Westin Resort and The Romanos, Costa Navarino, Greece [Master Thread]

Thanks, I hope it will be.

On a separate note, somewhere on a review on TA i read that suite guests have the privilege to have breakfast in a different restaurant that is much more quite compared to main restaurants that are reported to be quite busy in peak season, but resort (that i contacted) denied that....does anyone know something about?

And sorry to continue asking....but my travel agent insists in proposing me two connecting rooms (deluxe); I asked it to double confirm it as far as the resort stated that at the westin they have not interconnected deluxe rooms (not adjacent but connected by an in-room door); any first-hand experience on that too will be appreciated....

That was the case last year at the Romanos. Not sure about 2012 and Westin.

We'll return for a week this year, this time staying in the Westin. Scored a fantastic BRG deal...emailed the hotel and received excellent advance elite/returning guest recognition. Looking forward...

60 EUR for the kids club would be a real bummer though...

Dear Guests & Visitors,

Thank you for posting your questions and concerns with regards to children care center charges and suite breakfast.

To make sure we can be of your assistance, we wish to clarify that both Cocoon and SandCastle are two unique children care centers especially designed for our younger guests and to offer them not just a place to spend their free time, but extensive educational and creative experience.
Cocoon addressing to the ages of 8 months to 4 years old includes activities that help infants to explore the two way communication, listening, and singing or even improve their social physical skills. Kids will be participating in storytelling, role plays, dancing etc.
At the same time SandCastle also offers half day or full day packages and addressed to children of 5 to 12 years old. Same like Cocoon, SandCastle�s aim is to develop the communication and social skills of children through a variety of educational activities, focusing on local history of Greece and Messinia. In addition SandCastle is also offering overnight accommodation to children (different charges apply).
Overall the prices both for Cocoon and SandCastle have not increased and have remained the same like last year. Cocoon charges are �40 for half day and �60 for full day inclusive of lunch, and SandCastle is �30 for half day and �60 for full day inclusive of lunch as well. A three day pass or 6 day pass (for consecutive days) is also available. Different rates apply though for the overnight stays at SandCastle.

With regards to breakfast being served in a different area for guests staying in suites, we wish to inform you that this was a privilege we were happy to offer last year for suite and villas stays and only at The Romanos Resort for after a specific period during the summer season. However our guests preferred to have breakfast in the main buffet area, therefore this suite privilege will not be implemented this year. We can assure you that the quality of food being served at the main breakfast area and of course in all of our venues is the best and includes a vast array of local and fresh products ensuring the Messinian taste is also present.

We hope the above helps and we wish to see you staying at our resorts again.

Best regards,
The Marketing Team, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Costa Navarino.

Thank you very much for returning us on the subject.

The issue with the possibility to have breakfast in another restaurant was mainly erased for the fact that several guests (as you can see on reviews on many leading travelling website/forum) noted that they have experienced long lines both to be accomodate to a table and to use some of live station(s) like omelette and/or waffle I guess... Have you fixed that?

Is the half day rate inclusive of lunch at the kid's club? How much is the rate you charge for the weeklly (6 day) pass?

thanks
daddy

Saw some decent prices in August so thinking of going for a few days..

A couple of Q's (sorry I haven't read the whole thread and anyway things may have changed)

-> what are the beaches like nearby? How far are they by car?

-> what is parking like? Free self parking?

-> has plat recognition improved? Is it better to e mail them first?

Grazie mille x l'aiuto!!^

- good beach at the hotel, fantastic beach 5 min by car or 15min by bike
- free self parking (at least last summer...)
- I would hope so ! Going next week and will find out. Rates are much lower than last summer pointing to some possible low demand....

Thanks for the reply banzani

Please get back to us with a short TR!! Would love to hear how your stay goes

Btw - how much was the hotel last summer?

Grazie^

I seem to remember the Romanos starting at 280,- and up, and Westin 220.-. This year it appears the Romanos can be had for last years Westin rates, of course depending on the dates.

Will post, my main worry is a great upgrade, being with the family I want that suite with the private pool ;-)

Good luck! Hope you get your upgrade!

1. The beaches are beautiful and there aren't a lot of people. The beach at the hotel is 5-10 minutes walk depending on where your room is. There are literally miles and miles of sandy beaches all along the western coast of the Peloppenese. Most of them are largely deserted.

2. Parking is in a big lot. No charge.

3. You can e-mail ahead of time, but I have found that it is difficult to get confirmed upgrades ahead of check in.

On property right now. Initially upgraded to Jr suite, upon inquiry at cki further upgrade to Family Suite (this is what reservations had told me they would try and do, so the comment in my res probably helped). Further upgrades to Infinity and/or premium suites seem out of reach (maybe because we are staying on a dead-cheap BRG). Overall a decent proposition and a great room which works very well for us.

Property quiet empty still, and a couple unexplaineable service glitches. Asked for local gift as Plat amenity, and 2 days later incl several reminders, still waiting. Initial room had a broken mirror and AC so we were asked to move, immediately after unpacking. Were shown a couple worse rooms, until finally a comparable option was offered (but nothing better as compensation for the inconvenience). We were waiting for help with the move but no avail. Then moved luggage ourselves only to wait more than an hour just for the keys for the new room. It was the hotel who made us move so overall this was a bad experience, no apology or follow up by the hotel. Also no Plat welcome whatsoever in the room.

On the plus side, great resort, not too busy, great room, etc. So we are happy. Parking free.

Comparing to Romanos the Westin is definitely a lower service category, though the rooms are nice enough.

Yikes. That sounds quite annoying. We never experienced anything like that. Hopefully it is an anomaly.

Well few more examples of shaky service levels (turndown service at 11pm, never called back from guest services, etc.) but everybody is very friendly. This seems to be more of a training than an attitude issue, which makes it much easier to accept IMO.

Overall a good stay, and let's face it, this is one of the top resorts in the mediterannean.

The most annoying thing for us was access to the water slides for children. Rules even stricter than last year and most lifeguards (one exception) on a 0 tolerance mission. Our daughter who was looking forward to doing the slides again (more than anything) was not allowed (while last year she was). Try to explain that to a 6 year old. A self-imposed restriction and completely unneccesary annoyance.

thanks banzani for your updates

Looking forward to me stay

Did you go to somes of the beaches this time too?
How long would you recomend to stay? (We will be in Greece for 9 - 10 days).

Grazie^