Westin Houston Downtown, opened Sep 2013 [Master Thread]
Nov 2, 2013, 8:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 347
Westin Houston Downtown, opened Sep 2013 [Master Thread]
Just stayed at this property from October 30-31.
It was okay. Seemed to follow the Westin model.
Check-in: Only before heading to my room did the reception remember to ask about the welcome benefit. Was not offered an upgrade to a better room or suite.
Ballpark Cafe: Had dinner here. Found a piece of someone's nail in the hummus. Extremely revolting. Was offered 1,000 points by the hotel. Graciously accepted as the company was paying for my meal anyway.
Check-out: Had my folio e-mailed to me. Only then did I notice that I was charged for internet. Walked right back in and they removed it.
All in all, I am definitely going to stay somewhere else. Bathroom and bed were fine, but the issue at the restaurant (which can happen anywhere) and the lack of recognition for my Platinum status was a tad frustrating.
It was okay. Seemed to follow the Westin model.
Check-in: Only before heading to my room did the reception remember to ask about the welcome benefit. Was not offered an upgrade to a better room or suite.
Ballpark Cafe: Had dinner here. Found a piece of someone's nail in the hummus. Extremely revolting. Was offered 1,000 points by the hotel. Graciously accepted as the company was paying for my meal anyway.
Check-out: Had my folio e-mailed to me. Only then did I notice that I was charged for internet. Walked right back in and they removed it.
All in all, I am definitely going to stay somewhere else. Bathroom and bed were fine, but the issue at the restaurant (which can happen anywhere) and the lack of recognition for my Platinum status was a tad frustrating.
Nov 5, 2013, 3:22 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NL, Canada
Programs: AC Aeroplan SE, Marriott LTPPE
Posts: 123
Westin Houston (downtown)
I have a reservation there for a trip coming up in February. I imagine given its location in the Minute Maid Park area that the area is kinda sketchy if out walking at night?
Feb 12, 2014, 9:17 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Raleigh
Programs: United GS 2MM,, Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 754
Staying here this week. My thoughts:
Many rooms on the first four floors are accessed from an atrium which contains reception, the bar, and restaurant. Hence there is a fair amount of noise. I switched out of my first room because I go to sleep early and noise can be an issue. Any room in the tower (level 5 or up) would be safe from this problem.
The in-house restaurant is pretty boring chain hotel restaurant.
As mentioned above, Vic and Anthony's, a nice steak house, is immediately adjacent to the hotel and allows for room charges. As with any steak house a full dinner will run well over $100 per person. I managed to get out for $70 by ordering non-steak entres. Great service and food.
This hotel is very close to the Astros ball park. But not in the core of downtown by any stretch. Actually it's surrounded on all sides by full-block parking lots. This is a bit of an issue as you can't quickly walk to other restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
Parking on the street is very easy. There are meters but you can even pay them with your smart phone. (You can even pay them from your room!). I had no issues finding parking. But I'm sure it's a madhouse on baseball nights.
Rooms are fine.
I did get platinum upgrade to a junior suite. But turned it down to get into the tower as noted above. Offered platinum amenity and free internet.
About 0.7 miles to get to the Buffalo Bayou trail which is great for running.
Summary: I'll stay again if it makes sense. Vic and Anthony's is a draw for me.
Many rooms on the first four floors are accessed from an atrium which contains reception, the bar, and restaurant. Hence there is a fair amount of noise. I switched out of my first room because I go to sleep early and noise can be an issue. Any room in the tower (level 5 or up) would be safe from this problem.
The in-house restaurant is pretty boring chain hotel restaurant.
As mentioned above, Vic and Anthony's, a nice steak house, is immediately adjacent to the hotel and allows for room charges. As with any steak house a full dinner will run well over $100 per person. I managed to get out for $70 by ordering non-steak entres. Great service and food.
This hotel is very close to the Astros ball park. But not in the core of downtown by any stretch. Actually it's surrounded on all sides by full-block parking lots. This is a bit of an issue as you can't quickly walk to other restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
Parking on the street is very easy. There are meters but you can even pay them with your smart phone. (You can even pay them from your room!). I had no issues finding parking. But I'm sure it's a madhouse on baseball nights.
Rooms are fine.
I did get platinum upgrade to a junior suite. But turned it down to get into the tower as noted above. Offered platinum amenity and free internet.
About 0.7 miles to get to the Buffalo Bayou trail which is great for running.
Summary: I'll stay again if it makes sense. Vic and Anthony's is a draw for me.
Feb 17, 2014, 6:19 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NL, Canada
Programs: AC Aeroplan SE, Marriott LTPPE
Posts: 123
Westin Houston Downtown
Staying here this week. My thoughts:
Many rooms on the first four floors are accessed from an atrium which contains reception, the bar, and restaurant. Hence there is a fair amount of noise. I switched out of my first room because I go to sleep early and noise can be an issue. Any room in the tower (level 5 or up) would be safe from this problem.
The in-house restaurant is pretty boring chain hotel restaurant.
As mentioned above, Vic and Anthony's, a nice steak house, is immediately adjacent to the hotel and allows for room charges. As with any steak house a full dinner will run well over $100 per person. I managed to get out for $70 by ordering non-steak entres. Great service and food.
This hotel is very close to the Astros ball park. But not in the core of downtown by any stretch. Actually it's surrounded on all sides by full-block parking lots. This is a bit of an issue as you can't quickly walk to other restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
Parking on the street is very easy. There are meters but you can even pay them with your smart phone. (You can even pay them from your room!). I had no issues finding parking. But I'm sure it's a madhouse on baseball nights.
Rooms are fine.
I did get platinum upgrade to a junior suite. But turned it down to get into the tower as noted above. Offered platinum amenity and free internet.
About 0.7 miles to get to the Buffalo Bayou trail which is great for running.
Summary: I'll stay again if it makes sense. Vic and Anthony's is a draw for me.
Many rooms on the first four floors are accessed from an atrium which contains reception, the bar, and restaurant. Hence there is a fair amount of noise. I switched out of my first room because I go to sleep early and noise can be an issue. Any room in the tower (level 5 or up) would be safe from this problem.
The in-house restaurant is pretty boring chain hotel restaurant.
As mentioned above, Vic and Anthony's, a nice steak house, is immediately adjacent to the hotel and allows for room charges. As with any steak house a full dinner will run well over $100 per person. I managed to get out for $70 by ordering non-steak entres. Great service and food.
This hotel is very close to the Astros ball park. But not in the core of downtown by any stretch. Actually it's surrounded on all sides by full-block parking lots. This is a bit of an issue as you can't quickly walk to other restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
Parking on the street is very easy. There are meters but you can even pay them with your smart phone. (You can even pay them from your room!). I had no issues finding parking. But I'm sure it's a madhouse on baseball nights.
Rooms are fine.
I did get platinum upgrade to a junior suite. But turned it down to get into the tower as noted above. Offered platinum amenity and free internet.
About 0.7 miles to get to the Buffalo Bayou trail which is great for running.
Summary: I'll stay again if it makes sense. Vic and Anthony's is a draw for me.
May 8, 2017, 6:12 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Apr 27, 2018, 2:19 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS - MVP75k, Marriott - Titanium, Hertz - PC
Posts: 225
Note, this hotel is considered a Convention Hotel (by the property anyway) and will not honor 4pm Checkout as such. No where on the SPG site does it indicate this is a Convention Hotel and the management is quite standoffish when questioned about it. Seems they will not budge. Interestingly, when I contacted @spgAssist, they could not confirm it was a Convention Hotel, either.
Apr 27, 2018, 2:36 pm
#10
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Note, this hotel is considered a Convention Hotel (by the property anyway) and will not honor 4pm Checkout as such. No where on the SPG site does it indicate this is a Convention Hotel and the management is quite standoffish when questioned about it. Seems they will not budge. Interestingly, when I contacted @spgAssist, they could not confirm it was a Convention Hotel, either.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts LLC
[email protected]
