<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pitflyer:
I checked in to the Westin Sydney 2 days ago for a six night stay. Everyone was excellent and very polite, but I was disappointed in the room I received -- not that it is in any way a bad room -- I don't think there is any bad room in the place, but I felt like any Joe Schmoe could get the room (10th floor, regular room). Being a Starwood Plat (they did know that, and gave me the 500 points along with access to the lounge) I was even more flustered when I noted that 1/6 of the hotel is for Starwood Preferred Guests (4 regular floors, along with 4 executive floors). But upon check-in, and then again checking again today, I was told there was nothing available for me.
I am a little torn because the room is very nice and at any other hotel it would be an upgrade. But I have high expectations for the Westin chain, and specifically this Westin (based on other posts here) and so far I don't see it being very different than being SPG Platinum or Marriott Platinum or Hilton Diamond in how I am treated here (I'm all three!)
I'll post more details later, but if Starwood Lurker reads this, please drop me an email .. maybe you can do me a favor and check and see what the real deal is and if the hotel really has 1/6 of its rooms (the better rooms) sold directly or there are all more important Platinums (or SPG VIPs I guess) here...</font>
I just returned from two nights at the Westin also. While I did get lounge access and a room on the 27th (SPG) floor, I didn't receive any amenity, nor was I offered the choice card. I felt the same - I expected to be treated as a 'special' guest. I didn't actually say anything about the missing amenity - I don't know whether I should bother emailing Starwood. From past experience, some of their staff seem to think that lounge floor access *is* the amenty.