Starwood Preferred Guest - Aruba- Westin vs. Marriott Palm Beach

For about the same cash or the same hotel points cost, we can stay in either hotel (Marriott Stellaris or Westin) this August. Just wondering if anyone has an opinion either way in terms of which hotel is better/nicer/more enjoyable. FYI, we are traveling without our baby- just me and the spouse. Thanks!

I've stayed at both several times. I have to say that I prefer the marriott. The westin beach is very crowded and tough to get a palapa without lining up very early in the morning or paying a daily surcharge to reserve one. I never had a problem getting a good palapa on the beach at the Marriott and I didn't have to pay to reserve one or set my alarm to line up for one at the crack of dawn.

The Westin is a bit dated. The Marriott was just recently renovated and is very nice. I agree with the previous post. Marriott is less crowded. You will not be disappointed.

Marriott, hands down.

I have stayed at both and would choose Marriott without a doubt.

I have stayed at the Westin and I agree that it felt very outdated. We strolled into the Marriot to check it out and just from the lobby it looked much better. Staff at the Westin were also not up to usual standards IMO.

Definitely go for the Marriot if price is the same.

+1 to all posts above - that makes it 6 for 6 in favor of the Marriott :D

Westin is a former Wyndham property. It is plenty suitable on its own merits, but when compared to the Marriott, Radisson or Hyatt it is a dog. It also is very windy on the point it sits on - so much so that the annual windsurfing competetion on the island is held directly offshore of the Westin's beach.

Another positive for the Marriott for me: It is not directly connected to the Palm Beach boardwalk, so you don't get the constant stream of folks walking along the beach side of the property and that = more quite time.

Have fun.

Figures...I was just thinking about booking a stay at the Westin. Since I don't have Marriott points staying there isn't really an option. Should I skip Aruba for a better SPG property elsewhere?

Figures...I was just thinking about booking a stay at the Westin. Since I don't have Marriott points staying there isn't really an option. Should I skip Aruba for a better SPG property elsewhere?

I think the Westin is nice, but not on the same level as the other three majors on Palm Beach. My favorite in the Caribbean is the Westin St. John, but I also really like the Westin Our Lucaya on Grand Bahama.

I think the Westin is nice, but not on the same level as the other three majors on Palm Beach. My favorite in the Caribbean is the Westin St. John, but I also really like the Westin Our Lucaya on Grand Bahama.

Thanks for the St. John and Grand Bahama suggestions. I was also looking at St. Maarten.

Figures...I was just thinking about booking a stay at the Westin. Since I don't have Marriott points staying there isn't really an option. Should I skip Aruba for a better SPG property elsewhere?

FYI, both the Westin and Aruba are DIRT cheap for fall dates if you want to spend cash. I'm talking like $160 per night which is amazing for the hotel category. It turns out we are likely going to opt to spend cash instead of points due to the favorable pricing. FWIW, we got married at the Westin in Grand Cayman and it was amazing.