Why when you call Starwood Hotels of any brand directly, do they transfer you to the central reservations office in Austin, Salt Lake or even Cork, Ireland? I called the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers last week and it took me 4 times to get someone who was actually in Chicago! I was told by the agent I spoke with that none of the hotels in Chicago have in house reservations any more and that ALL reservations go to central. I have hade other like experiences with other Starwood Hotels, The Westin in Santa Clara, California and ALL W Hotels from Atlanta to New York and to California. Why does Starwood feel that they dont have to service guest who call long distance to a hotel only to be sent to a toll free center where if I had wanted to in the 1st place I could have called instead? The Westin in Puerto Rico does not even answer their phones. I wanted to call and set up an annaversary dinner for my employer and still was sent to the central reservations, THE HOTEL NEVER EVEN ANSWERED THE *&@$#!@$ Phone!
Ever sence Starwood took over and fired all of the old Westin Guard the small services that were Westin have gone away? Is the cost of saving a few dollars by not having staf in the hotels greater than the cost of loosing long time guests to Marriott or to 4 Seasons? It seems also that ever ence the merge, all of the contract Westin Hotels have had marketing dissagreements with Starwood and parted company, most recient The Prince Hotels. Maybe the Starwood people here can ALL of you, as there are more than one of you can give a real answer to this question. IS THIS THE ABSOLUTE HIGHEST & BEST SERVICE YOU CAN PROVIDE? WHY DO YOU, NOT STARWOOD, THINK THIS IS "GOOD" SERVICE?