Austin, TX : Which SPG property, where to stay? General Discussion
Dec 29, 2013, 9:23 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: Hyatt dia
Posts: 64
I live in Austin and like doing staycations occasionally.
I'd like to try W next, I recently stayed at the Driskill and it was a letdown. Westin Domain is nice and squeaky clean, has a gym & pool.
Really depends on if you want to be downtown or not. As others have said rates downtown can be highly variable.
I'd like to try W next, I recently stayed at the Driskill and it was a letdown. Westin Domain is nice and squeaky clean, has a gym & pool.
Really depends on if you want to be downtown or not. As others have said rates downtown can be highly variable.
Dec 30, 2013, 8:57 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: CLT
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Platinum, Penalty Box 2K, PWP Posting Unit 9
Posts: 13,514
I've stayed at The Sheraton, the W, and the Aloft at the Domain
I liked the Aloft, but it's not close to anything - 20 minute drive to downtown. Great plat recognition - personalized note and amenity delivered to room.
The W is better location than the Sheraton, but the Sheraton isn't that far. The W is nice, but I did not receive anything other than my amenity (points) for being platinum. I found some of the hotel's rules (for the pool and such) to be annoying and the staff members weren't exactly friendly about it. That said, the party is definitely at the W.
The Sheraton was just a standard Sheraton. No upgrade to write home about, the lounge was functional. Walkable to everywhere downtown.
I liked the Aloft, but it's not close to anything - 20 minute drive to downtown. Great plat recognition - personalized note and amenity delivered to room.
The W is better location than the Sheraton, but the Sheraton isn't that far. The W is nice, but I did not receive anything other than my amenity (points) for being platinum. I found some of the hotel's rules (for the pool and such) to be annoying and the staff members weren't exactly friendly about it. That said, the party is definitely at the W.
The Sheraton was just a standard Sheraton. No upgrade to write home about, the lounge was functional. Walkable to everywhere downtown.
Dec 30, 2013, 10:08 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: ABE
Programs: SPG Plat, USairways Plat, Avis First
Posts: 111
I would definitely give the nod to the W if we're talking downtown. The Sheraton is fine in an unremarkable way with a serviceable lounge, but the W has a much better location if you like to walk to restaurants, etc.
Dec 30, 2013, 12:51 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Marcos, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum ; Hilton Gold; Hertz 5*, Delta DM. Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 215
Hi Folks
Has anyone stayed recently in any of the SPG properties in Austin. Planning to stay for a long weekend in May so am looking for advice on the best property to stay . Also the amenities provided to Platinum members. I can't find any recent reports in the forum. Thanks in advance. Happy New Year to all.
Has anyone stayed recently in any of the SPG properties in Austin. Planning to stay for a long weekend in May so am looking for advice on the best property to stay . Also the amenities provided to Platinum members. I can't find any recent reports in the forum. Thanks in advance. Happy New Year to all.
The hotels at the Domain are great if you have reason to be out there...otherwise avoid them as they are a long way from downtown Austin and traffic can be bad.
As for platinum recognition I have found it to be good at all the properties...I almost always got upgraded in some way so hopefully you will too. Enjoy! Austin is a great city.
Dec 30, 2013, 2:51 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: TX
Programs: SPG Platinum, Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List, HHonors Gold
Posts: 252
Jan 13, 2014, 10:44 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 226
How is transportation from the Domain area to downtown? Are there any options or is it just cabs?
I am planning a trip for the iHeartRadio Country Music festival and the W is completely sold out and the Sheraton is showing $300 a night so I figured I would just stay at the Westin.
I am planning a trip for the iHeartRadio Country Music festival and the W is completely sold out and the Sheraton is showing $300 a night so I figured I would just stay at the Westin.
Jan 13, 2014, 7:39 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 743
How is transportation from the Domain area to downtown? Are there any options or is it just cabs?
I am planning a trip for the iHeartRadio Country Music festival and the W is completely sold out and the Sheraton is showing $300 a night so I figured I would just stay at the Westin.
I am planning a trip for the iHeartRadio Country Music festival and the W is completely sold out and the Sheraton is showing $300 a night so I figured I would just stay at the Westin.
Your event appears to be at the Frank Erwin Center which is actually north of downtown, near UT.
You might look at the possibility of getting a rental car. While you would have to pay to park if you went downtown, the self parking at the Westin Domain is plentiful and free. And the Domain is right on Mopac (a toll road) so you can avoid at least some of the Austin traffic if you don't mind paying a toll.
Hope this helps!
Jan 14, 2014, 10:41 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 226
Since I am from Dallas, I usually have my own car with me in Austin. So I cannot speak to the cab situation or to any public transit to the Domain area. Someone else is going to have to help you out with that.
Your event appears to be at the Frank Erwin Center which is actually north of downtown, near UT.
You might look at the possibility of getting a rental car. While you would have to pay to park if you went downtown, the self parking at the Westin Domain is plentiful and free. And the Domain is right on Mopac (a toll road) so you can avoid at least some of the Austin traffic if you don't mind paying a toll.
Hope this helps!
Your event appears to be at the Frank Erwin Center which is actually north of downtown, near UT.
You might look at the possibility of getting a rental car. While you would have to pay to park if you went downtown, the self parking at the Westin Domain is plentiful and free. And the Domain is right on Mopac (a toll road) so you can avoid at least some of the Austin traffic if you don't mind paying a toll.
Hope this helps!
Jan 14, 2014, 10:44 am
#26
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
http://hailacabapp.com/
Austin is one of the cities in Texas where this works.
And, here is a website that you might find handy for arranging other methods:
http://www.soberrides.org/
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 14, 2014, 3:12 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 743
By the way, if you happen to have a TollTag on your car, it will work on the toll roads in Austin.
Jan 14, 2014, 6:31 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 142
My favorite property is the W - it's easy to get around without a car.
Aloft Austin is about a mile from the Kramer St Train Station, which goes right to the downtown convention center / bars. When I stayed in March, Aloft had a free shuttle to the train station.
Aloft Austin is about a mile from the Kramer St Train Station, which goes right to the downtown convention center / bars. When I stayed in March, Aloft had a free shuttle to the train station.
Jan 15, 2014, 11:36 am
#29
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 226
I've found this app to be handy when doing the same.
http://hailacabapp.com/
Austin is one of the cities in Texas where this works.
And, here is a website that you might find handy for arranging other methods:
http://www.soberrides.org/
[email protected]
http://hailacabapp.com/
Austin is one of the cities in Texas where this works.
And, here is a website that you might find handy for arranging other methods:
http://www.soberrides.org/
[email protected]
And thank you 466SHH for the info about the TollTag, good to know. Moving down here it was/still is a little confusing that there are different types of toll passes within the same state.