We stayed at the new W in Bali using FRNs in September. The resort is lovely with attentive staff and beautiful rooms with a great sounds system and romantic CD. We were originally upgraded to an ocean front deluxe; but after checking the SPG web site at check-in, we found there was a suite available and informed the staff and were then correctly upgraded. The suites are limited (four I think) and therefore difficult for Platinums to get upgraded to (villas next to impossible, I was told by the staff). However, we were lucky a suite did become available (seems just the luck of the draw) at check-in time; on the other hand, a deluxe ocean front would have been nice - no complaints either way.

There is no lounge or cocktail hour (except for a Friday get together) for Platinums and no complimentary breakfast like we experienced a most SW properties in Asia (the FRN promo we used at at other SW properties, the St. Regis for example, provides complimentary breakfast to Plats). This was initially quite a shock and disappointment at the W; but frankly there is so much to enjoy in Seminyak that this did not seem important after a few nights. We enjoyed shopping at sunset (when the sun is not too strong) so we would have missed the cocktail hour anyway; and I'm not a big breakfast person anyway; so even when the breakfasts are huge and complimentary, I mostly miss breakfast and prefer sleeping "in" as they say.

I did think feel; however, that the Platinum recognition was not really up to par with other properties in Asia and should be improved; and it improved dramatically after pointing this out to the Operations Manager, who then insured we did get fruit baskets and newspapers daily. He also insured the skylight over the bathroom was cleaned (was quite dirty upon check-in); and he attributed this to the fact the suite was made available quickly for us. We were also invited to a complimentary breakfast, but never made it due to our morning schedules.

Overall, this is a great property and we loved it even thought we felt like we had to put a lot of extra effort / energy into getting recognized as Platinum members. The property is beautiful and vibrate. The ocean facing rooms are fantastic and the sound system in the room, combined with the ocean front balcony does create a very romantic environment. Security is very tight at the perimeter, which can be annoying at times; but better safe than sorry, as they say. Yes, on the weekends the base beat from the Woo Bar music was so loud that it sounded like the music originated in the room, not the bar, but never mind, we were off to enjoy the city by that time!

Overall, our stay was excellent, mostly due to the generous attention and service of the Operations Manager, who was eager to do his best to make loyal SW customers feel at home at the W. I highly recommend this property to everyone, Platinum or not. My thoughts are the Platinum recognition is not up to par with most SW properties in Asia; but that is no reason to shy away from such a great property on a beautiful beach a few minutes from some great shopping and fine dining.

Highly Recommended, with a Platinum Caveat!

PS: Thank you SW for the FRN promotion and the nights at the W in Bali!