Westin Fort Lauderdale 2006 onward [Master Thread]
Jul 1, 2011, 10:12 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Looks like SPG IT is having a problem keeping up with property listings. They lost the Westin near SFO last week, now this... 
If you are looking to book or just curious call SPG. Maybe if their call centers get overloaded on phone calls someone will rattle the right cage to get things back online.
Sometimes we get too tied into this passing fad called the internet... Old school still works, pick up a phone.
If you are looking to book or just curious call SPG. Maybe if their call centers get overloaded on phone calls someone will rattle the right cage to get things back online.
Sometimes we get too tied into this passing fad called the internet... Old school still works, pick up a phone.
Jul 4, 2011, 10:43 am
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,139
How can a "Westin" leave Starwood? Or is the property re-branding to an independent name or joining another chain?
I can't imagine SW permitting a branded hotel from opting out of the program - it's just a generic 'blah' hotel, not a fancy exclusive island resort.
I can't imagine SW permitting a branded hotel from opting out of the program - it's just a generic 'blah' hotel, not a fancy exclusive island resort.
Jul 4, 2011, 10:59 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: spg gold, CO Platinum, MR Gold
Posts: 619
maybe the glitch has not been fixed? the hotel's website works fine
Jul 4, 2011, 11:08 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Unfortunately, there is a thread about SPG IT loosing properties. This is the second I've heard about, both being Westins. Hmmmm Did some programmer get a bad room on their last stay? We may never know.
Let the speculations roll!
Last edited by RogerD408; Jul 4, 2011 at 11:29 am
Nov 10, 2011, 6:26 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, AA Platinum, National Emerald Exec Elite
Posts: 125
Our company travels extensively to the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area and always stay at this property. It is in very close proximity to I-95 and serves as primarily a business class hotel. The rooms are upscale when compared to a standard business class hotel. The facilities are 4 star in my mind although there is some wear here and there - something which most properties have to show. Their staff is very helpful and accommodating - if you have an issue, try Jake Oja or One of their management staff. We have always been well-taken care of. They are affiliated with SPG and Platinums wills receive free parking in a special lot close to the front door. Upgrades are consistent, but quite frankly, their standard rooms are very nice too. A little bit of road noise and the occasional aircraft taking off, but nothing that would keep you up. A tip would be to ask for a room away from the elevator because the dinging can get annoying. They use this hotel for business conferences, thus their clientele tends to be business professionals. I would definitely recommend this hotel for the value.
Feb 23, 2012, 10:27 am
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
just had a one night stay here. it was just an in-and-out after arriving late at FLL and before beginning our trip the next day.
front desk staff were very pleasant and professional. plat recognition was excellent. it was a C&P stay and we were upgraded to a corner executive suite which was very comfortable. had a quick beer downstairs at the bar before retiring. they comped the parking for us as plat. no lounge.
since we were really just in and out we didn't have a chance to look around the area, but it's probably not a great vacation hotel due to its location. for our purposes it was perfect though and we enjoyed our short stay.
front desk staff were very pleasant and professional. plat recognition was excellent. it was a C&P stay and we were upgraded to a corner executive suite which was very comfortable. had a quick beer downstairs at the bar before retiring. they comped the parking for us as plat. no lounge.
since we were really just in and out we didn't have a chance to look around the area, but it's probably not a great vacation hotel due to its location. for our purposes it was perfect though and we enjoyed our short stay.
May 31, 2012, 8:40 am
#24
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,293
Had a two night stay here over Memorial Day and was distinctively unimpressed.
As a Plat, I got upgraded to a junior suite which was nice enough, but the AC unit in it was far to weak to cope with the Florida heat (82F in the room despite having the curtains drawn). There was also a broken safe and missing amenities such as complimentary water and bathrobes.
The hotel also has serious maintenance issues: I got stuck in elevators twice. Throughout the time I was there, the water cooler in the small gym was broken, and nobody bothered to provide some alternative. Most importantly, by 3pm on both afternoons, the hotel had run out of pool towels and they did not return for the rest of the day. When other guests and I confronted staff, we were given all sorts of stories about how bad guests were to steal them, instead of an apology. It felt like nobody really cared.
Before checking out, I requested a chat with a manager, who was very good about it and promised to review the issues with his team. He also deposited service promise Starpoints into my account. Still, I can't see myself returning here.
As a Plat, I got upgraded to a junior suite which was nice enough, but the AC unit in it was far to weak to cope with the Florida heat (82F in the room despite having the curtains drawn). There was also a broken safe and missing amenities such as complimentary water and bathrobes.
The hotel also has serious maintenance issues: I got stuck in elevators twice. Throughout the time I was there, the water cooler in the small gym was broken, and nobody bothered to provide some alternative. Most importantly, by 3pm on both afternoons, the hotel had run out of pool towels and they did not return for the rest of the day. When other guests and I confronted staff, we were given all sorts of stories about how bad guests were to steal them, instead of an apology. It felt like nobody really cared.
Before checking out, I requested a chat with a manager, who was very good about it and promised to review the issues with his team. He also deposited service promise Starpoints into my account. Still, I can't see myself returning here.
Jul 26, 2012, 4:06 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP, SPG/Marriott Plat, WOH Diamond, IHG Plat Ambassador, HHonors Gold, jetBlue Mosaic
Posts: 170
I've stayed here as a Plat on a few mattress runs to hit free night thresholds etc... and have always been very happy with this hotel. In addition to the primo parking spots, they give Plats 25% on all food and non-alcoholic drinks. They are only a Cat. 2 and I recently noticed with the 3,000-point suite promotion, this hotel is basically giving you a free night (3,000 points) per stay...and the rate for a qualifying suite is only $139 a night for most nights I checked.
May 4, 2013, 12:20 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Florida
Programs: marriott platinum, intercontinental diamond
Posts: 210
Very pleasant stay
Just finished a one night stay. Staff was pleasant and efficient. I was upgraded to a small suite and room was well laid out.
I chose the platinum continental breakfast benefit. I was able to upgrade to the full breakfast buffet for $5.00 per person.
Good value for $79 weekend rate.
I chose the platinum continental breakfast benefit. I was able to upgrade to the full breakfast buffet for $5.00 per person.
Good value for $79 weekend rate.
Jul 17, 2013, 7:48 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PBI / FLL / YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Delta Plat, AA Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 1,983
Just stayed here last night. I think this is a fine business hotel. It is nothing special but a fine experience.
Physical Plant - The hotel lobby was very presentable. They did not have my room choice available. The check-in agent was very apologetic - compensated me with additional SPG points and a free breakfast buffet at the restaurant. I found the restaurant buffet very adequate and had a nice view of the (rainy) lake. The fitness center was fine, albeit somewhat small. It was strange that I had to exit the hotel to enter the fitness center (given it was raining), but it was only a mild inconvenience.
Rooms - The rooms had new-ish, flat screen TVs. The bathroom I had was small but the shower was good, with the nice "rainfall" shower head. I found the layout of the room somewhat strange as the TV did not directly face the bed, but the room had good amenities, adequate plugs/lighting and I was generally pleased.
Area - This is purely a business hotel. In fact, it sits right in the middle of an office park. If you are staying here for leisure, you will be disappointed. There is a non-trivial drive to the beach, however for business, great access to all major highways and roadways if you don't need to be in downtown MIA / FLL. I had meetings at various locations in Broward County and I passed the hotel several times in fact. I was very pleased with this hotel and I would return for business in the future.
Physical Plant - The hotel lobby was very presentable. They did not have my room choice available. The check-in agent was very apologetic - compensated me with additional SPG points and a free breakfast buffet at the restaurant. I found the restaurant buffet very adequate and had a nice view of the (rainy) lake. The fitness center was fine, albeit somewhat small. It was strange that I had to exit the hotel to enter the fitness center (given it was raining), but it was only a mild inconvenience.
Rooms - The rooms had new-ish, flat screen TVs. The bathroom I had was small but the shower was good, with the nice "rainfall" shower head. I found the layout of the room somewhat strange as the TV did not directly face the bed, but the room had good amenities, adequate plugs/lighting and I was generally pleased.
Area - This is purely a business hotel. In fact, it sits right in the middle of an office park. If you are staying here for leisure, you will be disappointed. There is a non-trivial drive to the beach, however for business, great access to all major highways and roadways if you don't need to be in downtown MIA / FLL. I had meetings at various locations in Broward County and I passed the hotel several times in fact. I was very pleased with this hotel and I would return for business in the future.
Dec 13, 2013, 4:29 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,064
Checked into this hotel for a one-night stay booked at a SPG Hot Escapes rate. At checkin, asked for the 4PM late checkout for Platinum guests and was told that the hotel couldn't offer a late checkout. I mentioned that this was guaranteed for Platinum guests at hotels that aren't resorts or conference centers and was told that a late checkout was still unavailable. Then (politely, of course) asked to speak to a manager.
Manager told me that the hotel chooses to offer late checkouts when they're available and that hotel policy supersedes SPG policy in this matter. I actually pulled out the SPG welcome book that was on the desk at this point and pointed out the Platinum benefits to her, detailing the 4 PM late checkout at non-resort/conference center hotels, and she still wouldn't budge. At that point, I told her that I would ask for SPG's assistance in the matter, but the platinum concierge has been unable to get in touch with the manager on duty. I contacted the Lurker, so I hope that there will be some long-term resolution to this matter, but looks like I'm out of luck for tomorrow with regards to using the hotel past noon, even though I had planned accordingly.
Manager told me that the hotel chooses to offer late checkouts when they're available and that hotel policy supersedes SPG policy in this matter. I actually pulled out the SPG welcome book that was on the desk at this point and pointed out the Platinum benefits to her, detailing the 4 PM late checkout at non-resort/conference center hotels, and she still wouldn't budge. At that point, I told her that I would ask for SPG's assistance in the matter, but the platinum concierge has been unable to get in touch with the manager on duty. I contacted the Lurker, so I hope that there will be some long-term resolution to this matter, but looks like I'm out of luck for tomorrow with regards to using the hotel past noon, even though I had planned accordingly.
Dec 13, 2013, 5:15 pm
#29
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: From: PWM
Programs: United GS, Fairmont Platinum,SPG LTPlat, Hilton Diamond, MarriottGold..like the rest of the world
Posts: 4,401
Checked into this hotel for a one-night stay booked at a SPG Hot Escapes rate. At checkin, asked for the 4PM late checkout for Platinum guests and was told that the hotel couldn't offer a late checkout. I mentioned that this was guaranteed for Platinum guests at hotels that aren't resorts or conference centers and was told that a late checkout was still unavailable. Then (politely, of course) asked to speak to a manager.
Manager told me that the hotel chooses to offer late checkouts when they're available and that hotel policy supersedes SPG policy in this matter. I actually pulled out the SPG welcome book that was on the desk at this point and pointed out the Platinum benefits to her, detailing the 4 PM late checkout at non-resort/conference center hotels, and she still wouldn't budge. At that point, I told her that I would ask for SPG's assistance in the matter, but the platinum concierge has been unable to get in touch with the manager on duty. I contacted the Lurker, so I hope that there will be some long-term resolution to this matter, but looks like I'm out of luck for tomorrow with regards to using the hotel past noon, even though I had planned accordingly.
Manager told me that the hotel chooses to offer late checkouts when they're available and that hotel policy supersedes SPG policy in this matter. I actually pulled out the SPG welcome book that was on the desk at this point and pointed out the Platinum benefits to her, detailing the 4 PM late checkout at non-resort/conference center hotels, and she still wouldn't budge. At that point, I told her that I would ask for SPG's assistance in the matter, but the platinum concierge has been unable to get in touch with the manager on duty. I contacted the Lurker, so I hope that there will be some long-term resolution to this matter, but looks like I'm out of luck for tomorrow with regards to using the hotel past noon, even though I had planned accordingly.
Dec 13, 2013, 10:28 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,064
Well, there is *ALWAYS* a MOD (Manager on Duty) at every property, they're just not always immediately available. But, with a tad of persistence on the part of your Plat Concierge contact, this should be sorted out in short order. Frankly, if the hotel was aware that you felt this strongly about the matter, it's somewhat surprising that they didn't just concede it to you after a few minutes of discussion at the front desk.
