YYFer

I like both these properties and generally divide my time between them during the week. The breakfast room at 4 Pts is only good for grab-and-go, but Plats will usually get upgraded without asking to a junior/jacuzzi suite. Modern rooms, but not much charm. As some other posters have mentioned, the Westin is older (shabbier?) but the atmosphere there is great. Staff are ultra-helpful, the manager occasionally hosts breakfast for Plats to get feedback, and the restaurant breakfast buffet is very good. Upgrades are frequent too, jacuzzi suites, adjoining rooms commbined as a suite, large city suite with walk-out veranda. One downside is thin walls if you get a noisy neighbour.

CarNut

Was at the Four Points this week and was told by the front desk staff that the entire 6th floor was closed for renovations. She didn't have any details on what they were actually doing.

rgm18

i'm headed to the Westin here at the end of oct for a 3 night stay on C&P. what can i reasonably expect as a plat? any way to swing breakfast??? suite upgrade?

do i have to pay for parking?

thnx
r

SPG Junkie

Likely to be upgraded to a suite. The property has a pretty good track history on upgrades, and they've consistently treated me well. Unfortunately, no lounge, no free breakfast. Service is good overall. Parking is limited especially throughout the week. I usually choose valet but my company picks up the tab.

Triley

Parking is only $22 for valet, not really that bad since $18 just covers self-parking, if I recall.

There's plenty of other places to park in downtown. Anyone who enjoys gambling (or a fairly decent buffet for a great price) might be interested in parking at Casino Nova Scotia. If you spend $10 or more on any combination of dining, entertainment, or gaming, they'll give you complimentary parking.

It's a short 2 minute city bus ride from a nearby mall/terminal to the Westin. Cost is $2.25. Or, you can take a cab, which would probably run you $7-$8.

Not sure what the hour restriction is on the comped parking, so make sure to verify the information with the agent when you get your player's club card.

rgm18

is there any free parking on a weekend near the hotel? say city/public/street parking? (walking distance)
thnx
r

margarita girl

Out of the 3 or 4 times I've stayed here, I've NEVER paid for self parking. They always waive the charge. It's right behind the hotel, and you can enter through the back door.

Triley

I'm afraid you're far too superior to me, mighty MG. (I'm just a gold, so maybe that's why they never waive the charge?)


rgm18 - Yes, there is plenty of parking meters around the hotel. Not too sure what the hours of operation are on them, but I can tell you that they really fill up fast. (Not too many spots to begin with.)

rgm18

how do you get them to waive the charge? im a plat too....can i just ask?
thnx
r

margarita girl

Yes. The first time I asked if it would be OK to use street parking overnight, and the FDA said to use the lot. There would be no charge. Ever since then, I just ask them if they'll be waiving the fee and they've always said yes. No idea if it's because I'm Plat or not.

CarNut

I stay at the Westin about twice a month, and just did an 8 night stay in August.

The self-parking is a bit of a joke here. The way it's supposed to work is that you take your ticket to the front desk, and they stamp it and put the parking charge on your room bill.

However, in my experience, the booth is not staffed 24/7, so if you happen to be leaving at the right time, you just drive right out.

Also, in my experience and I'm not advising anyone to do this, the front desk has no problem stamping my ticket without asking my room number (I just go back with my ticket and ask them to stamp it), and the booth staff don't always seem to care if your ticket is stamped or not.

The new Halifax Farmers Market is across the road from the Westin, and I think is used as an event space when the Market is not operating. So be warned that if there is something going on, parking becomes very scarce in the Westin lot.

I also find the spaces extremely narrow, so you need to be very careful when pulling in to a spot.

As already mentioned, no lounge and no free breakfast, though I did manage to get a 50% off coupon for breakfast when I was there for 8 nights.

Sweet Willie

Does this imply no weekend shuttle service?
this post was a much earlier post, seems like things may have changed with street parking situation:

Braindrain

No idea, as I've never been there on the weekend.

Triley

The hours of operation for the shuttle are listed until the Transportation Options, under the Local Area tab for the hotel. It's listed as 8am to 8pm, Monday through Friday.

And well, as far as parking meters go? I'd have to guess no more than 30 within eyesight of the hotel. But remember, there are a lot of little restaurants and hostels on this side of downtown (in addition to a few residences), so the parking meters get taken pretty quickly after hours.

YYFer

The shuttle is weekdays only and loosely restricted to the downtown core - Public Gardens up Spring Garden or Marriott hotel area is about the outer limit.

I find parking in Halifax a general nightmare for both cost and availability. But at the Westin, if the back lot is full (or they won't comp you the parking) there are about 15 non-metered spots across the street and around the curve toward the Superstore. They work for overnight parking but at 8am, the 1 hour limit kicks in. Also, during the winter months, overnight street parking is banned in many areas to accommodate snow removal. But Halifax is a great walking city, and cabs are cheap. Take the Airporter in and out and enjoy the Maritime air!