In light of your post, SPN Lifer, I had to ask myself what I would think of the Westin Guam if I had just visited for the first time. I must admit, its doubtful I would have noticed the same things.

It's the deterioration over a such a relatively short time that caught my attention, notably in the bathrooms. This hotel is less than 10 years old, yet the wallpaper is peeling, floor and shower tiles are cracked/broken, glass is badly water stained, and the toliet area doesn't always smell so good. This, I beleive, is because the toliet is not tightened well enough to the floor...well, use your imagination. Also, there's not a Heavenly Shower in any room that I have occupied. I realize that fixing those things will require an infusion of capital, which is hard to come by on Guam at present, so I don't make a fuss about it while there.

All of that is easily enough overlooked, I suppose, until you read the in-room literature in which they claim to be the only 5-star on Tumon Bay. One stay in the Westin Tokyo or Westin Chosun Seoul and you know what a Westin can and should be.

As I said in my original post, I think their best asset is their people. The staff are all friendly, helpful and seem genuinely glad to be there...and genuinely glad I'm there. I would also agree with you that they have a great location.

Their SPG floor is 20. That's where they used to upgrade me into when I was Gold. As a Platinum they give me a single suite, which are the last rooms on each floor - Oceanside. There is a lounge on the 21st floor, but they call it the Royal Beach Club. It mainly for the guests on 21 who have double or larger suites, but I have always been invited to visit as a Platinum and I think they also allow folks from the SPG floor. They serve a Continental breakfast in the mornings, refreshments all day, and drinks and pupus in the evening.

As you probably noticed, they also have large family suites on the left and right of the main hotel. I have never been offered an upgrade into anything there or on 21 for that matter.

Okay...now for Saipan. As often as I've been to Guam and as much as I love the South Pacific, I've never had the chance to visit Saipan. How do you like it? Are you a native or a transplant? As I will certainly visit one day soon, what hotel do you recommend I book?