I've stayed at both and the Westin was much nicer, but we seem to have received a fluke of an upgrade to a corner executive room that was stellar (about a year and a half ago as Gold). Our stay at the Sheraton in December was not nearly as nice. We have a stay booked at the Sheraton this weekend (better rate, wedding party issues), but are still contemplating defecting to the Westin for a few more bucks. The consistently poor Plat treatment reported by others has me questioning the merits of our thinking. I'll report back regardless of what we decide.

As for parking, Sheraton was $13 in December. I just called the Westin and it's $8 self park with in and out priveleges so they must have brought that back after all the complaints.

Sure, the room at the Westin is nicer. Upgrades at the Westin is extremely rare for the many times I've stayed there over many years.

I've stayed at the Sheraton the last several times I was in Pasadena. The Lounge at the Sheraton is reasonaby nice with free Internet access, especially after they adjusted the Jura coffee machine.

I just can't bring myself to stay at the Westin anymore.

After debating a switch to the Westin (for about $30 or $40 more), we decided to stick with the Sheraton for our one night stay this weekend. I had booked an accessible room (best price) and noted that I didn't actually need one. They were completely sold out, but were able to check us in at 11am and gave us a room on the club floor with club access. This room was significanly nicer than the ground floor room we had last time.

Club lounge had decent offerings in the evening and morning, but it was absolutely over utilized. It's probably the size of two standard rooms and both times we tried to go in, there were probably 30 or 40 people in there. This hotel has a larger than normal footprint resulting in a lot of rooms per floor, which may have been part of the reason for the crowds.

I'm glad we gave the Sheraton a second chance. I still liked the Westin better, but given that the Sheraton is usually cheaper, it's a decent option.

I have stayed a couple of times at both.

The standard rooms at Westin are TINY and you may well wind up in one, even as a Plat. Last week I was in a "balcony room" and it is still stupidly small but the balcony is nice.

Sheraton will likely upgrade plats to a Jr Suite, which is basic but good enough for the price.

Neither are ideal, but for room upgrades/lounge go for Sheraton, overall quality (with no expectations for upgrade) to for Westin. If the price were the same I would probably go for Westin.