What a great property! Both the STR and the Westin (sister properties and across the street from each other) are stunners, but the STR wins out - let's dive in to the pros, cons, and photos:
Pros:
- Upgraded to a Premium Large Arno River Room with a balcony (basically the same as the Westin) the day before arrival - the check-in agent spent some time unprompted looking to see if there were junior suites, which there weren't (I knew this online as the only other category available were Royal Suites)
- Room design is exquisite with beautiful detailing and art (love the massive painting of the city over the desk)
- Bed was very comfortable - though, like the Westin, the covers were initially too thin
- I asked the front desk for an extra duvet, and they came up at turndown service to add an extra cover underneath the original one
- Ended up with a fantastic bed with thick covers, plush pillows, and a just-right / plush mattress
- Shower pressure and temperature were fantastic
- Great views from the two windows in the bedroom and the window in the bathroom
- Working international shaver outlet in the bathroom
- Internet TV OS - it thought my name was Pamela, but regardless, the YouTube app worked
- Service was very friendly, as it should be - escorted to my room by the front desk, etc.
- Love the keys here - the tassles are a fun throwback to the days when presumably they were using physical keys
- Nice welcome gift of some delicious sweet wine and really tasty assorted biscotti (not too crunchy)
- Tasty dark chocolates left at turndown service (which was very thorough, including my cover addition)
- Butler wake-up cappuccino came with lemon muffins and was delivered within 2 minutes of calling
- Elite welcome gift breakfast is the full buffet on the balcony overlooking the main restaurant - eggs and pancakes/waffles/french toast made to order - really tasty pancakes - delicious orange juice and special juice of the day
Cons:
- Some minor cleanliness details (hairs) missed - would not mention at a lower brand, but this is a STR (not that any of these posed an issue)
- Windows pretty hard to open with tight locking mechanisms that are definitely getting on in the years
Note: It was interesting as I wasn't charged for an incidental hold here (was just charged the final total) and was explicitly told that incidentals would be handled at check-out - I haven't run into this very often, not that it truly matters to me.
Overall, I loved my stay here and look forward to coming back!
Photos: