Nov 23, 2014, 1:06 pm
The Westin Josun Busan, South Korea [Master Thread]
May 17, 2018, 7:48 pm
#61
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM; Marriott Ambasador Elite
Posts: 626
Previous discussion was about this property leaving SPG portfolio in 2018 but I see it is still there. I'm chasing Platinum again and I am planning a stay in June. Does anyone know when it stop being an SPG property? Also, if it leaves SPG after I book but before I stay, would I still receive my night credits and SPG points?
Jun 21, 2018, 1:25 am
#62
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
I recently completed a 2-night stay at this hotel 2 weeks ago and will be returning there this weekend for another two night stay.
The place is nice. It's actually very nice as I had a comfortable stay with no issues at all. I was even granted a late checkout of 4 PM (left at 2 PM). The outside of the building is being cleaned/repaired/painted. The breakfast at the top floor area was very nice as well. I am unsure if I booked a reservation for the Executive level last time as it was a last minute booking as I wasn't sure I would be traveling into Seoul from Chuncheon. However, this weekend I book the into a non-exec room type. Will be interesting to see if I'm upgraded to the executive level upon checking in.
The place is nice. It's actually very nice as I had a comfortable stay with no issues at all. I was even granted a late checkout of 4 PM (left at 2 PM). The outside of the building is being cleaned/repaired/painted. The breakfast at the top floor area was very nice as well. I am unsure if I booked a reservation for the Executive level last time as it was a last minute booking as I wasn't sure I would be traveling into Seoul from Chuncheon. However, this weekend I book the into a non-exec room type. Will be interesting to see if I'm upgraded to the executive level upon checking in.
Sep 6, 2018, 9:17 pm
#63
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: CX DM/OWE, Marriott Titanium, Avis Preferred, National EE
Posts: 128
Anyone know how they treat platinum's at this property? I am scheduled for a points stay in mid-november and am curious to see what upgrades they offer platinums (and if there is a lounge)? I have read that the sauna on site is really nice.
thanks
thanks
Sep 7, 2018, 4:03 am
#64
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM; Marriott Ambasador Elite
Posts: 626
Staying there right now on points. I was upgraded, but used SNAs. The location is unexiciting but very central and convenient. The service is quite good. There is a nice lounge on the top floor. Overall I’m quite happy with my stay.
Feb 6, 2019, 7:54 pm
#65
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: Hyatt, Delta, Bonvoy, Hilton, BA, United
Posts: 106
I had a paid stay at the Westin Chosun Busan for two nights as a PPE (soon to be Tit).
This is a very nice property that sits out facing Haeundae beach on one side, and a park on the other.
Upon check-in, I was recognized as a Platinum member and informed that I received an upgrade to an executive suite with a beach view. This was not something I asked for (either via SNA or just asking), so it was a very nice surprise. Upon entering the room, the TV was set to a message with a personalized note, and the bed had a small gift bag with two fortune cookies.
When the front desk was explaining lounge access to me, they informed me that I was invited to have breakfast in the restaurant, which was a nice surprise as well.
The lounge is a dedicated space on the 2nd floor (I guess no longer top floor it seems?), that has really terrible food for the evening happy hour.
The guacamole was very watery and looked like a sickly pale green. Like a mix of ranch and mashed avocado. It tasted how it looked. The salsa they had were clearly a jarred salsa like a tostitos wannabe brand or something.
No crackers or bread to go along with the cheeses/cured meats that were available.
They had two hot food choices each night. The first night was bacon-wrapped sausage and chopped steak. The second night was bbq wings and a sauteed shrimp dish I don't remember the name of. Despite how it may sound, the offerings were pretty bad as far as taste goes.
There was also a selection of fruits, which was the best stuff they had out for the evenings besides the booze.
Regarding the booze they had a variety of liquors, though nothing special. They had Jack Daniel's, Ballantine 12-year, Absolut, etc. For beer they had Cass and Budweiser. Of course there was a selection of different wines.
An interesting offering was that they had canned gatorade available, so that was kind of nice.
Breakfast in the restaurant was really good. Lots of variety, the french toast I especially enjoyed. They had Chinese, Japanese, Western, and Korean-style breakfasts
They also do offer breakfast in the lounge, which is still a pretty decent breakfast. Scrambled eggs and bacon, in addition to cereals, fruits, and breads.
I thought it was kind of funny that they had an Irish pub on-site called "O'Kim's". I had to explain to my wife (a native Korean), why I thought it was so funny.
Sauna/gym access was included in my stay, and it is very nice. Like other high-end gyms in Korea, everything is included. That means workout clothes, temp-use headphones, the hot tubs, the saunas/steam rooms, full showers, etc.
As said, the location is between a beach and a park, so beach access is available just by walking out the door. There is a cool setup of "pojang-machas" (tent-based restaurants) along the beach, and close access to a Busan City Bus Tour stop. You do have to walk a bit to get to convenience stores, but they're still close. Lots of hotels in the area along the beach, so expect to see travelers if you're exploring. The view from the room is pretty nice. Reminded me of the view I had at the Fountainebleau in Miami.
I was here during the Lunar New Year, and the beach was not too crowded, but I heard it was much more people than they usually have. Apparently in the summer the beach gets crazy crowded, so just FYI.
Anyway, if anyone has additional questions, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.
This is a very nice property that sits out facing Haeundae beach on one side, and a park on the other.
Upon check-in, I was recognized as a Platinum member and informed that I received an upgrade to an executive suite with a beach view. This was not something I asked for (either via SNA or just asking), so it was a very nice surprise. Upon entering the room, the TV was set to a message with a personalized note, and the bed had a small gift bag with two fortune cookies.
When the front desk was explaining lounge access to me, they informed me that I was invited to have breakfast in the restaurant, which was a nice surprise as well.
The lounge is a dedicated space on the 2nd floor (I guess no longer top floor it seems?), that has really terrible food for the evening happy hour.
The guacamole was very watery and looked like a sickly pale green. Like a mix of ranch and mashed avocado. It tasted how it looked. The salsa they had were clearly a jarred salsa like a tostitos wannabe brand or something.
No crackers or bread to go along with the cheeses/cured meats that were available.
They had two hot food choices each night. The first night was bacon-wrapped sausage and chopped steak. The second night was bbq wings and a sauteed shrimp dish I don't remember the name of. Despite how it may sound, the offerings were pretty bad as far as taste goes.
There was also a selection of fruits, which was the best stuff they had out for the evenings besides the booze.
Regarding the booze they had a variety of liquors, though nothing special. They had Jack Daniel's, Ballantine 12-year, Absolut, etc. For beer they had Cass and Budweiser. Of course there was a selection of different wines.
An interesting offering was that they had canned gatorade available, so that was kind of nice.
Breakfast in the restaurant was really good. Lots of variety, the french toast I especially enjoyed. They had Chinese, Japanese, Western, and Korean-style breakfasts
They also do offer breakfast in the lounge, which is still a pretty decent breakfast. Scrambled eggs and bacon, in addition to cereals, fruits, and breads.
I thought it was kind of funny that they had an Irish pub on-site called "O'Kim's". I had to explain to my wife (a native Korean), why I thought it was so funny.
Sauna/gym access was included in my stay, and it is very nice. Like other high-end gyms in Korea, everything is included. That means workout clothes, temp-use headphones, the hot tubs, the saunas/steam rooms, full showers, etc.
As said, the location is between a beach and a park, so beach access is available just by walking out the door. There is a cool setup of "pojang-machas" (tent-based restaurants) along the beach, and close access to a Busan City Bus Tour stop. You do have to walk a bit to get to convenience stores, but they're still close. Lots of hotels in the area along the beach, so expect to see travelers if you're exploring. The view from the room is pretty nice. Reminded me of the view I had at the Fountainebleau in Miami.
I was here during the Lunar New Year, and the beach was not too crowded, but I heard it was much more people than they usually have. Apparently in the summer the beach gets crazy crowded, so just FYI.
Anyway, if anyone has additional questions, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.
Feb 7, 2019, 7:04 pm
#67
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Those tent restaurants on the beach sound cold in winter.
Jul 4, 2019, 11:13 pm
#69
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Accor, Hyatt, (Former IHG Ambassador)
Posts: 1,394
Stayed here recently as a platinum and was treated very well.
Upgraded from "park view" on low floor to top floor (10th floor) with full view of Haeundae beach. Very nice upgrade.
The great views are really what make this property special. No other hotel in Busan has a view of the ENTIRE beach from the side like the Westin does. All the other hotels face the beach from the front, giving you only partial views, while the Westin (being on the side of very western edge of the beach) shows you the whole thing. If your room is not facing the beach, you are really missing out. Windows can be opened for fresh air, and you will hear the sounds of the beach waves all day and night which I loved.
The hotel lets you have breakfast in the ground floor main restaurant when your room includes lounge access, so you get both free breakfast AND the 1000 welcome points. I think the reason for this is that the lounge only opens at 11:00am...not earlier.
If you don't have lounge access (or a breakfast inclusive rate) then breakfast is a very pricey 45,000 KRW per person. If you don't have lounge access, then try to find a breakfast inclusive rate if you can, as it's probably going to be cheaper. Not the biggest selection for a 4 star hotel in asia, but everything I ate there was of a high standard. I was quite impressed by the high quality of the food. The breakfast dining room also has great views of the beach with huge windows.
Club lounge is located on the 2nd floor and is open every single day (including saturdays and sundays) and has really great views with massive floor to ceiling windows looking over all of Haeundae beach. Decent sized lounge with around 20 to 30 tables. Evening food is served from 18:00 to 20:00. Selection however was not huge and I recall only 2 warm options. However, they do change these from night to night. The lounge only opens at 11:00am (not earlier) and remains open until 17:00 (5pm) and during this time serves some cookies, small cakes, soft drinks/coffee and some fruit. It closes for an hour from 5pm to 6pm to prepare evening food.
A few issues that people need to be aware of:
-The nearest metro stations "Haeundae" and "Dongbaek" are both a 15 to 20 minute walk away. If you are pulling luggage or it's raining, forget about it.
-From what I saw on the official website, the last room rennovations were in 2003 and it shows. Everything is clean and in working order, but do not expect a super modern looking room. The common areas (reception, breakfast, bars) are all more modern and good looking, but the look of the rooms may leave you disappointed if you are shelling out a lot of cash each night for this place and are used to a more updated style. I didn't mind so much, cause my rate was reasonable, but others might.
Upgraded from "park view" on low floor to top floor (10th floor) with full view of Haeundae beach. Very nice upgrade.
The great views are really what make this property special. No other hotel in Busan has a view of the ENTIRE beach from the side like the Westin does. All the other hotels face the beach from the front, giving you only partial views, while the Westin (being on the side of very western edge of the beach) shows you the whole thing. If your room is not facing the beach, you are really missing out. Windows can be opened for fresh air, and you will hear the sounds of the beach waves all day and night which I loved.
The hotel lets you have breakfast in the ground floor main restaurant when your room includes lounge access, so you get both free breakfast AND the 1000 welcome points. I think the reason for this is that the lounge only opens at 11:00am...not earlier.
If you don't have lounge access (or a breakfast inclusive rate) then breakfast is a very pricey 45,000 KRW per person. If you don't have lounge access, then try to find a breakfast inclusive rate if you can, as it's probably going to be cheaper. Not the biggest selection for a 4 star hotel in asia, but everything I ate there was of a high standard. I was quite impressed by the high quality of the food. The breakfast dining room also has great views of the beach with huge windows.
Club lounge is located on the 2nd floor and is open every single day (including saturdays and sundays) and has really great views with massive floor to ceiling windows looking over all of Haeundae beach. Decent sized lounge with around 20 to 30 tables. Evening food is served from 18:00 to 20:00. Selection however was not huge and I recall only 2 warm options. However, they do change these from night to night. The lounge only opens at 11:00am (not earlier) and remains open until 17:00 (5pm) and during this time serves some cookies, small cakes, soft drinks/coffee and some fruit. It closes for an hour from 5pm to 6pm to prepare evening food.
A few issues that people need to be aware of:
-The nearest metro stations "Haeundae" and "Dongbaek" are both a 15 to 20 minute walk away. If you are pulling luggage or it's raining, forget about it.
-From what I saw on the official website, the last room rennovations were in 2003 and it shows. Everything is clean and in working order, but do not expect a super modern looking room. The common areas (reception, breakfast, bars) are all more modern and good looking, but the look of the rooms may leave you disappointed if you are shelling out a lot of cash each night for this place and are used to a more updated style. I didn't mind so much, cause my rate was reasonable, but others might.
Last edited by est-gratuite; Jul 5, 2019 at 12:04 am
Jul 7, 2019, 9:07 pm
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
Stayed here recently as a platinum and was treated very well.
Upgraded from "park view" on low floor to top floor (10th floor) with full view of Haeundae beach. Very nice upgrade.
The great views are really what make this property special. No other hotel in Busan has a view of the ENTIRE beach from the side like the Westin does. All the other hotels face the beach from the front, giving you only partial views, while the Westin (being on the side of very western edge of the beach) shows you the whole thing. If your room is not facing the beach, you are really missing out. Windows can be opened for fresh air, and you will hear the sounds of the beach waves all day and night which I loved.
The hotel lets you have breakfast in the ground floor main restaurant when your room includes lounge access, so you get both free breakfast AND the 1000 welcome points. I think the reason for this is that the lounge only opens at 11:00am...not earlier.
If you don't have lounge access (or a breakfast inclusive rate) then breakfast is a very pricey 45,000 KRW per person. If you don't have lounge access, then try to find a breakfast inclusive rate if you can, as it's probably going to be cheaper. Not the biggest selection for a 4 star hotel in asia, but everything I ate there was of a high standard. I was quite impressed by the high quality of the food. The breakfast dining room also has great views of the beach with huge windows.
Club lounge is located on the 2nd floor and is open every single day (including saturdays and sundays) and has really great views with massive floor to ceiling windows looking over all of Haeundae beach. Decent sized lounge with around 20 to 30 tables. Evening food is served from 18:00 to 20:00. Selection however was not huge and I recall only 2 warm options. However, they do change these from night to night. The lounge only opens at 11:00am (not earlier) and remains open until 17:00 (5pm) and during this time serves some cookies, small cakes, soft drinks/coffee and some fruit. It closes for an hour from 5pm to 6pm to prepare evening food.
A few issues that people need to be aware of:
-The nearest metro stations "Haeundae" and "Dongbaek" are both a 15 to 20 minute walk away. If you are pulling luggage or it's raininareasg, forget about it.
.
Upgraded from "park view" on low floor to top floor (10th floor) with full view of Haeundae beach. Very nice upgrade.
The great views are really what make this property special. No other hotel in Busan has a view of the ENTIRE beach from the side like the Westin does. All the other hotels face the beach from the front, giving you only partial views, while the Westin (being on the side of very western edge of the beach) shows you the whole thing. If your room is not facing the beach, you are really missing out. Windows can be opened for fresh air, and you will hear the sounds of the beach waves all day and night which I loved.
The hotel lets you have breakfast in the ground floor main restaurant when your room includes lounge access, so you get both free breakfast AND the 1000 welcome points. I think the reason for this is that the lounge only opens at 11:00am...not earlier.
If you don't have lounge access (or a breakfast inclusive rate) then breakfast is a very pricey 45,000 KRW per person. If you don't have lounge access, then try to find a breakfast inclusive rate if you can, as it's probably going to be cheaper. Not the biggest selection for a 4 star hotel in asia, but everything I ate there was of a high standard. I was quite impressed by the high quality of the food. The breakfast dining room also has great views of the beach with huge windows.
Club lounge is located on the 2nd floor and is open every single day (including saturdays and sundays) and has really great views with massive floor to ceiling windows looking over all of Haeundae beach. Decent sized lounge with around 20 to 30 tables. Evening food is served from 18:00 to 20:00. Selection however was not huge and I recall only 2 warm options. However, they do change these from night to night. The lounge only opens at 11:00am (not earlier) and remains open until 17:00 (5pm) and during this time serves some cookies, small cakes, soft drinks/coffee and some fruit. It closes for an hour from 5pm to 6pm to prepare evening food.
A few issues that people need to be aware of:
-The nearest metro stations "Haeundae" and "Dongbaek" are both a 15 to 20 minute walk away. If you are pulling luggage or it's raininareasg, forget about it.
.
Sep 2, 2019, 11:36 pm
#71
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,812
Are they leaving Marriott? I know they keep threatening to leave but noticed that they're not selling any rooms on Marriott's website starting 1/1/20. Looks like the Westin Chosun Seoul is selling rooms in 2020 so maybe it's just this property?
Sep 4, 2019, 7:08 am
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
I read in the Korean press about closing for a renovation to better compete with all the new properties coming to Haeundae. Not sure dates but this could be it.
Sep 4, 2019, 9:07 am
#73
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,812
Oct 21, 2019, 4:24 pm
#74
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: Delta Platinum & 2MM, Marriott Lifetime TIT, Hertz Pres Club, IHG Gold, *A Gold
Posts: 1,253
Trying to book a 3-night award at this property. Only single twin beds with city view show available with points.
If paying cash, only single twin beds with beach view and several different rooms on the executive level are available. Is there some event happening or is this normal for a weekend in Busan in November? If I book the crappy single twin beds with city view I wonder what may chances are of getting a decent room upon check-in as a Titanium? I will hopefully have exhausted my 5 SNAs before arriving. Might I have more options if calling to book?
If paying cash, only single twin beds with beach view and several different rooms on the executive level are available. Is there some event happening or is this normal for a weekend in Busan in November? If I book the crappy single twin beds with city view I wonder what may chances are of getting a decent room upon check-in as a Titanium? I will hopefully have exhausted my 5 SNAs before arriving. Might I have more options if calling to book?
Oct 21, 2019, 4:51 pm
#75
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,812
Trying to book a 3-night award at this property. Only single twin beds with city view show available with points.
If paying cash, only single twin beds with beach view and several different rooms on the executive level are available. Is there some event happening or is this normal for a weekend in Busan in November? If I book the crappy single twin beds with city view I wonder what may chances are of getting a decent room upon check-in as a Titanium? I will hopefully have exhausted my 5 SNAs before arriving. Might I have more options if calling to book?
If paying cash, only single twin beds with beach view and several different rooms on the executive level are available. Is there some event happening or is this normal for a weekend in Busan in November? If I book the crappy single twin beds with city view I wonder what may chances are of getting a decent room upon check-in as a Titanium? I will hopefully have exhausted my 5 SNAs before arriving. Might I have more options if calling to book?