Starwood Preferred Guest - W The Card (W Seattle) - Whatever...

Having travelled to non-W cities the past few months I was excited to find out what the card was all about. Apparently, nothing...

I mentioned I had the card when I made reservations, they put it in the record and told me to tell the Welcome Desk staff at check-in. I did, nothing happened. The next day I told another staffer and asked what the card was for, if anything, as I could not remember the benefits. She recited a laundry lists of pre-check in calls, fee water, welcome amentiy, welcome letter, etc.

I got nothing. Now, if I was not expecting anything , then no big deal. However, I think it was a huge mistake for W to send out the card with such dramatic packaging, set such high expectations (or at least try) and then completely fail to deliver. A poor, poor decision that has left a bad taste in this Plats mouth.

In regards to the W Seattle in general:

1. Asked for suite upgrade, was told this property really didn't have any. Next day I overheard another guest getting an upgrade to a suite while I was waiting for directions. Was I lied to? BTW, it was the Tues/Wed nights after Christams and it seemed pretty empty.
2. 'Welcome Desk', was not very welcoming. Did not even ask how we were when we checked-in. Seemed more bothered by us than anything. Did not ask how our stay was when we checked out. Did not ask why I requested the manager's card (btw, emailed GM with these comments, no reply...).
3. Blinds don't darken rooms well (a' la W NYC) and room on 20th floor was pretty loud (street noise...)
4. Property/rooms in better shape than some of the now tired W's.
5. Valet and Bell staff were great. Helpful, welcoming, sincere, upbeat, friendly - I could go on!

This relates more to another thread, but my 2 most dissapointing stays this past year were W's (this and the W NYC). Westins have, overall, been the best.

BTW, Westin Portland and Westin Wistler on same trip were really great!

Cheers,

AB

Having travelled to non-W cities the past few months I was excited to find out what the card was all about. Apparently, nothing...


I totally agree that the W Seattle is pretty mediocre. I stay there every couple of months and I have yet to be impressed by the service or the facilities. As a Plat, the best upgrade I have ever received has been to a corner room and they have failed to offer me a welcome amenity on about a third of my stays. I am, therefore, not surprised to learn that they don't do anything for W Card holders.

I have stayed at this property a couple of times when I was SPG Gold. My impression is totally different....

I was there 2 weekends in November and bought the cheapest Wonderful rate available for both stays, the first stay I was upgraded to a Cool Corner room, the second time a Spectacular room. (I was only Gold!!!)

I called down and asked if the property had any complimentary water for Preffered guests, both times they sent me up 3 HUGE Voss bottles complimentary!! (I actually have pictures of it)

The rooms are nice, they have LCDs and the bathrooms are large.

All in all, I love this property and I can't wait to go back in March, this time as a Plat

I called down and asked if the property had any complimentary water for Preffered guests, both times they sent me up 3 HUGE Voss bottles complimentary!! (I actually have pictures of it)


Cherish the memory *and* the photo. I've never recieved a single free bottle of water from a W Hotel property (unlike everyother *wood brand...). I've been Plat several years now.

Weird- I've stayed at the W Seattle a few times and have always found their staff to be very nice, pleasant, and accommodating (perhaps because I live in Seattle?!). They rank second on my list (SF first) with the nicest staff.

Is there a link to a thread where benefits of "W the card" are discussed please? I cannot find it, because obviously Flyertalk's search function interprets "W the card" as searching for the words "W," "the" and "card" alternatively and not as a phrase.

Is there a link to a thread where benefits of "W the card" are discussed please? I cannot find it, because obviously Flyertalk's search function interprets "W the card" as searching for the words "W," "the" and "card" alternatively and not as a phrase.

www.welcometowhotels.com/wthecard/

Cherish the memory *and* the photo. I've never recieved a single free bottle of water from a W Hotel property (unlike everyother *wood brand...). I've been Plat several years now.

The last time I stayed at the W Seattle, they credited my bill for the cost of a bottle of water because I complained about the absence of the usually ubiquitous copy of Wired magazine in my room.

The last time I stayed at the W Seattle, they credited my bill for the cost of a bottle of water because I complained about the absence of the usually ubiquitous copy of Wired magazine in my room.

Water is always a hot spot of mine...Why does water cost more the more I pay for the room? I know, I know, everything costs more (food, calls, internet access, parking, etc.)...It's just a pet peeve.

At the Westin Whistler, the four nights after we were at the W, we got 4 bottles a day (2 per the resort fee and 2 extra for Plat status) and they gave us as much additional as we wanted for free. Sure, I can buy a case of it for a few bucks - but, it's the thought that counts!

Hm, I am at the Seattle W right now.
I was upgraded to a corner room on the 20th floor. It is quite nice but the street noise is pretty loud. There is of course no water free of charge. It can be purchased from the wildely overpriced minbar:

Voss 330ml $4
Sodas $3
Snickers bar $7 (!)

all prices plus 20% service fee ! (The service being that I take the stuff out of the fridge myself ??)

all prices plus 20% service fee ! (The service being that I take the stuff out of the fridge myself ??)
So that they can restock the items for further 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000% markup.

Is there a link to a thread where benefits of "W the card" are discussed please?I will summarize for your convenience.


Free Voss water.
Free tin of breath mints.
An e-mail or phone call from the concierge before your arrival.
Once in a while, a coupon for a free drink at the bar.

That's based on my experiences as a Gold. The only property that has really gone out of the way to note I was a W The Card member was Chicago City Center.

There was also a promo that had rewards after 3/6/9 stays in a period of time, I believe. I know I got a $50 gift card to the online W store out of it. Oh, and apparently the Card will let you jump the line at W bars, if there is a line. I wasn't aware of that being an issue outside of Westwood.

I like the free water and the free mints but it's certainly not a big deal. I'm a pretty low key guest and never have anything special for the concierge before my arrival.

Finally, W Lakeshore had a bucket of Coronas on ice and a dish of nuts in my room waiting for me during my last stay, but I attribute that to staying there a few times within the past few months more than anything else.

Yeah, the Card doesn't seem to amount for much. I tried to use the concierge service last month while in NYC, and the special toll-free number dumped me into Sheraton general reservations several times (after listening to a recording about the card). I was very frustrated, because I kept getting bounced around because non of the reps knew what the W the Card was. Finally had to call the W New York concierge directly.
Hopefully, they've fixed it.

W The Card seems to me like little more than a poorly planned attempt to retain clients by *wood's marketing dept., which is no doubt grappling with the knowledge that the W Brand is ailing as a result of resting on its laurels for for the past several years. So why not come out with a half-baked gimmick and do a half-assed job of educating your staff about what the program is all about, and hopefully your guests will stop noticing just how badly the quality of your services and facilities has erroded in recent years. :rolleyes:

Agree W Seattle is subpar. Definitely my least favorite W property. I was also there recently and received poor service from check-in and valet. The floor we were on smelled horrible, among other annoying things. Luckily the room didn't smell.

Regarding water benefits etc. - W San Diego usually follows thru, but not always...

Hm, I am at the Seattle W right now.
I was upgraded to a corner room on the 20th floor. It is quite nice but the street noise is pretty loud. There is of course no water free of charge. It can be purchased from the wildely overpriced minbar:

Voss 330ml $4
Sodas $3
Snickers bar $7 (!)

all prices plus 20% service fee ! (The service being that I take the stuff out of the fridge myself ??)

Come on, guy... It's new to you that mini bars are expensive??

Do what I did, call them and ask for preferred water and they will bring it to your room.

Come on, guy... It's new to you that mini bars are expensive??

Do what I did, call them and ask for preferred water and they will bring it to your room.
Preferred water? Free bottled water? You can do that?

Preferred water? Free bottled water? You can do that?

It works sometimes. I have been refused at all NYC W hotels. It worked at W lakeshore and the W Seattle twice

Here's a picture of the 3 (!) huge bottles I received at one of the stays.

Please disregard the rest of the webpage.... :)

http://www.borat.no/index.php?show=25&expand=25

Come on, guy... It's new to you that mini bars are expensive??



I thought the same and plus the poster comimg from Europe where the minibar was invented and the art of their exhorbitant charges perfected.:D

mike

As a WTHECARD member, I think it depends where you stay and how much you bug..I mean, remind them about your status. My 1st W stay as a card member wasn't what I'd thought, but as soon as I brought it to their attention, they couldn't have been nicer. Granted, it was not W Seattle, but I had an amazing experience at W Lakeshore in Chicago where they went so far out of their way to help me plan a very special weekend that I was shocked! That hotel has me as a guest for life.

Also, I was told that the water situation is a problem b/c Plats (and I think all levels of SPG) are supposed to have it in their room when we arrive, but also, the W card members get water and mints at turn-down service. There was a problem about who exactly was to bring the water, and when, etc. So I called and they brought me three big bottles (as opposed to the 2 smaller ones I normally would get) and was told to just ask if I needed anything. That is at Lakeshore. They only messed it up one time and immediately corrected the problem. And during my last stay I actually got Bliss lip balm at turn-down with the water. And as I had a 2 bedroom suite, they left it in both bedrooms! I think it was just because of our special weekend but it was nicer than the mints!

I've always found (with one exception) that if you call whatever/whenever or whatever it is called, the problem is corrected and then some. I just wish there were more W's to stay at when I travel. But I don't think I'll be hitting the Seattle W anytime soon after this thread!

PS- you gotta love that Voss water!;)

Also, I was told that the water situation is a problem b/c Plats (and I think all levels of SPG) are supposed to have it in their room when we arrive, but also, the W card members get water and mints at turn-down service.

Plats are supposed to get free water? :confused: :confused: If this is true, *wood owes me a lot of money.

Plats are supposed to get free water? :confused: :confused: If this is true, *wood owes me a lot of money.

It's not in the T&C of *wood as far as I know and since it's free anyway, *wood wouldn't "owe" you anything. . .:rolleyes:

But I don't think I'll be hitting the Seattle W anytime soon after this thread!For what it's worth, I would recommend you at least try W Seattle once. I didn't find it a bad hotel by any stretch of the imagination; in fact, I found the employees quite pleasant.

Then again, if you're one to be upset over the Welcome Desk not asking how you're doing, such as the OP, then I would suspect you would be disappointed by a vast number of hotels anyway.

For what it's worth, I would recommend you at least try W Seattle once. I didn't find it a bad hotel by any stretch of the imagination; in fact, I found the employees quite pleasant.

Then again, if you're one to be upset over the Welcome Desk not asking how you're doing, such as the OP, then I would suspect you would be disappointed by a vast number of hotels anyway.

OMG it really is COLD somewhere this week - first I agree with bigjim and now blort! :D *shaking head*

I happen to really like the W Seattle (am staying there this weekend even though I live in Seattle). I find the staff friendly in a non-intrusive way and I've never had a request turned down when I've stayed there. The location is great since you're right downtown and two blocks away from the center core so you can walk to basically anything in the downtown area.

The only thing I'm not a huge fan of is how dark it is but that's just because I live in Seattle where 300 days are dark/gloomy! :)

I guess I'm reading this thread and compared to many of you I am majorly low maintenance (my friends who may read this are shaking their heads I'm sure ;))