Nov 23, 2014, 1:06 pm
The Westin Josun Busan, South Korea [Master Thread]
May 11, 2001, 8:09 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: SYD
Posts: 1,363
The Westin Josun Busan, South Korea [Master Thread]
Greetings all
Further to my recent post in relation to the Westin and Sheraton Hotels in Seoul, I have now found out that I will also be travelling to Pusan (Sth Korea).
There is only one Starwood hotel in Pusan, being the Westin Chosun Beach, however, this property is located on Hauendae Beach. I understand this is about 15kms from downtown Pusan, which is where I have several appointments.
Could anyone familiar with either Pusan or this hotel advise how long it will actually take to travel from the Westin to downtown Pusan at peak times? The information I have from travelocity states that the property is 20mins from the city, however, that might be at 2 in the morning for all I know.
Also, what can I expect at this hotel? I've noticed the Marriott is considerably more expensive, should I consider staying there instead? I must say the photos I have seen of the Westin are not too inspiring.
I do not believe the Westin Pusan has previously been discussed in this forum (at least no results were provided from searching "pusan").
Your assistance would be most appreciated.
Regards.
Further to my recent post in relation to the Westin and Sheraton Hotels in Seoul, I have now found out that I will also be travelling to Pusan (Sth Korea).
There is only one Starwood hotel in Pusan, being the Westin Chosun Beach, however, this property is located on Hauendae Beach. I understand this is about 15kms from downtown Pusan, which is where I have several appointments.
Could anyone familiar with either Pusan or this hotel advise how long it will actually take to travel from the Westin to downtown Pusan at peak times? The information I have from travelocity states that the property is 20mins from the city, however, that might be at 2 in the morning for all I know.
Also, what can I expect at this hotel? I've noticed the Marriott is considerably more expensive, should I consider staying there instead? I must say the photos I have seen of the Westin are not too inspiring.
I do not believe the Westin Pusan has previously been discussed in this forum (at least no results were provided from searching "pusan").
Your assistance would be most appreciated.
Regards.
May 14, 2001, 10:58 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador, Avis Chairman's
Posts: 7,445
Just saw your post. I've been to the Westin Chosun Beach several times. Pvt e-mail me for more info.
Oct 18, 2009, 1:02 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Korea
Posts: 1,168
what a shock
i wonder if the lurkers visit this property for quality control? this place is a mess - sure it does live up to the minimum expectations of a westin with its heavenly bed, the aveda products, and descent lounge etc... but the hotel is managed very poorly.
take the sun bathing deck for example - it's made available to guests but there's nothing there but dust and trash. off to the corner of the deck was an open window of a shabby office.
i know busan is a bit far off from the center of the universe, but if it is to carry a Westin brand name, it needs to be managed centrally and follow the starwood protocols. what a world of difference from westin chosun seoul (or from any other 5 star properties in south korea in general)
take the sun bathing deck for example - it's made available to guests but there's nothing there but dust and trash. off to the corner of the deck was an open window of a shabby office.
i know busan is a bit far off from the center of the universe, but if it is to carry a Westin brand name, it needs to be managed centrally and follow the starwood protocols. what a world of difference from westin chosun seoul (or from any other 5 star properties in south korea in general)
Oct 18, 2009, 8:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 135
i wonder if the lurkers visit this property for quality control? this place is a mess - sure it does live up to the minimum expectations of a westin with its heavenly bed, the aveda products, and descent lounge etc... but the hotel is managed very poorly.
take the sun bathing deck for example - it's made available to guests but there's nothing there but dust and trash. off to the corner of the deck was an open window of a shabby office.
i know busan is a bit far off from the center of the universe, but if it is to carry a Westin brand name, it needs to be managed centrally and follow the starwood protocols. what a world of difference from westin chosun seoul (or from any other 5 star properties in south korea in general)
take the sun bathing deck for example - it's made available to guests but there's nothing there but dust and trash. off to the corner of the deck was an open window of a shabby office.
i know busan is a bit far off from the center of the universe, but if it is to carry a Westin brand name, it needs to be managed centrally and follow the starwood protocols. what a world of difference from westin chosun seoul (or from any other 5 star properties in south korea in general)
The cheeky clerk even lied to me that the bed in my room was indeed a heavenly bed even after I had pulled all the sheets out and am staring directly at the very old mattress. I was only going to overnight there and hence did not make too much of a fuss, but it did gave me a sore back in the morning and to make matter worst, I have to slum it out in economy to narita. Luckily for me, it is only a short flight!
My last stay there was a couple of years ago and I sincerely hope that they had changed the bed by now.
Oct 19, 2009, 1:35 am
#7
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
Sadly, I have no ability to travel to all of the properties in AP for quality control issues.
But with the help of the internet, I can assist you further with your feedback.
I have dropped you a PM accordingly.
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
But with the help of the internet, I can assist you further with your feedback.
I have dropped you a PM accordingly.
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Oct 19, 2009, 2:21 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: OZ LT D+, UA 1K, AS MVPG AF Gold, SPG Platinum (8 years), Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold
Posts: 463
i wonder if the lurkers visit this property for quality control? this place is a mess - sure it does live up to the minimum expectations of a westin with its heavenly bed, the aveda products, and descent lounge etc... but the hotel is managed very poorly.
take the sun bathing deck for example - it's made available to guests but there's nothing there but dust and trash. off to the corner of the deck was an open window of a shabby office.
i know busan is a bit far off from the center of the universe, but if it is to carry a Westin brand name, it needs to be managed centrally and follow the starwood protocols. what a world of difference from westin chosun seoul (or from any other 5 star properties in south korea in general)
take the sun bathing deck for example - it's made available to guests but there's nothing there but dust and trash. off to the corner of the deck was an open window of a shabby office.
i know busan is a bit far off from the center of the universe, but if it is to carry a Westin brand name, it needs to be managed centrally and follow the starwood protocols. what a world of difference from westin chosun seoul (or from any other 5 star properties in south korea in general)
I don't agree with you at all. I've also been there very frequently. Whenever I visit there, I could feel very comfortable and satisfactory. As a plat, I was usually upgraded to family suite having large separate living room. Also, executive lounge has a variety of foods and liquor selections. And, what I like the most is sauna facility. With comparing other properties around Haeundae, Westin is still the best property after renovation..
I guess you visit Westin Busan in July-Aug, when there are extremely crowded season. Except that season, I perfectly like this property.
On the other hand, I agree the rate is little bit overated as considering category 3. FYI, you know Westin Seoul doesn't offer Aveda product any more, (only suite level offers Bvlgari's)
Last edited by OneWorldTraveller; Oct 19, 2009 at 2:26 am
Oct 19, 2009, 6:42 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TSV, Australia
Posts: 2,401
i wonder if the lurkers visit this property for quality control? this place is a mess - sure it does live up to the minimum expectations of a westin with its heavenly bed, the aveda products, and descent lounge etc... but the hotel is managed very poorly.
take the sun bathing deck for example - it's made available to guests but there's nothing there but dust and trash. off to the corner of the deck was an open window of a shabby office.
i know busan is a bit far off from the center of the universe, but if it is to carry a Westin brand name, it needs to be managed centrally and follow the starwood protocols. what a world of difference from westin chosun seoul (or from any other 5 star properties in south korea in general)
take the sun bathing deck for example - it's made available to guests but there's nothing there but dust and trash. off to the corner of the deck was an open window of a shabby office.
i know busan is a bit far off from the center of the universe, but if it is to carry a Westin brand name, it needs to be managed centrally and follow the starwood protocols. what a world of difference from westin chosun seoul (or from any other 5 star properties in south korea in general)
Oct 21, 2009, 9:06 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Korea
Posts: 1,168
i don't even want to pick out the individual bits and pieces that went wrong. as said in my last post, this hotel gives you the overall impression that it is NOT managed by Westin... but still bears its name.
ever been to a Westin where the wallpaper has been pasted poorly along the staircase that bits of paper are sticking out? (i could have pasted better myself). ever been to a Westin where the you enter a swimming pool and you are hushed away because they have to clean it for the WHOLE DAY? i could go on and on....
i'm not very hard to please, really. my expectations are not that high... but this hotel really really needs to improve or be banned from using the Westin brand.
Oct 21, 2009, 9:49 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Programs: SPG PLT
Posts: 238
I loved it!
I stayed here back in april 2008 when i was a gold. My brother in law was a plat and he was upgraded to a huge suite. They allowed my wife and i to enter the lounge with my sister and brother in law.
The hotel is pretty fancy. Located right on the beach so it has great views. Nice walking/jogging trails also.
The lounge was nice with hot & cold foods with alcohol.
Haeundae is quite a distance from the train station. I remember it being about a 30 minute cab ride.
Definitely worth it! George bush stayed here when he was in pusan. They have pictures in the lobby of all the celebrities that stay here.
Hope this helps
The hotel is pretty fancy. Located right on the beach so it has great views. Nice walking/jogging trails also.
The lounge was nice with hot & cold foods with alcohol.
Haeundae is quite a distance from the train station. I remember it being about a 30 minute cab ride.
Definitely worth it! George bush stayed here when he was in pusan. They have pictures in the lobby of all the celebrities that stay here.
Hope this helps
Nov 8, 2009, 3:11 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: somewhere north of stateside...
Posts: 4,153
Just stayed there this weekend. The staff were all very polite, although I did have to prompt an upgrade to an oceanview room as an SPG Gold, having not seen any changes to the reservation online in advance.
I stayed on the 6th floor, with a great view of Haeundae Beach and the ocean. I think the hotel is actually more than 30 years old (obviously renovated since then) and I found the room - and particularly the bathroom - to be quite small.
My room had a queen and a single bed, a small screened window that opened (so I could hear the surf all night) and a flatscreen television. No Heavenly Bath, but an alright showerhead in a small bathtub with a low ceiling (again, probably due to the original design of the hotel).
The bed's linens were Heavenly, but I don't think there is anyway the mattress was... it was extremely hard, so I ended up turning over several times during the night. My room was clean, but in the bathroom I noticed a few places where small holes had been patched but not entirely re-wallpapered, so looked a bit bad.
Live music at the lobby lounge in the evenings, reasonably priced drinks and food when compared to Seoul's hotels (but still a bit on the pricey side). All-in, an alright stay, but don't expect the Westin Chosun Seoul. Same name, different hotels.
I stayed on the 6th floor, with a great view of Haeundae Beach and the ocean. I think the hotel is actually more than 30 years old (obviously renovated since then) and I found the room - and particularly the bathroom - to be quite small.
My room had a queen and a single bed, a small screened window that opened (so I could hear the surf all night) and a flatscreen television. No Heavenly Bath, but an alright showerhead in a small bathtub with a low ceiling (again, probably due to the original design of the hotel).
The bed's linens were Heavenly, but I don't think there is anyway the mattress was... it was extremely hard, so I ended up turning over several times during the night. My room was clean, but in the bathroom I noticed a few places where small holes had been patched but not entirely re-wallpapered, so looked a bit bad.
Live music at the lobby lounge in the evenings, reasonably priced drinks and food when compared to Seoul's hotels (but still a bit on the pricey side). All-in, an alright stay, but don't expect the Westin Chosun Seoul. Same name, different hotels.
Nov 8, 2009, 3:32 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Korea
Posts: 1,168
... just thinking out loud cos i like Busan lots.
Nov 8, 2009, 4:26 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beijing, China
Programs: BA/A3 Gold/SPG Plat
Posts: 500
Recently stayed in Westin Chosun Busan in Family Suite and please take a look of my flickr pictures 
Nov 8, 2009, 8:59 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 135
The bed's linens were Heavenly, but I don't think there is anyway the mattress was... it was extremely hard, so I ended up turning over several times during the night. My room was clean, but in the bathroom I noticed a few places where small holes had been patched but not entirely re-wallpapered, so looked a bit bad.
Other than that, and to be fair to them, they do provide reasonably good service and that they have a good executive lounge and probably one of the best around pusan. In order to enjoy this hotel, I feel that one have to stay at the executive level at the minimum.