W Bellevue, Washington [Master Thread]
I did amend the breakfast wiki to indicate that the Platinum breakfast benefit is for two people, with no ceiling/maximum (restaurant or room service both ok).
What do you want to know about Bellevue vs. Downtown specifically, Helvetic?
Last edited by Points Scrounger; Sep 3, 2017 at 7:46 pm
(I'm currently at the Westin, even though I nominally live in Redmond, because I actually just live in hotels this year.)
W Bellevue
10455 NE 5th Place Bellevue, WA US 98004
Top Notch Service! (7 Photos)
W Bellevue
Check In
I got a bit lost trying to find the main entrance as it's within a larger complex, but luckily I ran across an employee returning to the property, who guided me to the reception desk. Had to wait for a free clerk, however that wasn't much of an issue as arriving guests are handed a glass of champagne by a host! No suite offered, though I was given a room on the top floor which the clerk said was an upgrade from the mid-level room I'd booked. Platinum amenity discussion yielded the information that the breakfast benefit is (theoretically) unlimited for two people, either at the restaurant or via room service.
Room
(Apologies for the photo order)
The infamous shower is, indeed, a feature to behold! One reviewer made a refernce to feeling like a defendant in an Italian mob trial, which isn't too far off. Exhibitionists ought to love that there are two reflections of the goings-on within the cube: mirror over the sink and mirror opposite the foot of the shower. I was solo, so if you aren't . . . you'll have to work out something. I never really got over the shower being there as a feature, sort of looming over the stay more than an issue with the actual usage. WC had a light sensor, so no need to fumble for a switch.
Moving on . . . working the shades and blinds was a bit of an issue with six sets of cords, but by the second day I had worked out a system of carefully grasping the one I wanted, before trying to raise or lower it. The bed was fine, although I took note of one fellow who seriously banged his shin on the protruding frame; I only had a minor brush, but being solo was able to always get out on the shower side.
Plenty of electrical sockets, and the bedside lamp was enough light to read by. The marshmallow-like table under the widow-side nightstand rolls out for food/drinks which sitting on the couch. Didn't partake of any minibar items, but wanted to get a picture of the items of greatest necessity - ha ha! Nespresso supplies are apparently per stay not per night. Making tea involved steeping it in the larger bathroom glass using two Nespresso portions of water, awkward but it worked.
Not much drawer space, as the larger top drawer in the photo contains the room safe. The orange cubby above it is shallower than it looks for storing much of anything. AC was a bit noisy, for those who hate that, but I didn't mind as it did its job well on a warm day. Room was very quiet otherwise, both street and corridor noise minimal.
Two evening "turn down" visits: one featuring pillow chocolates, and the other offering two more water bottles (a complimentary one in the room on arrival).
Dining
Went to the (cocktail) Lounge first night for a drink and a small plate. To be honest, the vibe was a bit "scene" for me; luckily, I didn't overhear the argument across the room over which TV channel should be playing. The drink I ordered wasn't what I expected, and I didn't care for it, but as it wasn't a very large glass, I drank it; barternders seemed to know what they were doing and were efficient enough. Plate of carrots with yogurt was outstanding, using whole baby carrots of different colors, not just wholesaler-jobbed produce! Berry parfait (they call it something else) with a square of walnut brittle was great also.
Dinner at the Lakehouse Restaurant itself was fine: g & t with northwestern fir pine liqueuer added, ashamed to admit that I cannot recall the exact food item, but it was very good; folks next to me at the bar ordered several plates, and I was tempted to order the corn soup as well based on its appearance.
Breakfast at the Lakehouse was quite the experience. First morning I chose the avocado toast with eggs, salmon and spinach (I had heard of "avocado toast" but never actually tried any), which the small dish of red pepper paste (think Balkan ajvar) bumped the dish up to excellent. Second day I chose their variation on eggs, sausage and potatoes, which was okay, but not as satisfying as the former dish. Coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice as well, though the first morning the coffee was warm/tepid rather than hot. Server offered to make me a latte when I mentioned it, but no offer of hotter coffee? I passed.
Overall
I did not utilize fitness facilities, nor parking. Internet was very slow. Expensive rates for a leisure cash stay, so recommended more for either business or award points.
Notable was the lack of upgrade, at 10pm check-in, on a very low occupancy night, with every suite category available (except the Extreme Wow). They placed me (Plat100) in a "Spectacular" room, which is a two category upgrade. At check-in, they wanted to charge me $150 (a special discounted rate from $300) for the Marvelous Suite upgrade. Ridiculous, considering they were selling those rooms for merely $100 more than the base-level rooms.
Breakfast is a voucher for anything at the restaurant or room service. We ordered a few things from room service; which quickly racked up a $150 bill. Kind of ridiculous for yogurt and toast for two people—but at least that's taken care of by Platinum status.
My stay posted this morning and, as I suspected, I will need to send in the folio for reconsideration as my dinner at the Lakehouse restaurant seems to have posted under miscellaneous rather than actual food and beverage.
I just received the folio and it seems like they charged me for the breakfast… will have to send it in to get that adjusted.
I don't expect to be given a specialty suite; though it'd be nice for a Plat100 on a low occupancy night and on a one-night stay… but I do expect to at the very least be given the base-level suite.