I have stayed here many times over the last 6 years. I have encountered both GREAT and bad as my experiences with treatment as a platinum, but they've worked very hard to weed out people who didn't belong at the front desk.

Your ultimate goal is to get a western view room. On a clear day, it's a great view of the ocean. If they have a room available on the 19th floor, which is the Penthouse, even better. I'm not sure how they do upgrades for Golds, but I've generally been able to get my request met as a platinum. Then again, I have been there only on paid stays. There's not supposed to be a difference with SPG, but there are lots of stories of desk agents in different hotels who take it upon themselves to judge "room based on rate paid".

My advice is that you call the hotel's GM. He's very nice, and they will give you his name when you call the hotel. Make your request with him or via voice mail. If he's unable to call you back, someone will...or at the least, you will find yourself in a nicely upgraded room.

Oh and by the way....in the last two years, the service in this hotel has been nothing short of PERFECT.