Starwood Preferred Guest - Florida Luxury Collection - Atlantic, Diplomat or Singer Island?

My wife and I are trying to plan a trip to FL in May to take advantage of the recent 50% off redemption for Platinums. The Atlantic, Diplomat, and Singer Island, all Luxury Collection are Cat. 5 and eligible for the 50% off redemption.

We have a little one who will be about 6 months (don't know if that will make a difference). We're not big golfers and want a nice room, nice beach and good restaurants for a relaxing vacation.

Any advice on which is the best hotel of the three (pros/cons) and which ones I can expect to be upgraded for platinum would be greatly appreciated!!!

If you're looking to get upgraded to a nice suite, I would definitely stay at the Diplomat, as they are extremely loyal to their platinum members.

CheapElite, your work is never done.

1. Fairly certain that you can't use your 50% off at Singer Island. While it is a Cat 5, it is an all-suite hotel - don't think you can use it at such a resort

2. Of the 3 hotels you mentioned, I've only stayed at the Atlantic. I thought the rooms were outstanding (I was upgraded to a nice suite - and an actual suite with two separate rooms), but it is still on the beach in a crowded part of FLL, with unattractive condos / apartments / etc. as neighbors. You have to cross the street to get to the beach, etc. Also, the pool is very small (if you're into that kind of thing)

3. You can also search the entire message board - people seem to love the Diplomat - I am going to check it out on my next work trip to So. Lorida

BTW, I think the 50% expires today?

i stayed at the westin diplomat (sister property to the luxury collection diplomat) with my sister and 8 month old nephew, and they could not have been more accomodating - crib, baby toiletries, kid's safety kit incl a night light/flashlight, bed rails and even a daiper pail! even a mini-fridge on request!
i've never stayed at the atlantic, but did tour the rooms, and i think the kitchenette would be a nice thing to have with the baby.
goog luck!

I've stayed at the Singer Island. Off the bat, I'll tell you that there is little to no Platinum recognition and a very firm stance against complimentary upgrades to a larger suite. I can confirm that you will get Starwood points at this location for paid stays (SPG's website used to be a little confusing on this point).

That being said, the rooms are absolutely beautiful. I stayed in just a basic, one bedroom suite. It was wonderfully appointed with a big living room that opened into a full kitchen (full fridge, stove, oven, dishwasher). Washer/dryer are located in the unit if you need to clean clothes. Bedroom is big with more than ample closet space and very large bath with separate tub and shower. Furniture and decor are modern and more upscale than the nicer W's. It's right on the beach; I didn't get to check out the pool, but it seemed on the smaller side (do not expect a huge resort pool here). I guess the one downside is that there really didn't seem to be much nearby in terms of restaurants or attractions. It took about 20 minutes during rush hour to get from the heart of West Palm out to the resort.

Your best bet is absolutely the Diplomat. I live a few miles away and have taken a weekend off with my wife and our infant son and they do really accommodate well. Now it is a very large hotel (998 rooms) and for Gold they upgraded me to an oceanfront so i am sure that for a PLT they may go even farther... and have more options to do so.

The Atlantic is not located ON the beach, but across the street from the beach. I havent been to the Singer Island property. What i can tell you is that both of these are condo-hotels which is why you may have a harder time getting the upgrade.

The Diplomat's beach was reconstituted a couple of years ago... it used to have no beach and was literally on top of the ocean because the beach in Hallandale (it's technically not Hollywood) was fading away. They now have a large beach. However be careful, as the vendors providing the beach chairs are NOT part of the hotel and they cannot be charged to your room. Their pools are quite large and the hotel is family friendly.

We stayed at the Atlantic a couple weeks ago and liked it very much. The restaurant Trina was excellent. The area is "interesting" but it is easy to see that the grand plan is for it to be very nice. There is a newer St. Regis down the street along with a W being built close to the Atlantic. One by one, the Sea Cove Inns are being replaced by nice hotels.

That said, we love the Diplomat too and everything posted about it we agree with.

My family and I stayed at the Westin Diplomat on points last year (am platinum) and was upgraded to a great corner suite overlooking the ocean. The room was huge and had a great, long balcony. We had our two young children, so we didn't really check out the nicer restaurants on property, but loved the Westin Club and pool areas. I haven't stayed at the other properties, so I can't compare.

Ditto to the previous comments about the Diplomat. The hotel was great when I was there last year. Room upgrade to a suite on one of the top floors (as a Gold back then), the pools are very nice--but sometimes crowded--but great food, and very friendly staff. ^