This hotel has certainly fallen from its perch of being a Plat favorite and my recent stay will likely be my last as the resort fees are beyond absurd and I was reminded of some other problems (like terrible soundproofing) that I always seemed to forget/overlook.

I'd argue that for most people the benefits of this hotel are:
1. Its proximity to the strip (without being on it)
2. being a smaller hotel (by Vegas standards) with convenient parking garage & free parking.
3. Small casino in lobby with $5 blackjack (soon to be closed)

A few years ago this hotel was fantastic to Platinum members, likely realizing their loyalty was essential to the hotel. They used to give a 'gift' at check-in (like a Vegas coffee mug) and 500 extra SPG points but the hotel was probably best known for also offering plats free buffet breakfast before it was a Platinum benefit and my guess is that's what got them a lot of love here on FT. They also didn't charge resort fees to Plats and the staff was great (IMO), too.

These perks helped many overlook the dated rooms, terrible wall & window soundproofing (especially facing E Flamingo Ave), lack of a club lounge (this is Vegas, after all!) and practically zero suite inventory.

Now they're no longer removing the resort fee for plats (a pure $ grab that, for some reason, SPG is allowing) despite having increased competition from Marriott hotels.

IMO, if you want off-strip, then Marriott has several good hotel options in the area including:
1. A Marriott Vacation Club about two blocks away that has NO resort fees
2. A Courtyard down near Mandalay Bay (with free shuttle) and
3. A Residence Inn in Hughes Center (about two blocks east of the Westin) that has a lot of good, reasonably-priced food options around it such as: Panera, Chipotle, a local pizza place, McCormick & Schmick's and Fogo de Chão.

Goodbye Westin!

P.S. The irony that SPG is siding with this hotel and allowing them to charge $30/day resort fee for literally zero benefits above what a standard Westin hotel offers is even more laughable because the hotel has a massive banner in their lobby saying they are now some new hotel group (and no Westin signage). When I asked if that meant they're leaving SPG, I was told no, it's just owned by a new group. Apparently they don't know/care that SPG has brand standards regarding signage around check-in?!?