W Austin, Texas [Master Thread]
#76
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: West Palm Beach, FL, USA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Gold, Marriott Platinum, ALL Gold
Posts: 206
#77
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
Was upgraded to a cool corner suite. Note and bottle of water left in the room. Large bottles of bliss products provided. Breakfast benefit was generous and the food quality was good. Pool was a bit less crowded than the Westin and thus you could use it to swim. Amazon echo in the room though not all that useful. Staff at the front desk and in the restaurant were very friendly. Pillows were a bit less comfortable than other W pillows I have used.
#78
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
W vs JW Marriott? Pros and cons?
I realize that the niches clash, but I’m curious what people think of as the strengths and weaknesses/pros and cons of the W AUSTIN vs the JW Marriott? I’m a legacy SPG fan of W hotels. But I’m also curious about a very good JW.
I’m Ambassador status. I’ll be in Austin in mid-Dec.
Any thoughts or experiences with both properties that can be shared?
Thanks!
I’m Ambassador status. I’ll be in Austin in mid-Dec.
Any thoughts or experiences with both properties that can be shared?
Thanks!
#79
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
I realize that the niches clash, but I’m curious what people think of as the strengths and weaknesses/pros and cons of the W AUSTIN vs the JW Marriott? I’m a legacy SPG fan of W hotels. But I’m also curious about a very good JW.
I’m Ambassador status. I’ll be in Austin in mid-Dec.
Any thoughts or experiences with both properties that can be shared?
Thanks!
I’m Ambassador status. I’ll be in Austin in mid-Dec.
Any thoughts or experiences with both properties that can be shared?
Thanks!
I can’t compare the JW but I can tell you we loved the W on my birthday stay last November. I had booked 1 night in a wonderful room on points and 5 nights in a Cool Corner Suite. The hotel upgraded us to a gorgeous Fantastic Suite with beautiful views (that sold for $1800/night up)
(The 5 nights were 160000 points)
The service was excellent, the location was great, and we totally will return there in the future.
* wherever you stay I highly recommended Uchiko Sushi
Last edited by damon88; Sep 18, 2018 at 7:56 pm
#80
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
I realize that the niches clash, but I’m curious what people think of as the strengths and weaknesses/pros and cons of the W AUSTIN vs the JW Marriott? I’m a legacy SPG fan of W hotels. But I’m also curious about a very good JW.
I’m Ambassador status. I’ll be in Austin in mid-Dec.
Any thoughts or experiences with both properties that can be shared?
Thanks!
I’m Ambassador status. I’ll be in Austin in mid-Dec.
Any thoughts or experiences with both properties that can be shared?
Thanks!
The JW is an enormous hotel and everything from the pool to the valet to the elevators always seems a little too crowded for me. The W pool is also a disaster with crowds on the weekend, but I've found the hotel in general to be a little less hectic. As mentioned above, the JW is newer and it feels that way. The rooms are brighter and more open than the W rooms with larger windows and better views. If you do manage to get a suite, the JW standard suite is also larger than the W corner suite and the bathroom is much better (bigger, more open). Austin on the weekend is still somewhat of a party destination, so both hotels have pretty active bars over the weekend, but the JW seems less crazy than the W, and sometimes I enjoy not walking into a night club (although the W Austin crowd is fairly tame compared to some other Ws). The JW lounge is pretty nice for a domestic lounge, but it also gets too busy at times.
I usually choose the W because of the better breakfast and higher percentage of suite upgrades, but the base room at the W is small so if it looks like a busy weekend where upgrades might be non-existent I will choose the JW for their larger standard room. The W is also usually a little bit more expensive, so if it's more than $50-75 extra, I'll also stay at the JW. Neither hotel is going to wow you from a luxury standpoint, but they are both solid representations of their respective brands and I'd gladly stay at either in the future. Location wise, they are within 2-3 blocks, so not much difference there.
If you venture outside MR/SPG, the Four Seasons is my favorite hotel in town, but they are doing some renovations and the restaurants were all closed on my last visit. Not sure what the current state is, but I'd probably avoid it altogether until everything is finished. As the only true luxury game in town, it is also stupidly expensive almost all the time, and generally not worth the up charge. I used to stay there all the time, but have only been back twice in the last three years because in no way do I think it's $150-250 better than the W or JW and that's usually how much the rate difference is.
#83
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 520
Recently completed a 2 night stay here. Fairly neutral experience.
We booked a “Spectacular Room, Guest room, 1 King” and that's what we received at check in around 3PM. We asked if any upgrades were available, and they said they could put us in a “Cozy Corner” suite if we waited a few hours, but our assigned room was on a high floor and we didn’t want to wait so we stayed with the Spectacular.
During check in as a Titanium member, we were given a guitar pick key card which gave us 15% off (maybe 10%, I already forgot) food and any non-alcoholic drinks . There was no mention of elite breakfast during check in, but reading posts above maybe there is elite breakfast?
We noted coldness from the front desk associate- it felt very transactional and not too welcoming.
After checking the room out, the Spectacular room wasn’t much different than the entry level Fabulous Room I had last time I stayed, so I’d suggest saving your money. The room was comfortable and had a great view of the river and the park. I don’t think they use the same beds as other W properties- this one felt a bit firm around the edges and I didn’t sleep as well as I usually do at other W locations. The shower took quite some time to get warm, ~1 minute.
We spent some time at the pool on our second day. It's starting to show its age, and a lack of care. The chaise lounges were worn and many had torn fabric. There were plenty of leaves, garbage, and cigarette butts on the pool deck too. It really needs a thorough cleaning. The pool itself was nice. Service at the pool wasn’t great either. There were three people working at the pool, and other than us there was a cabana with about six people. We wanted food and drinks but after some time none of the staff checked on us so we went up to the bar and ordered. After this they checked on us every ~20 minutes.
After checkout we realized we left a jacket in the room, and we were able to easily arrange it to be mailed back to us. Sterling from the risk team was incredibly helpful with this!
Overall the stay was fine, and I’d stay here again, but really wish they would clean up the pool area.
We booked a “Spectacular Room, Guest room, 1 King” and that's what we received at check in around 3PM. We asked if any upgrades were available, and they said they could put us in a “Cozy Corner” suite if we waited a few hours, but our assigned room was on a high floor and we didn’t want to wait so we stayed with the Spectacular.
During check in as a Titanium member, we were given a guitar pick key card which gave us 15% off (maybe 10%, I already forgot) food and any non-alcoholic drinks . There was no mention of elite breakfast during check in, but reading posts above maybe there is elite breakfast?
We noted coldness from the front desk associate- it felt very transactional and not too welcoming.
After checking the room out, the Spectacular room wasn’t much different than the entry level Fabulous Room I had last time I stayed, so I’d suggest saving your money. The room was comfortable and had a great view of the river and the park. I don’t think they use the same beds as other W properties- this one felt a bit firm around the edges and I didn’t sleep as well as I usually do at other W locations. The shower took quite some time to get warm, ~1 minute.
We spent some time at the pool on our second day. It's starting to show its age, and a lack of care. The chaise lounges were worn and many had torn fabric. There were plenty of leaves, garbage, and cigarette butts on the pool deck too. It really needs a thorough cleaning. The pool itself was nice. Service at the pool wasn’t great either. There were three people working at the pool, and other than us there was a cabana with about six people. We wanted food and drinks but after some time none of the staff checked on us so we went up to the bar and ordered. After this they checked on us every ~20 minutes.
After checkout we realized we left a jacket in the room, and we were able to easily arrange it to be mailed back to us. Sterling from the risk team was incredibly helpful with this!
Overall the stay was fine, and I’d stay here again, but really wish they would clean up the pool area.
#84
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ, SFO
Programs: AS 100K, UA*S, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond | Formerly: AC Super Elite
Posts: 2,476
Chipping in with my experience. Stayed on Jun 30 to use up an expiring 50K cert. Booked the Fabulous Room, Guest room, 1 Queen for 42K points. Applied SNA and received upgrade confirmation email on Jun 26 to a Cool Corner Suite, 1 Bedroom Suite, 1 King, Corner room
Arrival
- "Wheels" valet service was efficient, although pricey ($55) although that seems to be the normal price for the area
- Liked how it had in-and-out privileges, so I didn't need to keep paying $55
- Also liked that the valet tag has a QR code - before you leave your room, scan the QR code so it sends them a text message. This way your car will be ready for you outside
Check-in
- friendly service, also received the guitar pick as a Titanium member. Super cool that it also acts as the door key
- very disappointed with the elite breakfast - $16 per person
- annoyed that there was some sort of dance thing that night going on in the "living room" beside the lobby, it was super loud and made it a bit hard to hear the check in agent
Room
- wasn't surprised by anything. The pictures of the Cool Corner Suites are very accurate
- soundproofing left a bit to be desired - I was on like the 12th floor and it was past midnight and I could STILL hear that dance music from the check-in area
- I really love the bedroom, SUPER spacious compared to my house. Thought the red "psychiatrist couch" was cute (my girlfriend thought it was weird)
- I also really like how effective the blackout curtains were. Sunlight causes me to wake up, and I slept in quite nicely
- There's also something special about the W bed. My girlfriend quite literally is unable to sleep and even she was able to fall asleep on that bed
Breakfast
- TRACE restaurant was a bit of a walk, got kinda lost trying to find it
- As mentioned above, $16 elite breakfast credit per person ......
- ....... but the cheapest meaningful breakfast entree is $16 (Texas Market Migas $16, Trace Breakfast $17, Eggs Benedict $16 .... because it's not filling to pay for $14 waffles or pancakes or $12 chorizo breakfast tacos)
- and then throw in 2 coffees for $4.50 each and yeah .... not free breakfast, very sad
- Coffee was burnt too .... like worse-than-Starbucks burnt. No amount of cream could rescue it
Away Spa
- surprisingly, the spa gets booked up was able to make a same-day appointment for the afternoon
- friendly staff all around
Pool
- checked out the pool after the spa, and it was Friday afternoon and the pool was quite full. The cabanas were all taken as well as all the pool chairs
- plenty of towels and the bar service was quite efficient
- there was an artificial turf area behind the bar where you can play cornhole
Overall, not bad hotel. I would happily use a credit card free night cert to stay again
Arrival
- "Wheels" valet service was efficient, although pricey ($55) although that seems to be the normal price for the area
- Liked how it had in-and-out privileges, so I didn't need to keep paying $55
- Also liked that the valet tag has a QR code - before you leave your room, scan the QR code so it sends them a text message. This way your car will be ready for you outside
Check-in
- friendly service, also received the guitar pick as a Titanium member. Super cool that it also acts as the door key
- very disappointed with the elite breakfast - $16 per person
- annoyed that there was some sort of dance thing that night going on in the "living room" beside the lobby, it was super loud and made it a bit hard to hear the check in agent
Room
- wasn't surprised by anything. The pictures of the Cool Corner Suites are very accurate
- soundproofing left a bit to be desired - I was on like the 12th floor and it was past midnight and I could STILL hear that dance music from the check-in area
- I really love the bedroom, SUPER spacious compared to my house. Thought the red "psychiatrist couch" was cute (my girlfriend thought it was weird)
- I also really like how effective the blackout curtains were. Sunlight causes me to wake up, and I slept in quite nicely
- There's also something special about the W bed. My girlfriend quite literally is unable to sleep and even she was able to fall asleep on that bed
Breakfast
- TRACE restaurant was a bit of a walk, got kinda lost trying to find it
- As mentioned above, $16 elite breakfast credit per person ......
- ....... but the cheapest meaningful breakfast entree is $16 (Texas Market Migas $16, Trace Breakfast $17, Eggs Benedict $16 .... because it's not filling to pay for $14 waffles or pancakes or $12 chorizo breakfast tacos)
- and then throw in 2 coffees for $4.50 each and yeah .... not free breakfast, very sad
- Coffee was burnt too .... like worse-than-Starbucks burnt. No amount of cream could rescue it
Away Spa
- surprisingly, the spa gets booked up was able to make a same-day appointment for the afternoon
- friendly staff all around
Pool
- checked out the pool after the spa, and it was Friday afternoon and the pool was quite full. The cabanas were all taken as well as all the pool chairs
- plenty of towels and the bar service was quite efficient
- there was an artificial turf area behind the bar where you can play cornhole
Overall, not bad hotel. I would happily use a credit card free night cert to stay again