I have just finished a stay at the Westin and have to say I was very disappointed. I should also say that we are legacy SPG loyalists and that Westin is our personal favorite in the chain However, this is a great example, IMHO, of design by somebody who never has to use the product. From the outset the entrance by car is confusing. The Drop Off is signposted ( although only with a small sign and only if you travel in the direction whereby the hotel is on your left. If you approach with the hotel on the right the entrance actually looks like an exit and is not signed as a Drop Off or Entrance from that direction. This leads to an expectation that the gap in the curb that you see just past the hotel is the entrance. When you drive a few yards further and realize that it is not you are forced into a complex drive around the block, which if you are not familiar with the city can be confusing. Better signage would resolve this and as it is a new hotel, maybe this will improve with time.

The entrance to the hotel is actually cluttered and small and shares space with the lobby bar/ cafe. In fact there is only a pane of privacy glass between the Reception Desk and the bar itself, which I suspect could cause noise issues if the bar gets rowdy. The bar itself , The Charles, is apparently " Aviation themed", although the only aviation item I could see were a 3 blade propeller logo on their beer mats and the beer pump for their signature ale and lager. It is very trendy in appearance but ergonomically unsound. The couches are uncomfortable and the tables so low that the poor servers have to squat right to the ground in order to place drinks/ remove glasses etc. It is open along one side to Mary Street, which creates a little ambiance. Another design flaw was that guests who arrive on foot are channeled right through the bar to get to Reception, complete with bags etc, as the entrance is hidden around the side. We witnessed this several times an a short period while having drinks, which given the small space available, seemed strange. In contrast with the rather small and cluttered Reception area there appeared to be far more space behind, between the Reception/Bar area and elevators, so this seems to be a case of all style and less function.

The rooms were modern, small ( compared to the Brisbane Marriott where we stayed the week before) but shiny and new. The desk area was very small though. The design was typical Westin and of course the bed was the typical Westin haven of comfort. Some of the excess pillows that the Heavenly Bed typically has were missing but that was no loss as far as I could see.

The breakfast in the restaurant was good but perhaps one of the most sparse we came across in Australia, with only the Four Points in Sydney having less. It was more than adequate, however, and included all of the normal hot and cold items you'd expect, as well as an egg/ waffle station but, at a charge of $43 AUD pp with taxes, was less than you might expect. Breakfast was included as a Platinum and I only saw the price when I was asked to sign for it each day, with the assurance that it would be removed from my bill at check out.

It has a lounge on the 3rd floor overlooking the street and pool, with canapes in the evening, along with soda and beer or wine only. The selections were an Australian Cabinet Sauvignon/ Merlot blend, I believe a Semillon white and a Sparkling wine. The beer was Peroni. Not an Australian beer to be found. If I contrast it with the Marriott Lounge they had a choice of 2 reds, 2 whites and a sparkling, all of the identical brand/ label as the Westin. The Marriott also had 2 Australian beers IIRC, or maybe 1 and a Heineken or something. Finally the Marriott had gin, rum, vodka, whisky and I think 1 other liquor, as well as a daily cocktail. The canape selection at the Marriott is also considerably better, refreshed more frequently and varied even during the same evening.

I never used the gym/ pool but the pool could be seen from the lounge. It was small and very similar to that at the Marriott.

The biggest differences, however, were in service and specifically platinum treatment. In the two weeks we had in Australia every hotel upgraded us into either a suite or junior suite, or at least the best room available. The Westin declined our SNA and upgraded us to the Executive Floor, but with no view and 2 Queens. There were at least 3 better categories of room available for the entirety of our stay ( excluding suites), which makes a mockery of the best available room guarantee. Admittedly the view options wouldn't be much ( they describe river views being available but it's hard to imagine more than a peek between adjacent towers). It wasn't a huge issue and I put it down to inexperience but in hindsight some of the other room types available would have had a few more square feet so perhaps I should have.

The Welcome gift was where the Westin seemed to fall short with both other Marriott hotels in Australia and with their nearest direct Starriott comparison in Brisbane, the Marriott itself. At 3 other Starriott properties we were offered both breakfast in the lounge or the full buffet in the restaurant AND a gift of either points or a choice of food and drink amenity. The choice at all hotels was a bottle of wine AND a food option such as a choice of chocolates, cheese platter, nuts etc. We were typically presented with a sheet upon which to select our welcome gift. I checked at all that this was in addition to breakfast and was surprised to find it was. At the Westin the food choice was similar but the drink choice was a single glass of wine for 2 guests. We confirmed that this was still in addition to breakfast, just like we had become used to, even though this is obviously over and above what SPG/ Marriott had/ does expect. What wasn't made clear was that this only included breakfast in the lounge, even though we specifically asked if we could have the full breakfast in the restaurant. As we checked in for breakfast each day I confirmed that our rate did indeed include breakfast and we were reassured that it did (because they had us sign for $86 each day, although with a reassurance that it would be removed at check out). At check out a Manager informed us that we should have eaten in the lounge but did remove the items from the bill. There was no hesitation in having it removed but it was accompanied by a frown from the manager and the clear impression that they were doing us a big favor. Of course why anybody would willingly give up $172 over 2 days in return for a glass of wine and a cheese platter should make it clear that there was a misunderstanding.

I know this is long winded but as this is a new hotel I though some might appreciate as much detail as I can remember. In summary, having spent 2 nights at each of the Marriott and the Westin I would agree that the Westin is more Central but the Marriott is only a few blocks further out. The bar, restaurant and lounge, as well as full breakfast buffet are all superior at the Marriott. The public areas at the Marriott are more dated but at the same time more functional. We had an updated room at the Marriott and felt that, although not as modern as the Westin, this was compensated for by better views and larger rooms. The price was within a few dollars between each. The Platinum recognition was better at the Marriott. The staff were also friendlier and more polished at the Marriott but the Westin is a new hotel and should improve with time. I also felt that the Marriott throughout was both more welcoming and would recommend it over the Westin. The Westin also seemed more "penny pinching" than we experienced anywhere else in Australia ( 5 Starriott properties).